Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans rallied from a five-point deficit to tie the game against the Cavaliers in the final minutes of Game 5. With the game tied and seconds left, James missed a clutch shot, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Tang Tian and Holiday led the Pelicans' comeback, and Holiday made a three-point shot while drawing a foul to cut the Cavaliers' lead to two.
• Irving answered with a difficult three-pointer, restoring a five-point Cavaliers lead.
• Tang Tian drew a three-point shooting foul and made all three free throws, then Davis rebounded Irving's missed drive and Tang Tian finished a fast break to tie the game at 120-120.
• With the game tied and around twenty seconds remaining, James drove into the lane and took a contested shot over Tang Tian and Davis, but it hit the front rim.

Tang Tian hit a last-second three-pointer for the Pelicans, but James answered with a shot that appeared to win the game for Cleveland. A replay showed James released it after the buzzer, so the basket was waved off and New Orleans defended its championship.

• James made a contested floater with six seconds left to give the Cavaliers a two-point lead.
• Holiday missed a three-pointer, but Davis grabbed the rebound and passed it out to Tang Tian, who hit a game-winner with 0.9 seconds remaining.
• The Cavaliers ran a play for Irving as a decoy, and Love passed to James, who made a three-pointer after the buzzer.
• Stevens, Gentry, and Tang Tian asked the referees to review James's shot, and the replay showed it left his hand too late.
• The referees disallowed James's basket, giving the Pelicans the win and the 2016–2017 NBA championship.

After the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers to win the 2016–2017 NBA championship, the team celebrated in New Orleans Arena and received the championship trophy. Tang Tian was hailed by the crowd as the King of New Orleans as the ceremony continued.

• James and most of the Cavaliers left the court, while Irving stayed to complete the handshake ceremony and gave Tang Tian a reluctant look before departing.
• The Pelicans celebrated their championship with their fans, and David West cried on the bench after finally winning the title.
• Tatum congratulated the Pelicans, and Gayle Benson received the Championship Trophy before passing it to Stevens and the players.
• Gayle Benson, Stevens, and Tang Tian gave interviews during the championship ceremony.
• The fans chanted King of New Orleans for Tang Tian as he took the microphone.

After the Pelicans defended their championship, Tang Tian thanked his teammates and wife, while Davis declared his desire to build a dynasty. Tang Tian won the 2016-2017 Finals MVP, and Bill Russell proclaimed that it was Tang Tian’s era.

• Tang Tian thanked the Pelicans’ staff and players, then dedicated the championship to Elizabeth for raising their sons while he focused on basketball.
• Davis celebrated the title and said he wanted to begin training immediately because the Pelicans could build a dynasty.
• Diop joked that he hoped to keep playing and win a dynasty with the Pelicans instead of retiring.
• Tang Tian and Davis’s Finals statistics made the FMVP vote more competitive, but Tatum announced Tang Tian as the winner.
• Russell presented Tang Tian with the trophy and declared, “This is his era.”

Tang Tian celebrated the Pelicans’ championship by praising Davis and James, then joined the team’s parade through New Orleans with the trophies and his African lion. Michael Jordan attended to support the team, but Tang Tian’s promise to stay in New Orleans dimmed Jordan’s hopes of recruiting him.

• Tang Tian praised James as a formidable opponent and jokingly confronted Davis over the FMVP vote before praising him.
• Davis paid for the Pelicans’ night out, while Tang Tian planned a Caribbean vacation with Olson and their two sons.
• The Pelicans held a city-bus championship parade, where Tang Tian rode with Davis, the trophies, and his African lion.
• Tang Tian led the muzzled lion off the bus at a stop, thrilling fans as the parade continued to New Orleans Arena.
• Michael Jordan attended the championship speeches to support the Pelicans and pursue his hopes of recruiting Tang Tian.
• Tang Tian promised the crowd he would stay in New Orleans and help the city win more championships, causing Jordan’s smile to vanish.

After the Pelicans won the championship, Tang Tian took Olson and members of the team on vacation in the Caribbean, where he ran into Durant. As the new season approached, Paul George requested a trade from the Pacers and named the Pelicans as his only preferred destination.

