Chapter Summaries

Boston’s defense and deeper bench wore down the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, turning an early contest into a lopsided loss. With the score 109-85 and the game in garbage time, Jason Kidd reflected on how his physical limits had undermined his ability to control the game.

• O'Neal scored the opening basket and Kidd hit a pull-up jumper, but Gary Payton’s pressure soon slowed Kidd and disrupted the Lakers’ offense.
• Ben Wallace held his ground against O'Neal, then Garnett and Pierce helped force a turnover that Pierce turned into a fast-break layup.
• After the Lakers sent O'Neal to rest, Artest shut down Odom and Rasheed Wallace hit a three-pointer and finished a backdoor cut, fueling Boston’s 15-2 run.
• Jackson sent O'Neal and Kidd back in early, but O'Neal’s exertion left him struggling to keep up as Boston repeatedly created five-on-four situations.
• With 8:12 remaining and Boston ahead 109-85, Jackson substituted his entire bench lineup, and Kidd sat silently as he considered how his sore legs had limited him.

After the Lakers’ crushing Game 1 loss, public debate split over whether their roster needed time to develop or had been built around Shaq at the expense of mobility and long-term success. Phil Jackson recognized the Lakers’ lack of a player who could score through Boston’s defense, while Lin Qi prepared to press Boston’s advantage in Game 2.

• Critics attacked Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, and the Lakers’ roster construction after Boston’s Game 1 victory.
• Rational commentators defended the Lakers’ direction, arguing that Boston’s team had taken seven years to build while the Lakers’ lineup had played together for only one.
• Phil Jackson reviewed the teams’ statistics and admitted that the Lakers had rushed their rebuild and lacked a go-to scorer who could break Boston’s defense.
• Rick Carlisle told Lin Qi that the media was divided over whether the Lakers deserved more time, and Lin Qi replied that winning in the present was what mattered.
• Lin Qi warned that the Lakers had chosen a shortcut and would have to face Boston’s determination to crush them in Game 2.

The Lakers opened Game Two of the NBA Finals with a four-man fast break that let Shaquille O’Neal trail and attack Boston’s unsettled defense, building an early lead. Rick Carlisle then ordered Boston to disrupt the Lakers before they could accelerate, and the chapter ended as the Celtics restored their half-court defense.

• Phil Jackson told Jason Kidd, Sean Marion, Lamar Odom, and Quentin Richardson to sprint on rebounds while O’Neal trailed the fast breaks.
• Lamar Odom grabbed a rebound, Kidd fed Marion for an early basket, and O’Neal returned to defend without crossing half court.
• When Boston stopped a later break, Kidd found O’Neal against Paul Pierce, and O’Neal slammed the ball through the basket.
• The Lakers’ transition attack helped them take a 21-12 lead seven minutes into the first quarter.
• Rick Carlisle told Gary Payton and Artest to get physical and stop the Lakers before they gained speed.
• Payton checked Kidd’s momentum and Artest slowed Odom, forcing the Lakers back into Boston’s set defense.

The Lakers’ plan to preserve Shaquille O'Neal for a third-quarter assault faltered when exhausted perimeter players missed open shots, allowing Boston to exploit the resulting defensive gaps. Boston won Game 2 by 109-88 to take a 2-0 series lead, and Rick Carlisle prepared to see what Phil Jackson would try in Los Angeles.

• Phil Jackson told Shaquille O'Neal to attack inside in the third quarter, and O'Neal scored five straight points while drawing Boston’s defense inward.
• O'Neal passed out of a triple-team to Shawn Marion, but Marion missed an open corner three with heavy legs.
• Jason Kidd also missed an open three, and Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle discussed how the Lakers’ exhausted starters and weak bench limited their options.
• Boston left O'Neal open to shoot and made threes through Brad Miller and Rasheed Wallace, widening the lead as the Lakers’ perimeter shots continued to miss.
• Boston outscored the Lakers 26-16 in the third quarter and won Game 2 by 109-88, taking a 2-0 lead in the Finals.
• Rick Carlisle said Boston would go to Los Angeles to see what cards Phil Jackson had left to play.

After the Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals, Lin Qi dismissed the Los Angeles media’s attacks on Phil Jackson and Jason Kidd and prepared for the series’ three games in Los Angeles. He invited Beth Finneran to Game 6 if the series returned to Boston, offering the VIP suite as both a respite and a show of political support for her Brighton land project.

