Chapter Summaries

After Li Fei’s 62-point, 20-rebound, 12-block performance put Houston down 0–2, the Rockets rallied at home behind Francis and Olajuwon. Francis hit the game-winning dunk to make the series 2–1, and Li Fei welcomed the tougher fight.

• Li Fei’s dominant performance in Phoenix led analysts and fans to expect the Suns to sweep the Rockets.
• Two days later, the Rockets entered Game 3 at Compaq Center with renewed determination, led by Francis’s aggression and Olajuwon’s composed play.
• Francis, Olajuwon, and Drexler helped Houston match the Suns despite Li Fei’s continued dominance inside.
• With the score tied in the final moments, Olajuwon drew Li Fei’s defense and passed to the cutting Francis.
• Francis dunked the game-winner, giving the Rockets a 102–100 victory and cutting the series deficit to 2–1.
• Li Fei watched Olajuwon celebrate and felt excited by the challenge.

Li Fei overwhelmed the Rockets in Game 4, leading the Suns to a 125–95 win and a 3–1 series lead. His 55 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 blocks crushed Houston’s hopes, leaving the series nearly decided.

• Francis scored the opening point, but Li Fei answered by throwing himself a self-lob and dunking over Olajuwon and Sabonis.
• Li Fei blocked Francis, Drexler, Cassell, and Olajuwon as Houston’s offense fell apart.
• Li Fei reached 20 rebounds and then scored his 50th point over Olajuwon, while Sabonis and the Rockets’ other starters were pulled from the game.
• Olajuwon left for the tunnel, and the Suns finished with a 125–95 victory.
• Li Fei recorded 55 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 blocks, while Francis sat with a towel over his head, visibly shaken.

The Suns defeated the Rockets 120–90 to win the Western Conference Finals 4–1, with Li Fei controlling the game through passing and defense. As Phoenix celebrated its second straight trip to the Finals, the Bulls eliminated the Pacers in a tense Game 5 finish.

• Olajuwon opened the game by drawing a foul on Li Fei, but the Suns scored through Barkley, Nick Anderson, and Bowen while Li Fei orchestrated the offense.
• The Suns led the Rockets 65–45 at halftime as Li Fei recorded 4 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 blocks.
• Li Fei stripped Francis on a drive in the second half, and Francis stood frozen as the Suns went on to win 120–90 and take the series 4–1.
• Olajuwon nodded to Li Fei in a silent farewell, and Li Fei nodded back as the Suns celebrated their return to the Finals.
• Pippen stole Reggie Miller's pass in the final seconds of Bulls-Pacers Game 5, and Jordan caught Pippen's outlet as time expired to seal the Bulls' victory.

The Bulls and Suns prepared for a Finals rematch, with Shaquille O'Neal strengthening Chicago and Li Fei standing in Jordan's path. Li Fei welcomed the coming battle and agreed with Suns coach Phil Jackson that they would drag the Bulls into hell.

• The Bulls defeated the Pacers 4–1 and advanced to face the Suns in the Finals.
• Ernie Johnson, Kevin Harlan, and Kenny Smith debated the matchup, focusing on Pippen defending Li Fei, O'Neal's impact, and Jordan's duel with Li Fei.
• Bulls and Suns fans traded boasts and insults across online forums as anticipation for the series spread.
• Li Fei watched Jordan's challenge on television, then called Phil Jackson and said he was ready for the Finals.
• Phil Jackson warned Li Fei that the Bulls would try to provoke and wear him down, and Li Fei replied that he had crawled out of hell.

The Phoenix Suns eliminated the Houston Rockets 4–1 to reach the NBA Finals, and David Stern announced that Li Fei had won both MVP and DPOY for the second straight year. The chapter ended with the unprecedented achievement making headlines around the world.

• Li Fei scored 25 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists as the Suns beat the Rockets by 28 points to win the series 4–1.
• The Suns celebrated their return to the NBA Finals while the defeated Rockets left the court in silence.
• David Stern announced that Li Fei had won Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
• David Stern named Li Fei the regular-season MVP, confirming that he had swept MVP and DPOY in back-to-back years.
• ESPN and other news outlets spread the news that Li Fei had set an unprecedented NBA record.

