Chapter Summaries

The Knicks defeated the Bulls 145–144 after Li Fei blocked Michael Jordan’s shot and hit the game-winner, while both stars scored over 70 points. Li Fei celebrated with his teammates and gave them Rolex watches, leaving the Knicks united and focused on winning the championship.

• The Knicks celebrated Li Fei’s game-winning block and shot as the Bulls, including Jordan, struggled to accept their one-point loss.
• The final statistics showed Li Fei with 74 points, 25 rebounds, and 12 blocks, while Jordan scored 70 points in the Knicks’ 145–144 victory.
• At the press conferences, Li Fei credited Charlie Ward’s pass and Jordan’s greatness, while Jordan said his 70 points meant nothing without a win.
• Larry Johnson and John Starks drenched Li Fei with Gatorade at the press conference, and he joked with reporters about the prank.
• Li Fei gave Rolex watches to his teammates, coaches, and staff, and the Knicks exchanged Christmas gifts as they celebrated their growing unity and championship goal.

After the Knicks celebrated their victory over the defending champions, the Christmas Day Game’s fallout spread to the marketplace, where Jordan’s loss drove shoppers away from AJ stores and sent Nike’s stock plunging. The chapter ended with investors across the country reeling from their losses.

• Li Fei treated the Knicks to a lavish dinner, where teammates celebrated their win and praised one another’s contributions.
• Coach Van Gundy toasted the team and declared that their goal was the championship.
• The day after the Christmas game, AJ stores across the United States were nearly empty as customers mocked Jordan’s loss.
• Nike’s stock price plunged by more than 15% after trading opened, wiping tens of billions of dollars off its market value.
• Investors who had bought Nike stock blamed Jordan for their financial losses.

Li Fei Brand’s global stores set a record with $380 million in sales in one day, prompting David Falk to urge Li Fei to take the company public. Li Fei rejected the timing, choosing to build a lasting sports empire before pursuing an IPO that could make the company’s stock surge on its first day.

• On December 26, customers packed Li Fei Brand stores worldwide, and Li Fei III shoes sold out as resale prices soared.
• David Falk reported that global sales had reached $380 million in one day and that the brand had 5,328 physical stores, with more franchise applications arriving.
• Falk told Li Fei that production was running around the clock and urged him to take Li Fei Brand public.
• Li Fei declined to launch an IPO, arguing that the brand still depended too heavily on his personal reputation and needed stronger foundations.
• Li Fei told Falk he wanted to build a lasting sports empire and go public only when the company could make its stock surge from its first day.

Li Fei and David Falk planned to promote Li Fei Brand as a technology company, while NBA commentators debated Li Fei’s bid for a fourth straight MVP and the legacy of a possible Knicks championship. The chapter ended as Li Fei answered a call from Larsa.

• Li Fei told David Falk to emphasize the technology behind the brand and revealed a new running shoe featuring Dynamic Feedback Cushioning.
• NBA rankings placed Li Fei first in MVP, DPOY, scoring, rebounding, blocks, and true shooting percentage.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton discussed Li Fei’s dominance and whether a third championship would make him the greatest player in NBA history.
• Li Fei answered a private call from Larsa.

Li Fei reunited with Larsa Pippen over Christmas as the Knicks continued their historic undefeated run. After New York beat the Pacers, Li Fei stood one step closer to the Lakers' 33-game winning streak record.

• Larsa Pippen called Li Fei and brought him a Christmas gift, then spent the night with him.
• Li Fei read that the Knicks had become the first NBA team to remain undefeated through Christmas Day, and set his sights on the Lakers' 33-game winning streak record.
• Reggie Miller vowed to end the Knicks' streak when the Pacers hosted them.
• Li Fei and Arvydas Sabonis dominated inside while Allan Houston and Reggie Miller traded perimeter scores.
• Li Fei proved decisive in the game against the Pacers.

Li Fei led the Knicks to their 30th, 31st, and 32nd consecutive wins, leaving them one victory from tying the NBA record. Before the historic matchup against Allen Iverson’s 76ers, Iverson vowed to stop them, while Li Fei declared the Knicks would win their 33rd straight game.