• Lin Qi read Los Angeles clippings blaming Phil Jackson and Jason Kidd for the Lakers’ 0-2 deficit, then set them aside.
• Beth Finneran told Lin Qi that Jim Davis’s allies were using environmental complaints and petitions to obstruct the Brighton parcel’s rezoning.
• Lin Qi warned Beth that the Celtics could not count on their lead, since Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers would fight back at home.
• Lin Qi invited Beth to watch Game 6 in Boston if the Lakers extended the series, promising her an owner’s VIP suite and Bordeaux.
• Lin Qi explained that Beth’s presence beside him would signal the Celtics owner’s support to Boston’s political and business community, and Beth agreed on the condition that the series returned to Boston.

The Lakers, facing an 0-2 Finals deficit, responded to Phil Jackson’s provocation with a furious first-half performance in Game 3. They led Boston 56-42 at halftime, leaving Lin Qi to reckon with how much luck and momentum could shape the game.

• Phil Jackson taunted the Lakers in the locker room, and Shaquille O’Neal vowed to dominate Boston.
• Bruce Bowen tripped and elbowed Quentin Richardson, sparking a confrontation that drew Jack Nicholson’s angry protest.
• O’Neal forced Ben Wallace into early foul trouble, and Rick Carlisle had to take Wallace out of the game.
• Jason Kidd and Quentin Richardson hit difficult three-pointers as Boston’s double-teams on O’Neal opened up the perimeter.
• The Lakers went into halftime ahead 56-42, while Lin Qi watched and considered the role of luck in their shooting surge.

The Lakers overcame a fourteen-point deficit and beat the Celtics 102-98 in a grueling Game 3, cutting Boston’s series lead to 2-1. As the Lakers celebrated, Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle left the arena calm, convinced the team had reached its limit.

• Rick Carlisle told the Celtics that the Lakers’ first-half energy would fade, and Boston cut the fourteen-point deficit to four by the end of the third quarter.
• The teams battled through a tied fourth quarter, and Shaquille O'Neal drew Ben Wallace’s fifth foul before making both free throws.
• Paul Pierce tied the game at 98 with a pull-up jumper, but Shaquille O'Neal later scored on a roll to put the Lakers ahead 100-98.
• Shawn Marion stripped Paul Pierce near the basket, and the officials awarded the ball to the Lakers with six seconds remaining.
• Jason Kidd made two free throws, and Billups missed a half-court three as the Lakers won 102-98 and made the series 2-1.
• Lin Qi asked Rick Carlisle whether the Lakers could repeat the performance, and Carlisle said they had already reached their limit.

On the morning of Game 4, Lin Qi and the Celtics learned that Lakers fans had triggered a hotel fire alarm to disrupt the team’s sleep. Lin Qi reframed the dirty trick as proof that Los Angeles feared them and sent his players into the game determined to win.

• Lin Qi and Rick Carlisle watched Los Angeles media celebrate the Lakers’ Game 3 victory and predict they would win the Finals.
• Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ron Artest arrived exhausted after a smoke bomb had set off the Peninsula hotel’s fire alarm at 3:30 a.m.
• Lakers fans had taunted the displaced Celtics outside the hotel while firefighters investigated the alarm.
• Lin Qi told the angry players that the stunt showed Los Angeles feared Boston, then urged them to use their anger in Game 4.
• Artest promised Lin Qi that he would make the Lakers’ perimeter players feel what real sleeplessness was like.

The Celtics turned the Lakers’ fire-alarm prank and the previous night’s lost sleep into motivation, dominating the first half of Game 4 with suffocating defense and efficient offense. Boston entered halftime ahead 54-41, while Lin Qi suspected the league would make the second half a much harder test.

• Gary Payton pressured Jason Kidd full court, and Ron Artest forced Quentin Richardson into an air-ball shot-clock violation on the Lakers’ opening possession.
• Paul Pierce scored a fadeaway jumper as Boston began its decisive offensive response.
• Ben Wallace stopped Shaquille O’Neal’s post move, secured the rebound, and passed ahead to Chauncey Billups, who made a three-pointer to give Boston a 28-19 first-quarter lead.
• Boston’s reserves maintained control in the second quarter, and Kevin Garnett completed an and-one play before halftime.
• The Celtics went to the locker room leading 54-41 as the Staples Center crowd fell silent.
• Lin Qi watched Phil Jackson head toward the officials’ table and anticipated that the league would make the second half more difficult.

The Celtics lost Game 4 to the Lakers after controversial refereeing erased their lead and fouled out Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, tying the series at 2-2. Lin Qi rejected a formal appeal and said he would call the league headquarters in New York the next morning.

