Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian gave Popovich the choice of backing Holt or seeking his removal, then the Pelicans’ 40-game winning streak ended against the Trail Blazers. A medical scandal involving Holt prompted the league to demand that he sell the Spurs.

• Tang Tian told Popovich that exposing Holt’s alleged deal with Methodist Healthcare could force him to sell the Spurs, and Popovich returned to San Antonio without choosing a side.
• The Pelicans beat the Jazz 116-76 and then extended their winning streak to 40 games against a string of weaker opponents.
• With Tang Tian absent, Lillard and McCollum led the Trail Blazers to a buzzer-beating win that ended the Pelicans’ streak.
• A Spurs reporter released evidence linking Holt and Methodist Healthcare to alleged medical cover-ups involving Leonard, Green, and Metu.
• San Antonio fans demanded Holt’s departure, and Xiao Hua quickly called for him to sell the team.

Holt was forced to sell the Spurs and resign from HoltCat, while Popovich reconciled with Tang Tian and arranged for Kawhi to return to San Antonio. Tang Tian’s Coca-Cola and Nike sneakers sold out in minutes, and he was invited to enter the Slam Dunk Contest with Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine.

• Holt put the Spurs up for sale and resigned as HoltCat's CEO after the scandal ruined his reputation.
• Popovich told Tang Tian that Kawhi had agreed to return if New York's medical team came back to San Antonio, and Popovich accepted the condition.
• Popovich left Tang Tian a note thanking him for giving him a choice and saying he owed him a favor.
• Fagan told Tang Tian that the first batch of Coca-Cola and Nike Godfather 3 sneakers had sold out in two minutes.
• Aaron Gordon invited Tang Tian and Zach LaVine to join the Slam Dunk Contest, and LaVine said he would compete if Tang Tian did.

Tang Tian agreed to return to the Slam Dunk Contest as the league announced the All-Star selections and a new captain-draft format. After Walker earned a replacement spot and Tang Tian received a record Nike dividend, Tang Tian had more than 50 million recharge points and prepared to exchange them for a Red Skill.

• Tang Tian accepted the league's invitation to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest again after the Co-branded Sneakers boosted his recharge points.
• The league announced the All-Star event participants and introduced a format in which James and Tang Tian would draft mixed East-West teams from the selected players.
• The league named the All-Star starters and reserves, including three Pelicans starters, while Walker missed the initial roster amid fierce guard competition.
• Wall and Paul withdrew from the All-Star Game with injuries, and Walker won a replacement spot to join three Pelicans teammates.
• Tang Tian received a 42-million-dollar Nike dividend, bringing his recharge points above 50 million and giving him enough to exchange for a Red Skill.

Tang Tian unlocked Vince Carter’s UFO skill and tested his improved dunking before facing the Timberwolves in his first game since agreeing to enter the Slam Dunk Contest. The chapter left him opening the game with a stylish windmill dunk over the Timberwolves’ defense.

• Tang Tian unlocked UFO, raising his strength, vertical leap, and dunking attributes, then practiced difficult dunks with newfound ease.
• The Pelicans traveled to face the Timberwolves, whose young roster included Zach LaVine, Tang Tian’s fellow Slam Dunk Contest participant.
• LaVine greeted Tang Tian before the game, while Davis and Walker were both absent from the Pelicans’ starting lineup.
• Wiggins missed a contested fadeaway after Jimmy Butler disrupted his shot, and Tang Tian then drove past Wiggins and finished with a windmill dunk.

Tang Tian and LaVine traded spectacular dunks as the Pelicans built a commanding lead over the Timberwolves. Tang Tian left the arena stunned with a midair adjustment that turned one dunk attempt into another.

• Siakam contained Towns in the post, and Tang Tian kicked the ball out to Brogdon for a three as the Pelicans opened with a 5-0 run.
• Rose made his first regular-season appearance for the Pelicans, and Towns stole Kuzma’s mishandled pass before Rubio found LaVine for a mirror windmill dunk.
• Tang Tian answered by crossing Wiggins and completing a between-the-legs crossover slam, then LaVine failed to get past him and Wiggins lost the ball out of bounds.
• After the crowd booed Wiggins, Tang Tian blew past LaVine and dodged Wiggins’s help defense with a midair layup before pulling the ball back up and dunking with both hands.
• Barkley and O’Neal celebrated Tang Tian’s spectacular dunk as the arena erupted.

