Recaps

After the Lakers tied the Finals series 2-2, Lin Qi confronted David Stern over the referees’ 45-16 free-throw disparity and warned that biased officiating could destroy the NBA’s credibility and commercial support. Stern agreed to ensure fair officiating in Game 5, leaving its outcome to the players.

• Lin Qi read Los Angeles newspapers celebrating the Lakers’ comeback and asked Margaret to connect him with David Stern.
• Stern told Lin Qi that Game 4’s ratings had pushed the price of a thirty-second Game 5 advertisement to $650,000.
• Lin Qi challenged Stern over the 45-16 free-throw disparity and accused the league of using unfair officiating to manipulate suspense.
• Lin Qi warned that exposing rigged games could drive away sponsors and weaken the NBA’s broadcast deal.
• Stern conceded to Lin Qi’s demand and promised a fair contest in Game 5.

In Game 5 at Staples Center, the Lakers struggled when the referees stopped favoring them, and Boston built a commanding halftime lead. Lin Qi watched as the Lakers’ advantage under the old officiating gave way to fair competition.

• Shaquille O'Neal expected a foul after Ben Wallace defended him legally, but Wallace grabbed the rebound and Paul Pierce scored on a fast break.
• Gary Payton pressured Jason Kidd without a whistle, and Kidd lost the ball while looking for a call.
• Rasheed Wallace hit a three-pointer, then taunted Jack Nicholson and declared there was no script that night.
• Boston disrupted the Lakers’ Triangle Offense with legal physical defense, and Kevin Garnett dunked to end the half.
• The Celtics led 54-38 at halftime after the Lakers committed eleven turnovers, while Lin Qi watched Phil Jackson argue with the referee.

The Boston Celtics wore down the Los Angeles Lakers and won game five 102-81, taking a 3-2 series lead. Lin Qi sent the team back to Boston that night and ordered heightened security for the important guests expected at game six.

• Shaquille O'Neal led an 8-2 Lakers run in the third quarter, but Gary Payton stripped Jason Kidd and scored a layup as the Lakers began to tire.
• Kevin Garnett blocked Lamar Odom at the rim, and Chauncey Billups followed with a three-pointer to extend Boston's lead to 88-65.
• Phil Jackson pulled the Lakers' starters, and the Celtics finished the game with a 102-81 road win to take a 3-2 series lead.
• Lin Qi rejected celebrating at the hotel and ordered the team to fly back to Boston after showering.
• Lin Qi instructed the PR manager to prepare the home VIP suites for game six and raise security to the highest level.

On the day of Game 6, Lin Qi eliminated distractions and premature celebrations so Boston could beat the Lakers decisively on the court. The Lakers arrived safely under escort, and Phil Jackson recognized Boston’s calm as a sign of confidence.

• Lin Qi ordered Boston’s public-relations manager to stop fans from harassing the Lakers and arranged a police escort to bring their team safely to the arena.
• Lin Qi kept the players’ families away from the tunnel while providing them with a lavish reception, and confirmed that his VIP suite had been cleared and soundproofed.
• Lin Qi moved the trophy presentation preparations to the final minute and promised to cover any broadcast penalties rather than risk distracting Boston’s players.
• Phil Jackson abandoned his plan to use the Lakers’ anger over the harassment after Boston’s mounted officers escorted the team smoothly to the arena.
• Jackson saw Boston’s considerate treatment as evidence of its confidence and felt unsettled by the team’s composure.

As Game 6 began in Boston, referees and players prepared under intense pressure, with Phil Jackson burning sage in the Lakers' locker room. The chapter left Ben Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal facing off at center court as Steve Javie tossed the opening tip.

• Steve Javie reviewed Game 5 footage and was told to avoid stealing the show or making makeup calls.
• Phil Jackson burned white sage in the Lakers' locker room while Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd sat in tense silence.
• Ben Wallace, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett prepared in the Celtics' tunnel as the crowd roared.
• Marv Albert and Bill Walton introduced the elimination game and the stakes for both teams.
• Ben Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal faced each other at center court, and Steve Javie tossed the ball to begin Game 6.

The Boston Celtics dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game six of the NBA Finals, taking a 54-40 halftime lead behind Paul Pierce’s scoring and Boston’s relentless defense. In a VIP suite, Beth confronted Lin Qi about his lack of a personal life, and his cryptic reply left her asking how wild his college days had been.

