Chapter Summaries

Li Fei dominated a scrimmage against the White Team, then recognized the strengths of his Chinese teammates and declared that their goal was to win an Olympic medal in Atlanta. Team China rallied around him as he officially joined the squad.

• Li Fei blocked Gong Xiaobin’s layup attempt, then raced down the court and finished a fast break with a powerful dunk, prompting Gong Luming to stop the game.
• Wang Zhizhi, Bateer, Liu Yudong, and Hu Weidong praised Li Fei’s performance and welcomed him as a teammate.
• Li Fei assessed the squad’s strengths, including Hu Weidong’s scoring, Liu Yudong’s toughness, and the potential of Wang Zhizhi and Bateer.
• Gong Luming asked Li Fei what the team’s goal should be, and Li Fei declared that they would aim for the podium in Atlanta.
• The players erupted in support as Li Fei officially joined Team China.

Li Fei overwhelmed the White Team with a block and a thunderous tomahawk dunk, prompting Gong Luming to call a timeout. His teammates responded with excitement and confidence, and Li Fei recognized the talent and promise in the players around him.

• Adijiang passed to Gong Xiaobin, but Li Fei blocked Gong Xiaobin's layup against the backboard.
• Li Fei raced downcourt past Li Xiaoyong and finished with a tomahawk dunk that shook the hoop.
• Gong Luming called a timeout after the White Team showed signs of fear.
• Wang Zhizhi, Bateer, Liu Yudong, and Hu Weidong praised Li Fei and expressed excitement about playing alongside him.
• Li Fei assessed Hu Weidong's scoring, Liu Yudong's toughness, and the potential of Wang Zhizhi and Bateer.

Li Fei united Team China around the goal of winning an Olympic medal in Atlanta, and his leadership transformed the team's training. The announcement of Dream Team III's star-studded roster left the players wondering how they could possibly compete.

• Li Fei praised his teammates' strengths and told Gong Luming that Team China's goal should be to stand on the podium in Atlanta.
• The team erupted in cheers, and Li Fei and Team China officially committed to pursuing their Olympic dream together.
• Li Fei's confidence inspired the players to train harder, while Hu Weidong and Sun Jun practiced extra shots and Wang Zhizhi and Bateer sought Li Fei's advice.
• Gong Luming pinned the announced Dream Team III roster to the strategy board, and the players reacted with awe at its collection of stars.
• Adijiang and Bateer questioned how Team China could face Dream Team III's dominant lineup.

Li Fei rallied China after the Olympic draw placed them in a brutal group with the USA and other strong teams, then urged them to chase a large point differential. Before China’s opening game against Angola, he set the team a goal of winning by 30 points.

• Li Fei reassured his teammates about facing Dream Team III and rallied them to embrace the challenge.
• Li Fei traded playful threats with Charles Barkley over the phone ahead of their Olympic matchup.
• China arrived in Atlanta and was drawn into Group A with the USA, Lithuania, Croatia, Argentina, and Angola.
• Li Fei told Gong Luming that China needed convincing wins because point differential could decide the group standings.
• Before the Angola game, Li Fei endorsed Gong Luming’s game plan and set the team a goal of beating Angola by 30 points.

Li Fei fired up Team China by promising a decisive win over Angola, then led a sharp opening performance in their Olympic group-stage game. China ended the chapter ahead 6–0 after two quick three-pointers.

• Li Fei urged Team China to use the Angola game as a declaration and aim to win by thirty points, rallying Hu Weidong, Liu Yudong, and their teammates.
• At the Georgia Dome, commentators predicted a close game and doubted China could overcome Angola's athleticism.
• Li Fei won the opening tip, set a screen for Adijiang, and helped create an open three-pointer that Hu Weidong made for a 3–0 lead.
• Li Fei stole the ball from Angola's number 10, then passed to Sun Jun on a fast break for another three-pointer and a 6–0 lead.

Li Fei directed Team China's offense and shut down Angola's attack as China built a commanding lead. The first quarter ended with China ahead 32–12, leaving Li Fei's goal of a 30-point win within reach.

