Iverson wore a black training suit, a headband around his forehead, the necklace at his neck swaying gently with each breath.
His expression was calm, but an uncontainable fighting spirit burned in his eyes.
Countless microphones were thrust toward his mouth.
A reporter brought up his two previous playoff losses to the Knicks.
At that question, Iverson's shoulders tensed slightly.
He did not avoid his past failures and looked straight into the cameras.
"I've worked countless times, and I've faced Li Fei twice in the playoffs."
"Each time, I fought until the final second, but the results were not what I wanted."
His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying through the interview area over the speakers.
"Every breath I take is for one thing."
"Defeat Li Fei!"
The short statement landed with force.
The reporters stirred, their pens racing as they recorded his words.
"I respect his ability. He's the strongest player of this era."
"But respect does not mean surrender."
"Those two past losses will not break me. They'll only make me hungrier."
"Tonight, we'll give everything we have to fight for a victory that belongs to us."
With that, Iverson gave a slight nod, pushed through the crowd, and headed back toward the players' tunnel.
Within minutes, footage of the interview was broadcast simultaneously by TNT and ESPN.
It instantly spread across major sports channels throughout the United States.
Fans immediately exploded across social media.
"This is Allen Iverson! He'll never admit defeat!"
"Two setbacks, but the obsession is still there. That's moving."
"The dream is beautiful, but the Knicks' defense is no joke."
"Even if he can't win the series, I hope he can at least take one game."
On the other side, in the Knicks' interview area.
Li Fei had just finished