Recaps

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.

• Artest sold signed CDs to his teammates and prepared to record a Finals song, while Rick Carlisle sent him to defend Pierce in practice.
• Lin Qi watched Wade lead the sophomores to a Rookie Challenge victory over LeBron James and win MVP, then Kobe beat O’Neal and earned All-Star MVP as their feud escalated.
• Lin Qi arranged publicity pressure around Chris Paul’s future and advised Isiah Thomas, Bob Whitsitt, and Michael Jordan on using salary-dump deals to acquire cash and draft picks.
• Lin Qi monitored O’Neal’s conflicts in Chicago and Boston’s trade prospects, then watched the Celtics defeat the Bulls and Suns as O’Neal discussed his career and Grant Hill impressed.
• Lin Qi and Patrick Finneran offered Jerry Colangelo a role in a Phoenix real estate fund and support for leading USA Basketball, and Colangelo accepted their help.
• Presti tracked Chris Paul’s rift with Skip Prosser and scouted Tony Allen and Andre Iguodala, while Lin Qi ordered scouts to stop following players until the June draft.
• Lin Qi persuaded David Stern to invite Kobe and Wade to the Olympics in exchange for an advertising package and arranged medical reports keeping Boston’s frontcourt players out.
• USA Basketball announced that Kobe and Wade would play in Athens while four Celtics frontcourt players would miss the Olympics, and Kobe pledged to help the United States win gold.