Recaps

As the NBA Finals approached, Chinese fans celebrated the Celtics’ Chinese-American owner Lin Qi and the breakout performances of Kevin Garnett and Dwyane Wade, while American media overwhelmingly favored the Lakers. The chapter ended with Boston’s offensive weaknesses and generational transition laid bare ahead of the series.

• Chinese fans admired Kevin Garnett’s defense and sportsmanship and praised rookie Dwyane Wade’s explosive drives after Boston eliminated the Nets.
• Chinese media highlighted that the Nets were owned by Wang Jialian and the Celtics by Lin Qi, framing the conference finals as a rare Chinese-owner showdown.
• American media predicted a Lakers sweep, citing Boston’s poor shooting and its young players’ limited offensive skills.
• A report described how Michael Jordan’s harsh practices pushed Jason Kidd, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, and Quentin Richardson to improve their games.
• ESPN contrasted the Lakers’ depth and shooting with Boston’s physical, underdeveloped offense as the Finals neared.

Lin Qi spoke with David Fincher about the extensive post-production work on the two-part film "Kingmaker" and then joined Beth Finneran to watch a preview of the 2003 NBA Finals. Suspended from attending games in person, Lin Qi faced the Celtics-Lakers showdown from his sofa.

• Lin Qi called David Fincher, who said principal photography on both parts of "Kingmaker" was nearly complete and described the huge amount of footage and CGI work.
• Fincher told Lin Qi he had filmed a dramatized confrontation with Rick Adelman and planned to blend archival Celtics footage with degraded live-action footage.
• Lin Qi authorized more post-production spending and asked Fincher to ensure the films met the right standard.
• Lin Qi arrived home and found Beth watching an ESPN preview of the NBA Finals.
• Lin Qi sat with Beth to watch as the 2003 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers approached, unable to attend because of David Stern's suspension order.

The Lakers’ four-out lineup let Shaquille O’Neal dominate inside and punished Boston’s double-teams with open threes, while Dwyane Wade and Patrick Ewing shaped the second quarter. At halftime, Los Angeles led 54-42, and Lin Qi realized Michael Jordan had conserved his energy for the decisive fourth quarter.

• Phil Jackson started Shawn Marion at power forward and left Charles Barkley on the bench, disrupting Rick Carlisle’s defensive plan.
• Shaquille O’Neal scored over Ben Wallace in single coverage and passed out of Boston’s double-teams to open Lakers shooters.
• The Lakers ended the first quarter ahead 32-20 as Boston struggled to contain their spacing and O’Neal’s post play.
• Dwyane Wade drove past Derek Fisher but was blocked by O’Neal, who sent the ball over the baseline.
• Patrick Ewing used a pick-and-roll with Jason Kidd to score a jumper as the Lakers extended their lead.
• At halftime, Lin Qi noted that Michael Jordan had scored only eight points on four shots and remained fresh while the Lakers led 54-42.

The Lakers used Shaquille O'Neal's post play and Michael Jordan's late-game midrange shooting to defeat Boston 92-88 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Watching Jordan take over the fourth quarter, Lin Qi recognized how a superstar's one-on-one scoring could decide a playoff game when tactics broke down.

• Rick Carlisle had Boston leave O'Neal one-on-one, then used Hack-a-Shaq fouls to disrupt the Lakers' rhythm and help Boston close the gap.
• Phil Jackson replaced Derek Fisher and Shawn Marion with Mitch Richmond and Lamar Odom, and Richmond hit a corner three to give the Lakers a 75-70 lead after the third quarter.
• With the game tied 82-82 in the fourth, Michael Jordan drew two fouls on Ron Artest while fighting for position.
• Rick Carlisle replaced the furious Artest with Gerald Wallace, and Jordan scored repeatedly against the younger defender.
• Jordan made a fourth midrange fadeaway against a double-team, and the Lakers beat Boston 92-88 in Game 1.
• Lin Qi studied Jordan's second-half statistics and realized that a superstar's midrange shooting could break a playoff deadlock.

After Boston’s Game 1 loss in the NBA Finals, Rick Carlisle struggled to control the team’s anger and find a way past Shaquille O’Neal’s defense. He left with a plan for Dwyane Wade to use a pull-up jumper against O’Neal, setting up a new adjustment for the next game.

• Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Ron Artest argued over Carlisle’s game plan and his decision to bench Artest.
• Ben Wallace entered Rasheed’s suite with ice bags, showed his injured shoulder, and warned Artest not to lose control in the next game.
• Carlisle left the hallway after seeing Ben stabilize the players and went to the video analysis room.
• Carlisle stopped Wade’s repeated review of his blocked drive and explained that the Lakers expected him to attack the basket without shooting from midrange.
• Carlisle told Wade to pull up for a midrange jumper when Shaquille O’Neal stayed near the basket, and Wade agreed to try it.

