Chapter Summaries

Li Fei’s game-winning three gave China a 112:111 victory over Team USA in the Olympic final, sending his teammates and fans across China into celebration. The chapter ended with Li Fei being tossed into the air as the Five-Starred Red Flag rose and American fans sat in stunned silence.

• Li Fei hit a game-winning three to beat Team USA in the Olympic final.
• Wang Zhiizhi, Hu Weidong, Liu Yudong, Gong Xiaobin, and their teammates embraced Li Fei and tossed him into the air.
• Jordan stood frozen and O'Neal slumped to the floor as the Dream Team absorbed its defeat.
• Marv Albert and Bill Walton praised Li Fei’s decisive play and composure.
• American fans watched in disbelief as the Chinese players celebrated and the Five-Starred Red Flag rose.
• Fans across China erupted in celebration over the Olympic gold medal.

Li Fei’s game-winning three gave Team China Olympic gold and stunned basketball legends around the world. As global attention and offers poured in, his agent David Falk told him he had been offered the lead in an inspirational coming-of-age movie.

• Chinese fans celebrated as Li Fei’s final shot secured the Olympic gold medal for Team China.
• Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson watched in shock as Li Fei’s play shattered their confidence in the Dream Team’s invincibility.
• Li Fei’s Olympic victory brought worldwide attention, growing social media followers, and a flood of commercial offers.
• David Falk told Li Fei that he had received an offer to star in a coming-of-age inspirational movie.
• Li Fei reacted with curiosity and confusion as he considered entering the world of show business.

Li Fei considered David Falk’s offer to act in a basketball film and agreed to read the script, though he still saw acting as a side job. As the awards ceremony approached, Team USA’s players struggled with the humiliation of losing the Olympic final to Team China.

• David Falk told Li Fei that directors wanted him for a film because of his public image and encouraged him to try acting.
• Li Fei admitted that he had no acting experience, then asked to read the script before deciding.
• David Falk welcomed Li Fei’s request, seeing it as the first step toward his acting career.
• Team USA remained at Atlanta Arena to collect their silver medals while Team China celebrated.
• Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Scottie Pippen each reacted with frustration and disbelief over Li Fei’s decisive play.

China defeated the United States for Olympic gold, and the Chinese players honored Li Fei by placing their medals around his neck. After the loss, Shaquille O'Neal decided to leave Chicago, setting the stage for upheaval in the NBA.

• China received its gold medals as the United States and Lithuania took silver and bronze.
• Gong Luming, Wang Zhizhi, Hu Weidong, Liu Yudong, and the other Chinese players gave their medals to Li Fei.
• Li Fei credited the team for the victory and said it showed basketball belonged to everyone.
• Michael Jordan called the defeat the worst nightmare of his career and praised Li Fei's performance.
• Shaquille O'Neal condemned Team USA's loss and stormed out of the arena after the press conference.
• O'Neal called his agent and demanded to leave Chicago for a big-city team and a larger contract.

After leading China to Olympic gold, Li Fei returned home with the team to a jubilant welcome in Beijing. As the NBA faced upheaval from Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone leaving their teams, the Chinese players gathered to celebrate their victory.

• Karl Malone decided that he would leave the Jazz to find a team capable of winning a championship.
• Li Fei accepted Olympic gold as the beginning of new challenges for himself and the Suns.
• The Chinese men's basketball team flew from Atlanta to Beijing after winning the Olympic final.
• Thousands of fans welcomed Li Fei and his teammates at Beijing Daxing Airport.
• The team, coaches, and officials gathered at a Beijing restaurant to celebrate with food and baijiu.

After celebrating the Olympic gold with his teammates, Li Fei advised Wang Zhizhi to develop in the NCAA before pursuing the NBA. The banquet ended with Li Fei reflecting on his responsibility to guide Chinese basketball and prepare for tougher challenges ahead.

