Chapter Summaries

The Lakers defeated the Spurs in a chaotic Game 7 after a disputed buzzer-beater forced overtime, and Nick Van Exel hit the winning three-pointer in double overtime. The Lakers advanced to face the Seattle SuperSonics in the Western Conference Finals, where Shaquille O'Neal's size presented a major matchup advantage.

• Robert Horry's apparent buzzer-beater prompted a lengthy review, and officials ruled the tied score sent the game to overtime.
• The Lakers and Spurs battled through two overtimes, with Avery Johnson giving the Spurs a 115:113 lead with 3.1 seconds left.
• Horry passed to Nick Van Exel, who hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 116:115 win and the series.
• TNT's panel previewed the Lakers' Western Conference Finals matchup against the Seattle SuperSonics and discussed O'Neal's advantage against Seattle's big men.

The Knicks and Bulls prepared for their Eastern Conference Finals matchup, while analysts previewed the Lakers-SuperSonics series. The chapter ended with both New York and Chicago setting out their plans for the opening game.

• Bill Walton, Marv Albert, and Kevin Harlan analyzed the Lakers-SuperSonics matchups and identified Shaquille O'Neal's supporting shooters as a key factor.
• Jeff Van Gundy outlined the Knicks' defensive plan against Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, then chose Charles Oakley to start at power forward and Li Fei to play center against Chicago.
• Van Gundy assigned Arvydas Sabonis to lead the second unit and use his high-post passing to disrupt the Bulls' defense.
• Phil Jackson told Michael Jordan to attack Allan Houston, directed Karl Malone to wear down Li Fei, and tasked Scottie Pippen with disrupting the Knicks' size advantage.
• Jackson urged the Bulls to use the Triangle Offense to keep the Knicks' big men moving and rely on their chemistry and system.

The Lakers and Seattle prepared for the Western Conference Finals, with Del Harris planning to use Shaq's dominance and George Karl devising ways to deny him the ball and tire him out. Li Fei spent a rare afternoon with Monica Bellucci, finding comfort in their time together before his showdown with Michael.

• Del Harris told the Lakers to feed Shaq, draw Seattle's double-teams, and rely on open shots from Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, and Robert Horry.
• George Karl instructed Seattle to deny Shaq deep position, trap him when he received the ball, and use a fast-paced offense to exhaust him.
• Li Fei played tennis with Monica Bellucci at her Long Island estate and admitted he felt excited about facing Michael.
• Li Fei and Monica swam, shared champagne, and kissed as they reflected on his ambitions and their relationship.
• Li Fei and Monica ended the evening embracing, with the Finals battle set to begin the next day.

Li Fei told Monica Bellucci he was not ready to start a family because he planned to focus on basketball and business. He agreed to sign her as a global spokesperson for his brand, opening its push into fashion.

• Monica Bellucci asked Li Fei whether he had considered starting a family, and he said he wanted to focus on basketball and building his business empire.
• Monica proposed becoming an endorser for Li Fei's brand, and he agreed to sign her.
• Li Fei called David Falk and ordered him to prepare a contract worthy of Monica's status as the brand's first major step into fashion.
• Monica kissed Li Fei after he told her the deal was done.

Monica Bellucci signed a lucrative five-year global ambassador contract with Li-Fly, becoming a business partner in Li Fei’s fashion ambitions. At a final strategy meeting before the Eastern Conference Finals, Li Fei and his executives prepared a marketing campaign built around his showdown with Michael Jordan.

• David Falk’s legal team delivered Monica Bellucci’s contract, offering her $30 million in fixed fees, fashion-product profit sharing, and free shares in Li-Fly’s parent company.
• Li Fei told Monica he wanted her as a partner to help expand Li-Fly into fashion, and Monica signed the contract.
• Li Fei and Monica celebrated their future together over dinner at the estate.
• At Li-Fly’s headquarters, David Falk introduced the marketing strategy for the Knicks’ upcoming Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Bulls.
• The marketing team outlined a three-phase campaign, including ads, rapid highlight videos, coordinated product promotions, and separate plans for a Knicks victory or defeat.