• Angola called a timeout less than a minute into the game after Li Fei's defense stifled its attack and China took an early lead.
• Li Fei warned his teammates that Angola would double-team him and told them to keep moving without the ball.
• When Angola trapped Li Fei, he passed over the defenders to Sun Jun, who made an open three-pointer to put China ahead 9–0.
• Li Fei orchestrated China's perimeter attack and overwhelmed Angola's center with a dunk in the low post.
• China finished the first quarter with a 32–12 lead, 20 points ahead of Angola.

Team China crushed Angola 108–50 in its Olympic opener, with Li Fei leading the rout and silencing Angola after a rough foul on Hu Weidong. As the team celebrated, Li Fei urged his teammates to focus on their next opponent, Argentina, while fans across the arena roared their support.

• Wang Zhizhi and Bateer helped China maintain its lead after entering the game, and the team went into halftime ahead 58–25.
• Angola played increasingly rough, and a guard knocked Hu Weidong to the floor; Li Fei helped him up, made both free throws, then blocked the guard and dominated the next possessions.
• China led 85–38 after three quarters, and Gong Luming rested the starters while the bench finished the game.
• China defeated Angola 108–50, with Li Fei recording 49 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists, and five blocks in 25 minutes.
• Grant Hill and Anfernee Hardaway congratulated Li Fei and acknowledged China's strength as the teams met in the tunnel.
• Li Fei warned his celebrating teammates to turn their attention to Argentina, while Chinese fans and other spectators cheered the team's victory.

After Li Fei led Team China's victory over Argentina in Atlanta, his performance triggered a nationwide celebration and worldwide media attention. Coach Gong brought the team back to work and focused them on their next opponent, Croatia.

• At the postgame press conference, Li Fei credited his teammates after scoring 58 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and blocking 8 shots.
• Coach Sun celebrated Team China's victory over Argentina on CCTV as fans across China filled online forums, dormitories, streets, and newspaper stands with excitement.
• International media praised Li Fei's performance, while searches for his Li-Fei Generation 1 shoes surged and overwhelmed the brand's website.
• Coach Gong gathered the players in the video room, told them to move on from the win, and circled Croatia as their next opponent.

After China’s victory raised Li Fei’s profile, Li Fei and David Falk planned an aggressive global rollout of Li Fei Brand, including flagship stores and a promotional appearance by Charles Barkley. At Nike headquarters, Phil Knight demanded a response as Li Fei’s success overshadowed Nike’s Olympic campaigns.

• Coach Gong warned Li Fei that Croatia would pressure and double-team him, and Li Fei calmly accepted the challenge.
• David Falk told Li Fei that the brand’s search traffic and valuation had surged and that retailers in Japan and Europe wanted to distribute Li Fei I.
• Li Fei approved opening flagship stores in major international cities and across China, with Falk in charge of the expansion.
• Li Fei asked Falk to contact Charles Barkley about the second-generation Flying Pig line and invite him to watch Li Fei’s next game.
• Phil Knight convened Nike’s leadership and demanded solutions as Li Fei’s Olympic performance drew attention away from Air Jordan and Nike’s Dream Team campaign.

As Nike’s Phil Knight approved a media campaign to inflate expectations for Li Fei and Team China, Li Fei stayed focused on practice ahead of their game against Croatia. The team arrived at the Georgia Dome under intense media attention, where Charles Barkley appeared wearing Li Fei Brand shoes.

• A brand strategy consultant persuaded Phil Knight to use Nike’s media influence to raise expectations for Li Fei and Team China, hoping a loss would tarnish their reputation.
• Li Fei practiced alone, repeating mid-range jump shots while ignoring the surrounding praise and schemes.
• Li Nan, Hu Weidong, and Gong Xiaobin recognized the media’s inflated praise as an attempt to pressure the team, while Li Fei joked with Wang Zhizhi to ease the tension.
• Team China arrived at the Georgia Dome for its game against Croatia and received a loud welcome as Li Fei drew the crowd’s attention.
• Charles Barkley appeared at the arena wearing Li Fei Brand shoes, surprising reporters and spectators.