• Rick Carlisle warned the Celtics at halftime that the Lakers might get favorable whistles, but Ben Wallace was called for an early defensive foul on Shaquille O'Neal.
• The referees repeatedly called fouls against Boston while overlooking Lakers contact, helping the Lakers erase the Celtics' 13-point lead and tie the game at 78-78.
• With 1 minute and 12 seconds left, Ben Wallace was called for a blocking foul on O'Neal and fouled out; Rasheed Wallace protested, received two technicals, and was ejected.
• O'Neal missed his and-one free throw, and Rasheed Wallace shouted, “BALL DON'T LIE!!!” from the tunnel entrance.
• The Lakers beat the Celtics 106-101, tying the series at 2-2, as the Boston players left without congratulating their opponents.
• Lin Qi refused to submit an appeal and told the public relations manager he would call the league headquarters in New York the next morning.

After the Lakers tied the Finals series 2-2, Lin Qi confronted David Stern over the referees’ 45-16 free-throw disparity and warned that biased officiating could destroy the NBA’s credibility and commercial support. Stern agreed to ensure fair officiating in Game 5, leaving its outcome to the players.

• Lin Qi read Los Angeles newspapers celebrating the Lakers’ comeback and asked Margaret to connect him with David Stern.
• Stern told Lin Qi that Game 4’s ratings had pushed the price of a thirty-second Game 5 advertisement to $650,000.
• Lin Qi challenged Stern over the 45-16 free-throw disparity and accused the league of using unfair officiating to manipulate suspense.
• Lin Qi warned that exposing rigged games could drive away sponsors and weaken the NBA’s broadcast deal.
• Stern conceded to Lin Qi’s demand and promised a fair contest in Game 5.

In Game 5 at Staples Center, the Lakers struggled when the referees stopped favoring them, and Boston built a commanding halftime lead. Lin Qi watched as the Lakers’ advantage under the old officiating gave way to fair competition.

• Shaquille O'Neal expected a foul after Ben Wallace defended him legally, but Wallace grabbed the rebound and Paul Pierce scored on a fast break.
• Gary Payton pressured Jason Kidd without a whistle, and Kidd lost the ball while looking for a call.
• Rasheed Wallace hit a three-pointer, then taunted Jack Nicholson and declared there was no script that night.
• Boston disrupted the Lakers’ Triangle Offense with legal physical defense, and Kevin Garnett dunked to end the half.
• The Celtics led 54-38 at halftime after the Lakers committed eleven turnovers, while Lin Qi watched Phil Jackson argue with the referee.

The Boston Celtics wore down the Los Angeles Lakers and won game five 102-81, taking a 3-2 series lead. Lin Qi sent the team back to Boston that night and ordered heightened security for the important guests expected at game six.

• Shaquille O'Neal led an 8-2 Lakers run in the third quarter, but Gary Payton stripped Jason Kidd and scored a layup as the Lakers began to tire.
• Kevin Garnett blocked Lamar Odom at the rim, and Chauncey Billups followed with a three-pointer to extend Boston's lead to 88-65.
• Phil Jackson pulled the Lakers' starters, and the Celtics finished the game with a 102-81 road win to take a 3-2 series lead.
• Lin Qi rejected celebrating at the hotel and ordered the team to fly back to Boston after showering.
• Lin Qi instructed the PR manager to prepare the home VIP suites for game six and raise security to the highest level.

On the day of Game 6, Lin Qi eliminated distractions and premature celebrations so Boston could beat the Lakers decisively on the court. The Lakers arrived safely under escort, and Phil Jackson recognized Boston’s calm as a sign of confidence.

• Lin Qi ordered Boston’s public-relations manager to stop fans from harassing the Lakers and arranged a police escort to bring their team safely to the arena.
• Lin Qi kept the players’ families away from the tunnel while providing them with a lavish reception, and confirmed that his VIP suite had been cleared and soundproofed.
• Lin Qi moved the trophy presentation preparations to the final minute and promised to cover any broadcast penalties rather than risk distracting Boston’s players.
• Phil Jackson abandoned his plan to use the Lakers’ anger over the harassment after Boston’s mounted officers escorted the team smoothly to the arena.
• Jackson saw Boston’s considerate treatment as evidence of its confidence and felt unsettled by the team’s composure.

As Game 6 began in Boston, referees and players prepared under intense pressure, with Phil Jackson burning sage in the Lakers' locker room. The chapter left Ben Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal facing off at center court as Steve Javie tossed the opening tip.