• Jordan left the championship parade early and returned to Charlotte, worried about Kemba Walker's contract and uncertain about Tang Tian's plans.
• Tang Tian celebrated the Pelicans' title with Davis before taking Olson, their sons, and team members on vacation to Barbados.
• Tang Tian and Olson encountered Durant with a woman who resembled Scarlett Johansson, and Tang Tian jokingly asked Durant to join the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian enjoyed his Caribbean vacation while NBA teams prepared for the draft and the coming season.
• Woj reported that Paul George had requested a trade from the Pacers and wanted to be traded only to the Pelicans.

Paul George named the Pelicans as his Designated Destination, prompting Tang Tian and the front office to weigh a possible trade. As the 2017 NBA Draft began, the Pelicans expected to trade up to the forty-fourth pick for one of Tang Tian’s suggested prospects.

• George requested a trade from the Pacers and named the Pelicans as his Designated Destination, shocking teams around the league.
• Tang Tian learned of George’s request while vacationing with Olson and considered why George might prefer New Orleans over the Lakers.
• Dempsey asked Tang Tian whether the Pelicans should pursue George, and Tang Tian left the decision to the front office without opposing the trade.
• The chapter reviewed the draft order and top prospects as the June 23 draft approached, with Tang Tian remaining in the Caribbean instead of attending.
• Stevens asked Dempsey what pick the Pelicans could trade for, and Dempsey said they expected to reach forty-fourth before commissioner Tatum opened the draft.

Tang Tian watched the 2017 NBA Draft from Barbados as trades reshaped the early picks and the Pelicans prepared for the second round. After Dempsey called about trading Brin Forbes and the 60th pick for Utah’s 40th pick, Tang Tian approved the deal and settled on a new target.

• The 76ers selected Markelle Fultz first, and the Lakers traded up to take Lonzo Ball second.
• The Suns selected Jayson Tatum third, then traded him to the Celtics for Dennis Smith Jr. and a protected first-round pick.
• The draft continued with several notable selections, including Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that the Jazz were willing to trade their 40th pick for Brin Forbes and the Pelicans’ 60th pick.
• Tang Tian approved the trade and chose to pursue a new target instead of Dillon Brooks.

The Pelicans selected Thomas Bryant with the 40th pick, and rumors swirled as the 2017 free agency period approached. After returning to New Orleans, Tang Tian heard from Irving, who said he planned to leave Cleveland and wanted to join the Pelicans.

• The Hornets selected Frank Mason with the first pick of the second round.
• The Pelicans traded Brin Forbes and the 60th pick to the Jazz for the 40th pick, then selected Thomas Bryant from Indiana University.
• Tang Tian's choice of Bryant drew attention from teams and fans, who praised his size, wingspan, and three-point shooting.
• As free agency approached, rumors spread about Paul, Griffin, Hayward, Giannis, and Walker, while George remained quiet despite having named the Pelicans as his preferred destination.
• Tang Tian and Olson returned to New Orleans one day before free agency opened, and Irving called Tang Tian to say he was leaving Cleveland and wanted to come to New Orleans.

Irving visited Tang Tian and explained that he wanted to leave Cleveland because he hated playing beside LeBron and felt blamed by Cavaliers fans. Tang Tian warned him against joining the Pelicans or Celtics and suggested big-market teams, but Irving remained determined to leave immediately.

• Irving told Tang Tian he would come to New Orleans, and Tang Tian agreed to discuss it in person.
• Over dinner, Irving complained that Cleveland fans blamed him and his teammates for losses while crediting LeBron for wins.
• Tang Tian warned Irving that joining the Pelicans during his contract would bring intense backlash, and Irving shifted his attention to Boston.
• Tang Tian advised Irving that Boston was a poor fit and suggested the Nets, Lakers, or Clippers instead.
• Tang Tian recommended that Irving stay in Cleveland until his contract expired, but Irving refused and insisted he had decided to leave.

Irving returned to Cleveland to prepare for his departure as free agency opened, and the league’s biggest signings sparked debate about the Pelicans’ chances of defending their title. Tang Tian was stunned when Butler requested a trade to New Orleans, then learned from Butler that the Mavericks had planned to trade him.