Team China battled Croatia’s suffocating defense as Li Fei carried the scoring and kept his teammates from turning a rough foul into a brawl. After the confrontation, Li Fei attacked the low post and rose toward the rim, leaving the play unresolved.

• Croatia’s defense slowed Team China, and Coach Gong called a timeout with his team trailing 16–10.
• Li Fei screened for Hu Weidong, who hit a three-pointer, and the first quarter ended with Team China behind 24–20.
• Coach Gong brought in Wang Zhizhi, and Li Fei scored through contact from Kovacevic to cut Croatia’s lead to one.
• Radja elbowed Wang Zhizhi, and Li Fei blocked Radja’s shot before players from both teams confronted each other.
• Li Fei calmed Team China’s players, and the referees assessed both teams a technical foul.
• Li Fei drove into the low post against Kovacevic and Radja, spun past their defense, and leapt toward the rim.

Li Fei overwhelmed Croatia with scoring and defense, setting an Olympic single-game scoring record as Team China built a commanding lead. With the game nearly over and 62 points to his name, he rose for a shot that looked like a three-pointer.

• Li Fei took over after giving Team China the lead, scoring against Croatia’s defensive adjustments and protecting the paint with blocks and a steal.
• Li Fei scored 35 points in the first half as Team China led Croatia 52–45.
• Croatia used hard fouls to slow Li Fei, but he kept scoring from the free-throw line and broke Oscar Schmidt’s Olympic record with 56 points.
• Li Fei finished the third quarter with 58 points, while Team China extended its lead to 80–65.
• Li Fei refused Coach Gong Luming’s offer to rest and reached 62 points in the fourth quarter.
• With one minute remaining, Li Fei rose for a pull-up shot beyond the three-point line as the shot clock neared its end.

Li Fei sealed Team China’s 103–93 victory over Croatia with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, setting an Olympic men’s basketball single-game scoring record with 65 points. As the teams shook hands, he told Dino Radja, “This is basketball.”

• Li Fei held his shooting posture in the air and made a three-pointer as the clock expired, giving him 65 points and Team China a 103–93 win over Croatia.
• The Georgia Dome erupted in applause and MVP chants as Li Fei’s teammates rushed to celebrate with him.
• Li Fei credited his teammates’ screens and rebounds for helping him score, while the Croatian players struggled to accept their defeat.
• The teams lined up to shake hands, and Croatia’s coach congratulated Gong Luming on having an incredible player.
• Li Fei exchanged respectful words with Toni Kukoč, then shook Dino Radja’s hand and told him, “This is basketball.”

Li Fei broke the Olympic single-game scoring record as Team China won, while Nike chairman Phil Knight ordered a new plan against him. Li Fei left the press conference confident about facing the Dream Team and focused on China’s next game against Argentina.

• Radja backed away from Li Fei after their confrontation, and Charles Barkley rushed onto the court to celebrate Li Fei’s 65-point record and promote the LF brand.
• Phil Knight admitted Nike had lost the public-relations battle and ordered the activation of the “Thor’s Hammer” plan, despite his assistant warning that it was meant for the NBA Finals.
• Li Fei told reporters he was pleased that Team China had won, dismissed the opponents’ physical play, and said China would focus on beating Argentina before facing the Dream Team.
• Li Fei joked with Li Nan and Gong Xiaobin as the victorious players headed back to the locker room.

After China defeated Croatia, Coach Gong Luming praised the team and urged them to keep their sights on the Olympic podium as they prepared for Argentina. Li Fei’s 65-point performance made him a global sensation, and the Dream Team watched his highlights with growing seriousness.