Tang Tian dazzled the crowd with a reverse dunk before Stevens took him out, and the Timberwolves briefly threatened to close the gap. Rose answered with a three-pointer and playmaking that sparked a Pelicans run, leaving them ahead by 19 points when Thibodeau called timeout.

• Tang Tian spun past Gibson for a reverse dunk, then Stevens substituted him out and told him to leave people some room.
• Wiggins scored against Kuzma, and the first quarter ended with the Timberwolves trailing 31-16.
• Towns scored a 2+1 against Harrell to cut the deficit to 12 points early in the second quarter.
• Rose hit an open three-pointer, then set up Harrell for a dunk as the Pelicans began to pull away.
• Butler disrupted Towns at the rim and assisted Rose on a layup, completing a 7-0 Pelicans run that pushed their lead to 19 points.
• Thibodeau called timeout after Rose's five points and one assist helped fuel the Pelicans' run.

The Pelicans crushed the Timberwolves 113-80, extending their winning streak to 12 games as Derrick Rose impressed in his return. After Donovan Mitchell withdrew from the Slam Dunk Contest with an injury, Vince Carter joined Tang Tian, LaVine, and Gordon, making the upcoming contest a must-see event.

• Rose led the Pelicans' bench with 21 points and 5 assists as Tang Tian and Butler rested for much of the second half.
• The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 113-80, improving their record to 52-1.
• Fans praised Tang Tian's dunks and Rose's strong return, while anticipating the Pelicans' upcoming game against the Magic.
• Tang Tian received news that Mitchell had injured his wrist and withdrawn from the Rookie Game and Slam Dunk Contest.
• The league named John Collins as Mitchell's Rookie Challenge replacement and Vince Carter as his Slam Dunk Contest replacement.
• Bojan and the Pelicans' players reacted excitedly to Carter joining Tang Tian, LaVine, and Gordon in the contest.

The Pelicans faced the Magic with Butler and Davis resting, and Tang Tian and Aaron Gordon turned the game into a dunking showcase. Tang Tian opened with a dunk over Vucevic and followed with a one-handed dunk through Gordon's foul.

• Gordon opened the game with a two-handed gliding dunk after Payton found him on a cut.
• Tang Tian drove past Simmons and dunked over Vucevic, sending the center beyond the baseline.
• The Magic failed to score on their next possession, and Tang Tian crossed Simmons again to attack the rim.
• Gordon tried to block Tang Tian in midair but fouled him as Tang Tian completed a one-handed dunk for a 2+1.

Tang Tian and Aaron Gordon traded spectacular posterizing dunks as the Pelicans dominated the Magic. Tang Tian's final dunk sent Vucevic and several other Magic players crashing to the floor, leaving the arena stunned.

• Tang Tian posterized Vucevic twice in the first half as the Pelicans built a 57–31 lead over the Magic.
• Fournier hit a three-pointer after halftime, and Walker answered with one of his own.
• Gordon dunked over Dedmon for an and-one, though he missed the free throw.
• Tang Tian drove past Simmons and dunked over Vucevic again, knocking Vucevic and nearby Magic players to the floor.
• Barkley called Tang Tian's dunk a dunk of the century, while Tang Tian celebrated after swinging from the rim.

The Pelicans crushed the Magic as Tang Tian’s dunks drew widespread attention, then Tang joined LeBron James for the televised All-Star Game team selection. James won the coin toss and chose Kevin Durant first, while Tang’s first pick remained to be revealed.

• Tang Tian’s dunks helped the Pelicans defeat the Magic 117-77 and extend their winning streak to thirteen games.
• Fans and media celebrated Tang Tian’s dunks, with his Almighty Push dunk topping the day’s highlights.
• Tang Tian and LeBron James appeared on TNT’s All-Star Game team-selection broadcast and prepared to draft players in turns.
• Tang Tian named Kemba Walker as his first choice when Barkley asked, surprising the studio panel.
• James won the coin toss and selected Kevin Durant first, after which Barkley asked Tang Tian to make his pick.

