Chapter Summaries

Lillard’s hot scoring run helped Tang Tian’s team pull away from James’s team as Curry and Harden struggled. After a timeout and lineup changes, Tang Tian capped the surge with a 360 dunk, leaving his team up by 15.

• Lillard scored eight straight points, including a deep three, as Tang Tian’s team seized control of the game.
• Walker and Aldridge added baskets while Curry and Harden misfired and turned the ball over, fueling a 14-2 run and a 13-point lead.
• Lue called a timeout and returned James, Curry, Antetokounmpo, and Embiid to the court, while Stevens made wholesale substitutions.
• Curry passed up an open three and airballed a contested mid-range shot against Thompson.
• Davis collected the airball and sent a long pass to Tang Tian, who raced ahead and threw down a 360 dunk to put Tang Tian’s team up by 15.

Tang Tian's team maintained a large lead over James's team, but the James-Durant-Curry trio erupted in the fourth quarter and quickly cut into it. Tang Tian answered with a series of clutch baskets and dunks, leaving his team still ahead as Jeanie Buss reacted to talk of assembling a superteam to challenge him.

• Tang Tian's team carried a 113-95 lead into the fourth quarter, while fans debated the MVP race after Tang Tian scored 18 points and had 7 assists.
• Lue opened the fourth with four of his stars, and James's team went on an 8-0 run to reduce the deficit to 10 before Stevens called timeout.
• Tang Tian returned with the Brothers of Hard Work lineup and scored a pull-up jumper, then drove past George for an and-one dunk to push the lead back to 13.
• Curry answered with a deep three, but Tang Tian beat a collapsing defense with a pass to Butler and finished Butler's bounce pass with a tomahawk dunk.
• O'Neal and Barkley discussed the need for a superteam to challenge Tang Tian, and Jeanie Buss smiled at Barkley's remark.

Tang Tian’s team defeated James’s star-studded team 138-130, and Tang Tian won his fifth consecutive All-Star Game MVP. He credited his teammates and Brothers of Hard Work as the celebration ended.

• James’s team cut the deficit with George’s three-pointer, but Butler answered with a fast-break dunk after Tang Tian’s long pass.
• Tang Tian scored through a double-team as both teams traded baskets, and his team held on to win 138-130.
• Tang Tian finished with 40 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, earning the All-Star Game MVP.
• Xiao Hua announced Tang Tian as MVP, and fans celebrated his unprecedented fifth consecutive award.
• Tang Tian thanked his fans, opponents, and teammates, praised Lillard’s second-quarter performance, and dedicated the trophy to the team.

The 2018 NBA Trade Deadline brought major roster changes as the Bucks acquired Horford and the Trail Blazers traded for Anthony. The Pelicans made no trades, then lost Brogdon for at least one to two months after he sprained his wrist in practice.

• Dolan prepared to rebuild the Knicks by trading Anthony, with the Thunder and Rockets emerging as rumored destinations.
• The Bucks traded Monroe and two Draft Picks to the Hawks for Horford, giving Milwaukee a four-star lineup.
• The Trail Blazers traded Meyers Leonard, Harkless, Noah Vonleh, and a First-Round Draft Pick to the Knicks for Anthony, Luke Cornette, and Ron Baker.
• The Pelicans made no trades at the deadline despite their 57-1 record.
• Brogdon sprained his wrist during practice the day after the deadline, and an MRI indicated he would miss at least one to two months.

Tang Tian rejected signing a buyout guard after Brogdon’s injury, trusting Rose, Lamb, and Caruso to cover the backcourt until Brogdon returned. In the Pelicans’ first game after the All-Star break, Rose seized the added opportunity by scoring against the Bucks, helping preserve the team’s lead.

• Dempsey proposed waiving Boris or David to sign a guard, but Tang Tian said Brogdon could return for the playoffs and the current point guards could share his minutes.
• Tang Tian reassured Dempsey that he could play point guard if the replacements struggled.
• The Pelicans faced the Bucks, who had added Horford and hoped to avenge three earlier losses.
• The Bucks trailed 41–28 after the first quarter, then began cutting into the lead with their bench players on the floor.
• Rose answered Delly’s three-pointer with a driving layup and then hit a three-pointer after working with Siakam to get open.

The Pelicans honored their late owner Tom Benson as his death triggered a family struggle over control of the team. Tang Tian refused to take sides, and the grieving Pelicans fell behind the Trail Blazers by 10 points at halftime.

