Chapter Summaries

The Celtics and Spurs fought through a tightly contested Game 1 of the NBA Finals, with Kevin Garnett and Gary Payton helping Boston build a late lead. Tim Duncan missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, and the Celtics won 74-73 to take a 1-0 series lead.

• Both teams rotated their benches in the second quarter before their defenses slowed the game into a half-court battle.
• Tim Duncan caught David Robinson's final-second high-low pass and scored to put the Spurs ahead 42-40 at halftime.
• Gary Payton exploited his matchup in the third quarter, helping the Celtics take a 64-58 lead into the fourth.
• The Spurs rallied behind Steve Kerr's two long-range shots and Tim Duncan's free throws to tie the game at 66-66.
• Paul Pierce missed a late step-back jumper, and Tim Duncan secured the rebound with 4.2 seconds remaining.
• Tim Duncan missed the potential game-winner over Garnett's contest, and the Celtics held on to win 74-73 and lead the series 1-0.

Boston’s defense initially contained Tim Duncan, but Gregg Popovich shifted Duncan to the high post, where his passing opened the floor and fueled a Spurs comeback. The Spurs entered halftime with a nine-point lead, and Lin Qi left the suite to head toward the players’ tunnel.

• Kevin Garnett shut down Tim Duncan in the low post as Boston built an early 16-7 lead with scoring from Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, and Garnett.
• Gregg Popovich sent Duncan to the high post, where Duncan drew Garnett away from the paint and assisted David Robinson on a dunk.
• Duncan continued feeding Robinson and Sean Elliott for scores, while Boston’s defense broke down and the Spurs took the lead with a 14-4 run.
• Doc Rivers called a timeout but could not resolve the defensive dilemma created by Duncan’s high-post role.
• The Spurs went into halftime ahead by nine points despite Duncan scoring only six, and Lin Qi left the luxury suite for the players’ tunnel.

Doc Rivers’s defensive adjustment helped Boston build a brief lead, but Tim Duncan punished Garnett’s retreat with repeated midrange shots as the Spurs won 91-88 and tied the Finals at 1-1. After the game, Lin Qi explained that Garnett’s need to prove himself differed from Duncan’s focus on winning.

• At halftime, Doc Rivers told Garnett to sag off Tim Duncan and help protect the paint, while Gary Payton was asked to keep attacking Avery Johnson.
• Boston’s packed defense forced a shot-clock violation, and Pierce’s steal led to a Payton fast-break layup during a 7-0 run.
• The Spurs adjusted with screens and cuts, then Duncan made three consecutive midrange jumpers when Garnett backed off.
• Payton scored 32 points, but the Spurs won 91-88, tying the series at 1-1; Duncan praised Garnett’s defense as they left the court.
• Walking out with his friends, Lin Qi said Garnett’s desire to prove himself could get in the way of winning, unlike Duncan’s focus on victory.

Boston arrived in San Antonio and discovered that the Alamodome’s darkness and uneven, concrete-backed court would hinder their shooting and punish their players’ bodies. Lin Qi told Doc Rivers that these conditions were San Antonio’s home-court advantage as Boston prepared for three road games.

• Boston’s players entered the Alamodome for practice and were unsettled by the vast arena and the darkness beyond the court.
• Robert Horry repeatedly missed his corner threes and realized that the pitch-black background deprived him of visual reference points.
• Paul Pierce noticed that the court felt wrong beneath his feet during a change of direction.
• Lin Qi presented the court-testing report at the tactical meeting, and Doc Rivers explained that the modular floor had no cushioning and varied widely in rebound.
• Lin Qi warned Doc Rivers that Boston would face three games on the punishing floor and called it San Antonio’s home-court advantage.

The Spurs used the Alamodome’s disorienting background and visual conditions to lure Boston into open perimeter shots, then shut down the paint when the Celtics tried to attack inside. Boston’s offense stalled, and San Antonio finished the first quarter ahead 25-13.

• As the game began, Gary Payton and Avery Johnson abandoned trash talk because the Alamodome’s roar made speech difficult to hear.
• Boston repeatedly missed open perimeter shots, while its few first-quarter field goals came from contested attempts by Payton and Garnett.
• Lin Qi realized Gregg Popovich’s defense was deliberately conceding open perimeter shots, and the Spurs led 22-11 with four minutes left in the quarter.
• After Robert Horry hesitated and Boston committed a shot-clock violation, Doc Rivers called a timeout and told the Celtics to attack inside.
• Garnett and Pierce drove into the paint but were stopped by Tim Duncan and David Robinson, as the Spurs’ rotations shut down Boston’s interior attack.
• The first quarter ended with the Spurs leading Boston 25-13.

