Chapter Summaries

After Boston’s win, Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle dismissed Doc Rivers’s explanations for Orlando’s loss. Lin Qi then rebuffed R.C. Buford’s attempt to unsettle Boston over future contracts and proposed trading for Manu Ginobili, leaving Buford to consider Boston a threat.

• Doc Rivers defended Orlando’s players after a reporter asked whether Boston had traded them because of their playoff limitations.
• Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle agreed that Orlando’s roster flaws could not be fixed by Rivers’s motivational speeches.
• R.C. Buford warned Lin Qi that Boston could not afford to keep Michael Redd, Brad Miller, and Bruce Bowen, hoping to stir anxiety over the team’s future.
• Lin Qi said his players would first help Boston win the O’Brien Trophy, then offered to discuss a summer trade for Manu Ginobili’s signing rights.
• Buford refused to put Ginobili’s rights on the table, and Lin Qi ended the call by warning him to watch Boston’s moves.

The Magic tried to unsettle Boston with physical play in Game 2, but the Celtics answered with even harsher defense and took a commanding 53-36 halftime lead. Lin Qi judged that Rivers had badly miscalculated, and the game left the series looking all but decided.

• The Magic opened Game 2 with relentless physical pressure and led 22-20 after the first quarter.
• Magic Johnson knocked Wang Zhizhi to the floor, prompting a shoving match before the referees gave Johnson a flagrant 1 and Artest a technical.
• Artest stole the ball from Mercer, scored a forceful dunk, and taunted Rivers and the Magic bench.
• The Celtics tightened their defense as Garnett stopped Outlaw, Billups scored over Armstrong, and Ben Wallace and Garnett blocked Magic shots.
• Boston closed the first half with a 24-4 run to lead 53-36, while Lin Qi said Rivers had made a cardinal mistake.

The Celtics overwhelmed the Magic 115-82, and Lin Qi quietly approached Doc Rivers during garbage time. Lin Qi offered to help Rivers keep his job and told him to call this summer, leaving Rivers hopeful despite the loss.

• The Celtics led the Magic 108-74 in the fourth quarter as Boston fans celebrated Gino Time.
• Lin Qi sat near the Magic bench, and Rivers approached him behind a clipboard to complain about Orlando’s roster and failed pursuit of star players.
• Rivers admitted he expected the Magic to fire him after the season, and Lin Qi suggested he could help him keep his job if he called that summer.
• The Celtics won 115-82, and Lin Qi patted Rivers on the shoulder before leaving for the players’ tunnel.
• Rivers watched Lin Qi leave and felt anticipation replace some of his fear about being fired.

The Boston Celtics swept the Orlando Magic 3-0, leaving Doc Rivers dependent on Lin Qi for his future. Lin Qi rewarded the Celtics with two days off but reminded them to return to practice Monday as they prepared for the next round.

• The Celtics defeated the Magic 102-84 in Game 3 to complete the first-round sweep.
• Kevin Garnett embraced Bo Outlaw and Ervin Johnson after the game, exchanging respect and recalling their time together in Boston.
• Lin Qi watched the players reunite and admitted that building a championship team had required him to make cold decisions.
• Lin Qi gave the Celtics two days off after their early series victory and told them to report for practice on Monday.
• Lin Qi discussed the other ongoing playoff series with the players before leaving the locker room.

Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle watched the New York Knicks sweep the Miami Heat and assessed their defensive strengths as Boston’s next playoff opponent. The chapter ended with Lin Qi confident that Boston’s top-ranked defense could defeat New York.

• Lin Qi criticized Pat Riley’s conditioning methods and argued that Alonzo Mourning’s kidney failure had been worsened by years of overtraining and painkiller use.
• The Knicks defeated the Heat 89-72, completing a 3-0 sweep and securing a second-round matchup with Boston.
• Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle reviewed New York’s defensive identity and discussed its key players, including Allan Houston, Sprewell, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, Larry Johnson, and Glen Rice.
• Lin Qi declared that Boston would show New York what the league’s number-one defense could do.

The Celtics crushed the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding them to 57 points in a 44-point blowout. James Dolan left furious and threatened Jeff Van Gundy’s future if New York suffered another public beating.

• Jeff Van Gundy instructed the Knicks to slow the game down and keep the score low, but Boston led 22-12 after the first quarter.
• Rick Carlisle sent out a five-out lineup, and the Celtics scored 36 points in the second quarter to take a 58-28 halftime lead.
• Lin Qi told Carlisle to help James Dolan make history by holding the Knicks below their record-low score.
• The Celtics maintained their defensive pressure through the second half and won 101-57, setting a new Knicks franchise low.
• James Dolan ordered Scott Layden to give Jeff Van Gundy an ultimatum and warned that he could be barred from Madison Square Garden if the Knicks lost badly again.

