The New Season Begins, Jordan's Interview! Jordan had always been by his side, and the two had long developed an unspoken rhythm in their extra training.
He focused on off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot jumpers, fitting perfectly into Li Fei's interior-drawing system.
The two all-time superstars complemented and refined each other, continuously evolving the Knicks' combat strength.
Van Gundy stood quietly by the court, watching the team's rigorous, disciplined training atmosphere with certainty in his eyes.
He knew that this team, tempered by five years of dynasty-building, had long possessed elite resilience under pressure and the ability to rise to any challenge.
Neither outside praise nor doubt could shake their determination to enter the new season and pursue a fourth straight championship.
The morning sun over New York slowly rose outside the window, bathing the entire training facility in light.
Li Fei stopped training and raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his calm gaze fixed on the distance.
His eyes appeared tranquil, yet beneath them lay an endless fighting spirit capable of sweeping through the entire league.
The five-year dynasty was only the prologue.
A four-peat was inevitable.
His legend in the 1999–2000 season was still continuing.
October 19, 1999. Chicago, United Center.
Only three hours remained until the opening game of the new NBA regular season.
The entire city of Chicago had long since erupted, with basketball-related slogans and posters visible on every street and alley.
Some posters featured Michael Jordan in profile, wearing the Knicks' red-and-blue uniform, while others displayed the entire Bulls' iron-blooded squad in their official team photo.
The collision of old and new images pushed the atmosphere of this basketball holy ground to its peak.
The league's schedule for this season had been controversial from the moment it was officially announced.