• The Pelicans blew out the Bucks 122-88, with Rose contributing 14 points and 4 assists.
• Over the next half month, the Pelicans won 10 straight games, while Rose averaged 12.6 points and 3.3 assists in 22 minutes per game.
• Stevens, Dempsey, and Dennis Lausha told the players that Tom Benson had died and took the team to the hospital.
• Renee asked Tang Tian to support her in the struggle for control of the Pelicans, but he refused to get involved.
• Gayle Benson also spoke with Tang Tian and assured him she would resolve the team's issues, while he again declined to take sides.
• The Pelicans played poorly against the Trail Blazers after Benson's death, and Lillard and Anthony led Portland to a 10-point halftime lead.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans to a comeback victory over the Trail Blazers after owner Benson's death, and the league mourned Benson while wondering who would succeed him. Meanwhile, Chinese investor ccx officially bought the Spurs, becoming the NBA's first Chinese majority owner.

• Tang Tian and the Pelicans overcame the Trail Blazers in the second half, winning 116-96 and extending their streak to 30 games.
• Davis said Tang had told the team that winning was the best way to see Benson off, and people across the league shared condolences for Benson.
• Fans wondered who would take charge of the Pelicans after Benson's death.
• ccx bought all of Holt's Spurs shares for a deal that raised the team's reported value from $800 million to $1.1 billion.
• Chinese fans celebrated ccx becoming the NBA's first Chinese majority owner and debated whether Tang Tian could buy the Pelicans.

The Pelicans broke their own NBA regular-season wins record and continued winning as they approached a historic 80-win season. Tang Tian rejected Renee Benson’s attempt to recruit his support, but Gayle Benson promised him a larger future share of the team, leaving him with a windfall as the Pelicans prepared to face the Timberwolves.

• The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 103-90 behind Butler’s 29 points, earning their 75th win and setting a new NBA regular-season record as Gayle Benson won her lawsuit against Renee Benson.
• The New Orleans Daily reported that Tang Tian supported Renee Benson in hopes of buying more Pelicans shares, but Tang Tian dismissed the claim and Gayle Benson called to offer him up to a 15% stake.
• Davis led the Pelicans past the Nets for their 76th win, then Walker’s late scoring against the Pacers secured their 77th.
• Walker scored 39 points to lead the Pelicans over the Celtics for win 78, and Rose and Siakam combined for 58 points to beat the Clippers for win 79.
• The Pelicans kept winning despite resting their starters, and they entered their final game against the Timberwolves with a chance to reach 80 wins.

The Pelicans rested the Four Brothers of Hard Work against the Timberwolves in their season finale, and Minnesota built an early lead. After a timeout, Rose took over the Pelicans’ offense and scored seven straight points, leaving the game still in progress.

• Stevens confirmed that the Four Brothers of Hard Work would sit out the Pelicans’ game against the Timberwolves.
• The Timberwolves started Rubio, LaVine, Wiggins, Towns, and Dieng, while the Pelicans started Rose, Lamb, Bojan, Siakam, and Dedmon.
• Siakam opened the scoring with a one-handed dunk, but Wiggins, LaVine, and Towns answered as Minnesota took a 15-6 lead.
• Stevens called a timeout, and the Pelicans began using Rose as their primary offensive option against Towns.
• Rose scored a reverse layup, a floater, and a step-back three, helping the Pelicans cut into the deficit with seven consecutive points.

Derrick Rose led the Pelicans with a blazing scoring performance against the Timberwolves, overcoming second-half double teams to bring his team back into the game. After Rose helped the Pelicans take the lead late in the fourth quarter, he stood five points short of his career scoring record.

• Rose scored 13 points and dished out 3 assists in the first quarter as the Pelicans rallied to lead 27-23, then added 11 points to help them take a 55-45 halftime lead.
• Sok entered the Timberwolves' locker room at halftime, and the Timberwolves responded with aggressive double teams on Rose to tie the game at 75 after three quarters.
• Tang Tian spoke with Rose during the fourth-quarter bench stalemate, and after the Timberwolves went on a 6-0 run, Stevens sent Rose and Siakam back into the game.
• Rose hit a contested three-pointer and followed it with a layup, cutting the Timberwolves' lead to one point and bringing his total to 35.
• Rose blocked Wiggins at the rim, then scored on a give-and-go with Siakam to put the Pelicans ahead and reach 37 points.

Derrick Rose scored a career-high 50 points as the Pelicans and Timberwolves traded the lead in a tense season finale. Rose's late three-pointer put the Pelicans ahead, leaving the game on the verge of a decisive finish.