• Steve Javie reviewed Game 5 footage and was told to avoid stealing the show or making makeup calls.
• Phil Jackson burned white sage in the Lakers' locker room while Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd sat in tense silence.
• Ben Wallace, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett prepared in the Celtics' tunnel as the crowd roared.
• Marv Albert and Bill Walton introduced the elimination game and the stakes for both teams.
• Ben Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal faced each other at center court, and Steve Javie tossed the ball to begin Game 6.

The Boston Celtics dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game six of the NBA Finals, taking a 54-40 halftime lead behind Paul Pierce’s scoring and Boston’s relentless defense. In a VIP suite, Beth confronted Lin Qi about his lack of a personal life, and his cryptic reply left her asking how wild his college days had been.

• Shaquille O'Neal won the opening tip and scored against Ben Wallace, but Paul Pierce answered with a jumper.
• Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett forced turnovers and disrupted the Lakers’ offense, while Pierce scored in transition and hit a three-pointer.
• Boston’s deep rotation wore down O'Neal, and Pierce beat the halftime buzzer to give the Celtics a 54-40 lead.
• Beth, tipsy from red wine, sat on Lin Qi’s lap and asked why he had never taken the initiative to see her.
• Lin Qi told Beth that he had already done the wildest things in college, prompting her to ask how wild.

The Celtics overwhelmed the exhausted Lakers, winning 98-72 and completing a three-peat. As the team prepared to lift the O'Brien Trophy, the players learned that Lin Qi had chosen to watch from a private suite and leave the spotlight to them.

• The Lakers' shooting and defense deteriorated in the second half as Boston extended its lead, prompting Phil Jackson to pull his starters.
• With the game out of reach, Boston's starters also left the court, and the crowd began celebrating the impending championship.
• Boston's reserves ran out the clock as fans counted down to the 98-72 final and green and white confetti filled the arena.
• Garnett broke down in tears after the victory, and Pierce helped him to his feet.
• Pierce and the other players searched for Lin Qi, but the public relations manager said Lin Qi had instructed them not to disturb him in the VIP suite.
• Rick Carlisle directed the players to the awards stage to lift the trophy without Lin Qi.

Paul Pierce received the 2001 Finals MVP award after the Celtics completed a three-peat, reflecting on his recovery and the teammates who helped him return. The team celebrated wildly in the locker room, where Rick Carlisle joined the champagne-soaked festivities.

• David Stern announced Paul Pierce as the 2000-2001 Finals MVP, and Bill Russell presented him with the trophy.
• Pierce thanked his teammates and recalled recovering from his injuries with Ron Artest pushing him through difficult practices.
• Pierce joked with reporters that he could finally rest and asked them to remind Artest to return his trophy.
• Garnett drenched Pierce with champagne in the locker room as the Celtics celebrated their three-peat.
• Chauncey Billups and Gary Payton soaked Rick Carlisle with champagne, and Carlisle laughed and demanded a bottle of his own.

Lin Qi reviewed Boston's dominant 2000-2001 season, its third consecutive championship, and the progress of its players, including Grant Hill's recovery. As he finished the report, Lin Qi sensed that an unseen development might change the league's balance of power.

• Lin Qi reviewed Boston's 69-win regular season, its 27-game winning streak, and its playoff run to a third straight championship.
• Lin Qi assessed the roster's contributions, including Paul Pierce's Finals MVP season, Kevin Garnett and Ben Wallace's defensive partnership, and Chauncey Billups's growth as a backup point guard.
• Lin Qi noted that Grant Hill had progressed to light shooting and footwork drills nearly eleven months after surgery, while Ron Harper considered retirement.
• Lin Qi closed the reports and felt uneasy, sensing that something was happening that could shift the league's balance of power.

Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and Dr. Jerry Buss recruited Michael Jordan to join the Lakers and help end Boston's championship run. Jordan accepted, leaving his Wizards comeback plans behind.

• Phil Jackson confronted Jordan about his plans to return with the Wizards and urged him to join the Lakers instead.
• Phil Jackson argued that the Lakers needed Jordan as a closer to defeat Boston, and Jordan questioned whether O'Neal would share the ball.
• O'Neal promised Jordan the ball in the fourth quarter, while Kidd promised to handle the backcourt work and get Jordan the ball where he wanted it.
• Dr. Jerry Buss offered Jordan the chance to buy a portion of the Lakers after he retired if he helped the team defeat Boston.
• Jordan accepted the Lakers' offer and asked Phil Jackson to apologize to Quentin Richardson, who would have to settle for the bench.