• Coach Gong Luming toasted the Olympic gold, and Li Fei celebrated with his teammates at the banquet.
• Wang Zhizhi, drunk but determined, asked Li Fei whether he could make it to the NBA.
• Li Fei advised Wang Zhizhi to attend the NCAA first, improve his skills and conditioning, and pursue the NBA later.
• Wang Zhizhi decided to leave the CBA for the NCAA and develop his game.
• Li Fei walked back to his room and resolved to lead his team through the coming challenges in the NBA.

After returning from Atlanta, Li Fei saw Li Fei Sports’ sneakers sell out worldwide, making the brand a major competitor to Nike and Adidas. He and David Falk then planned to turn the sales boom into lasting growth by expanding into sportswear, footwear, and accessories.

• Li Fei visited the Wangfujing flagship store, where the Li Fei 1st Generation and Flying Pig 1st Generation sold rapidly and presale orders exceeded fifty million yuan.
• Li Fei Sports launched the Li Fei II and Flying Pig 2nd Generation worldwide, and stores quickly sold out as online sales channels buckled under demand.
• David Falk reported that Li Fei Sports had reached a market position comparable to Air Jordan and had overtaken it in some regions.
• Li Fei and David Falk discussed a full-category expansion strategy covering sportswear, running and casual shoes, and accessories.

After directing Falk to build Li Fei Sports into a lasting business empire, Li Fei returned to Phoenix to discuss the Suns’ draft plans. He insisted the team use its fifty-eighth pick on Ben Wallace, leaving the room doubtful but Colangelo willing to follow his decision.

• Li Fei told Falk to expand Li Fei Sports into a business empire and spare no money or personnel.
• Li Fei returned to Phoenix after completing his business activities in China and joined the Suns’ draft meeting.
• The scouts discussed late first-round prospects, but Li Fei dismissed their options as unimportant.
• Li Fei remembered Ben Wallace’s future success and ordered the Suns to select him with the fifty-eighth pick.
• Colangelo accepted Li Fei’s choice despite the concerns about Wallace’s size, offense, and Division II background.

Li Fei watched the 1996 NBA Draft as the league’s top prospects were selected, then saw the Phoenix Suns use their second-round pick on Ben Wallace. The chapter ended with Li Fei anticipating a new era and the team’s future dynasty.

• Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and other prospects were selected early in the draft, while Stephon Marbury and Ray Allen were expected to be traded.
• The Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant, and the New York Knicks selected Steve Nash, prompting Li Fei to note that the butterfly effect had changed the Suns’ draft position.
• The Suns selected Mark Hendrickson with the twenty-eighth pick as the first round ended.
• The Suns selected Ben Wallace from Virginia Union University with the fifty-eighth pick, drawing little attention from the arena and commentators.
• Li Fei turned off the television and reflected that the golden generation had arrived and that he had laid a cornerstone for his dynasty.

Li Fei realized the Suns might be preparing to replace Charles Barkley as his contract decision approached. After management stayed silent about an extension, Barkley opted out and became an unrestricted free agent, throwing the defending champions into turmoil.

• Li Fei suspected the Suns had drafted Mark Hendrickson as a possible replacement for Barkley, whose player option allowed him to become a free agent.
• Jerry Colangelo told Paul Westphal that the Suns would wait another season to assess Barkley and had drafted Hendrickson as a contingency.
• Westphal warned that Barkley remained vital to the team's championship system, but Colangelo insisted that planning for the future might require difficult decisions.
• Barkley grew furious when the Suns avoided discussing an extension and gave him no offer despite his hopes of retiring in Phoenix.
• Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Barkley had notified the Suns he would opt out and become an unrestricted free agent, igniting a public dispute over his decision and the team's treatment of him.

After Charles Barkley opted out of his contract, Li Fei understood the move as a warning that defending the Suns’ title would be difficult. Barkley invited Li Fei to dinner, apologized for possibly leaving before their hoped-for three-peat, and Li Fei told him he owed the team nothing; the chapter left Barkley stunned by Li Fei’s support.