• Tang Tian advised Rose to play off the ball, and Rose's scoring picked up as he cut to the basket.
• Rose broke his career scoring record when he scored 44 points after Harrell tipped out his missed free throw.
• Towns tied the game with a three-pointer, and Wiggins put the Timberwolves ahead on a fast break after Rose missed a layup.
• Rose made a crucial and-one to give the Pelicans a one-point lead, then Wiggins missed a late isolation shot.
• Harrell grabbed an offensive rebound and passed to Rose, who made a three-pointer for his 50th point and put the Pelicans ahead.

Derrick Rose scored a career-high 52 points to lead the Pelicans past the Timberwolves 110-106 for their 80th win of the season. After the game, Rose thanked the people who had supported him, especially Tang Tian, as fans and players celebrated his comeback.

• Rose hit a late three-pointer to give the Pelicans a four-point lead, then made both free throws to secure their 110-106 win over the Timberwolves.
• Rose finished with 52 points, a new career high, including 22 in the fourth quarter, as Pelicans players and fans celebrated his performance.
• Tang Tian congratulated Rose and encouraged him after the final buzzer.
• Rose told an ESPN reporter that he was enjoying basketball rather than trying to return to who he had been, and thanked his family, coaches, teammates, fans, the Pelicans management, and Tang Tian.
• Fans, players, and media figures praised Rose’s performance and shared messages of support.

The 2017–2018 regular season ended with the Pelicans setting an 80-2 record and the playoff seeds and first-round matchups becoming official. The story left the Pelicans set to face the Spurs, Tang Tian’s former team, while Ginobili’s possible final season made the matchup more poignant.

• The Pelicans finished the regular season 80-2, while the Cavaliers led the East with 65 wins and the Mavericks led the West’s challengers with 64.
• The Raptors, Bucks, and other Eastern teams secured their playoff positions, while the Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, and Trail Blazers claimed the top four Western seeds.
• The Jazz reached the playoffs behind rookie Mitchell, and the Spurs finished eighth at 47-35, ending their 18-year streak of 50-win seasons.
• The first-round matchups were set, including the Pelicans against the Spurs and the Cavaliers against the Magic.
• The Pelicans were poised to face Tang Tian’s former team, where Parker, Ginobili, and Popovich remained, and Ginobili was reportedly nearing the end of his career.

As the Playoffs approached, the media and fans overwhelmingly predicted that the Pelicans would win the championship, while Xiao Hua considered influencing the referees to prevent them from going 16-0. Tatum warned Tang Tian about the plan, but Tang Tian believed the attempt would only cost Xiao Hua his remaining support and was confident the Pelicans would still win.

• The chapter outlined the Western Conference first-round matchups, including the Mavericks against the Jazz, the Warriors against the Thunder, and the Rockets against the Trail Blazers.
• TNT's championship poll showed 92.5% of voters picked the Pelicans to win the title, while 63% expected them to go 16-0.
• Under pressure from teams and betting websites, Xiao Hua summoned Sok and told him to contact the Referee Committee about influencing the games.
• Tatum visited Tang Tian and warned him that Xiao Hua was preparing to tamper with the referees.
• Tang Tian explained that renewed referee interference could turn fans against Xiao Hua again, and he assured Tatum that the Pelicans would not lose.

The Pelicans and Spurs opened their 2017–2018 playoff series in New Orleans, where Popovich asked Tang Tian to go easy on the Spurs. Tang Tian saw through Popovich’s words as the Spurs started with unexpected intensity and briefly took the lead.

• Tang Tian greeted Parker, Ginobili, and Popovich before the game, and Popovich seriously asked him to go easy on the Spurs.
• The Pelicans started their main lineup, while the Spurs benched Parker and Ginobili and opened with Mills, Green, Gay, Aldridge, and Gasol.
• Davis won the opening tip, and Walker scored on a drive before Popovich called an immediate timeout and replaced Gasol with Murray.
• Green hit a corner three, and Davis found Butler cutting to the basket for a layup as the teams traded early scores.
• Aldridge and Murray earned free throws, putting the Spurs ahead 7–6, and Tang Tian decided to take matters into his own hands.

Tang Tian’s two dunks sparked the Pelicans’ defense and offense, turning a close first quarter against the Spurs into a commanding lead. By halftime, the Pelicans led 64-42, while Popovich faced the reality of his team’s lack of a superstar without Duncan or Leonard.