Wade used pull-up jumpers to exploit Shaquille O'Neal's reluctance to leave the paint, briefly erasing Boston's deficit in Game 2. The Lakers adjusted to deny Wade those shots, and Michael Jordan answered with a fadeaway over Ron Artest.

• Ron Artest stayed balanced against Michael Jordan, whose opening turnaround fadeaway missed and gave Boston the rebound.
• Dwyane Wade beat Derek Fisher and made two quick pull-up jumpers near the free-throw line, prompting Phil Jackson to call a timeout.
• Jim Cleamons instructed Shawn Marion to hedge Wade's screens while Shaquille O'Neal stayed near the basket.
• Marion's hedge forced Wade back toward O'Neal, who caused Wade's shot to miss and grabbed the rebound.
• Michael Jordan used a baseline spin and fadeaway to score over Ron Artest.

Garnett’s short-roll shooting and passing helped Boston take the lead, but Jordan answered with a difficult post-up basket for the Lakers. The teams went into halftime with the Lakers ahead 48–46.

• Carlisle signaled for Garnett to short-roll as Marion hedged Wade, and Garnett made a midrange jumper.
• Garnett passed behind O'Neal to Ben Wallace, who dunked and gave Boston four straight points and the lead.
• Jordan used consecutive spins to create space against Artest and scored off the backboard.
• Boston stayed close through Garnett’s playmaking and Wade’s midrange shooting while Jordan and O'Neal powered the Lakers’ offense.
• The halftime buzzer sounded with the Lakers leading 48–46.

Boston’s relentless defense and transition offense built a ten-point lead, but the Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter behind Quentin Richardson’s unexpected three-point shooting and their veterans’ late-game execution. The Lakers won Game 2, 94-90, and took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

• Boston used Artest’s physical defense on Jordan and its fast breaks to outscore the Lakers 31-19 in the third quarter and lead 77-67.
• Phil Jackson ordered the Lakers to foul Ben Wallace after rebounds, and Wallace missed four straight free throws as the Lakers narrowed the deficit.
• Dwyane Wade made a midrange jumper to give Boston an 87-80 lead, but Quentin Richardson answered with two three-pointers to bring the Lakers within one.
• Jordan scored through Artest’s defense to put the Lakers ahead 88-87, and Marion contested Wade’s next jumper as O’Neal secured the rebound.
• Kidd and Jordan made their free throws after Boston fouled, sealing the Lakers’ 94-90 win and a 2-0 series lead.

After two poor Finals games, Paul Pierce reviewed his struggles on the flight to Boston and heard Rick Carlisle explain how he could help by drawing defenders away and embracing unselfish, physical work. Pierce accepted Carlisle’s advice as the Lakers arrived in hostile Boston for Game 3.

• Paul Pierce watched footage of his turnovers and missed shots from Game 2 and lamented how Jason Kidd and Michael Jordan had disrupted his offense.
• Rick Carlisle told Pierce that the Lakers were concentrating their defense on him and warned that forcing shots would play into Phil Jackson’s plan.
• Carlisle urged Pierce to draw defenders away from the main action, pass to open teammates, set screens, rebound, and defend.
• Pierce accepted Carlisle’s advice and agreed to sacrifice his pride for the team.
• The Celtics landed at Logan International Airport, and the Lakers’ bus later arrived in Boston amid hostile fans as Game 3 approached.

Paul Pierce put aside scoring and pride to fuel Boston with screens, defense, rebounds, and self-sacrificing plays in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. His effort helped Boston take a 45-38 halftime lead over the Lakers.

• Pierce dove into the photographers' area to save a loose ball, setting up a Billups fast-break score despite splitting his lip.
• Pierce set a hard screen for Wade, who scored a floater, then drew an offensive foul by taking Kidd's charge.
• Pierce passed out of a double-team to find Artest open for a three-pointer that helped spark Boston's comeback.
• Pierce finished the first half with two points, seven rebounds, six assists, two charges drawn, and two dives for loose balls.
• Boston went into halftime leading 45-38, and Pierce smiled at the scoreboard as he headed toward the locker room.

The Lakers took the lead in the third quarter, but Paul Pierce delivered two crucial baskets late to carry Boston to an 89-86 home win. The Celtics cut the series deficit to 1-2.