• Shaquille O'Neal won the opening tip and scored against Ben Wallace, but Paul Pierce answered with a jumper.
• Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett forced turnovers and disrupted the Lakers’ offense, while Pierce scored in transition and hit a three-pointer.
• Boston’s deep rotation wore down O'Neal, and Pierce beat the halftime buzzer to give the Celtics a 54-40 lead.
• Beth, tipsy from red wine, sat on Lin Qi’s lap and asked why he had never taken the initiative to see her.
• Lin Qi told Beth that he had already done the wildest things in college, prompting her to ask how wild.

The Celtics overwhelmed the exhausted Lakers, winning 98-72 and completing a three-peat. As the team prepared to lift the O'Brien Trophy, the players learned that Lin Qi had chosen to watch from a private suite and leave the spotlight to them.

• The Lakers' shooting and defense deteriorated in the second half as Boston extended its lead, prompting Phil Jackson to pull his starters.
• With the game out of reach, Boston's starters also left the court, and the crowd began celebrating the impending championship.
• Boston's reserves ran out the clock as fans counted down to the 98-72 final and green and white confetti filled the arena.
• Garnett broke down in tears after the victory, and Pierce helped him to his feet.
• Pierce and the other players searched for Lin Qi, but the public relations manager said Lin Qi had instructed them not to disturb him in the VIP suite.
• Rick Carlisle directed the players to the awards stage to lift the trophy without Lin Qi.

Paul Pierce received the 2001 Finals MVP award after the Celtics completed a three-peat, reflecting on his recovery and the teammates who helped him return. The team celebrated wildly in the locker room, where Rick Carlisle joined the champagne-soaked festivities.

• David Stern announced Paul Pierce as the 2000-2001 Finals MVP, and Bill Russell presented him with the trophy.
• Pierce thanked his teammates and recalled recovering from his injuries with Ron Artest pushing him through difficult practices.
• Pierce joked with reporters that he could finally rest and asked them to remind Artest to return his trophy.
• Garnett drenched Pierce with champagne in the locker room as the Celtics celebrated their three-peat.
• Chauncey Billups and Gary Payton soaked Rick Carlisle with champagne, and Carlisle laughed and demanded a bottle of his own.

Lin Qi reviewed Boston's dominant 2000-2001 season, its third consecutive championship, and the progress of its players, including Grant Hill's recovery. As he finished the report, Lin Qi sensed that an unseen development might change the league's balance of power.

• Lin Qi reviewed Boston's 69-win regular season, its 27-game winning streak, and its playoff run to a third straight championship.
• Lin Qi assessed the roster's contributions, including Paul Pierce's Finals MVP season, Kevin Garnett and Ben Wallace's defensive partnership, and Chauncey Billups's growth as a backup point guard.
• Lin Qi noted that Grant Hill had progressed to light shooting and footwork drills nearly eleven months after surgery, while Ron Harper considered retirement.
• Lin Qi closed the reports and felt uneasy, sensing that something was happening that could shift the league's balance of power.

Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and Dr. Jerry Buss recruited Michael Jordan to join the Lakers and help end Boston's championship run. Jordan accepted, leaving his Wizards comeback plans behind.

• Phil Jackson confronted Jordan about his plans to return with the Wizards and urged him to join the Lakers instead.
• Phil Jackson argued that the Lakers needed Jordan as a closer to defeat Boston, and Jordan questioned whether O'Neal would share the ball.
• O'Neal promised Jordan the ball in the fourth quarter, while Kidd promised to handle the backcourt work and get Jordan the ball where he wanted it.
• Dr. Jerry Buss offered Jordan the chance to buy a portion of the Lakers after he retired if he helped the team defeat Boston.
• Jordan accepted the Lakers' offer and asked Phil Jackson to apologize to Quentin Richardson, who would have to settle for the bench.

Doc Rivers visited Lin Qi for advice on rebuilding the Magic, and Lin Qi persuaded him to target Jermaine O'Neal while clearing out the roster. Rivers secured O'Neal from the 76ers for Bo Outlaw, Magic Johnson, and four second-round picks, and Lin Qi prepared to continue the overhaul.