Dominique Wilkins identified a fixed landmark behind the basket to help Boston’s shooters adjust to the Alamodome’s disorienting sightlines. After Wilkins demonstrated the technique with a made jumper, Boston mounted a 12-2 run and cut the Spurs’ lead to five.

• Ron Harper recognized that a hollow, slippery patch of court had helped Avery Johnson steer Boston’s guards into turnovers, and he warned Doc Rivers.
• Dominique Wilkins found a fixed sign behind the basket that could serve as a visual reference and explained his shooting method to the team at halftime.
• Wilkins asked Rivers for three minutes in the third quarter so he could demonstrate the technique, and Rivers put him into the game.
• After Sean Elliott scored against him, Wilkins used the sign’s steel-beam angle as a reference and made a midrange jumper over Elliott’s closeout.
• Boston went on a 12-2 run during Wilkins’s three minutes, cutting the Spurs’ lead to five before Wilkins returned to the bench.

The Spurs held off Boston’s comeback to win Game 3, cutting the series deficit to 1-2. Afterward, Lin Qi recognized that the punishing floor had left Gary Payton’s legs exhausted and asked Doc Rivers to arrange lower-body treatment before the next game.

• Boston cut San Antonio’s lead to 73-71, prompting Gregg Popovich to call timeout and put Jerome Kersey on Gary Payton.
• Kersey shut down Payton’s post-up attempts and drew an offensive foul, helping the Spurs preserve their lead.
• With three minutes left, Payton’s exhausted legs disrupted Boston’s pick-and-roll, and Horry missed a corner three before David Robinson grabbed the rebound.
• Tim Duncan blocked Paul Pierce’s late drive, and San Antonio won 87-85 to make the series score 1-2.
• Lin Qi silently accepted the stat sheet from Doc Rivers, then asked him to arrange lower-body decompression therapy and icing for the next day.

Doc Rivers and Thibodeau devised a defensive plan to counter Tim Duncan and the Spurs, considering switching, double-teams, and a lineup that could draw David Robinson away from the basket. The meeting ended with Bo Outlaw assigned a key role and Doc Rivers wondering where Lin Qi had heard the phrase “switch everything.”

• Thibodeau explained how Duncan’s presence disrupted Boston’s defensive rotations, and Doc Rivers proposed switching on every screen.
• Lin Qi named the tactic “switch everything,” while Ron Harper explained that the approach required a lineup without small defenders.
• Doc Rivers chose Gary Payton for the lineup, but Thibodeau warned that Boston could not let Payton switch onto Duncan in the post.
• Lin Qi showed that 79% of the Spurs’ possessions began inside, prompting Thibodeau to propose double-teaming Duncan and relying on Boston’s rotations.
• Doc Rivers planned to draw Robinson away from the basket with P.J. Brown’s midrange shooting and assigned Bo Outlaw to fight for rebounds near the rim.
• After the meeting, Doc Rivers asked Thibodeau whether he had heard the phrase “switch everything” before, and Thibodeau said Lin Qi often used strange phrases.

In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Doc Rivers used Boston’s mobile big men to disrupt Tim Duncan and the Spurs, while P.J. Brown’s shooting and Bo Outlaw’s rebounding helped the Celtics build a halftime lead. Boston went into the break ahead 56-44, with Harper hinting that a former six-foot-eight star had once made their all-switching lineup sustainable.

• Doc Rivers replaced Mutombo and Pierce with P.J. Brown and Bo Outlaw, and Boston’s quick double-teams and fast breaks limited Tim Duncan as the Celtics ended the first quarter ahead 28-21.
• P.J. Brown hit consecutive midrange shots, then faked Robinson and drove for a layup and a foul, drawing the Spurs’ center away from the paint.
• Bo Outlaw exploited Boston’s box-outs by collecting five offensive rebounds and scoring eight points in half a quarter.
• Doc Rivers used Harper in a switching lineup that held San Antonio scoreless for four minutes, then brought Gary Payton back when Boston’s offense stalled.
• Boston led 56-44 at halftime, and Harper told Billups that their old lineup had lasted because they once had a six-foot-eight player who could guard every position and score twenty points.

The Celtics overcame San Antonio’s late surge to win Game 4, tying the NBA Finals at 2-2. Bo Outlaw’s improved free throws, Gary Payton’s playmaking, and Boston’s rebounding helped secure the victory, while Gregg Popovich left wondering how Outlaw had improved at the line.