• Phil Jackson adjusted the Lakers' defense, while Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal powered their offense to put Los Angeles ahead.
• With Boston trailing 82-84 late in the fourth quarter, Rick Carlisle called a play for Pierce, who scored over Jason Kidd to tie the game at 84-84.
• Jordan missed a contested turnaround jumper, and Kevin Garnett secured the rebound with forty-five seconds left.
• Pierce beat Jordan with a step-back three-pointer to give Boston an 87-84 lead.
• Richardson missed a contested corner three, and Ben Wallace grabbed the defensive rebound as Boston won 89-86 and cut the series score to 1-2.

Ron Artest and Michael Jordan’s tense confrontation escalated when Charles Oakley struck Artest in midair and was ejected. Paul Pierce stopped Artest from retaliating, and Artest left for the locker room while Boston prepared to face the consequences of the foul.

• Ron Artest fouled Michael Jordan repeatedly, and the two shoved and exchanged insults after Artest pulled Jordan down on a fast break, earning technical fouls.
• Phil Jackson sent Charles Oakley into the game, and Oakley later struck Artest across the neck and collarbone as Artest went up for a dunk.
• Ben Wallace and players from both teams rushed into a brawl, while Paul Pierce held Artest down and warned that fighting would get him suspended for Game 5.
• The referees reviewed the play, assessed Oakley a flagrant 2, and ejected him as Jordan patted him on the shoulder.
• Paul Pierce and Ben Wallace helped Artest off the court, and he headed to the locker room for further examination.

The Lakers overcame an eight-point deficit to beat the Celtics 93-89 after Ron Artest’s injury left Paul Pierce exhausted from guarding Michael Jordan and carrying Boston’s offense. The Lakers took a 3-1 series lead, leaving Boston on the brink of elimination.

• Pierce took over after Artest left, scoring through contact and setting up Dwyane Wade’s dunk as Boston led by eight after three quarters.
• Phil Jackson sent out a spacing-heavy lineup, and Jordan exploited Pierce’s fatigue to cut into Boston’s lead.
• The Lakers rallied behind Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal as Pierce’s shots fell short and O’Neal drew Ben Wallace’s fifth foul.
• With the score tied 89-89, Wade missed a late layup, and Jordan hit a fadeaway to give the Lakers the lead.
• Pierce missed a contested three, Kidd made two free throws, and the Lakers won 93-89 to take a 3-1 series lead.
• Jordan patted Pierce on the back after the game and told him, “You almost won.”

After Ron Artest was ruled out of Game 5, Lin Qi struggled with the Celtics’ lack of a suitable replacement while barred from helping the team. Beth Finneran then shared that their Puma acquisition was close to succeeding, and family life helped ease Lin Qi’s agitation.

• The Celtics’ doctor announced that Ron Artest had a concussion and extensive bruising, ruling him out of the do-or-die Game 5.
• Lin Qi considered Gerald Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Raja Bell, and Dwyane Wade as possible defenders for Michael Jordan, but found none could replace Artest.
• Beth Finneran told Lin Qi that Lin Qi Capital had acquired 41.5 percent of Puma and that the acquisition team estimated an offer had over an eighty-five percent chance of success.
• Lin Qi explained that he wanted Puma to sponsor European basketball through the EBA while Converse established a foothold in the NBA.
• Beth told Lin Qi about Dabao and Xiaobao’s destructive antics, and Lin Qi promised to spend two weeks with the family after the Finals; watching Beth head to the nursery, he felt his agitation settle.

The Celtics and Lakers fought through a tense, physical Game 5, with Kevin Garnett’s defense and taunts igniting Boston before Michael Jordan answered with a spectacular two-handed block on Paul Pierce. Boston went into halftime trailing the Lakers 42–45.

• Rick Carlisle started rookie Tayshaun Prince, and Kevin Garnett took over guarding Michael Jordan, forcing the Lakers into a shot-clock violation.
• Garnett scored and taunted Charles Barkley, then Barkley retaliated by knocking Prince into the courtside scorer’s table, sparking a confrontation and earning technical fouls for himself and Garnett.
• Prince refused to leave the game after the collision and walked to the free-throw line with help from the team doctor.
• Dwyane Wade attacked Derek Fisher during the second-quarter rotations, while Shaquille O’Neal scored three straight baskets against Tyson Chandler to keep the Lakers ahead.
• Paul Pierce stole the ball from Jordan and ran for a fast break, but Jordan chased him down and pinned Pierce’s layup against the backboard with both hands before passing to Jason Kidd.
• The first half ended with Boston trailing 42–45, as Ben Wallace patted Pierce on the back and Jordan spoke with O’Neal near the tunnel.