Li Fei announced Li-Fly’s expansion into premium fashion, then attended the opening of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Bulls. As Monica Bellucci drew attention by publicly supporting her boss, Li Fei prepared to take the opening tip against Chicago.

• Li Fei announced that Li-Fly would create a fashion sub-brand spanning premium casualwear, footwear, perfume, and watches, and directed the design team to work with Monica Bellucci.
• Monica Bellucci attended the Eastern Conference Finals in unreleased Li-Fly couture and told a reporter she had come to support her boss.
• Jordan, Pippen, and Karl Malone led the Bulls onto the court, while Li Fei led the Knicks.
• Li Fei took the Knicks’ place at center court for the opening tip instead of Sabonis, facing Luc Longley.

Li Fei opened the Eastern Conference Finals by overpowering Karl Malone for a hook shot and taunting him over their height difference. Malone answered with a pick-and-pop jumper to tie the score at 2–2.

• Li Fei won the opening tip for the Knicks, and Charlie Ward passed him the ball in the post against Karl Malone.
• Li Fei backed Malone down, spun past him, and scored with a baby hook to put the Knicks ahead 2–0.
• Li Fei gestured that Malone was too short, provoking Malone and an uproar in Madison Square Garden.
• Michael Jordan urged Malone to ignore the taunt and answer with basketball as the Bulls began their possession.
• The Bulls used Malone's screen to create a mismatch, and Malone made a mid-range jumper over Charlie Ward to tie the game 2–2.

Li Fei dominated Karl Malone and led the Knicks to a commanding lead over the Bulls, refusing to leave the court during the second quarter. Michael Jordan returned early to stop the game from slipping away, and the chapter ended with Jordan and Li Fei trading spectacular baskets.

• Li Fei shut down Karl Malone and anchored the Knicks’ offense as they finished the first quarter ahead 34–25.
• Li Fei told Jeff Van Gundy he wanted to play the entire game, and Van Gundy agreed to keep him on the court.
• Li Fei led the Knicks’ reserves against the Bulls’ second unit, widening the lead to 15 with a putback dunk over Ewing.
• Jordan overruled Phil Jackson’s advice to rest and returned to the court early.
• Jordan scored with an acrobatic reverse layup, and Li Fei answered with a fadeaway over Malone.

Li Fei and Michael Jordan traded spectacular scoring plays in the first half of the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Knicks leading 68–63 at halftime. Their rivalry drove record-breaking attention and intensified the commercial battle between Li-Fly and Jordan Brand ahead of the second half.

• Li Fei answered Jordan’s drives and fadeaways with dunks, jumpers, and an and-one finish as the two stars dominated the second quarter.
• The Knicks entered halftime ahead 68–63, with Li Fei scoring 35 points and grabbing 14 rebounds and Jordan scoring 29 points.
• Kenny Smith and sports media outlets hailed the game as a historic duel, while fans around the world reacted to the stars’ first-half performances.
• David Stern celebrated television ratings that surpassed the previous record set by Game 6 of the 1997 Finals.
• David Falk ordered Li-Fly to expand production after demand surged for Li Fei’s MSG-1 trench coat and Ruler II shoes.
• Howard White worried that Li-Fly’s popularity was eclipsing the AJ13 and recognized the series as a threat to Jordan Brand’s dominance.

Li Fei and Michael Jordan traded spectacular plays as the Knicks maintained their lead, before Li Fei’s block and late scoring push put the Bulls out of reach. The Knicks won Game 1, while Jordan left the court to a standing ovation.

• Jordan opened the third quarter with a difficult basket, and Li Fei answered with an acrobatic fast-break finish.
• Li Fei and Jordan kept exchanging scores and assists as the Knicks ended the third quarter ahead 95–88.
• Li Fei blocked Jordan’s shot against the backboard, then led a fast break that extended the Knicks’ lead.
• Jordan hit a final drifting fadeaway, but Li Fei scored through Karl Malone and free throws to build a 120–110 Knicks lead.
• Phil Jackson took Jordan out with two minutes left, and Li Fei slowed the game as the Knicks secured the win.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a narrow victory over Michael Jordan and the Bulls in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a historic 65-point performance. The Bulls planned to adjust their lineup for Game 2 as Li Fei’s fame and shoe sales surged, leaving the series poised for a fiercer battle in Chicago.

