After saying that, Adelman seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He slumped wearily in his chair and waved at the host, signaling that he had nothing more to say.
The entire press conference was steeped in the tragic, solemn air of a hero in his twilight years.
The reporters could not even bring themselves to ask any more pointed questions.
In stark contrast to the gloom hanging over the Kings, the Knicks' press conference was filled with laughter and cheer, the atmosphere as relaxed as a party.
Li Fei sat calmly onstage in a gray hoodie printed with his own brand logo, as though he had not just finished a nationally televised marquee showdown, but an ordinary intrasquad scrimmage.
ESPN's renowned reporter Chris Palmer seized the first chance to ask a question. "Li, congratulations to you and your team on a great victory. Before the game, everyone believed this would be an evenly matched 'clash of spear and shield,' but it turned into a completely one-sided affair. What is your assessment of your opponent, the Sacramento Kings?"
Everyone perked up their ears. They wanted to hear how the league's Sovereign would evaluate the opponent he had personally torn apart tonight.
Contempt? Disdain?
Or polite praise?
Li Fei picked up the microphone, the corners of his lips lifting into a faintly teasing smile.
"An assessment? Well, their offense was certainly interesting."
That opening caught every reporter off guard. The word "interesting" felt somewhat subtle in this context.
Li Fei continued, "Yes, very interesting. It was like watching a wonderful basketball ballet. Their passing, their movement—it was full of artistry. In the first quarter, I even had a moment where I thought that if I were a spectator, I would have stood up and applauded their performance. They played