Chapter Summaries

Lin Qi’s comments about Eddie Jones and Dikembe Mutombo being overlooked for the All-Star team were distorted into an attack on the league’s coaches, and his Celtics players defended the value of defense. After Rasheed Wallace escalated the controversy and Commissioner David Stern urged everyone to focus on the games, Lin Qi remained unapologetic and accepted the hostility.

• Lin Qi said Eddie Jones and Dikembe Mutombo deserved All-Star recognition and argued that traditional selection criteria overlooked defensive value.
• News outlets portrayed Lin Qi’s remarks as an insult to all the league’s coaches, but he refused Ainge’s suggestion to issue a clarification.
• Kevin Garnett, Gary Payton, and Paul Pierce defended Lin Qi’s point while emphasizing that the All-Star Game mainly rewarded offense.
• Rasheed Wallace openly criticized coaches who overlooked Eddie Jones and Dikembe Mutombo, intensifying the public dispute.
• David Stern welcomed constructive discussion of the selection rules but urged everyone to treat All-Star Weekend as a celebration rather than a battleground.
• Lin Qi dismissed concerns that the controversy would create enemies, saying he was willing to let people hate the Celtics.

At the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, Lin Qi rejected Knicks owner James Dolan’s lavish offer to hire him, defending the Celtics culture he had built. On the court, the four Celtics dominated through teamwork, while their intensity drew friction from teammates and concern from NBA commissioner David Stern.

• Kevin Garnett entered the Eastern All-Stars’ locker room and found the other players distant, then joined Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, and Rasheed Wallace as they prepared for the game.
• James Dolan offered Lin Qi a Knicks management job with triple his salary and a five-percent stake, but Lin Qi refused and criticized Dolan’s meddling and the Knicks’ poor results.
• Peter Holt and Micky Arison warned Dolan against trying to buy Lin Qi, and Arison agreed that Dolan should interfere less in basketball matters.
• Payton, Garnett, Pierce, and Rasheed combined for a 10-2 run with crisp teamwork, irritating Allen Iverson and Vince Carter and prompting Jeff Van Gundy to urge them to give their teammates more chances.
• The Celtics eased off at times but returned to their coordinated play when needed, and the East trailed the West 59-62 at halftime.
• David Stern told Lin Qi that the Celtics’ intensity made others uncomfortable, compared him to Auerbach, and warned him to treat people well on the way up.

The Celtics-led East beat the West in the 2000 All-Star Game, with Kevin Garnett earning MVP and declaring that Boston was aiming for the championship in June. After returning to Boston, the four All-Stars joined Dikembe Mutombo and Eddie Jones for late-night practice.

• Rasheed Wallace and Garnett helped the East tighten its defense, and Garnett dunked over Tim Duncan as the West built a lead.
• Van Gundy put Gary Payton, Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rasheed Wallace on the floor with Iverson, and the East rallied to tie the game at 125.
• Gary Payton passed to Pierce, who hit the go-ahead three-pointer; the West missed its final shot, and the East won 128-125.
• Garnett received the All-Star MVP award after recording 28 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, then said the Celtics were playing to win a championship in June.
• Garnett, Payton, Pierce, and Rasheed returned to Boston and found Mutombo and Eddie Jones practicing, then joined them on the court.

With the trade deadline approaching, Lin Qi rejected teams’ offers and encouraged Wang Zhizhi’s progress in English and training. On the practice court, Paul Pierce finally made a shot against Ron Artest and Bruce Bowen after months of punishing defensive drills.

• Lin Qi rejected a series of trade inquiries and noted that Boston and the Lakers were tied atop the league standings.
• Wang Zhizhi returned books to Lin Qi and spoke with him in English before discussing the work he still needed to do to prepare for Shaquille O'Neal.
• Lin Qi watched Pierce face Artest and Bowen in the two-man pressure drill he had designed for him.
• Pierce used a fake and reverse pivot to make a shot over Artest and Bowen for the first time.
• Pierce, Artest, and Bowen collapsed onto the floor, exhausted, and laughed together.

Lin Qi offered Bruce Bowen and Brad Miller contract extensions and training plans to develop their shooting, while he began shorting overvalued technology stocks as the Nasdaq surged. After the market reversed, he visited practice and found Bowen and Miller diligently working on their assigned skills.

• Lin Qi offered Bruce Bowen a two-year, $1.6 million extension and a plan to improve his three-point shooting and defense.
• Lin Qi offered Brad Miller a fully guaranteed two-year, $1.6 million contract and a plan to develop his outside shot, strength, and pick-and-pop play.
• Lin Qi instructed David to build short positions in overvalued technology stocks with $1 billion in principal and two-times leverage.
• As the Nasdaq climbed above 5,100 points, Lin Qi ordered David to use the reserved cash to add to the short positions, and the index then plunged.
• Lin Qi visited practice and saw Bowen drilling corner threes and Miller working on pick-and-pop shots, then told the assistant coach to make sure they rested.