• Li Fei scored 38 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and led the Knicks past the Pacers 115–102 for their 30th consecutive win.
• The Knicks beat the SuperSonics 108–95 as Li Fei blocked Shawn Kemp’s dunk, extending their streak to 31 games.
• The Knicks routed the Cavaliers 120–90 at Madison Square Garden to reach 32 straight wins.
• Before the game against the 76ers, Allen Iverson said he would try to prevent the Knicks from tying the record, despite being Li Fei’s brand spokesperson.
• Li Fei praised Iverson but said the Knicks had come to win and claim their 33rd consecutive victory.

Li Fei and the Knicks faced Allen Iverson and the 76ers as they pursued their 33rd straight win. Iverson shook Li Fei with a crossover, but Li answered by dunking over him, leaving Philadelphia stunned.

• Li Fei scored inside and passed to Sabonis for a dunk as the Knicks took an early lead over the 76ers.
• The Knicks contained Iverson with collapsing defense, and the score widened to 18-10 before Philadelphia called a timeout.
• Iverson was switched onto Li Fei and shook him off with a crossover before sinking a mid-range jumper.
• Li Fei received the ball against Iverson, drove to the basket, and dunked over him with both hands.
• The Philadelphia crowd fell silent as Li Fei hung from the rim above Iverson.

Li Fei answered Allen Iverson’s spectacular move with a dunk over him, then led the Knicks to an eight-point first-quarter lead. Iverson refused Larry Brown’s request to rest and returned to attack as the second quarter began.

• After Iverson’s basket, Li Fei leapt over him and dunked, drawing a stunned reaction from the crowd and commentators.
• Iverson got up furious and repeatedly attacked the Knicks’ defense, but the first quarter ended with the Knicks ahead 32–24.
• Li Fei finished the quarter with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Iverson scored 18 points and had 2 assists.
• Larry Brown told Iverson to rest for the first five minutes of the second quarter, but Iverson insisted he would play.
• Iverson returned to the court when the second quarter began and resumed attacking the Knicks’ defense.

The Knicks defeated the 76ers 115–100 despite Allen Iverson’s 44-point performance, as Li Fei, Sabonis, and Allan Houston helped the team control the game. New York secured its 33rd consecutive win, tying the NBA record.

• Iverson sparked an 8–2 run with scoring and a pass, but the Knicks rebuilt their lead to 12 by halftime through their effective half-court offense.
• Iverson collided with Li Fei in the third quarter, cut his lip, and swallowed the blood so he could remain in the game.
• The Knicks’ balanced offense and Li Fei’s dominance helped them pull away, defeating Philadelphia 115–100.
• Iverson finished with 44 points, six assists, and four steals, then walked silently into the players’ tunnel.
• The Knicks earned their 33rd straight win and tied the Lakers’ NBA record winning streak.

Li Fei led the Knicks past Allen Iverson and the 76ers with 50 points and 22 rebounds, tying the record with the team's 33rd consecutive win. After the game, the rivals exchanged respect, and the Knicks looked ahead to one final chance to set a new record.

• Li Fei's 50 points, 22 rebounds, six assists, and six blocks powered the Knicks to victory over Iverson's 76ers and tied the 33-game winning streak record.
• Li Fei stopped Iverson at the tunnel and embraced him, and Iverson vowed to win their next matchup.
• At the press conference, Iverson said the loss made his performance inadequate and promised to find a way to beat Li Fei next time.
• Li Fei praised Iverson as a warrior, credited the Knicks' success to the whole team, and noted that they still had one game left.
• Sports outlets celebrated the Knicks' record-tying win and highlighted the showdown between Iverson and Li Fei.

After the Knicks won their 33rd consecutive game, attention turned to their looming matchup with Minnesota and the chance to set a record. Iverson’s performance in defeat sent sales of his first signature shoe soaring, while Li Fei’s business empire benefited from the surge in popularity.