After Li Fei’s second consecutive MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards sparked media frenzy and online arguments, he kept training alone in Phoenix. He received a system reward for the achievement and told David Falk that business could wait until after the NBA Finals.

• National media celebrated Li Fei’s dominance, while the Houston Chronicle described Houston’s loss as losing to an era.
• Chinese forums erupted in celebration, while Lakers fans questioned Li Fei’s achievements and the legitimacy of his physical condition.
• Li Fei practiced baseline fadeaway jumpers late at night and ignored David Falk’s first call.
• The system awarded Li Fei a three-game Perfect Physical Condition Trial Card and five skill points for winning MVP and DPOY for two consecutive years.
• David Falk called to celebrate Li Fei’s fame and discuss endorsements, but Li Fei said they would talk after the NBA Finals.

After Michael Jordan led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, he declared that he was coming for the championship against Li Fei. Li Fei’s Finals sneaker campaign sparked huge demand, and Kevin Zhang entered the brand’s new flagship store as it opened.

• Jordan celebrated the 76ers’ victory, then told Li Fei that he would have to step over his corpse to win the championship.
• Jordan’s challenge spread across North America, and sports analysts discussed the coming Finals matchup.
• A commercial introduced Li Fei’s black-and-gold Finals shoe, while fans also anticipated Charles Barkley’s white-and-gold Flying Pig colorway.
• Kevin Zhang waited thirteen hours with a crowd outside the Li Fei Brand flagship store to buy the Black Gold Sovereignty shoes.
• The flagship store opened, and Kevin was stunned by its futuristic design and displays.

Li Fei Brand’s quarterly sales surpassed Jordan Brand’s, prompting David Falk to plan a global expansion. Michael Jordan learned of the defeat and ordered a new shoe design, declaring that his rivalry with Li Fei had begun.

• Kevin bought a pair of Li Fei I Black Gold Sovereignty shoes after waiting in line and admired the brand’s growing popularity.
• David Falk learned that Li Fei Brand had earned $134 million in quarterly sales, exceeding Jordan Brand’s $128 million.
• David Falk called a meeting and set a goal of opening Li Fei Brand stores in major cities around the world within three years.
• A Nike executive told Michael Jordan that Li Fei’s brand had outsold Jordan Brand for the quarter.
• Jordan demanded that Tinker Hatfield create a new shoe and declared that the game with Li Fei had only just begun.

Nike executives summoned Tinker Hatfield after Michael Jordan demanded his presence, while Li Fei Brand’s NBA Finals sneakers sparked a frenzy that crashed its website and overwhelmed stores nationwide. The flagship store on Fifth Avenue opened to a surging crowd as the new shoes went on sale.

• Phil Destro called Tinker Hatfield at Michael Jordan’s order, and Tinker agreed to come immediately.
• Jordan looked toward Philadelphia and welcomed the challenge posed by Li Fei and his Black Gold Sovereignty shoes.
• Li Fei Brand revealed the Heart of the Champion and Peak of the Rebound sneakers, prompting fans to rush to buy them.
• The brand’s website crashed at midnight, while frustrated buyers complained that the shoes had sold out and were being scalped.
• Allen Green prepared the Fifth Avenue flagship store as crowds and stock requests overwhelmed the rapidly expanding chain.
• Allen ordered the staff to open the doors, and the crowd surged into the store for the new sneakers.

Li Fei Brand’s signature shoes sold out and edged past Jordan Brand in quarterly sales, prompting Li Fei and Barkley to prepare for a commercial showdown with Michael Jordan. The chapter ended as their NBA Finals special editions also sold out and online anticipation surged.

• A teenager bought Li Fei’s signature shoe while a middle-aged fan praised Barkley’s Flying Pig shoes, and Allen noticed Nike City had become deserted.
• Barkley told Li Fei that his signature shoes had delighted his family and thanked him for sharing the brand’s profits.
• Li Fei saw a sales chart showing Li Fei Brand narrowly surpassing Jordan Brand and predicted that Michael Jordan would retaliate.
• Li Fei asked Barkley if he was ready for war, and Barkley welcomed a challenge from Jordan.
• Fans flooded social media as Li Fei I: Black Gold Throne and Flying Pig 1st Generation: Blood-colored Bulls sold out immediately.