Tang Tian and LeBron James drafted their All-Star teams, with Tang choosing his Pelicans teammates and Brothers of Hard Work while James selected the league’s strongest players. The completed rosters left fans expecting Team James to win, putting Tang Tian’s streak of four straight AMVP awards in doubt.

• Tang Tian chose Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, and Andre Drummond as his starters, while James selected Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid alongside himself and Kevin Durant.
• Tang Tian picked Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Aldridge, DeRozan, Al Horford, and Hayward for his bench, while James chose James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Hassan Whiteside, Anthony, Lowry, and Wade.
• The completed rosters placed Walker first overall and Wade last, with Tang’s team built around his friends and teammates and James’s team stacked with star players.
• Fans declared Team James the likely winner and expected Tang Tian’s run of four consecutive AMVP awards to end.

The 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest began at Staples Center, where Carter, Gordon, and LaVine each completed their first dunk before Tang Tian took his turn. The crowd roared as Tang Tian stood up, leaving his opening dunk for the next update.

• The Pelicans entered the All-Star break with a 57-1 record, while the Cavaliers stood second in the league at 50-8.
• Louis Williams won the Skills Challenge, and Devin Booker won the Three-Point Contest.
• Carter opened the Slam Dunk Contest with his signature 360 windmill dunk and received a perfect score of 50.
• Gordon performed a crossover between-the-legs dunk but received 48 points.
• LaVine completed a behind-the-back dunk after tossing the ball to himself and earned a perfect score of 50.
• Tang Tian stood to take his turn as the crowd erupted.

Tang Tian opened the Slam Dunk Contest with a creative reverse dunk that earned a perfect score, while Carter completed a difficult between-the-legs dunk on his third attempt. Gordon then answered the pressure with a perfect-score dunk of his own, leaving the contest tightly poised.

• Tang Tian tied his Coca-Cola Godfather collaboration sneakers, then performed a gliding, spinning reverse dunk that earned 50 points.
• Carter attempted a between-the-legs dunk with a midair hand switch twice and missed both times.
• Carter completed the same difficult dunk on his third attempt and received 45 points.
• Gordon called over the Magic mascot and performed a seated dunk modeled after one Tang Tian had done before.
• Gordon earned 50 points for his second dunk, recording his first perfect score of the contest.

LaVine and Tang Tian earned perfect scores to advance to the Slam Dunk Contest finals, while Carter and Gordon were eliminated. During the break, Tang Tian promised a young fan with congenital leukemia an autograph and a gift after the contest.

• LaVine scored a perfect 50 on his second dunk and secured a place in the finals, while Carter was eliminated despite scoring 95 points.
• Tang Tian performed a 360-degree wall-hanging tomahawk dunk, paid tribute to Carter, and received a perfect score to advance.
• Tang Tian and LaVine rested during the break before their finals matchup.
• A mother brought her sick son, Angela Alexander, to Tang Tian for an autograph, and Tang Tian promised him an autograph and a gift after the contest.
• Angela’s mother told Tang Tian that her son had congenital leukemia and loved basketball and Tang Tian; Tang Tian praised her as a great mother.

In the Slam Dunk Contest finals, LaVine and Tang Tian traded spectacular 50-point dunks, with Tang Tian soaring over O'Neal and LaVine answering with a free-throw-line windmill. LaVine appeared to have taken control of the contest as he completed the unprecedented dunk.

• LaVine opened the finals with a 360 dunk between the legs after tossing the ball from behind the basket, earning a standing ovation.
• Tang Tian enlisted O'Neal as an assistant, leapt over him, took the ball from behind his head, and dunked for a perfect score.
• Carter held up a 10-point card, and the judges awarded Tang Tian 50 points, matching LaVine's score on the first dunk.
• LaVine took off from the free-throw line and completed a windmill dunk, astonishing the crowd and prompting Barkley to declare that the contest was over.