• Doc Rivers told Lin Qi the Magic's owner was considering replacing him after the first-round sweep and asked for help.
• Lin Qi criticized the Magic's reliance on chasing free-agent superstars and advised Rivers to sell high on Darrell Armstrong and Ron Mercer while clearing out the roster.
• Lin Qi proposed trading Bo Outlaw and Magic Johnson to the 76ers for Jermaine O'Neal, arguing that O'Neal's value had fallen under Larry Brown.
• Rivers called the 76ers general manager and negotiated a deal, adding four second-round picks but keeping all first-round picks.
• Rivers secured Jermaine O'Neal for Bo Outlaw, Magic Johnson, and four second-round picks, and Lin Qi urged him to keep moving quickly.

Lin Qi and Doc Rivers discussed Orlando’s trade targets, keeping Darrell Armstrong and Mike Miller while trading Ron Mercer to Denver for the tenth pick. Lin Qi then revealed that Doc Rivers’s next trade would be with him.

• Lin Qi proposed putting Darrell Armstrong on the trading block, but Doc Rivers insisted Armstrong was Orlando’s spiritual leader and should stay.
• Lin Qi agreed to keep Armstrong and promised to find a suitable backup for him on draft night.
• Doc Rivers refused to trade Mike Miller because other teams had made insulting offers and Miller had value as a young, popular shooter.
• Doc Rivers told Lin Qi that Denver wanted Ron Mercer, and Lin Qi urged him to ask for the Nuggets’ tenth pick.
• Doc Rivers completed the deal, sending Mercer to Denver for the tenth overall pick.
• Lin Qi told Doc Rivers that their next trade would be between the two of them.

Lin Qi persuaded Doc Rivers that Michael Redd, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Brad Miller could turn Orlando into a balanced, playoff-ready team. Rivers agreed to trade three first-round picks to Boston for the players.

• Lin Qi offered Rivers Michael Redd, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Brad Miller as a package.
• Lin Qi explained how Brad Miller’s high-post passing and shooting would complement Jermaine O'Neal Jr., while Türkoğlu and Redd would strengthen Orlando’s perimeter offense.
• Lin Qi laid out a starting lineup featuring Darrell Armstrong, Michael Redd, Mike Miller, Jermaine O'Neal, and Brad Miller, with Hedo Türkoğlu as the sixth man.
• Rivers agreed to send Boston the 2001 tenth and twenty-first picks and the unprotected 2002 first-round pick from Phoenix for the three Celtics players.

Lin Qi invited the draft’s top interior prospects to an open workout and had Kevin Garnett test them in one-on-one drills. Garnett overwhelmed Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler without relying on physical contact, then called for the next player.

• Lin Qi gathered Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, and Pau Gasol at the training facility to assess their abilities.
• Lin Qi asked Kevin Garnett to run one-on-one drills and warned him not to bully the rookies physically.
• Kwame Brown struggled against Garnett’s defense and trash talk, lost the ball, and watched Garnett score with ease.
• Tyson Chandler failed to score when Garnett blocked his pull-up shot by snatching the ball from the air.
• Garnett sent Brown and Chandler to the sideline, then called for the next player.

Lin Qi tested Pau Gasol and Eddy Curry against Kevin Garnett, then assessed all four prospects for the press. He left the question of who would become the first overall pick unresolved, calling the draft a roll of the dice.

• Pau Gasol used polished moves and ambidextrous finishing to trade baskets with Garnett, impressing Lin Qi with his composure and basketball IQ.
• Lin Qi ended Gasol's tryout and sent Eddy Curry onto the court, where Curry used his strength to overpower Garnett and score several baskets.
• Lin Qi blew the whistle to stop Curry's increasingly physical tryout.
• Lin Qi told reporters that Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler were raw and mentally fragile, while Gasol was the most NBA-ready but had a lower athletic ceiling.
• Lin Qi described Curry's weaknesses in mobility, defense, and rebounding, but praised his rare low-post power.
• Lin Qi said he did not know who would become the first overall pick and called the draft a roll of the dice.

Lin Qi called Michael Jordan to try to trade for the Wizards’ first overall pick and discovered Jordan had rejected Boston’s offer because he was preparing for a comeback with the Lakers. Lin Qi realized Jordan already viewed the Celtics as his future rivals.