After James Dolan ordered Jeff Van Gundy to make the Knicks play faster, Boston exploited their aging lineup and built a decisive lead in Game 2. Van Gundy watched the rout unfold, knowing his time in New York was ending.

• James Dolan berated Scott Layden over the Knicks' 57-point performance and ordered Van Gundy to speed up the offense or risk being fired.
• Layden relayed Dolan's order, and Van Gundy reluctantly agreed despite believing the Knicks could not outscore Boston.
• In Game 2, the Knicks pushed the pace, and Lin Qi recognized Dolan's influence and told Rick Carlisle to let them run.
• Carlisle brought on Artest, Pierce, and Michael Redd, and Boston punished the Knicks' turnovers and missed shots with fast-break baskets.
• Boston led 68-45 at halftime, and after Billups stretched the lead to 30 in the third quarter, Van Gundy accepted that the game and his New York tenure were ending.

After James Dolan fired Jeff Van Gundy, Lin Qi invited him to join the Celtics as a senior consultant. Van Gundy accepted, agreeing to fly to Boston and help the team prepare for the NBA Finals.

• Jeff Van Gundy resigned after clashing with James Dolan, who tore up the letter and announced that the Knicks had fired him.
• Don Chaney was appointed to take over as the Knicks' head coach before Game 3.
• Jeff Van Gundy watched the firing announcement at a Manhattan pub and received a call from Lin Qi.
• Lin Qi offered Jeff Van Gundy a senior consultant role with the Celtics, promising him a chance to focus on tactics without coaching pressure.
• Jeff Van Gundy accepted the invitation and asked Lin Qi to have a high-capacity espresso machine ready in the film room.

After James Dolan accused Boston of tampering over Jeff Van Gundy’s move to the Celtics, Lin Qi publicly mocked Dolan and defended the hiring. The Celtics then swept the Knicks in Game 4, ending the series 4-0.

• After the Knicks lost Game 3 by 118-72, James Dolan accused the Celtics of tampering and demanded an investigation.
• Lin Qi rejected Rick Carlisle’s suggestion to downplay the accusation and sent a mocking statement to The Boston Globe and ESPN.
• Lin Qi’s statement invoked Bill Belichick’s infamous napkin resignation, and David Stern dismissed Dolan’s complaint for insufficient evidence.
• After reading the coverage, Dolan smashed his laptop and urged the Knicks to take revenge in Game 4.
• The Celtics overwhelmed the Knicks 128-79 to complete a 4-0 sweep, while Madison Square Garden fans applauded Boston and booed the Knicks’ management.

The Celtics studied Philadelphia’s Game 7 win over Toronto and planned to wear down Allen Iverson while targeting Jermaine O’Neal’s confidence. Before the Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Brown and Lin Qi voiced confidence in their teams, leaving the matchup ready to begin.

• Paul Pierce, Gary Payton, and Ron Artest laughed about Vince Carter attending his college graduation on the morning of Game 7 and missing the decisive shot.
• Lin Qi praised Carter for keeping his promise, then warned the Celtics that off-court distractions could cost them in the playoffs.
• Jeff Van Gundy and Rick Carlisle analyzed Philadelphia’s offense, identifying Iverson and Jermaine O’Neal as its main options.
• Van Gundy told the Celtics not to double-team Iverson and to pressure O’Neal physically and psychologically, while Lin Qi predicted Philadelphia’s morale would falter if O’Neal broke down.
• Larry Brown declared Philadelphia unafraid of Boston, while Lin Qi praised Iverson and said the Celtics would settle the series on the court.

Lin Qi proposed an NBA-versus-EBA series to David Stern as a new source of revenue and a genuine international championship. Stern and Maurizio agreed to pursue the plan, while the first series remained contingent on approvals and was tentatively set for after the 2002 NBA Finals.

• David Stern called Lin Qi to warn that Boston’s quick playoff wins had left broadcasters with empty prime-time slots and threatened playoff revenue.
• Lin Qi proposed that the NBA champion play the European champion in an alternating-host, best-of-three series under the host league’s rules.
• Lin Qi connected Stern with EBA president Maurizio Gherardini, and the three reached a strategic consensus on the proposed series.
• Stern said the NBA needed team-owner approval and new labor negotiations with the NBPA, so the first series could not happen until after the 2002 NBA Finals.
• Maurizio agreed to visit New York during the next month’s NBA Finals to sign a strategic memorandum, and Lin Qi returned to Philadelphia’s scouting report.

