Although the Game 1 loss had come from being overwhelmed by Li Fei's individual ability, it also proved that this strategy had worked for a full 43 minutes.
It had successfully severed the connection between Li Fei and the rest of the Knicks, turning the game into a low-scoring slugfest in the mud.
That was exactly the pace the San Antonio Spurs liked best.
The collapse in the final five minutes might have involved some element of chance.
Maybe Li Fei had truly caught fire, or maybe Duncan and David Robinson's stamina had happened to reach its breaking point at that moment.
A series was a best-of-seven battle, a test of consistency and staying power.
Popovich did not believe Li Fei could perform miracles in the closing moments every game.
As long as they carried out this suffocating defense to the end, as long as Li Fei's touch was even slightly off late in any one game, victory would belong to the Spurs.
He would use the most stubborn method possible to fight Li Fei's individual heroism to the bitter end!
He picked up the phone and dialed assistant coach Budenholzer.
"Mike, gather the entire coaching staff. Meeting in half an hour.
We need to recut the Game 1 footage. Every possession, every detail—especially the final five minutes. I want Tim and David to burn every one of Li Fei's shots into their minds."
Budenholzer's tired but resolute voice came through the phone. "Okay, Gregg."
After hanging up, Popovich looked out at the rising sun beyond the window and murmured to himself:
"Kid, your second lesson is only truly beginning now."
In stark contrast to the nearly frozen, deathly atmosphere at the Spurs' hotel, the Knicks' floor was brimming with the joy of victory.
The players did not go to