As Li Fei Brand’s popularity surged, Michael Jordan tried to cripple its factories and distribution network. Li Fei turned the threatened shortage into a marketing strategy, then faced Jordan at the NBA Finals G1 media day, where the story left off as reporters prepared to hear his response.

• Li Fei Brand drew huge crowds at its stores as its expansion and sales threatened Jordan’s dominance.
• Jordan told David Falk to pressure Li Fei’s factories and distributors into abandoning the brand.
• Kevin warned Li Fei that Nike was targeting three contract factories and major distributors to choke off production and sales.
• Li Fei ordered Kevin to announce indefinite restock delays for Li Fei I and Flying Pig 1st Generation, hoping scarcity would fuel demand.
• At Finals G1 media day, Jordan dismissed Li Fei’s sneaker success as fleeting and argued that championship banners endured.

Li Fei turned a shoe-restock crisis into a boast that his brand would make a championship shoe, then led the Phoenix Suns against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in a fiercely contested NBA Finals game. At halftime, the Suns held a 54:52 lead, and Li Fei told his team to push the pace and attack the offensive glass.

• Li Fei reframed the postponed shoe restocks as a result of demand and promised a one-of-a-kind shoe for the champions, while Charles Barkley mocked Jordan’s shoes.
• Li Fei won the opening tip against Shaquille O'Neal, then scored the Suns’ first basket after Dennis Rodman tipped a rebound to him.
• Jordan shook off Bruce Bowen and set up Scottie Pippen and O'Neal for a forceful Bulls basket that tied the score.
• Li Fei used the high post, passing, and mid-range shots to challenge O'Neal as the Suns fought the Bulls through a physical first half.
• The Suns reached halftime leading 54:52, with Li Fei at 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while O'Neal had 3 fouls.
• Li Fei urged his teammates to speed up the game and told Rodman to keep attacking the offensive glass.

The Suns overcame the Bulls’ late lead and won Game One of the NBA Finals when Li Fei made a last-second Skyhook for a 103–102 victory. Jordan left the court in silence, setting the stage for the rest of the series.

• Jordan’s scoring helped the Bulls erase the Suns’ lead and go ahead 84–78 after three quarters.
• With one minute left, the Suns trailed 101–102, but Rodman tipped Jordan’s final shot off course and grabbed the rebound.
• During the timeout, the Suns drew up a final play to get the ball to Li Fei, while Phil Jackson told O'Neal to crowd him without fouling.
• Nick Anderson inbounded to Li Fei, who escaped the defense and made a Skyhook just before time expired.
• Li Fei’s shot gave the Suns a 103–102 win, and his teammates lifted him up as Jordan walked toward the tunnel after noticing the Li Fei I: Black Gold Thrones.

After Li Fei’s skyhook gave Phoenix a Game 1 victory, Jordan vowed to shut him out in Game 2, and the Bulls immediately trapped Li Fei before he could touch the ball. The chapter left Phoenix ahead 2–0 but struggling to find a way through Jordan and Pippen’s relentless defense.

• The Game 1 winner made Li Fei a national sensation, while he warned Barkley that the Bulls would target him in the next game.
• Jordan told Phil Jackson that he and Pippen would focus entirely on keeping Li Fei from touching the ball in Game 2.
• The Bulls opened Game 2 by abandoning their assignments and double-teaming Li Fei before he received the ball.
• Jordan and Pippen smothered Li Fei, preventing Kevin Johnson from finding a passing lane and disrupting the Suns’ offense.
• Kevin Johnson passed to Barkley, who scored over Steve Kerr to put the Suns ahead 2–0.

Jordan and Pippen shut Li Fei down with a double-team, but he calmed himself and used off-ball screens to create chances for his teammates. After the Bulls adjusted their defense to tempt him back into one-on-one play, Li Fei recognized the trap and warned Nick Anderson not to pass.

• Jordan and Pippen physically crowded Li Fei, forced a turnover, and held him scoreless in the first quarter as the Suns took a narrow 28–26 lead.
• Li Fei realized the Bulls’ double-team left his teammates open and told the coach he would act as a decoy.
• Li Fei set off-ball screens that freed Anderson for a three-pointer and Barkley for a basket, disrupting the Bulls’ defense.
• Phil Jackson called a timeout and instructed Pippen to guard Li Fei from a measured distance while Jordan cut off his connections to teammates.
• The Bulls resumed with their new defense, and Li Fei recognized they were baiting him into taking the ball.
• When Nick Anderson moved to pass to Li Fei, Li Fei told him not to pass.