Lin Qi watched his players improve during specialized training and a scrimmage as the Celtics prepared for the playoffs. He then rejected advice to close his Nasdaq short positions, convinced the market crash had only begun.

• Lin Qi and Chip Engelland observed Bruce Bowen's improved corner-three shooting during practice.
• Lin Qi watched Brad Miller direct play from the high post and instructed the coaches to maintain his training intensity.
• During a scrimmage, Chauncey Billups passed to Rasheed, while Thibodeau praised the team's defensive rotation; Lin Qi and Doc Rivers discussed using the Pistons series to set the playoff rotation.
• Trader David told Lin Qi his Nasdaq short positions had gained $420 million and recommended closing some, but Lin Qi ordered him to keep holding.
• Lin Qi looked over Boston's financial district and remained confident that the Nasdaq decline would continue.

Lin Qi managed Rasheed Wallace’s temper, kept his Nasdaq short position despite warnings, and assessed the Lakers’ feud as the Celtics’ regular season ended. Boston finished first overall and prepared to face Detroit in the playoffs, while Lin Qi reviewed the team’s internal statistics.

• Rasheed Wallace was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, and Lin Qi warned him to control his temper before the playoffs.
• Lin Qi told David to keep shorting the Nasdaq despite analysts’ optimism and the risk of a market rebound.
• Lin Qi and Doc Rivers discussed reports of conflict between Kobe and O'Neal and resolved to keep the Celtics focused.
• The Celtics defeated the Wizards 109-98 and finished the regular season with a league-best 65 wins and 17 losses.
• Lin Qi reviewed the playoff matchups, including Boston’s first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, then opened an internal summary of player statistics.

Lin Qi hired private investigators to gather evidence against NBA referees Tim Donaghy and Joey Crawford after spotting suspicious patterns in Rasheed Wallace’s technical fouls. The Celtics opened the playoffs with a dominant win over Detroit, and Lin Qi received word that investigators had identified Donaghy’s secret account.

• Lin Qi reviewed Rasheed Wallace’s technical-foul records, noticed Tim Donaghy had called many of them, and ordered investigators to examine Donaghy and Joey Crawford for evidence of corruption and personal misconduct.
• Lin Qi checked the officiating crew for the Celtics’ playoff opener against the Detroit Pistons and found Dick Bavetta, Hugh Evans, and Joe Crawford on the list.
• The Celtics’ defense overwhelmed Detroit in Game 1, and Grant Hill left with ankle pain as Boston built a large lead.
• Rasheed Wallace scored from the perimeter and blocked a shot as Boston’s second unit extended its lead; the Celtics won 118-85.
• Lin Qi received an encrypted message saying investigators had identified Donaghy’s secret account and were tracing its funding source.

Before Game 2 against the Pistons, Lin Qi warned Rasheed Wallace not to react to referee Tim Donaghy, whom Lin suspected would provoke the Celtics. Donaghy repeatedly made questionable calls against Boston, and the Celtics led 52-50 at halftime despite a severe foul and free-throw disparity.

• Lin Qi saw that Tim Donaghy was the head referee and warned Rasheed Wallace to avoid arguing or risking ejection.
• Donaghy called Gary Payton for a questionable defensive foul, then whistled Kevin Garnett for an offensive foul and Dikembe Mutombo for a defensive foul in the first quarter.
• The Celtics ended the first quarter trailing the Pistons 24-26 after being called for six fouls to Detroit's two.
• Donaghy called Rasheed Wallace for a questionable blocking foul and illegal screen, while Rasheed restrained himself as Lin Qi had instructed.
• After Donaghy ignored a hit to Rasheed during a made layup, Rasheed protested but stopped short of earning a technical foul.
• The Celtics took a 52-50 halftime lead, despite facing 14 fouls and 19 free-throw attempts compared with Detroit's seven fouls and eight attempts.

The Celtics overcame biased officiating to beat the Pistons 104-99 and take a 2-0 series lead, while Rasheed narrowly avoided ejection after receiving a technical foul. Lin Qi suspected referee Donaghy of point shaving and ordered investigators to build a full case as the series moved to Detroit for Game 3.

