The outcome on the court had been decided.
The Knicks players high-fived and embraced one another, their morale soaring as they calmly celebrated another consecutive win.
Li Fei stood at center court, tall and straight, his expression calm.
There was no wild elation from a major victory on his handsome face, only his usual steady dominance.
Five years, six straight MVPs, and five consecutive championships had long since accustomed him to decisive games like this.
The cameras at courtside captured the exclusive Flying Man Series patterns on his sneakers, the logo of Li Fei Sports Brand shining brightly.
Li Fei Sports Brand had now signed Barkley and Iverson, expanding on two fronts to seize the market.
It had formed a three-way standoff with Nike and Adidas, rivaling Jordan's AJ Brand, and had already become a rising legend in the sports business world.
On the other side, the Lakers players left the court in dejection.
Kobe walked with his head lowered, his back carrying unwillingness and regret. In this ultimate individual showdown, he had given everything, yet still could not overcome the all-around, flawless Li Fei.
O'Neal lowered his head in silence, filled with helplessness after being completely suppressed for the first time in a matchup between elite big men.
This highly anticipated Christmas Day Game had ended, only to begin a new chapter of legend.
Li Fei's Dynasty continued to reign steadily over the league in the 1999-00 season.
Postgame Interviews and Media Review of the 1999-00 Christmas Day Game
The player tunnel at Staples Center was brightly lit, and the postgame media area had long been packed with reporters from every outlet.
Camera rigs were set up in layers, flashes went off one after another, all focused on the defeated Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe Bryant wore a black team