• Lin Qi reviewed a private investigator’s photos showing discreet meetings between Jordan, the Lakers’ owner, coach, and players.
• Lin Qi called Jordan and offered draft picks, including Boston’s fourth, sixth, and tenth picks, for the Wizards’ first overall pick.
• Jordan refused, citing owner Abe Pollin’s financial concerns and saying the Wizards intended to keep the pick.
• Jordan asked Lin Qi whom he wanted to draft, and Lin Qi said Boston was targeting Pau Gasol to strengthen its interior for a four-peat.
• After Lin Qi mentioned the NBA Finals and Boston’s four-peat goal, Jordan ended the call, leading Lin Qi to conclude that Jordan planned to join the Lakers and saw the Celtics as his future opponent.

Lin Qi reshaped Boston’s draft assets by trading with Atlanta, Golden State, and Philadelphia ahead of the 2001 NBA Draft. With less than a day before the draft, he presented Rick Carlisle and Sam Presti with the Celtics’ updated picks and future assets, putting the draft ahead of Michael Jordan’s plans.

• Lin Qi offered Pete Babcock Boston’s fourth and tenth picks for Atlanta’s third pick, and Babcock accepted.
• Lin Qi traded Boston’s second-round pick and cash to Gary St. Jean for Golden State’s thirty-first pick.
• Lin Qi traded the ninth pick acquired from Detroit to Philadelphia for its unprotected 2002 and 2004 first-round picks.
• Rick Carlisle and Sam Presti arrived, and Lin Qi showed them Boston’s updated draft and future asset list.

At the 2001 NBA draft, Lin Qi used the Celtics’ third pick to select Tyson Chandler after disguising his interest with harsh public criticism. The Bulls made aggressive trades to draft Kwame Brown and Eddy Curry, while the draft continued with Boston holding the sixth pick.

• David Stern announced Pau Gasol as the Washington Wizards’ first overall pick, while Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan joked about returning to play for Washington.
• The Chicago Bulls traded Elton Brand and other assets for the second pick and selected Kwame Brown.
• Lin Qi gave Boston’s selection to the staff, and the Celtics drafted Tyson Chandler third overall after Lin Qi’s public workout criticism had lowered Chandler’s stock.
• The Bulls acquired the fourth pick from the Atlanta Hawks and selected Eddy Curry, pairing him with Kwame Brown and Kobe Bryant.
• The Golden State Warriors selected Jason Richardson fifth, and the Celtics’ sixth pick came next.

Lin Qi turned Boston’s 2001 draft picks into future selections through trades and used the remaining picks to choose Gerald Wallace and Mehmet Okur. The draft ended with Boston securing several prospects and future picks, while Tony Parker went to San Antonio.

• Lin Qi traded the sixth pick, used to select Shane Battier, to Miami for a top-three-protected 2003 first-round pick and an unprotected 2005 first-round pick.
• Lin Qi traded the fourteenth pick, used to select Troy Murphy, to Golden State for an unprotected 2003 first-round pick.
• Lin Qi traded Boston’s twenty-first pick to Utah for the twenty-third pick and a 2003 second-round pick.
• Boston selected Gerald Wallace with the twenty-third pick.
• San Antonio selected Tony Parker with the twenty-eighth pick.
• Boston selected Mehmet Okur with the twenty-ninth pick.

Lin Qi used Boston’s later picks to draft Gilbert Arenas and Brian Scalabrine, valuing Arenas’s scoring and Scalabrine’s potential locker-room role. The draft ended with Boston holding four prospects and numerous future picks.

• Lin Qi selected Gilbert Arenas with Boston’s thirty-first pick, and Boston traded him to the Orlando Magic for the thirty-second pick and cash compensation.
• Boston used the thirty-second pick to select Brian Scalabrine.
• Lin Qi regarded Scalabrine’s humor and team-first attitude as valuable to Boston’s locker-room culture.
• The draft ended with Boston having selected Tyson Chandler, Gerald Wallace, Mehmet Okur, and Brian Scalabrine, along with several future draft assets.

Lin Qi negotiated Bruce Bowen’s departure from Boston to San Antonio in exchange for two unprotected first-round picks. After Ron Harper declined an extension and considered retirement, the chapter left Lin satisfied that Artest and Gerald Wallace could fill Bowen’s defensive role.