Boston rallied in the third quarter as Rasheed Wallace joined Kevin Garnett to strengthen the defense and help the Celtics take the lead. Rasheed drew a technical foul after protesting a call, but his missed free throw and defiant shout energized the crowd, and Boston entered the fourth quarter ahead by five.

• Prince deflected Kidd's alley-oop attempt, and Garnett fed Wade for a fast-break dunk that lifted Boston's morale.
• O'Neal scored through Garnett's double-team and drew Big Ben's fourth foul, forcing Rick Carlisle to replace him with Rasheed Wallace.
• Rasheed scored a fadeaway jumper and then hit a three-pointer off Wade's pass to give Boston a 49-47 lead.
• Barkley drew a foul on Rasheed, who protested and received a technical; after Barkley missed the technical free throw, Rasheed shouted, "Ball don't lie!"
• Rasheed and Garnett helped shut down the Lakers' inside-out offense, and Boston ended the third quarter leading 71-66.

The Boston Celtics built a late lead through Dwyane Wade and Kevin Garnett’s pick-and-roll, but the Lakers fought back to tie the game. With Boston trailing in the final minute, Paul Pierce’s three-pointer and Garnett’s last-second steal secured a home win and forced another NBA Finals game.

• Wade and Garnett connected on an alley-oop, then Wade passed out of a three-player trap for Pierce to hit a three-pointer and give Boston a five-point lead.
• Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers’ response, tying the score at 76-76 midway through the fourth quarter.
• With Boston trailing 85-84 and 1:12 left, Wade passed to Pierce, who faked out Shawn Marion and made a three-pointer to put Boston ahead.
• Jordan drove toward the basket with 42 seconds remaining, but Garnett anticipated his move, stole the ball, and pinned it down as the final whistle sounded.

Lin Qi planned Puma’s EBA partnership and a personal takeover of Monster after regulators questioned Lin Qi Capital’s trading, while Artest prepared to return for Boston in Game 6. The chapter ended as the decisive game was about to begin in Los Angeles.

• Lin Qi told David Cohen to offer Jochen Zeitz a long-term partnership, executive control, and EBA equipment revenue to secure Puma as the league’s exclusive equipment partner.
• David Cohen reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission had requested Lin Qi Capital’s trading records, prompting Lin Qi to shift away from frequent public-market trades.
• Lin Qi decided to use his personal funds to quietly buy shares in Monster and eventually take the company private.
• Lin Qi read that Ron Artest had passed his medical evaluations and would return to defend Michael Jordan in Game 6.
• Lin Qi watched Artest follow Boston toward the court as the do-or-die game approached in Los Angeles.

With Game 6 approaching, Rick Carlisle considered changing the Celtics' defense to protect Ben Wallace's injured shoulder, but Ben and Chauncey Billups urged him to keep Shaquille O'Neal in single coverage and focus on the Lakers' perimeter threats. Carlisle accepted their plan and assigned Ron Artest to pressure Michael Jordan from the opening tip.

• As the Celtics prepared for Game 6, a therapist treated Ben Wallace's swollen shoulder after he had guarded Shaquille O'Neal alone in recent games.
• Rick Carlisle proposed rotating Rasheed Wallace and Tyson Chandler onto O'Neal and doubling him from the weak side, then closing out on the Lakers' shooters.
• Ben Wallace rejected the double-team plan and insisted that he would guard O'Neal one-on-one while his teammates covered the perimeter.
• Chauncey Billups backed Ben's approach, arguing that the Celtics should cut off the Lakers' perimeter passing and pressure Michael Jordan into taking over the offense.
• Carlisle instructed Ron Artest to pick Jordan up full court, deny him the ball, and stay physical whenever he was on the court.
• Ron Artest stood and said he could not wait to guard Jordan.

Boston used Ben Wallace’s post defense, Ron Artest’s pressure on Michael Jordan, and Rasheed Wallace’s floor spacing to control Game 6 against the Lakers. At the end of the third quarter, the Celtics led 78-69 and had pushed the Lakers to the brink.

• Ben Wallace fronted Shaquille O’Neal, then switched behind him to deny the Lakers’ entry passes, and Jordan missed a pressured fadeaway as the shot clock expired.
• Paul Pierce drove past Shawn Marion and passed to Kevin Garnett, who dunked to give Boston a 2-0 lead.
• Rick Carlisle’s defense slowed the Lakers’ offense, while Artest’s physical coverage wore down Jordan and Wallace repeatedly made O’Neal battle for position.
• Rick Carlisle brought in Rasheed Wallace, whose corner three punished the Lakers after Charles Barkley had to leave the paint to guard him.
• Boston’s offense and defense carried the Celtics to a 78-69 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Lakers cut Boston’s lead to one as O'Neal turned Jordan’s missed shots into points, but Paul Pierce’s clutch three and Rasheed Wallace’s final block secured a 90-84 Celtics win. Boston tied the NBA Finals series at 3-3.