• Coach Gong Luming praised Team China’s hard-fought win over Croatia and reminded the players that their goal was to reach the podium.
• Coach Gong Luming warned Li Fei that future opponents would study him closely, then told the team to rest before preparing for Argentina.
• Shan Tao, Bateer, and Hu Weidong discussed Argentina while Li Fei mentally reviewed the game and anticipated the challenges ahead.
• Sports media celebrated Li Fei’s 65-point performance, and his brand’s website crashed as Li Fei I sneaker orders surpassed one million pairs.
• Shaquille O'Neal and Scottie Pippen watched Li Fei’s highlights with the Dream Team and acknowledged his strength, skill, and composure.

Michael Jordan vowed to reclaim America’s Olympic supremacy after Li Fei’s performance drew attention, while Li Fei prepared calmly for China’s next group-stage game against Argentina. Coach Gong Luming outlined Argentina’s relentless defense and off-ball cutting before the team faced the challenge.

• Reggie Miller complained about Charles Barkley supporting Li Fei, and Anfernee Hardaway asked whether the United States would face them in the final.
• Michael Jordan praised Li Fei’s play, then vowed to send him and his brand back to China when Jordan took the court.
• Li Fei ignored the media commotion and studied his notes on Argentina’s players and tactics.
• Two days later, Coach Gong Luming warned China that Argentina relied on sticky defense and constant off-ball cuts, highlighting Marcelo Nicola, Juan Espil, and Fabricio Oberto.
• Li Fei assured Coach Gong that he was fine as China prepared to face Argentina in its third group-stage game.

Team China faced Argentina in a crucial Olympic game, and Argentina’s aggressive defense disrupted China early. Li Fei steadied the team by converting a heavily contested basket and free throw to give China a 3–2 lead.

• Coach Gong urged Team China to beat Argentina and secure an early place in the quarterfinals.
• Li Fei noticed Scottie Pippen watching from the VIP section as both teams took the court.
• Argentina stole China’s first possession and scored on a fast break, taking a 2–0 lead.
• Li Fei scored through contact from three Argentine defenders and made the free throw to put China ahead 3–2.

Team China adjusted its offense around Li Fei, who helped overturn Argentina’s physical defensive strategy and give China a halftime lead. The second half began with China ahead by six points.

• Argentina swarmed Li Fei with physical double-teams, while its defense stalled China’s offense; China trailed 21–25 after the first quarter.
• Li Fei urged his teammates to stay calm, and Coach Gong Luming moved him to the perimeter to direct the offense.
• Li Fei passed to Hu Weidong for a layup, then orchestrated cuts and passes that fueled China’s 12–2 run and put the team ahead 33–27.
• Argentina pressured China’s perimeter players, so Li Fei beat Oberto off the dribble and sank a midrange jumper.
• Li Fei finished the first half with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists as China led 48–42; the second half began.

Team Argentina’s relentless pressure erased Team China’s lead and put them ahead early in the fourth quarter. After Coach Gong rallied the exhausted players, Li Fei took responsibility for the finish, leaving Argentina unnerved by his changed demeanor.

• Argentina adjusted its defense to limit Li Fei and used Nicola’s pick-and-rolls to attack Team China, while Bateer sprained his ankle and Hu Weidong was tripped.
• Team China ended the third quarter ahead 75–71, but Argentina scored six straight points in the fourth to take a 77–75 lead.
• Coach Gong urged the exhausted players not to give up and called for a plan centered on getting the ball to Li Fei while the others defended and rebounded.
• Li Fei told Coach Gong to leave the rest to him, and Nicola noticed that Li Fei seemed different when play resumed.

Li Fei awakened the full power of [King's Domain], helping Team China recover from exhaustion and take the lead over Team Argentina. He remained unstoppable against Argentina's attempts to contain him as the game continued.

• Li Fei spun past Scola and Oberto, then dunked to tie the score at 77–77.
• Li Fei's [King's Domain] refreshed Team China's players and weakened Argentina's physical play.
• Hu Weidong stole Nicola's pass and started a fast break, then passed to Li Fei, who scored a mid-range jumper to put China ahead 79–77.
• Argentina's coach called a timeout and instructed Oberto and Scola to make Li Fei's catches difficult.
• Oberto and Scola pressed Li Fei from both sides, but [King's Domain] and [Titanium Alloy Physique] left him unmoved.