• New Yorkers celebrated the Knicks’ 33rd straight win and looked ahead to their record-attempting game against the Timberwolves, led by Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, and Tom Gugliotta.
• Fans across the United States lined up to buy Allen Iverson’s The Answer I after his courageous performance against the Knicks.
• Customers emptied Li Fei Brand stores, and Iverson’s popularity and the shoes’ commercial appeal surged.
• David Falk told Li Fei that The Answer I sales had risen by 700 percent in twelve hours and that the company’s website had crashed three times.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Fei's brand, Li Fei Brand, signs Allen Iverson, positioning him as the second ace, expanding the brand's market reach.
• Li Fei Brand's IPO is imminent, with increased interest from Wall Street firms following Iverson's impressive performance.
• The New York Knicks prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, aiming to break the NBA record for consecutive wins.

Character Developments

• Li Fei demonstrates strategic thinking and satisfaction in Iverson's success, showing his growth as a businessman and team owner.
• David Falk expresses excitement about Li Fei Brand's potential and the upcoming IPO.
• The New York Knicks players show unwavering focus and determination, led by Li Fei, as they prepare for their historic game.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Success: Li Fei's ambition for his brand and the Knicks' pursuit of the record highlight the theme of striving for success.
• Teamwork and Strategy: Both Li Fei Brand's expansion and the Knicks' preparation for the Timberwolves emphasize the importance of teamwork and strategic planning.
• Legacy and History: The upcoming game and Li Fei Brand's IPO both carry the weight of creating a lasting legacy.

Character Interactions

• Li Fei and David Falk discuss the brand's success and upcoming IPO, demonstrating their strong business partnership.
• Head coach Jeff Van Gundy and the New York Knicks players interact, showcasing their unity, focus, and determination as they prepare for the Timberwolves game.

Li Fei turned down Stephon Marbury’s request for a major endorsement contract and told him to prove himself in the next game. At Madison Square Garden, the Timberwolves prepared to challenge the Knicks’ 33-game winning streak, and Marbury declared that his audition began that night.

• Stephon Marbury called Li Fei to ask for a Li Fei Brand endorsement deal and argued that he deserved one of the brand’s top contracts.
• Li Fei told Marbury to prove his value on the court, and Marbury accepted the Knicks-Timberwolves game as his audition.
• Li Fei considered Marbury’s future potential as a Chinese basketball figure before turning his attention to the upcoming game.
• Fans, reporters, celebrities, and basketball legends gathered at Madison Square Garden ahead of the Knicks-Timberwolves matchup.
• Kevin Garnett vowed that the Timberwolves had come to end the Knicks’ record streak, while Marbury promised to make himself New York’s only star.

The Knicks fell behind the Timberwolves as Stephon Marbury attacked relentlessly and Kevin Garnett defended Li Fei effectively. After Garnett taunted him with a fadeaway, Li answered with three straight baskets from different areas of the court, leaving the game’s momentum poised to shift.

• Li Fei told reporters he had come to win, and Stephon Marbury opened the game by scoring 9 points in the first three minutes.
• Kevin Garnett made Li Fei work for his post-up baskets, and the Knicks ended the first quarter trailing 28–30.
• The Timberwolves’ reserves sustained their lead, and Garnett hit a fadeaway over Li Fei before pounding his chest and roaring at him.
• Li Fei responded with a powerful post-up layup, a turnaround fadeaway, and a pull-up jumper in three consecutive Knicks possessions.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 125:103 win over the Timberwolves, securing their 34th consecutive victory and breaking the Lakers’ record. The chapter ended with fans and basketball legends celebrating the historic streak and Li Fei’s dominance.

• Li Fei scored on five straight possessions against Kevin Garnett, ending the first half with the Knicks ahead 65:50.
• Li Fei repeatedly stopped the Timberwolves’ comeback attempts as Stephon Marbury fought to bring his team back into the game.
• With the Knicks leading by about 20 points late in the fourth quarter, Van Gundy pulled the starters and the Madison Square Garden crowd gave Li Fei a standing ovation.
• The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 125:103, with Li Fei recording 48 points, 22 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 blocks.
• Marv Albert announced that the Knicks had broken the Lakers’ record with a 34-game winning streak as fans chanted MVP.
• Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, and Moses Malone applauded Li Fei and discussed his historic dominance.