Li Fei baited Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen into a double-team, then sent a no-look pass to Charles Barkley for a dunk that left the United Center stunned. Phil Jackson called timeout and changed the Bulls’ plan, but Jordan returned to the bench fixated on revenge.

• Li Fei repeatedly passed up open shots and acted as a decoy while Nick Anderson and Kevin Johnson moved the ball.
• Kevin Johnson passed to Li Fei, who escaped Jordan and Pippen’s trap with a behind-the-back, no-look pass to Charles Barkley for a dunk.
• Li Fei mouthed “Checkmate” at Jordan, who erupted with rage, prompting Phil Jackson to call timeout.
• Phil Jackson told Jordan to calm down and instructed Shaq to attack Li Fei in the paint while Jordan and Pippen shut down the Suns’ perimeter players.
• Jordan agreed to the new strategy but remained intent on taking Li Fei down.

Li Fei outsmarted O'Neal and stole the ball, but Jordan broke from the Bulls' system to score on Li Fei and draw a foul. Jordan’s and-one left the battle unresolved as he roared in defiance.

• Barkley and Rodman praised Li Fei for fooling Jordan, while Li Fei kept the source of his insight to himself.
• O'Neal tried to overpower Li Fei in the post, but Li Fei used his momentum to evade him and steal the ball.
• Rodman started a fast break, and Nick Anderson scored off his pass to extend the Suns’ lead.
• Jordan took the ball from Harper, ignored Bowen, and drove toward Li Fei beneath the basket.
• Jordan evaded Li Fei’s block and made a difficult layup while drawing a defensive foul on him.

Li Fei and the Suns beat the Bulls 100–97 to take a 2–0 lead in the Finals, leaving Jordan and his dynasty under mounting pressure. As the series shifted to Phoenix, the world waited to see how Jordan would respond.

• Jordan scored repeatedly in isolation while Li Fei organized the Suns’ defense and created fast breaks.
• With 24.1 seconds left and the Bulls trailing by one, Jordan drew defenders and passed to Ron Harper, whose three-point attempt missed.
• Li Fei tipped the rebound away from O’Neal, secured it, and drew a foul with 1.2 seconds remaining as the Suns’ lead stood at 100–97.
• Jordan left the arena in anger, while O’Neal complained about the rebound and Barkley celebrated Li Fei in the Suns’ locker room.
• Sports media and fans debated the loss, and Phil Jackson defended Jordan’s late-game decision while preparing for Game 3 in Phoenix.

The Chicago Bulls overwhelmed the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, evening the series with a dominant performance. Li Fei realized the Suns had been defeated not by one player or tactic, but by the Bulls’ dynasty and championship legacy.

• Scottie Pippen shut down Nick Anderson, helping force the Suns’ opening possession into a 24-second violation.
• Michael Jordan attacked with precise isolations, drawing double-teams and scoring over Bruce Bowen and Charles Barkley.
• Shaquille O’Neal dominated the paint with forceful rebounds, layups, and dunks, while the Bulls’ defense disrupted Charles Barkley and the Suns’ offense.
• The Bulls built a fifteen-point lead by the end of the third quarter, and both teams sent in their reserves during the fourth.
• Li Fei reviewed the loss from the bench and concluded that the Suns had been beaten by the Bulls’ dynasty and legacy.

After the Bulls crushed the Suns in Game 3, Michael Jordan’s victory sent Air Jordan sales soaring while Li Fei’s brand faltered. Li Fei recognized the commercial war behind the Finals and prepared to launch another sales push.

• Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Shaq credited the Bulls’ win to playing as a team, while Li Fei calmly admitted the Suns had been beaten by their opponents’ talent.
• Fans rushed to buy Air Jordan 6s, and Phil Knight celebrated Nike’s surging sales.
• David Falk saw sales dip for Li Fei I and Flying Pig 1st Generation as Nike’s champion branding threatened LF.
• Li Fei’s agent warned that the loss could cost LF its first golden sales season, and Li Fei recognized that challenging the Bulls meant confronting their commercial empire too.
• Li Fei told his agent to tell David to prepare for the next wave of sales frenzy.