Recaps

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.

• Lin Qi rejected Chris Bosh as a scouting fit, chose Kirk Hinrich instead, and watched Hinrich demonstrate disciplined defense and unselfish play.
• Lin Qi exposed NBA owners’ divisions over Kingmaker, and pressure from Jerry Colangelo and the Maloof Brothers forced David Stern to approve the film’s license.
• Lin Qi placed Darko Miličić, Nenad Krstić, Zaza Pachulia, and Sofoklis Schortsanitis in EBA clubs, then helped force FIBA to withdraw its ban on EBA players.
• Rick Carlisle rebuilt Boston’s offense around Kevin Garnett’s high-post play, limited Dwyane Wade’s minutes, and led the Celtics to a 104-88 win over the Nets.
• Lin Qi criticized the Lakers’ crowded roster and the Bulls’ conflict between Kobe Bryant and Jalen Rose during TNT’s midseason special, then argued that teamwork mattered more than individual scoring.
• Lin Qi’s comments provoked threats and vandalism, and a fan’s laser pointer forced police to evacuate the Celtics before their game in Chicago.
• Boston built a huge lead as Garnett and his teammates shared the ball, while Kobe ignored open Bulls and forced shots against the Celtics’ defense.
• The Bulls left Kobe isolated during an on-court confrontation with Ron Artest, and Boston won 125-67 as Kobe scored 43 points on 46 shots without an assist.

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.

• Garnett found the money he and the 1996 Celtics had hidden after losing to Chicago, refused to spend it, and promised to return each teammate’s contribution before offering to fund the team’s celebration.
• Lin Qi watched the All-Star selections, Kobe’s interview and the All-Star Game, while Jordan announced his retirement after the season and Boston made no moves before the trade deadline.
• Lin Qi used his time away from the NBA to plan a Converse purchase, recruit international prospects for the EBA, and negotiate a Chinese youth-development partnership with Maurizio Gherardini.
• Boston endured stricter officiating and internal clashes while continuing to win, then swept Miami and defeated Philadelphia to reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
• Lin Qi watched the Nets’ Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi, and Andrei Kirilenko thrive in the playoffs, while the Lakers and Spurs advanced to meet in the Western Conference Finals.
• Boston beat New Jersey in five games, with Rick Carlisle’s adjustments and Dwyane Wade’s 34-point performance helping the Celtics take control of the series.
• The Lakers defeated the Spurs 4-3 after Michael Jordan hit a late step-back jumper and Manu Ginobili missed the final shot, earning 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.

• Lin Qi watched the Lakers beat Boston in the first two games, as Michael Jordan’s scoring helped give Los Angeles a 2-0 series lead.
• Paul Pierce changed his approach in Game 3, helping Boston win with defense and playmaking before a brawl left Ron Artest injured.
• Jordan and O’Neal led the Lakers to a Game 4 win, putting Boston on the brink of elimination.
• With Artest back for Game 6, Boston’s defense contained Jordan, and Pierce and Rasheed Wallace led the Celtics to a 90-84 win that tied the series.
• Before Game 7, Lin Qi held back from a media counterattack as the Lakers publicly complained about Boston’s defense and the officiating.
• Boston attacked the basket to answer the Lakers’ early physical play, and the teams ended the first quarter tied at 18-16.
• The veterans turned Game 7 into a physical half-court battle, and the first half ended 44-44.
• Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace challenged O’Neal in the post, while Artest wore Jordan down and Jordan missed a contested jumper.

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.

• The Lakers defeated Boston in the second overtime of Game 7, and Shaquille O’Neal won Finals MVP while crediting Michael Jordan for helping secure the championship.
• During Lin Qi’s suspension, Boston lost its preferred draft targets and watched major free agents sign elsewhere, while Lin’s Panathinaikos helped establish EBA’s growing European presence.
• After returning to Boston, Lin traded Chauncey Billups and other guards for Gary Payton and draft picks, signed Dikembe Mutombo and Tyronn Lue, and completed the roster with other additions.
• Lin unveiled Boston’s new training center and finalized the roster as Dwyane Wade chose No. 4 rather than asking to wear Dennis Johnson’s retired No. 3.
• Lin advised David Stern against suspending Kobe Bryant before a verdict, considered but abandoned a plan to bring Kobe to Olympia Milan, and told EBA to protect its autonomy in any talks with FIBA.
• Lin directed EBA to develop young players and arranged adoption proceedings for Chaolu and Shamalage, while he and Beth disagreed over how their sons should approach basketball and education.
• After seeing Wade train his midrange shot, Lin agreed with Carlisle that Raja Bell should start, Chris Paul should move to small forward, and Ron Artest should come off the bench.
• Lin won the players’ support for the lineup change and demonstrated a Boston Pick-and-Roll and motion offense to Carlisle, who vowed to develop the system for the new season.