• Doc Rivers changed the Celtics’ approach after the team complained about the officiating, and Boston built a ten-point lead with a 14-6 run in the third quarter.
• Donaghy ignored a clear foul on Rasheed, then gave him a technical foul when he protested; Rasheed stopped himself from confronting the referee and went to the bench.
• The Celtics dominated the fourth quarter and beat the Pistons 104-99, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
• Lin Qi confronted Donaghy in the tunnel, criticizing his officiating and warning that he would see him again in Detroit.
• Lin Qi learned that Donaghy had suspicious offshore deposits and met frequently with veteran referees including Joe Crawford, then ordered investigators to intensify their surveillance and gather evidence.

Lin Qi secured evidence that Donaghy had taken bribes and planned with Joey Crawford to target Rasheed Wallace, then prepared to confront David Stern. After Lin Qi warned the Celtics to avoid arguing with the referees, the game began with calls favoring Detroit, and the targeting of Rasheed started when he entered in the second quarter.

• Lin Qi’s investigator reported bank records, a cooperating witness, and a recording of Donaghy and Joey Crawford discussing how to provoke Rasheed Wallace during Game 3.
• Lin Qi told his assistant to book a flight to New York and arrange a meeting with David Stern, warning Stern’s secretary that refusing would bring regret.
• Lin Qi warned the Celtics that Donaghy, Crawford, and the officiating crew would target them, and told the players to stay quiet and focus on scoring.
• Lin Qi told Rasheed that he might be targeted or ejected and asked him to endure it while Lin Qi dealt with the referees.
• Donaghy called Gary Payton for traveling and Crawford gave Detroit free throws after a foul on Eddie Jones; Boston was called for at least eight first-quarter fouls, and Rasheed’s targeting began when he entered in the second quarter.

Rasheed was ejected after protesting the referees’ calls, and Lin Qi confronted the officials before rallying the Celtics at halftime. With Boston trailing Detroit by eight, Garnett and Gary Payton steeled themselves for the second half.

• Rasheed received a technical foul after protesting a no-call, then was ejected when he earned a second technical for confronting Donaghy.
• Ben Wallace restrained Rasheed as Doc Rivers and others escorted him from the court.
• Lin Qi confronted Donaghy and Crawford, warning that they would never officiate again after that night.
• At halftime, Boston trailed Detroit 48–56 and had twice as many fouls called against it.
• Lin Qi urged the Celtics to overcome the officiating by building an overwhelming lead, and Garnett and Gary Payton rallied behind him.

The Celtics overcame Donaghy’s crooked officiating, crushed the Pistons 112-84, and swept the series 3-0. Lin Qi left for the airport carrying evidence against Donaghy, preparing to confront David Stern and the league’s leadership in New York.

• Garnett opened Boston’s third-quarter retaliation with a reverse dunk, and Gary Payton followed with clean steals that sparked fast-break scores.
• Pierce endured a rough foul from Stackhouse and made a banked three, as Boston overwhelmed Detroit with a 36-12 third quarter.
• Boston held the Pistons scoreless through three straight shot-clock violations, and Detroit’s coach pulled the starters with three minutes remaining.
• The Celtics defeated the Pistons 112-84 to complete a 3-0 sweep, while Detroit fans left the arena in silence.
• Lin Qi left alone with a report and recordings tied to Donaghy’s offshore accounts, heading to New York to confront the league’s leadership.

On a flight to New York in 2000, Lin Qi considered how to use evidence implicating referee Tim Donaghy in illegal betting to secure a private deal with David Stern rather than publicly damage the NBA. He had decided that the compensation should be something other than money, but had not yet worked out what to ask for.

• Lin Qi reviewed a report containing evidence that Tim Donaghy was involved in illegal basketball betting.
• Lin Qi recalled the 2007 scandal and the damage it would cause the NBA and David Stern if the evidence became public.
• Lin Qi weighed giving the report to The New York Times against presenting it privately to Stern.
• Lin Qi calculated that Stern would likely try to conceal the scandal and negotiate to limit the league's losses.
• Lin Qi ruled out money as compensation and wondered what else to demand from Stern.

Lin Qi presented David Stern with evidence that referee Tim Donaghy was betting on games and explained why exposing the scandal publicly would harm the NBA and his own investment. Stern recognized Lin Qi as the Celtics’ true owner and asked what he wanted.

• Lin Qi arrived at NBA headquarters for his meeting with David Stern.
• Lin Qi gave Stern an investigation report accusing Tim Donaghy of betting on games with accomplices.
• Stern warned Lin Qi that investigating and accusing an active referee without authorization was a serious overreach.
• Stern examined evidence including financial records, witness statements, and a transcript about targeting Rasheed Wallace for ejection.
• Lin Qi said his analytics team had flagged unusual foul calls against Rasheed and explained that he wanted to protect the league’s value and his Celtics investment.
• Stern acknowledged Lin Qi as an equal and asked him what he wanted.