Tang Tian stunned the crowd with a one-handed Double Between-the-Legs dunk, tying LaVine and sending the Slam Dunk Contest into overtime. LaVine opened overtime with Curry as his assistant, missing once before making a difficult free-throw-line tomahawk dunk on his second attempt.

• Tang Tian took off from inside the free-throw line, completed a Double Between-the-Legs dunk, and earned 50 points to tie LaVine at 100.
• The judges sent the contest into overtime as Tang Tian rested and LaVine improvised a new routine with Curry.
• LaVine caught Curry's pass near the free-throw line but missed his first tomahawk dunk attempt.
• LaVine tried again, caught Curry's accurately placed pass, and completed the free-throw-line tomahawk dunk.

Tang Tian and Zach LaVine traded spectacular free-throw-line dunks in overtime, with LaVine answering Tang Tian’s between-the-legs dunk with a successful 360. Tang Tian’s final dunk remained to decide the contest, though the judges doubted he could surpass LaVine’s performance.

• The judges gave LaVine 49 points for his first dunk, and O'Neal explained that LaVine deserved a deduction for missing his first attempt.
• Tang Tian took off from the free-throw line and completed a between-the-legs dunk, drawing a huge reaction from the crowd.
• LaVine prepared for his final attempt, determined to answer Tang Tian and put pressure on him.
• LaVine completed a free-throw-line 360 dunk, and Tang Tian congratulated him after the crowd celebrated.
• The judges considered suppressing Tang Tian’s score, while his final dunk remained to decide the winner.

Tang Tian answered LaVine’s free-throw-line 360 dunk with a 720 dunk, defeating him 100–99 to win the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. After accepting the trophy and praising his rivals and the fans, Tang Tian gave his signed shoes to young fan Angela Alexander.

• Tang Tian took off from near the three-point line and completed a 720 dunk, which the replay revealed to the astonished crowd.
• The judges awarded Tang Tian 50 points, giving him a 100–99 overtime victory over LaVine and his second Dunk King title.
• LaVine congratulated Tang Tian, and Dr. J presented him with the trophy.
• Tang Tian thanked the other contestants and the fans in his acceptance speech, singling out LaVine for praise.
• Tang Tian signed and gave his shoes to young fan Angela Alexander, writing, “You are an angel,” while Alexander’s mother cried.

Tang Tian’s All-Star weekend charity work drew praise as Team Tang Tian and Team James prepared for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. James and Durant showed instant chemistry, with Durant scoring the game’s first basket for Team James.

• Tang Tian gave Alexander his Signature Shoes, and the Tang Tian Foundation announced it would continue helping children born with terminal illnesses.
• Tang Tian, Walker, and the other Seven Brothers of Intensive Training met fans, while James and Durant drew attention with their rapport.
• Jeanie Buss watched James and Durant together and hoped the Lakers could recruit both for next season.
• Fans filled Staples Center and cheered Tang Tian as the All-Star Game introductions ended.
• Antetokounmpo won the opening tip for Team James, and James drove before passing to Durant, who hit a Mid-Range Shot to score first.

Tang Tian’s team used their chemistry and targeted defense to compete with James’s talent-loaded squad in a close All-Star Game. After falling behind, Tang Tian’s team adjusted, rallied to level the contest, and left James’s team calling another timeout.

• Walker and Davis connected on a Pick and Roll, while Tang Tian and Butler scored through their established chemistry and Antetokounmpo added a putback dunk.
• Tang Tian dunked over Curry, who answered with a deep three, and Tang Tian’s team held a 17-15 lead after more than five minutes.
• Lue replaced Curry with George, and James’s team used its height and defense to go on a 10-2 run and take an eight-point lead.
• Stevens called timeout, then set up Tang Tian’s isolation play; Tang Tian drew help and passed to Davis, who made a long two.
• Tang Tian’s team switched to a 2-3 zone, forced George to miss, and scored through Thompson’s three-pointer and Tang Tian’s windmill dunk.
• Tang Tian’s team pulled even with James’s squad, forcing Lue to call another timeout as the crowd cheered.