The Boston Celtics used relentless one-on-one defense to isolate Allen Iverson and defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 104-89 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Iverson scored 42 points but managed only one assist as Boston’s lead grew and the game ended with Philadelphia’s offense unable to keep pace.

• Before Game 1, Rick Carlisle and Jeff Van Gundy instructed Boston to avoid double-teaming Iverson and instead deny his passing lanes with Gary Payton, Bruce Bowen, and Ron Artest taking turns guarding him.
• Payton pressured Iverson from the backcourt, but Iverson opened the game by hitting a difficult fadeaway jumper against Boston’s set defense.
• Bowen and Ben Wallace continued the physical pressure in the first half, while Iverson drew a foul and made both free throws after colliding with Wallace.
• Artest guarded Iverson in the second half as Iverson kept scoring, but Boston’s defense contained Philadelphia’s other players and gradually extended its lead.
• With four minutes left, Boston led 98-82 while Iverson was exhausted after 43 minutes and 34 shot attempts.
• The Celtics won 104-89, as Iverson finished with 42 points on 16-for-36 shooting and one assist while Philadelphia’s other four starters combined for 25 points.

The Boston Celtics overwhelmed the Philadelphia 76ers’ interior attack in Game 2, defeating them 108-91 to take a 2-0 series lead. Jermaine O'Neal fought hard but was repeatedly stopped by Ben Wallace, while Allen Iverson’s scoring again could not prevent a loss.

• Larry Brown demanded that Jermaine O'Neal respond after Allen Iverson’s 42-point effort had ended in a Game 1 loss.
• Philadelphia shifted its offense toward O'Neal Jr. in the post, but Boston’s Wallace Duo stifled him throughout the game.
• Ben Wallace blocked O'Neal Jr.’s dunk attempt, and O'Neal Jr. continued fighting through physical play and a flagrant foul.
• Late in the fourth quarter, Ben Wallace ripped the ball from O'Neal Jr. during an up-and-under attempt as Philadelphia trailed by 17.
• Boston won 108-91, taking a 2-0 series lead as Iverson scored 38 points and O'Neal Jr. shot 5-for-15 with four blocked shots and six turnovers.
• Iverson saw O'Neal Jr. leave the court in silence and recognized that he had given his best despite Boston’s superior defense.

With Philadelphia facing elimination after falling behind 0-2, Allen Iverson led the 76ers to a 105-100 Game 3 victory over Boston, cutting the series deficit to 1-2. His game-clinching shot over Ron Artest left Philadelphia with renewed hope.

• Allen Iverson changed his approach, using off-ball cuts and disguised passes to help O'Neal Jr. score against Boston.
• O'Neal Jr. scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds by halftime while Iverson hit difficult shots against Boston's defense.
• With 50 seconds left and Philadelphia ahead 101-99, Boston sent Ron Artest in to guard Iverson.
• Iverson faked Artest off balance, made a fadeaway three-pointer, and stepped over him after the shot went in.
• The 76ers won 105-100 as Iverson finished with 48 points, 9 assists, and 5 steals, bringing the series to 1-2.

Boston defeated Philadelphia in Game 4 and Game 5 to win their series 4-1, while Allen Iverson kept playing through exhaustion and injury until the final whistle. After Boston advanced, Iverson accepted Gary Payton’s jersey and left the court alone.

• Rick Carlisle’s defensive scheme shut down Iverson and Philadelphia’s offense as Boston won Game 4, giving the 76ers a 1-3 series deficit.
• Iverson entered Game 5 with a bandaged knee and ribs, but Boston’s offense widened the lead while Philadelphia struggled to score.
• With Philadelphia trailing by more than twenty points late in Game 5, Larry Brown signaled to substitute Iverson, but Iverson refused and stayed on the court.
• With forty seconds left, Iverson dove for a loose ball, stole it from Chauncey Billups, and scored a final layup before Boston won 108-88 and advanced.
• Gary Payton gave Iverson his jersey and praised his effort, while Ben Wallace hugged him before Iverson limped alone toward the tunnel.

After Boston eliminated Philadelphia, Lin Qi reflected on Allen Iverson’s injuries and promoted the Brighton Sports Science and Medical Center before declaring he would see everyone at the NBA Finals. Iverson and the battered 76ers headed home in silence, leaving the story with Iverson enduring pain on the bus.