• Ernie Johnson, Marv Albert, and Kevin Harlan discussed Barkley’s decision, weighing his contract demands and the risks of entering free agency.
• Li Fei ignored calls about Barkley’s opt-out and recognized it as a signal of trouble ahead for the Suns.
• Barkley called Li Fei and invited him to dinner at their usual Scottsdale steakhouse.
• Barkley apologized to Li Fei, saying he might leave before they could pursue the three-peat they had planned together.
• Li Fei reminded Barkley that he had brought the Suns two championships and owed the team nothing, leaving Barkley stunned.

Li Fei persuaded Barkley to prioritize a lucrative final contract over staying with the Phoenix Suns, and they parted on terms of business and friendship. Barkley's departure prompted Li Fei to consider leaving Phoenix to grow his brand in a larger market, and he called David to ask about an early exit from his contract.

• Li Fei reminded Barkley that the Suns' management had treated him as a replaceable asset and urged him to accept a major contract elsewhere.
• Barkley toasted Li Fei to business, while Li Fei toasted him to friendship, and the two avoided discussing the Suns or their abandoned dynasty dream.
• Driving home, Li Fei wondered how the Suns would treat him when his playing ability declined and concluded that loyalty mattered less than profit in the league.
• Li Fei considered moving to a major city such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago to expand his brand's reach and commercial value.
• Li Fei called David and asked him to investigate whether his contract allowed him to leave early.

Li Fei learned that his contract kept him with Phoenix for another season and assessed the offense lost with Charles Barkley’s departure. As Barkley became a sought-after free agent, the Chicago Bulls were the first team to pursue him.

• Li Fei asked David Falk to check for an early opt-out clause, but Falk explained that Phoenix controlled the next season under Li Fei’s rookie contract.
• Li Fei reviewed Phoenix’s roster, including Dennis Rodman, and concluded the team had lost much of its scoring and would face defenses focused on stopping him.
• Li Fei accepted that he had to remain in Phoenix and told the branding department to build his next signature shoes around the theme “Reign.”
• Charles Barkley’s decision to become an unrestricted free agent dominated sports news and drew interest from teams across the NBA.
• The Chicago Bulls became the first team to pursue Barkley.

Charles Barkley rejected interest from the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz while seeking a final maximum-salary deal, and the Houston Rockets cleared cap space to pursue him. Li Fei welcomed the prospect of facing a Rockets team built around Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler, then intensified his training for the coming season.

• Jerry Krause publicly said the Chicago Bulls would welcome Charles Barkley, but Barkley rejected the idea of joining Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
• Barkley praised John Stockton but said the Utah Jazz could not offer the contract he wanted.
• Bob Dawson announced that the Houston Rockets were trying to sign Barkley and would decline Arvydas Sabonis's team option to make room for him.
• News of a potential Rockets trio of Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler sparked debate over whether they could challenge Li Fei's Phoenix Suns.
• Li Fei called the prospect interesting and asked his trainer to add ten kilograms to his next bench-press set.

After Shaquille O'Neal's departure became inevitable, Jerry Krause pursued Karl Malone to build a Bulls Big Three with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. As Malone agreed to join Chicago, O'Neal weighed offers from several teams, with the Lakers' eventual move still ahead.

• Jerry Krause abandoned his failed plan to sign Charles Barkley and decided Chicago needed to strengthen its power forward position instead of trying to match Li Fei at center.
• Krause and Phil Jackson targeted Karl Malone, proposing that he join Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen while Chicago used Rodman or Luc Longley to battle Li Fei.
• Karl Malone accepted Chicago's championship pitch, and Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Malone had verbally agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the Bulls.
• Shaquille O'Neal received offers from Orlando, Boston, and New York, but none had secured his decision.
• The Utah Jazz, freshly deprived of Malone, made a surprising offer to O'Neal.

The Lakers signed Shaquille O'Neal to a four-year, $60 million deal, sharpening the growing arms race against Li Fei and the Phoenix Suns. Li Fei welcomed the challenge, while rookie Kobe Bryant celebrated the chance to team up with O'Neal and imagined winning championships and surpassing Li Fei.