• The Spurs assigned Jerome Kersey to guard Gary Payton, who struggled to score but focused on defense and playmaking, recording seven third-quarter assists.
• Popovich had Mario Elie intentionally foul Bo Outlaw, but Outlaw made eight of ten free throws before Popovich stopped the strategy.
• The Spurs changed their fourth-quarter offense by using David Robinson as an entry point, allowing Tim Duncan to score and assist on a run that cut Boston’s lead to 95-92.
• Doc Rivers told the Celtics to secure rebounds and push the pace, and Outlaw grabbed a key rebound that led to Pierce’s layup.
• The Celtics defeated the Spurs 101-96 to tie the series 2-2, with Outlaw finishing 14 points and 11 rebounds, Payton recording 16 assists, and P.J. Brown scoring 19 points.
• Popovich learned Outlaw had shot 47% from the free-throw line the previous season, but his assistant found no record of who had helped him improve.

The Spurs and Celtics traded tactical adjustments in Game 5, as Popovich exploited Boston’s decision to leave Avery Johnson open while Thibodeau’s rotating defense worked to contain Tim Duncan. Boston entered halftime ahead 52-50, but Garnett’s workload and Johnson’s hot shooting left the outcome uncertain.

• Doc Rivers warned Boston’s players to stay calm after they found the Spurs’ locker room extremely cold and learned that the showers only ran cold water.
• Popovich’s early referee discussion preceded an offensive-foul call against Outlaw, while Boston repeatedly trapped Tim Duncan with P.J. Brown, Garnett, and Outlaw.
• Boston leaned on the Gary Payton–Garnett pick-and-roll and Thibodeau’s rapid defensive rotations, while Popovich countered with high-low passes from Tim Duncan to Robinson.
• After Boston chose to leave Avery Johnson open rather than give Duncan room in the paint, Johnson made three open midrange jumpers in a row and helped the Spurs tie the game at 48.
• Gary Payton attacked Johnson on offense, scoring on a drive and then setting up Pierce, as Boston took a 52-50 halftime lead.

The Celtics held off Popovich’s late tactical surge to beat the Spurs 92-86 and take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. The exhausted veterans left the court with one win needed for the title, and the series moved back to Boston.

• Popovich targeted the gap in the Celtics’ defense with Johnson’s midrange cuts and wore down Garnett, while Outlaw picked up his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.
• Garnett hit a three at the end of the third quarter, and Ron Harper steadied the Celtics against the Spurs’ full-court press.
• Johnson’s jumpers helped the Spurs take an 86-83 lead, but Payton tied the game with a driving three-point play and later set up Pierce for the go-ahead layup.
• Garnett contested Johnson’s next shot, and Payton made free throws to extend the Celtics’ lead to 90-86.
• Outlaw avoided fouling Duncan on the Spurs’ final attack and secured the missed shot’s rebound, after which Payton’s free throws sealed the Celtics’ 92-86 win and 3-2 series lead.

With the Finals on the line, Lin Qi retaliated for San Antonio’s locker-room treatment by chilling the Spurs’ room, and Boston dominated the first half of Game 6. The Celtics led 53-36 at halftime, while Gregg Popovich studied the deficit in the visitors’ locker room.

• Lin Qi ordered New Garden’s visitors’ locker room air conditioning set to 61 degrees until the game ended, citing the Spurs’ cold showers and excessive air conditioning in San Antonio.
• The Spurs arrived at the icy locker room and had to extend their warm-ups, while Garnett changed his defense to disrupt Tim Duncan and held him to one make in six first-quarter shots.
• Gary Payton scored 14 first-quarter points as Boston opened a 27-17 lead over San Antonio.
• Doc Rivers stationed Mutombo at the free-throw line, where his jump shots drew David Robinson away from the paint and opened driving lanes for Boston.
• Pierce drove past Robinson for a dunk, and Ben Wallace added an offensive-rebound putback as Boston went into halftime ahead 53-36.
• Gregg Popovich stared at the halftime score on the whiteboard in the Spurs’ locker room.

The Boston Celtics overwhelmed the San Antonio Spurs to win the 1999 NBA championship, with Robert Horry's third-quarter shooting helping seal the game. After Boston celebrated its title, Dominique Wilkins entered in the final minutes and scored a dunk before the buzzer.

• Gregg Popovich adjusted the Spurs' offense around Tim Duncan, but Kevin Garnett contained Duncan and Duncan struggled to score.
• Robert Horry made three three-pointers in quick succession, and Boston carried an 86-60 lead into the fourth quarter.
• Tim Duncan shook Garnett's hand and said, "See you next season," before Popovich removed the Spurs' starters.
• Doc Rivers sent Dominique Wilkins into the game, and Wilkins answered Gary Payton's pass with a one-handed tomahawk dunk.
• The Boston Celtics defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-82 to win the series four games to two and claim the 1999 NBA championship.
• Garnett, Pierce, Gary Payton, and Mutombo celebrated on the court while Popovich looked back at the arena and walked into the tunnel.

Gary Payton was named Finals MVP as Boston celebrated its championship in the New Garden. Lin Qi watched from the tunnel, then left the celebration while anticipating the Lakers’ rise and Boston’s coming title defenses.

