The basketball slammed through the hoop with tremendous force!
The rim shook violently, and the entire arena fell silent!
Staples Center, roaring just a second earlier, went dead quiet.
Every Lakers fan, celebrity, and former player on commentary stared in shock.
On the first possession, Li Fei crossed up O'Neal in his prime, then dunked over a Lakers starting shooter!
This was the league's best player at his most dominant: simple, brutal, unstoppable.
Li Fei landed and steadied himself. He did not roar or celebrate.
He swept his gaze across the arena, raised his right hand, and drew it lightly across his throat.
The crisp throat-slash gesture instantly set the arena ablaze!
It was a declaration of war—and a verdict!
Li Fei was telling everyone as plainly as he could:
There would be no repeat of his letdown last game. Tonight, the Lakers had no chance.
A moment later, the Knicks fans' explosive cheers filled the silent arena.
The New York diehards who had traveled to the away game leaped to their feet, their shouts shaking the building.
"FOUR-PEAT! FOUR-PEAT!"
Their chant rolled through the Lakers' home arena with absolute confidence.
The Knicks bench erupted. Every player stood, clapping and shouting.
Stephen Jackson, Marshall, and the others whipped their towels through the air, their eyes blazing with excitement.
After the frustration of their poor showing last game, the whole team's fighting spirit caught fire.
Jordan stood on the court and gave a slight nod, approval flashing in his eyes.
That was their leader. At the most critical moments, he always stepped up and steadied the team.
Van Gundy's tense expression eased on the sideline, certainty kindling in his eyes.
That ferocious opening dunk had done more than put the first points on the board. It had crushed the Lakers' early