• Ron Harper declined Lin Qi’s contract extension and said he was seriously considering retirement.
• Gregg Popovich called Lin Qi to ask for Bruce Bowen, arguing Boston would struggle to re-sign him after the season.
• Lin Qi rejected Popovich’s attempt to drive down Bowen’s trade value and demanded San Antonio’s unprotected 2003 and 2005 first-round picks.
• Popovich accepted the offer, and Boston traded Bowen to San Antonio for the two picks.
• Lin Qi moved Bowen’s file aside, confident that Artest’s development and Gerald Wallace’s arrival could cover the loss.

Lin Qi welcomed Andrei Kirilenko, Raja Bell, and Stephen Jackson to Boston after bringing them back from years of development in Europe. Bell and Jackson accepted their guaranteed contracts, while Kirilenko said he needed stronger competition, leaving the three ready to join the Celtics.

• A Boston newspaper mocked Lin Qi’s signings of Raja Bell and Stephen Jackson as bargain hunting for unproven players.
• Lin Qi reviewed Scariolo and Kokoškov’s reports, which praised Bell’s improved shooting and noted Jackson’s better shot selection despite his continued defiance.
• Sam Presti brought Kirilenko, Bell, and Jackson to Lin Qi’s office after they signed guaranteed contracts.
• Bell thanked Lin Qi and Kokoškov for giving him another chance and rebuilding his shooting in Milan.
• Jackson complained about Scariolo and Kokoškov’s strict coaching but acknowledged that the film study improved his shot selection and thanked Lin Qi for keeping his promise.
• Kirilenko told Lin Qi that CSKA Moscow’s competition was too slow and that he needed stronger opponents; Lin Qi welcomed all three to Boston.

Michael Jordan announced his return with the Los Angeles Lakers, prompting a wave of veteran stars to sign for minimum contracts and assemble a formidable roster around him. Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle recognized the Lakers as a major threat to Boston and prepared to face Jordan’s challenge.

• Michael Jordan announced that he would return to play for the Lakers on a two-year veteran-minimum contract, rejecting the chance to join Boston.
• Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Mitch Richmond, Charles Oakley, Tim Hardaway, Danny Manning, and Ron Harper signed with the Lakers for two years at the veteran minimum.
• Presti warned Lin Qi that Jordan’s comeback had triggered an unprecedented free-agent rush, and Rick Carlisle assessed the Lakers’ assembled roster as dangerous.
• Jordan declared that he had returned to test the Boston Celtics, whom people said were building a dynasty.
• Lin Qi told Rick Carlisle and Presti that Boston would meet the Lakers’ challenge in its own way.

Lin Qi reviewed Boston’s roster for the 2001-2002 season and marked the 2003 draft-pick column. Maurizio Gherardini reported that the EBA had secured a major broadcasting deal and was expanding its competition, while Lin Qi left European operations in Gherardini’s hands.

• Lin Qi examined Boston’s fifteen-man roster, its injured and overseas-development players, and the pile of draft picks.
• Lin Qi circled the 2003 column as the media focused on Michael Jordan’s comeback and a coming Los Angeles-Boston showdown.
• Maurizio Gherardini told Lin Qi that the EBA had signed a three-year exclusive broadcasting contract worth 120 million euros with Sky Sports and eight European pay-TV networks.
• Gherardini reported that the EBA planned to expand its first division to thirty teams and was developing a promotion-and-relegation system for a second division.
• Gherardini told Lin Qi that looser foreign-player restrictions and higher salaries were drawing NBA hopefuls and other players to the EBA.
• Lin Qi told Gherardini to manage European operations without reporting every detail, then locked away the documents and left his office.

Lin Qi and Beth planned to use her cousin Patrick as a proxy to buy a future NBA team, financing him through EBA contracts and binding him with family interests and offshore trusts. Beth agreed to keep Lin Qi’s plan confidential, then asked how he would pay her for arranging the ownership structure.

• Lin Qi gave Beth a dollar as a retainer and invoked attorney-client confidentiality before revealing he planned to buy another NBA team.
• Beth proposed her cousin Patrick, an Irish property developer, as a credible proxy for the purchase.
• Lin Qi and Beth planned to build Patrick’s wealth through lucrative EBA construction contracts and the Celtics’ training facility project.
• Beth said the Finneran family’s dependence on those contracts would keep Patrick loyal and proposed offshore debt clauses to restrict his use of the acquisition funds.
• Beth asked Lin Qi how he would compensate her for setting up the ownership structure, and he pinned her beneath him.