• David Stern announced Gary Payton as Finals MVP, and Garnett carried him to the presentation platform as he wept and raised the trophy.
• Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Rashard Lewis, and other Celtics celebrated across the court while media surrounded the team.
• Dominique Wilkins watched the celebration from the sideline and let his tears flow.
• Lin Qi reflected on Boston’s upcoming challenge defending its title over a full season and anticipated the Lakers becoming a major Finals rival.
• Lin Qi turned away from the celebration and walked into the tunnel.

Lin Qi reviewed the Boston Celtics’ statistics and awards after their championship season, assessing which performances would carry over to a full schedule. He turned his attention to next season and the upcoming draft.

• Lin Qi examined Boston’s 39-11 regular-season record and league-leading defense after the lockout-shortened season.
• Lin Qi reviewed Gary Payton’s Finals MVP season and the contributions of Eddie Jones, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Dikembe Mutombo.
• Lin Qi identified Chauncey Billups’s progress and noted that Ben Wallace needed specialized coaching to improve his free throws.
• Lin Qi reviewed Boston’s playoff victories, the season awards, and the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.
• Lin Qi dismissed the debate over whether the championship counted and began thinking about next season’s draft.

Lin Qi joined the championship parade, where fans recognized him and he witnessed the team’s veterans reconnect with their past. At the celebratory dinner, he handed out Auerbach’s cigars and announced a team trip to Europe, beginning in Athens, with plans beyond a simple vacation.

• Auerbach sent Lin Qi a box of cigars and a note explaining why he had skipped the parade.
• Fans recognized Lin Qi during the parade as the man who had assembled the team, while Paul Pierce leaned dangerously over the duck boat to high-five them.
• Bill Russell greeted Dominique Wilkins with a raised hand, and Dominique later stood to wave to fans calling his name.
• A league official congratulated Lin Qi but gave him a brief, wary look before moving on to Gary Payton.
• Lin Qi distributed Auerbach’s cigars at dinner, then announced that the team and their families could take an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe, starting in Athens.

After winning the championship, Lin Qi reviewed how the Chicago Bulls' lottery pick had fallen to third despite his certainty that it would be first. He weighed whether the result came from chance or another manipulated lottery, leaving the cause unresolved.

• Lin Qi reread his notebook, reminding himself that probability was uncertain and draft picks should not be treated as guaranteed.
• He recalled watching the May 22 lottery while holding the Chicago Bulls' unprotected first-round pick and believing it was certain to become the first overall pick.
• The Chicago Bulls appeared at third in the lottery, then won first overall with a separate pick, pushing Lin Qi's pick down to third.
• Lin Qi switched off the television, took three minutes to steady himself, and considered whether chance or the butterfly effect had changed the result.
• Lin Qi considered the theory that the lottery had been manipulated, recalling the frozen-envelope allegations surrounding the 1985 draft and noting that the modern process would require buying off many witnesses.

Lin Qi considered whether David Stern had tilted the draft lottery to help Chicago or suppress Boston, and concluded he could not prove either possibility. He closed his notebook determined to account for Stern’s power as he continued building Boston into a championship obstacle.

• Lin Qi reasoned that Stern might have helped Chicago secure the first pick to protect the league’s business interests after the lockout and Michael Jordan’s departure.
• Lin Qi considered whether Stern instead wanted to suppress Boston and recalled a league official’s warning look at the championship parade.
• Lin Qi listed the commissioner’s possible tools against Boston, including the lottery, referees, trade vetoes, and rule changes.
• Lin Qi acknowledged he had no evidence that Stern had interfered, but decided not to ignore the possibility.
• Lin Qi closed his notebook and resolved to plan for Stern as a dangerous variable in his ambition to make Boston a wall between other teams and the championship.

Lin Qi negotiated a trade sending P.J. Brown, Bo Outlaw, and Boston’s third overall pick to Portland for Rasheed Wallace and two unprotected first-round picks. He accepted the risk of Rasheed’s temper because he was building a Celtics roster to challenge Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers.

• Bob Whitsitt called Lin Qi repeatedly, seeking P.J. Brown and Bo Outlaw to help Portland overcome the Spurs.
• Lin Qi rejected Whitsitt’s initial proposal and argued that Portland also needed a stronger point guard than Damon Stoudamire.
• Lin Qi offered Brown, Outlaw, and Boston’s third overall pick for Rasheed Wallace, then demanded Portland’s unprotected 2000 and 2002 first-round picks.
• Whitsitt agreed to the trade, sending Rasheed Wallace and both picks to Boston for Brown, Outlaw, and the third overall pick.
• Lin Qi considered the risks of Rasheed’s temper and focused on preparing the Celtics to challenge the Lakers and Shaquille O’Neal.