• Li Fei scored 65 points with 21 rebounds and 6 blocks as the Knicks defeated the Bulls 128–120, despite Michael Jordan scoring 56 points.
• Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause agreed that the Bulls needed to conserve Jordan’s energy and shift more of the early offensive burden to Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper.
• Phil Jackson planned to play Patrick Ewing for at least 30 minutes alongside Karl Malone to draw the Knicks’ big men away from the paint.
• News outlets and fans around the world celebrated and debated Li Fei’s performance, while the Yahoo Sports message board crashed under heavy traffic.
• Li Fei’s Sovereign II—MSG shoes sold out within ten minutes at his New York flagship store, as customers crowded the store for restocks.
• The Knicks prepared to carry their Game 1 lead into Chicago, where the Bulls expected to make their adjustments in Game 2.

The Lakers overwhelmed the SuperSonics 115–92 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, as Shaquille O'Neal dominated inside and Nick Van Exel led the offense. After the win, O'Neal taunted Seattle and challenged Li Fei and Michael Jordan to meet him in the Finals.

• Shaquille O'Neal bullied Jim McIlvaine in the opening possession and dunked to establish control of the paint.
• George Karl put Shawn Kemp on O'Neal, but O'Neal battered Kemp inside, drew his third foul, and left him exhausted.
• Gary Payton held Kobe Bryant to 11 points, while Bryant's relentless defense limited Payton to 15 points on poor shooting.
• Nick Van Exel exploited the SuperSonics' defense for 22 points and 9 assists as the Lakers won 115–92 on the road.
• O'Neal mocked Kemp and Seattle after the game, then declared himself the Western Conference's ruler and challenged Li Fei and Michael Jordan to face him in the Finals.

After the Lakers overwhelmed the SuperSonics, Kobe and the team’s dominance drew praise from basketball analysts. At Li-Fly’s Manhattan headquarters, Li Fei and Monica Bellucci discussed a haute couture line before their meeting was interrupted by the design department staff.

• Kobe praised Gary Payton but said he had contained him and declared that the Lakers were focused on winning the championship.
• Marv Albert and Kevin Harlan admitted their predictions had been wrong and credited Shaquille O’Neal’s dominance and Kobe’s defense for the Lakers’ victory.
• Li Fei met Monica Bellucci at Li-Fly’s headquarters, where she proposed expanding the brand with a haute couture collection.
• Monica locked the office door and began to undress, while Li Fei approached her and swept the design sketches onto the floor.

Li Fei ordered a rushed launch of Li-Fly’s new “Dynasty” fashion collection while preparing to build a commercial empire alongside the Knicks’ playoff run. Two days later, Phil Jackson outlined the Bulls’ plan for their next game against the Knicks.

• After Monica Bellucci left his office, Li Fei ordered the design, marketing, and production teams to create a complete fashion collection before the NBA Finals ended.
• Li Fei named the collection “Dynasty” and specified advanced fabrics, refined tailoring, and subtle branding.
• Monica Bellucci embraced Li Fei and praised the name as he vowed to build an empire beyond the basketball court.
• Two days later, Phil Jackson told the Bulls that the Knicks had worn Jordan down with full-court pressure and rotating defenders.
• Phil Jackson assigned Scottie Pippen a larger role initiating the offense and attacking the basket.
• Phil Jackson instructed Patrick Ewing to use his mid-range jumper at the high post to draw Arvydas Sabonis away from the paint.

The Bulls defeated the Knicks 112–107 in Game 2, tying the series 1:1 despite Li Fei’s 58-point performance. As fans argued over the result, David Stern reviewed the MVP voting, which put Li Fei first for a fourth consecutive season.

• Phil Jackson rallied the Bulls before the game, and Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, and Michael Jordan repeatedly broke down the Knicks’ defense.
• The Bulls won 112–107, tying the series at 1:1 while Li Fei scored 58 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Knicks.
• Fans branded Li Fei an “Empty-stats king,” while veteran commentators blamed the Knicks’ loss on Allan Houston and Larry Johnson’s poor performances.
• David Stern examined the regular-season MVP results, which placed Li Fei ahead of Michael Jordan for a fourth straight MVP award.