• Irving returned to Cleveland after dinner and began preparing to leave the Cavaliers.
• Free agency opened, bringing major signings across the league while several stars remained unsigned.
• Woj reported that Butler had requested a trade from the Mavericks and named the Pelicans as his destination.
• Tang Tian questioned Butler about not telling him beforehand, and Butler said he had kept quiet because Tang would have tried to stop him.
• Butler told Tang Tian that the Dallas front office had informed him it wanted to trade him.

Tang Tian advised Butler on pursuing a trade without manipulating the Mavericks, while making clear he would not ask New Orleans to form a superteam. Butler named four preferred destinations, including the Lakers, and Irving soon requested a trade to a list that also included Los Angeles, exciting Lakers fans.

• Butler told Tang Tian that he had acted before the Mavericks could trade him, and Tang Tian reasoned that Dallas might move him to protect the team and preserve his trade value.
• Tang Tian told Butler he disliked superteam basketball and advised him to name several acceptable teams if he wanted a realistic chance of joining New Orleans.
• Butler said Tang Tian was the only star he would willingly play second fiddle to, and Tang Tian clarified that he would not ask the Pelicans front office to trade for him.
• Woj reported that Butler wanted to join the Pelicans, Rockets, Heat, or Lakers, prompting the Mavericks to begin seeking trade offers.
• The Cavaliers explored Irving's trade value, and Irving requested a trade to the Spurs, Nets, Lakers, or Clippers.
• Lakers fans celebrated that both Butler and Irving had included Los Angeles among their preferred destinations.

The Thunder acquired Blake Griffin and then pursued Paul George, fueling the league’s growing Big Three trend as major free agents signed elsewhere. Tang Tian considered Fred VanVleet and heard Stevens out about Gordon Hayward joining the Pelicans, but he gave no clear answer.

• The Thunder completed a three-team sign-and-trade that sent Blake Griffin to Oklahoma City and formed a Westbrook-Griffin pairing.
• Shams reported that the Pacers were in close talks with the Lakers and Thunder about Paul George.
• LeBron James extended with the Cavaliers, Kyle Lowry re-signed with the Raptors, and most major free agents left the market.
• Tang Tian focused on signing Fred VanVleet as a third point guard.
• Stevens called Tang Tian to ask what he thought about Gordon Hayward joining the Pelicans, but Tang Tian neither supported nor opposed the idea.

Tang Tian worried about the Pelicans’ long-term future as they pursued another star, while Hayward’s likely sign-and-trade drew attention. After learning that the Hornets had stalled on Kemba Walker’s extension, Tang advised Walker to seek a four-year max contract elsewhere or settle for a 1+1 deal.

• Shams reported that Hayward and the Pelicans were close to a sign-and-trade, prompting fans to debate the Pelicans’ growing star power.
• As the Free Market entered its fifth day, Woj reported that Walker’s extension talks with the Hornets had stalled and that other teams doubted his value.
• Tang realized that Jordan’s treatment of Walker threatened the Hornets’ future and called Walker to discuss his options.
• Tang advised Walker to contact the Celtics, Lakers, 76ers, and Wizards about a four-year max contract, with a 1+1 deal as a fallback.
• Walker followed Tang’s advice, and results came quickly.

Trade and free-agency moves reshaped the race for George, Butler, and Walker as Tang Tian advised the Pelicans to keep their championship roster. Dempsey announced the Pelicans would not pursue changes, while reports said Xiao Hua's depression had been cured.

• The Lakers showed interest in trading for George, while reports said the Rockets believed they led the race for Butler.
• The Celtics offered Walker a four-year, $120 million contract with a team option on the final year, and Walker leaned toward accepting it.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that Tatum hoped the Pelicans would not pursue a sign-and-trade for Hayward, and Tang Tian recommended keeping the current roster.
• Dempsey announced that the Pelicans would not seek changes because their roster had strong chemistry.
• Fans discussing the Pelicans' decision revealed that Xiao Hua's depression had been cured.

After Xiao Hua recovered and returned home, Tatum scheduled a league meeting to formalize his presidency, while major free-agent developments reshaped the paths of Irving and George. At the meeting, owners began an open count of their anonymous votes, and the first three ballots approved Tatum.