After the Knicks set a record with their 34th consecutive win, Kevin Garnett vowed to improve while Stephon Marbury praised Li Fei and openly expressed interest in endorsing Li Fei Brand. The victory drove huge demand for the brand’s products, leaving its flagship store sold out of popular shoes and challenging the dominance of Nike, Adidas, and Air Jordan.

• Kevin Garnett admitted Li Fei had played well, then vowed to study his game and defend him more effectively next time.
• Stephon Marbury called Li Fei the strongest player he had seen and said he wanted to work with Li Fei Brand as a sneaker free agent.
• Li Fei thanked his Knicks teammates, Coach Jeff Van Gundy, and New York for the team’s record 34 straight wins.
• Customers crowded Li Fei Brand’s Fifth Avenue flagship store, selling out popular Dynasty One sizes and crashing the online store’s server.
• Li Fei Brand’s success expanded its challenge to Nike and Adidas, while Air Jordan faced new competition.

Michael Jordan reacted furiously to Li Fei Brand’s surge and Air Jordan’s falling sales, then vowed to end the Knicks’ winning streak himself. David Stern weighed Nike’s request to boost Jordan’s exposure against the NBA’s interest in Li Fei’s rise, and chose to let their rivalry intensify.

• Jordan saw Air Jordan’s Christmas sales had dropped nearly 40 percent while Li Fei Brand’s sales rose, and he angrily threw the report aside.
• Howard White told Jordan that Nike had asked David Stern to balance league promotions between Jordan and Li Fei, but Stern had only agreed to emphasize “Inheritance” and “Clash of Kings” at All-Star Weekend.
• Jordan rejected the idea of needing an opportunity and promised to personally end the Knicks’ winning streak when they next met.
• Stern considered the commercial possibilities of Li Fei Brand challenging Nike and studied photographs of Jordan and Li Fei.
• Stern decided to let the rivalry between Jordan and Li Fei grow stronger.

After the Knicks celebrated their 34th straight win, Li Fei went home and spent the night with Larsa Pippen. Lying awake afterward, he realized that despite his wealth, he still had no real home in New York.

• The Knicks celebrated their 34-game winning streak at Rao's, where Larry Johnson toasted Li Fei and the team.
• Richard Ward asked Li Fei about tying the Lakers' 35-game winning streak, and Li Fei told him to enjoy the night and focus on the next game later.
• Li Fei drove to his rented Manhattan apartment, where Larsa Pippen greeted him and helped him relax.
• After Larsa fell asleep, Li Fei reflected on how his busy season had left him living in a furnished rental despite his wealth.

Li Fei decided to buy a home in New York and purchased both a Central Park South penthouse and a Long Island estate. He brought Larsa Pippen to the penthouse that night, while keeping the second mansion as a surprise for the weekend.

• Li Fei called David Falk early in the morning and asked him to find two New York homes with no budget limit.
• With Jennifer, Li Fei toured a luxurious penthouse at 111 Central Park South and chose it immediately.
• Li Fei toured a Long Island estate with a private beach, dock, and basketball court, then decided to buy both properties and complete the purchases that day.
• That night, Li Fei brought Larsa Pippen to the penthouse and showed her the Manhattan view.
• Li Fei told Larsa that the penthouse was not his only new home, keeping the Long Island estate as a surprise for the weekend.

The New York Knicks lost 98-110 to the Miami Heat, ending their 34-game winning streak. Li Fei said the team’s true goal was the Larry O’Brien Trophy, while Michael Jordan saw the loss as his long-awaited opportunity.

• The Knicks struggled against the Heat from the opening tip as their passing and defense faltered.
• Li Fei scored 38 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and blocked five shots, but Dan Majerle’s three-pointers helped the Heat pull away.
• The Heat beat the Knicks 110-98, ending New York’s 34-game winning streak.
• At the press conference, Li Fei accepted the loss and said the Knicks’ goal was the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
• Michael Jordan watched the broadcast in Chicago and welcomed the end of the streak as his opportunity.