Night Parade · Halloween
Lin Qi rebuilt the Celtics into a playoff team, then reshaped the franchise around Kevin Garnett while launching a basketball analytics company. The arc left Boston entering training camp with a younger roster and salary space reserved for future moves.
Lin Qi built a development system around Kevin Garnett as the Celtics adapted to his talent, growing pains, and rivalries. Garnett made a breakthrough against Orlando, then lost his bid to become a starter but began learning to lead the second unit.
Lin Qi reshaped the Celtics’ late-game roles and watched Kevin Garnett grow as Boston climbed to fifth in the East and beat Cleveland. The Celtics pushed Chicago to five games before losing the series and Robert Parish to an Achilles rupture, leaving Lin Qi to turn toward free agency and the draft.
Lin Qi rebuilt Boston around Kevin Garnett, Dikembe Mutombo, and a deep, adaptable rotation, then watched the Celtics establish themselves with defense and a productive bench. As the season progressed, he turned toward the rising Lakers and ordered their games studied.
Lin Qi guides Boston through a difficult regular season and the first round, developing Kevin Garnett and building confidence in the Celtics’ depth. After Boston eliminates Washington, the team opens its semifinal series against Miami by using Lin Qi and Rick Adelman’s pace-changing plan to seize control.
Boston battled Miami and Chicago through punishing playoff series before Chicago eliminated the Celtics in six games. Lin Qi then maneuvered through a leadership shake-up, rebuilt the roster around Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett, and left Rick Pitino to manage the team’s volatile mix of talent and egos.
Lin Qi watched the Celtics collapse under Rick Pitino, then bought the team and rebuilt it around Paul Pierce, Gary Payton, and Kevin Garnett. The arc ended with Doc Rivers meeting the players at a Cape Cod motel as they began to settle into a new team.
During the lockout, Lin Qi secured Kevin Garnett’s future, strengthened Boston’s finances, and assembled a deep roster. The Celtics returned to win the shortened regular season and began their playoff rematch with the Knicks.
Boston swept Philadelphia and Indiana to win the Eastern Conference, then opened the NBA Finals against San Antonio. After splitting the first two games, the Celtics struggled with the Alamodome’s court and the Spurs’ defense in Game Three.
Boston overcame San Antonio to win the 1999 NBA championship, with Gary Payton named Finals MVP. Lin Qi then reshaped the roster, secured Wang Zhizhi’s move to Boston, and bought European clubs to build a talent pipeline for the Celtics.
Lin Qi expanded the Celtics’ European partnerships, reshaped the team’s training and tactics, and helped push the NBA toward new defensive rules. Boston opened the season with strong wins, tested a new lineup, and secured Chauncey’s future with the team.
Lin Qi guided the Celtics through a league-leading regular season, a dispute over playoff officiating, and a sweep of Detroit before Boston advanced to face Indiana. The Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, but Reggie Miller prepared to answer back in Game 3.
The Celtics eliminated Reggie Miller’s Pacers, prepared for the Lakers, and took a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. Lin Qi’s defense and the growing rift between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal shaped the series, but he warned Doc Rivers that it was not over.
Lin Qi led Boston to a championship, then reshaped the roster and staff while exploiting trade opportunities and confronting the Lakers’ turmoil. He left Boston’s season preparations underway and moved to Rome to build Virtus Rome.
Lin Qi built the EBA through major investments and recruited thirteen European clubs, then faced a crisis when Paul Pierce was stabbed and worked to support his recovery. Pierce returned to lead Boston through an undefeated start, while Grant Hill began to doubt whether the Celtics still needed him.
Grant Hill regained a sense of purpose as Lin Qi built a performance-training program and pursued a new Celtics complex in Brighton. Boston beat the Lakers in a dramatic Christmas game, then lost its streak to Dallas and adjusted its rotation to protect its players, before sending five players to the All-Star Game.
Lin Qi reshaped Boston’s rotation and tightened the team’s focus as the Celtics finished the season with the league’s best record. Boston swept Orlando and prepared to face New York, while Lin Qi advanced his business and sports complex plans.
The Celtics swept the Knicks, then advanced through Philadelphia and faced a depleted Lakers team in the NBA Finals. Boston took a 2-0 lead before the Lakers rallied at home to tie the series, leaving Lin Qi ready to confront the league over the officiating.
Lin Qi led Boston to a third straight championship, then reshaped Orlando, stockpiled future picks, and built a roster for the next season. With Michael Jordan joining a Lakers team assembled to challenge the Celtics, Lin Qi also expanded his European basketball operation and began planning to buy another NBA team.
Lin Qi completed his purchase of the Celtics, shaped the roster and club’s finances, and led Boston into a dominant season opener. As the team prepared for tougher rivals, he managed player development, injuries, and tensions within the squad.