Night Parade · Halloween
Lin Qi reshaped the Celtics by disciplining Artest and Jackson, developing young talent, and steering Boston through a hard-fought season and a landmark win over the Lakers. The arc ended with the Celtics preparing a hidden playoff lineup as Patrick secured a path to take control of the Suns.
Lin Qi helped Wang Jialian pursue the Nets, welcomed his twin sons, and guided Boston through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Boston swept its way to the Finals and crushed the Lakers in Game 1, while Phil Jackson rejected Jason Kidd’s proposal to change their approach for Game 2.
Boston defeated the Lakers in seven games to win a fourth straight championship, but David Stern’s ultimatum forced Lin Qi to prepare to dismantle the Celtics. Lin Qi began arranging trades for Gary Payton and Grant Hill while seeking future leverage over Seattle and Phoenix.
Lin Qi rebuilt Boston’s roster before his suspension, then expanded his plans through European and Chinese basketball projects and a film about the Celtics. While scouting from outside NBA arenas, he rejected LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as poor fits for Boston and continued pursuing future talent.
Lin Qi reshaped Boston’s offense and publicly criticized the Bulls’ reliance on Kobe Bryant, while his remarks triggered threats and a dangerous incident at the United Center. Boston then overwhelmed Chicago as Kobe’s isolation play left him estranged from his teammates.
While Lin Qi advanced his business and international basketball plans from Asia, Boston swept Miami, beat Philadelphia, and defeated New Jersey to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lakers then beat the Spurs in Game 7, setting up a Finals matchup with Boston.
The Celtics and Lakers fought through a brutal NBA Finals, with Boston rallying from a 3-1 deficit to tie the series and force Game 7. The deciding game remained tied at halftime as the Celtics’ physical defense challenged Jordan and O’Neal.
After Boston’s championship defeat and Lin Qi’s suspension, Lin rebuilt the Celtics’ roster and facilities while shaping EBA’s ambitions in Europe. As training began, he reorganized the lineup around Dwyane Wade and worked with Rick Carlisle on a new offense for the coming season.
Lin Qi negotiated with David Stern over the NBA’s future and helped Michael Jordan secure a path to the Bobcats, while Boston developed its new offense and roster plans. He then brokered Kobe Bryant’s lifetime Converse deal and a delay in his trial, leaving Converse’s provocative campaign amid booming sales and complaints to Stern.
Lin Qi navigated league restrictions, reshaped Boston’s offense and rotation, and steered the Celtics through a dominant start to the season. After wins over Cleveland and New Jersey, he imposed a penalty system to curb Rasheed Wallace and Ron Artest’s technical fouls.
The Celtics rallied around Mehmet Okur, supported Dwyane Wade through an extortion threat, and raised major funds for Mutombo’s hospital. As Boston’s offense faltered against defenses that ignored Ben Wallace, Lin Qi devised the Wallace Screen, which began to work against the Nets.
Boston developed Dwyane Wade into a stronger leader under Gary Payton’s mentorship while Lin Qi managed the roster, scouting, and the team’s growing profile. The arc ended with Ron Artest returning from a difficult music promotion tour, passing his fitness tests, and committing to defend his place in the rotation.
Lin Qi used the All-Star spotlight, Boston’s growing influence, and rival teams’ financial troubles to shape future trades and recruiting. The arc ended with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade joining the Olympic team while Boston’s key frontcourt players were ruled out.