• O'Neal scored on a high pick-and-roll with Kidd, then powered through Garnett and Big Ben for a putback and a free throw after Jordan missed.
• O'Neal tipped in another Jordan miss to bring the Lakers within one, while Big Ben continued playing despite his injured shoulder.
• Paul Pierce hit a step-back three over Shawn Marion to give Boston an 88-84 lead with fifty-four seconds remaining.
• Jordan passed to Shawn Marion after Kevin Garnett cut off his turnaround jumper, but Rasheed Wallace blocked Marion’s attempt at the rim.
• Billups made both free throws after the Lakers fouled, and Boston won 90-84 to tie the series at 3-3.

After the Lakers’ coach and veterans publicly criticized Boston’s physical defense, Lin Qi considered a media counterattack but held back to avoid risking his suspension. In Los Angeles, the Celtics’ players drew courage from recalling Lin Qi’s fearless approach, and Rick Carlisle urged them to fight for the championship in Game 7.

• Phil Jackson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael Jordan criticized Boston’s defense and the officiating after the Lakers lost Game 6.
• The Los Angeles Times and television commentators amplified the Lakers’ complaints in an apparent effort to pressure officials before Game 7.
• Lin Qi planned a media counterattack but put away his phone because he feared David Stern might extend his suspension.
• Rick Carlisle warned the injured Celtics that the Lakers’ pressure campaign could bring stricter officiating in Game 7.
• Paul Pierce and other Celtics joked about how Lin Qi would counter the Lakers’ media tactics, easing the team’s tension.
• Rick Carlisle told the Celtics to ignore the noise, give everything they had, and pursue the championship.

The Lakers took an early lead as the Game 7 officials called Boston’s defenders tightly while overlooking contact against the Celtics. After Rick Carlisle urged Boston to stay physical and attack the rim, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce drew fouls to help cut the score to 18-16 midway through the first quarter.

• Shaquille O'Neal drew an early pushing foul on Ben Wallace, and Michael Jordan scored while drawing another foul on Ron Artest to give the Lakers a 4-0 lead.
• The Lakers extended their advantage to 12-4 as Boston’s defenders grew cautious, prompting Rick Carlisle to call a timeout.
• Rick Carlisle told Boston to keep playing tough, and he urged Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to attack the basket and draw fouls.
• Kevin Garnett scored through contact and drew a blocking foul on O'Neal, then Paul Pierce made a driving basket while drawing a foul on Shawn Marion.
• Boston answered the Lakers’ physical play, and the score stood at 18-16 past the halfway mark of the first quarter.

The Lakers' veteran stars used physical play and covert dirty tricks to slow Boston and exploit its defense, while Boston answered with youth, strength, and disciplined offense. The first half ended tied 44-44, with both teams battered and the second half still to come.

• Kidd disrupted Billups's attempts to speed up the game, and Barkley scratched and fooled Garnett into giving up a layup before taunting him.
• Rasheed Wallace answered with a corner three, then Oakley entered and covertly struck Pierce during a collision that sent the ball out of bounds.
• Ewing screened Artest, secretly tugged his shorts, and scored a jumper off Jordan's pass.
• Wallace tipped in a rebound over Oakley, Garnett dunked on Barkley, and Billups found Pierce and Rasheed as the Lakers' rotations slowed.
• Jordan and the other veterans kept Boston in a physical half-court battle, and the first half ended 44-44 with both teams carrying injuries and scratches.

The Lakers and Celtics fought through a grueling third quarter as Boston tried different defenders against Shaquille O'Neal and Artest relentlessly pressured Jordan. The chapter ended with Jordan missing a contested jumper and visibly tiring.

• Kidd passed to Shaquille O'Neal, whose pass out of Boston's double-team set up Quentin Richardson for a three-pointer.
• Rick Carlisle ended the double-teams and replaced Ben Wallace with Rasheed Wallace to defend O'Neal in the post.
• Rasheed resisted O'Neal's first attack and forced a miss, but the repeated physical battles left him exhausted.
• Ben Wallace returned and fouled O'Neal hard as he tried to score, then told him he would have to step over him to dunk.
• O'Neal missed both free throws while Artest's physical defense wore Jordan down, and Jordan missed a contested jumper.