• Jerry West persuaded O'Neal to choose Los Angeles by promising he would become the Lakers' centerpiece and a global star.
• The Lakers announced that they had signed O'Neal for four years and $60 million, as the Bulls and Rockets also pursued star-studded lineups.
• David Falk told Li Fei that O'Neal was joining the Lakers, Charles was leaving Phoenix, and Malone was close to joining Chicago; Li Fei said the summer had finally become interesting.
• Falk told Li Fei that Colangelo had arranged a meeting to discuss Phoenix's future, and Li Fei continued his training.
• Kobe Bryant watched the Lakers announce O'Neal's signing, then celebrated the prospect of teaming up with him and winning championships while taking the league's top spot from Li Fei.

Kobe Bryant pushed himself through an intense workout while the league discussed its new contenders and their chances against Li Fei’s Suns. In Phoenix, Jerry Colangelo decided to waive Charles Barkley, freeing cap space to extend Li Fei’s contract early.

• Kobe Bryant worked harder in the gym, determined to make the most of Shaquille O'Neal joining the Lakers.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton discussed the Lakers’ prospects and the challenges they faced in competing with the Phoenix Suns.
• Jerry Colangelo rejected trading Charles Barkley for poor offers and decided to waive him so he could choose any team.
• Colangelo explained that waiving Barkley would clear cap space and demonstrate that Li Fei was the Suns’ only untouchable player.
• Colangelo planned to use the freed cap space to extend Li Fei’s contract ahead of schedule.

After the Suns waived Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo offered Li Fei a record seven-year, $120 million early extension. Li Fei refused to sign before the season, saying he wanted to prove his worth by defeating the league’s top teams, while privately considering his future beyond Phoenix.

• The Suns waived Charles Barkley, prompting media speculation that the move cleared the way for Li Fei’s extension.
• Jerry Colangelo met with Li Fei and David Falk and offered Li Fei a seven-year, $120 million extension.
• Li Fei declined to discuss an extension until after the season, alarming Colangelo and surprising Falk.
• Li Fei said he wanted to defeat the Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, and other top teams before negotiating again.
• Li Fei privately considered that a future outside Phoenix could offer his brand greater exposure and resources.

Li Fei rejected the Phoenix Suns’ seven-year, $120 million extension, betting that a coming rise in the NBA salary cap and his next season’s performance would increase his value. As teams began pursuing him, the Chicago Bulls announced they had agreed to sign Karl Malone.

• Li Fei politely left the conference room after rejecting the Suns’ record contract, and Adrian Wojnarowski reported the decision on ESPN.
• Fans and commentators argued over whether Li Fei had rejected the offer out of ambition, disloyalty, or confidence in his future value.
• David Falk worried that Li Fei’s rejection had made the league assume he would enter free agency, while teams including the Lakers and Heat contacted him.
• Li Fei told Falk that the coming television deal and salary-cap increase made a seven-year contract unwise, and said he wanted a larger stage than Phoenix.
• The Chicago Bulls announced that they had reached a signing agreement with Karl Malone.

The Bulls assembled a seemingly unstoppable lineup by adding Karl Malone and Luc Longley, leaving fans convinced Li Fei and the Suns had little chance next season. Houston then began a major roster overhaul, trading Arvydas Sabonis to clear cap space, and the chapter ended before revealing the superstar they intended to sign.

• The Bulls traded a second-round pick to the Magic for Luc Longley, completing their new lineup with Karl Malone.
• TNT analysts praised the Bulls’ roster and predicted that even Li Fei’s Suns could not challenge them.
• Fans shifted their attention from Li Fei’s contract decision to the Bulls, doubting the Suns’ chances next season.
• Ray Patterson traded Arvydas Sabonis and a future second-round pick to the Knicks for a first-round pick and cash considerations.
• The Rockets cleared salary cap space for a major signing, but the chapter ended before naming the player.