Lin Qi negotiated with Stern to secure fair playoff officiating, establish league oversight of referees, and gain a path to Celtics ownership and the NBA Board of Governors in exchange for resolving the Donaghy scandal. After reaching an agreement and warning Stern he expected a favor in return, Lin Qi left New York for Boston.

• Lin Qi threatened to give the Donaghy evidence to the FBI and The New York Times unless the Celtics received fair playoff officiating, and Stern promised direct monitoring of the games.
• Lin Qi proposed restructuring his referee-monitoring data company so the NBA would hold a controlling stake, and Stern agreed to subject the deal to due diligence.
• Lin Qi asked for a five-percent Celtics equity incentive and a seat on the NBA Board of Governors, and Stern agreed in principle while restricting his vote on key issues for five years.
• Lin Qi agreed to surrender all original evidence, and Stern promised an internal purge, discreet FBI involvement, and permission for Lin Qi to tell Rasheed Wallace that the problem had been resolved.
• Lin Qi challenged Stern over possible league interference with Boston, and Stern said the league would support Boston as long as it generated revenue but would act if it harmed the owners' interests.
• Lin Qi asked Stern to remember that he owed him a favor, and then called his assistant to book the next flight back to Boston.

Lin Qi told Rasheed Wallace that referees had deliberately targeted him and explained that he had secured David Stern’s agreement to deal with them privately. Relieved and determined, Rasheed returned to practice and committed himself to helping Boston win championships.

• Lin Qi summoned Rasheed Wallace and explained that many of his thirty-eight technical fouls had resulted from deliberate targeting by referees, including Tim Donaghy.
• Rasheed erupted in anger and demanded to know where Donaghy was, but Lin Qi told him the matter had already been settled.
• Lin Qi revealed that he had presented evidence to David Stern, who agreed to involve the FBI, imprison Donaghy, and quietly remove the other referees involved.
• Lin Qi reassured Rasheed that he valued how Rasheed defended his teammates, and Rasheed left the office relieved and grateful.
• Rasheed returned to practice with renewed confidence, then texted Lin Qi that he wanted to help Boston win a championship.
• After Lin Qi replied that one championship would not be enough, Rasheed stayed behind to practice shooting alone.

The Boston Celtics swept the New York Knicks to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced Larry Bird’s Indiana Pacers. In Game 1, Boston contained Reggie Miller and beat Indiana 107-92, leaving the Pacers’ last title push in trouble.

• Boston defeated the Knicks 4-0, with Garnett, Pierce, and Gary Payton leading the sweep.
• The Pacers beat the Miami Heat 4-2, setting up an Eastern Conference Finals matchup with Boston.
• Before Game 1, Doc Rivers assigned Eddie Jones to defend Reggie Miller, while Larry Bird urged Indiana to play with the urgency of a Game 7.
• Eddie Jones and Bruce Bowen harried Miller, and Boston led 54-47 at halftime despite Miller’s second-quarter three-pointers.
• After Miller cut Boston’s lead to one in the third quarter, Garnett switched onto him, and the Celtics’ defense and frontcourt depth helped build a 12-point lead.
• Boston held off Indiana’s final push and won 107-92, taking Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics shut down Reggie Miller in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Pacers. Unable to sleep, Miller went to the arena before dawn, where Larry Bird encouraged him to rely on constant movement and prepare to fight for Indiana’s home game.

• The Celtics held Miller to 2-for-13 shooting and six points in a 98-85 win, leaving the Pacers down 0-2.
• Miller lay awake after the loss, worrying that at 35 this might be his last chance to reach the NBA Finals.
• Miller arrived at Conseco Fieldhouse at five in the morning and spent two hours practicing three-pointers.
• Bird found Miller at the arena and recalled his own poor Finals game before urging Miller to move, catch, and shoot like he had against New York in 1995.
• Miller agreed to fight for the Pacers at home, and Bird told him not to return to the arena at five in the morning again.

Down 0-2 to the Boston Celtics, Reggie Miller prepared for the Pacers’ home game with his familiar rituals and renewed confidence. As the teams gathered for the opening tip, Miller taunted Eddie Jones and signaled to Doc Rivers to watch him closely.

• Reggie Miller stayed after practice to shoot from his favorite spots, believing his chance to change the series had arrived.
• Miller followed his detailed pregame routine as Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, and Rick Smits encouraged him before Larry Bird urged the team to fight.
• Miller completed his warmup rituals as the Pacers took the court, while Eddie Jones noticed he seemed different and Kevin Garnett dismissed the threat.
• Miller grinned provocatively at Jones, then told Jackson he had been ready for eighteen years.
• As the opening tip approached, Miller pointed at his eyes and then at Doc Rivers, silently challenging the Celtics coach to watch him.