David Stern rejected Nike’s push for Michael Jordan to win MVP and ordered the award given to Li Fei, while planning to make Jordan’s playoff series more favorable through officiating. Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to a 118–95 win over the SuperSonics, putting Los Angeles up 2–0 after taking both games in Seattle.

• Stern told his assistant that Li Fei would receive the MVP because the award had to reflect performance and team records.
• Stern ordered the referees to give Jordan more favorable calls from Game 3 and help build a comeback narrative around him.
• O’Neal dominated Seattle’s interior defense as the Lakers overwhelmed the SuperSonics throughout Game 2.
• O’Neal finished with 45 points, 21 rebounds, and 7 blocks as the Lakers won 118–95 and took a 2–0 series lead.
• O’Neal told reporters that nobody could stop him in the paint and said he expected to meet Li Fei for the championship.

The Knicks moved Li Fei to center against the Bulls, and he repeatedly shut down Patrick Ewing with his size and defensive skill. After blocking Ewing’s first three attempts, Li Fei left the Eastern Conference Finals matchup transformed.

• TNT commentators declared the SuperSonics’ series against the Lakers effectively over after their two home losses.
• At Game 3 in Chicago, Phil Jackson kept the Bulls’ strategy of using Patrick Ewing’s high-post shooting to draw Sabonis out of the paint.
• Jeff Van Gundy sent Sabonis to the bench and put Li Fei at center, with Charles Oakley replacing him in the lineup.
• Li Fei blocked Ewing’s signature Bunny Hop Jumper, and Oakley recovered the ball as the Knicks broke into a fast break.
• Ewing tried a shot fake and then a difficult turnaround fadeaway, but Li Fei blocked the first shot and grazed the ball away from the second.

Li Fei dominated the Bulls in Game 3, blocking Patrick Ewing repeatedly and delivering a spectacular dunk over him before leading the Knicks to a 125:98 win. His 51-point quadruple-double put New York ahead 2:1 in the series and restored its home-court advantage.

• Li Fei blocked Patrick Ewing five times in the first half as the Knicks built a 68:45 lead.
• Phil Jackson benched Ewing in the second half and tried to stabilize the Bulls' interior defense with Luc Longley.
• John Starks launched a fast break, and Li Fei dunked over Ewing, who fell hard to the floor.
• The Knicks defeated the Bulls 125:98 to take a 2:1 series lead and reclaim home-court advantage.
• Li Fei finished with 51 points, 22 rebounds, 5 assists, and 12 blocks, recording a quadruple-double.

After Li Fei led the Knicks to a dominant win over the Bulls with a quadruple-double, he calmly discussed the game at a press conference while the media celebrated his historic performance. Analysts praised the Knicks’ tactical adjustment of playing him at center and challenged the Bulls to find an answer.

• Li Fei told reporters he had focused on scoring during his dunk over Patrick Ewing and said his assignment was to protect the paint.
• Li Fei credited the Knicks’ strategy and pointed to the scoreboard when asked whether the team had answered the Bulls’ Game 2 tactics.
• American sports outlets made Li Fei’s dunk and 51-point, 22-rebound, 12-block quadruple-double the focus of their coverage.
• Marv Albert, Kevin Harlan, and Bill Walton praised the Knicks’ decision to put Li Fei at center and called him a versatile, difficult player to solve.
• Bill Walton challenged Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan to respond to the Knicks’ tactical adjustment.

The Bulls struggled to find a way to contain Li Fei, prompting Michael Jordan to vow he would handle him himself in Game 4. Meanwhile, Shaquille O'Neal dominated the SuperSonics as the Lakers won Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, moving close to the Finals.

• Phil Jackson and the Bulls debated how to stop Li Fei after their defensive plans failed, but could not find an answer.
• Michael Jordan erased the Bulls' complicated plays and declared that he would take the ball and handle Li Fei himself in Game 4.
• Jeff Van Gundy told the Knicks to keep Li Fei at center and stick with their Game 3 approach.
• Shaquille O'Neal overwhelmed Shawn Kemp and the SuperSonics with repeated dunks and dominant interior play.
• The Lakers defeated the SuperSonics 118:95 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.