• Tang Tian ended the early deadlock with a driving tomahawk dunk, then directed the Pelicans into a defensive scheme that left Murray open from three.
• After Murray missed, Davis secured the rebound and launched a fast break; Walker scored a floater before Tang Tian finished with a windmill dunk.
• Popovich replaced Murray with Ginobili, but Tang Tian blocked Aldridge and Dedmon hit an open three as the Pelicans went on a 7-0 run.
• The Pelicans ended the first quarter ahead 31-16 and extended their lead to 64-42 by halftime, despite Aldridge’s midrange scoring in the second quarter.
• At halftime, Popovich looked toward the Pelicans’ bench and reflected on the Spurs’ struggles after Duncan’s retirement and Leonard’s season-ending injury.

The Pelicans swept to a 3-0 series lead over the Spurs while upsets threw the rest of the Playoffs into chaos. As the teams met for Game 4, the Spurs surprised fans by starting Parker and Ginobili.

• The Pelicans beat the Spurs 113-88 in Game 1, with Tang Tian scoring a team-high 25 points, and exchanged playful jabs with Popovich afterward.
• The Trail Blazers upset the Rockets, the Magic pushed the Cavaliers to the brink before losing, and the Nets also scored an upset as the Playoffs opened with several surprises.
• The Mavericks and Bucks won comfortably, while the Thunder upset the Warriors and the Pacers edged the Raptors, leaving four of eight series with Game 1 upsets.
• The Pelicans beat the Spurs by 30 points in Game 2, then won 114-100 in San Antonio in Game 3 as Tang Tian recorded the Playoffs' first triple-double.
• After three games, the Pelicans and Bucks looked dominant while several other series remained unsettled, and the Spurs started Parker and Ginobili for Game 4.

Popovich started Parker and Ginobili in what might be their final Playoffs game with the Spurs, and their renewed energy helped the team keep pace with the Pelicans. Ginobili led the Spurs through a fierce opening stretch, leaving the game tied after his and-one free throw.

• Popovich started Parker and Ginobili, lifting the Spurs with the emotional weight of a possible farewell game.
• Ginobili opened with a Snake Break layup and a step-back three, scoring the Spurs' first five points.
• Tang Tian answered with a Stop and Pop Pull-up Jumper as the Spurs and Pelicans traded baskets and tied the score at 13.
• Butler and Tang Tian stole the ball from Parker and Green, helping the Pelicans take a 5-0 run before Popovich called timeout.
• With the clock nearly expired, Ginobili found Aldridge under the basket with a no-look pass for a buzzer-beating bank shot.
• Ginobili drew a foul on a driving layup, made the and-one free throw, and brought the Spurs level with ten points in the quarter.

The Pelicans swept the Spurs 4-0 after Ginobili led San Antonio in a valiant final game, then Ginobili announced his retirement. A week later, the Trail Blazers advanced from their series against the Rockets and became the Pelicans’ second-round opponent.

• Ginobili scored 25 points and handed out 7 assists as the Spurs kept Game 4 close, but Tang Tian’s Pelicans pulled away to win 115-100 and complete the sweep.
• Tang Tian recorded 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, then shared emotional farewells with Popovich, Ginobili, and Duncan after the game.
• Ginobili announced that he had played his final NBA game, and Popovich praised him and said the Spurs would hold a jersey retirement ceremony.
• Ginobili told a reporter that he would kick Tang Tian’s ass if Tang failed to win the championship.
• The Pelicans trained while awaiting their second-round opponent, and the Trail Blazers eliminated the Rockets in Game 7 on Lillard’s game-winning shot.
• The Trail Blazers were confirmed as the Pelicans’ next opponent, with their regular-season matchups suggesting a difficult series.

After learning that his longtime agent Dan Fegan had died in a car accident, Tang Tian traveled to Los Angeles to comfort Fegan’s family and help arrange medical care for Fegan’s injured son. With the playoffs underway, Tang Tian asked Carl to become his new agent, and Carl accepted the challenge of growing into the role.

• The Trail Blazers practiced in New Orleans before their Conference Semifinals opener, and Lillard expressed confidence in the team against the Pelicans.
• Carl told Tang Tian that Dan Fegan had died in a car accident, so Tang Tian flew to Los Angeles to visit Fegan’s family.
• Tang Tian comforted Fegan’s wife at the hospital and contacted renowned local doctors while Fegan’s five-year-old son underwent resuscitation.
• Tang Tian told Carl he wanted him to become his new agent, and Carl urged him to consider hiring someone with more professional experience.
• Tang Tian said he trusted Carl to learn the job and wanted him to become like Rich Paul, leaving Carl shocked and energized by the opportunity.