• Iverson admitted he had refused to leave the game and credited Boston’s defense, Garnett, and Artest for Philadelphia’s loss.
• Lin Qi watched Iverson leave with difficulty, then told reporters that his injuries showed the need for better sports medicine.
• Lin Qi defended the Brighton Sports Science and Medical Center and said the era of relying on tape, painkillers, and endurance would soon end.
• Lin Qi entered the elevator and told reporters, “See you at the NBA Finals, everyone.”
• Iverson and the injured 76ers boarded their bus for Philadelphia, and Iverson silently pressed his hand against his aching ribs as it drove onto the interstate.

Phil Jackson recognized that Boston had spent the summer helping Dallas and Sacramento assemble players and strategies that drained the Lakers during the Western Conference playoffs. With Boston rested and the Lakers still facing a possible Game 7, Jackson marked Lin Qi as the target of the Celtics’ scouting report.

• Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and the Lakers' other injured players recovered after their Game 5 win while Boston’s 4-1 Eastern Conference Finals victory played on television.
• Phil Jackson reviewed the Lakers’ grueling series against Dallas and Sacramento and saw how their lineups had repeatedly countered the Lakers’ fast breaks, forwards, and O'Neal in the post.
• Jackson traced Dallas’s acquisition of Dikembe Mutombo and Sacramento’s roster moves to Boston’s front office and concluded the Celtics had orchestrated a summer-long encirclement of the Lakers.
• Jackson compared Boston’s week of rest with the Lakers’ upcoming Game 6 in Dallas and possible Game 7, then circled Lin Qi’s name on the scouting report.

Rick Carlisle and Jeff Van Gundy studied how Dallas’s tactics wore down the Lakers and assessed Boston’s matchups against both Western Conference finalists. With Boston healthy and prepared, Carlisle ordered contact practice to resume before the Finals.

• Rick Carlisle and Jeff Van Gundy reviewed footage of Shaquille O'Neal struggling to score against Dikembe Mutombo without drawing a double-team.
• Rick Carlisle and Van Gundy analyzed how Dallas stopped Jason Kidd’s transition offense and forced the Lakers into difficult half-court shots.
• Rick Carlisle examined Dallas’s spacing, which pulled O'Neal away from the rim and opened the paint for cuts.
• Van Gundy outlined how Boston could switch against Dallas, while Carlisle described Boston’s options for tiring O'Neal if the Lakers advanced.
• Rick Carlisle confirmed that Boston’s roster was healthy and ordered the team to resume contact practice at nine the next morning.

After surviving a seven-game series against Dallas, the exhausted Lakers flew to Boston with less than two days to prepare for the NBA Finals. Phil Jackson and Jason Kidd worried that Boston’s three-point-shooting big men would exploit Shaquille O'Neal’s injured foot and limited mobility, while the chapter ended sixteen hours before Game 1.

• The Lakers defeated Dallas 98-96 to win the Western Conference title, while Jason Kidd and Shaquille O'Neal struggled with exhaustion and injuries.
• On the flight to Boston, Phil Jackson showed Jason Kidd Boston’s statistics and warned that its big men’s three-point shooting would force O'Neal into difficult defensive choices.
• Sports coverage contrasted Boston’s seven days of rest with the Lakers’ one day after two grueling seven-game series.
• At media day, Jason Kidd dismissed questions about fatigue, while Shaquille O'Neal said Boston’s double-teams would not stop him.
• O'Neal left the interview limping on his injured right foot as Phil Jackson watched, with sixteen hours remaining before Game 1.

On the flight to Boston, Shaquille O'Neal confronted doubts about the Lakers' trade and his own ability to lead them to a championship. Phil Jackson learned that injuries had left O'Neal and Jason Kidd physically compromised, and ordered Shaq's knee—or toe—fluid drained after landing so he could play in the Finals.

• Shaquille O'Neal read a newspaper column comparing his championship struggles to Wilt Chamberlain's and worried that his injured toe might prevent him from fulfilling his promise.
• Phil Jackson reflected that the Lakers' sound offense lacked Kobe Bryant's ability to score when the system broke down, leaving O'Neal to shoulder the burden.
• Gary Vitti told Jackson that O'Neal's toe arthritis and plantar fasciitis had worsened, while losing weight had also caused widespread aches.
• Vitti explained that Jason Kidd had synovitis in both knees after the Lakers' demanding playoff run.
• Vitti said he would drain fluid from O'Neal's joint after the plane landed and fit him with rigid inserts, though they would reduce his explosiveness.
• Jackson instructed Vitti to drain the fluid from Shaq after they landed.