The referee's sharp whistle cut through the clamor of Madison Square Garden.
Game 1 of the 1999–2000 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals officially began.
At center court for the opening tip, Li Fei stood like a mountain, firmly holding an absolute height advantage.
At seven foot four, combined with his terrifying wingspan, he easily tipped the ball away.
The ball dropped precisely into the Knicks' backcourt, and the home fans instantly erupted.
The Knicks claimed the first possession and began the game's opening exchange.
Fans familiar with the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers' past matchups all held the same impression.
Over the past two playoff seasons, Iverson had never feared Li Fei.
Even though he had lost both series, he had always delivered explosive individual performances.
Against Li Fei, the league's best player, and his defensive pressure, Iverson repeatedly put on thrilling scoring duels.
Lightning-fast crossovers, impossible pull-ups, forced drives—he never feared physical contact.
In many games, Iverson could even trade blows evenly with Li Fei at full strength.
Even when his team lost, he always had his moments in the spotlight.
That was the core reason his popularity had endured for so long and why countless fans adored him.
But this season's Knicks were already completely different from the two championship teams of the past.
The core rotation had been reshuffled, with the biggest change being Michael Jordan's arrival.
Sabonis, who had once supported Li Fei, was gone, and the roster's weaknesses had been completely addressed.
The current Knicks possessed two historic superstars who dominated on both ends of the floor.
Li Fei controlled the paint and mid-range, while Jordan took charge of the perimeter on offense and defense.
That made Iverson's playoff revenge campaign incredibly difficult.
From the opening, the Philadelphia 76ers' tactical plan was crystal clear.
The entire team