• News spread that Xiao Hua had recovered and was preparing to return to the league, prompting Tatum to schedule a regular meeting to settle the presidency.
• The Bucks offered Middleton for Irving, advancing trade talks with the Cavaliers, while Linda Rambis persuaded Jeanie Buss to withdraw the Lakers from the pursuit of George.
• With the Lakers out, George’s move to the Thunder appeared nearly certain, where he would join Westbrook and Griffin.
• Tatum welcomed the team owners at New York Headquarters and summarized the league’s strong performance before the vote on making him president began.
• Xiao Hua watched Tatum with an unsettling expression as staff started publicly counting the anonymous ballots.
• The first three ballots approved Tatum becoming the official president.

Team owners rejected Tatum’s appointment as the League’s official president, citing concerns about injuries, officiating, and revenues, while others pushed for Xiao Hua’s return. The owners postponed a vote on Xiao Hua, leaving his reinstatement likely and Tang Tian shocked by the news.

• Team owners voted against Tatum, and he fell short of the required support to become the official president.
• Pete Holt, Cuban, Daryl Morey, Joe Lacob, Jeanie Buss, Bennett, and others explained their opposition to Tatum’s policies and their concerns about the League.
• Jeanie Buss, Bennett, and Joe Lacob supported bringing Xiao Hua back, but Tom Gores reminded them of Xiao Hua’s media scandal.
• Joe Lacob proposed a vote on Xiao Hua, and Dennis Lindsay and Dempsey argued that he should need eighty-percent support.
• Gilbert persuaded the owners to postpone the vote, and the League meeting ended with Xiao Hua’s return looking likely.
• Tang Tian saw the news and was shocked by the owners’ decision.

Tang Tian appeared on TNT to defend Matt Tatum’s record as interim NBA president and condemn the possibility of Xiao Hua returning to power. He left no doubt that he opposed Xiao Hua’s comeback, bluntly calling it bullshit on the live show.

• Dempsey and Gayle Benson visited Tang Tian after Tatum lost his chance to become the official league president, and Tang Tian decided to state his position in a TNT interview.
• Tang Tian joined TNT’s Big Three for a live discussion about the NBA presidency, which drew high ratings and intense fan interest.
• Tang Tian argued that the league’s rising engagement reflected Tatum’s work and overseas growth in information technology, not simply the small-ball era.
• Tang Tian acknowledged problems with injuries, officiating, and falling revenues, but argued that Tatum deserved more patience and that Xiao Hua’s reforms had done more harm than good.
• Tang Tian praised David Stern’s foresight in building the NBA’s value and argued that the league, rather than Xiao Hua, was chiefly responsible for its broadcasting success.
• When Barkley asked about Xiao Hua possibly returning as president, Tang Tian angrily called the idea bullshit and questioned why Xiao Hua deserved another chance.

Tang Tian publicly argued that the NBA should prioritize its long-term future, then prepared backup options while the league’s owners gathered to vote on Xiao Hua’s return as president. The ballots were counted as a storm broke outside, but the result was not revealed.

• Tang Tian told Barkley that the league’s current style of play risked its future and urged owners to look beyond short-term profits.
• Tang Tian had Dempsey stay in contact with the Jazz, Mavericks, and Pacers, and told Walker not to rush into signing with the Celtics.
• On July 9, the free-agent signing freeze ended, but many players delayed signing amid uncertainty over the league’s leadership.
• At the owners’ meeting in New York, the league set an 80% threshold for Xiao Hua to return as president.
• Gayle Benson urged the team representatives to consider the league’s long-term interests before voting.
• The representatives submitted their ballots as heavy rain and thunder swept over New York, and the vote count was about to be announced.

Xiao Hua regained the League President position after the owners voted 24–6, forcing Tang Tian to abandon Plan A and pursue Plan B. Xiao Hua then announced proposed league changes, including legalizing betting, shortening the regular season, and creating a Mid-Season Tournament.

• The owners voted 24–6 to reinstate Xiao Hua as League President, and Benson stormed out in anger.
• Jeanie Buss welcomed Xiao Hua’s return, while Xiao Hua privately celebrated his successful comeback.
• Tang Tian learned the result from Benson and called Dempsey to his estate to begin Plan B.
• The media reported Xiao Hua’s return, prompting fans to criticize the owners and fear the league would lose the changes made under Tatum.
• Xiao Hua proposed adjusting referee rules, reducing team challenges to one, considering legal betting, shortening the season to 58 games, and adding a Mid-Season Tournament.