Chapter Summaries

The NBA set February 5 as the start of its shortened season and announced an opening-night showdown between Li Fei’s Knicks and Michael Jordan’s Bulls. As anticipation built worldwide, Jordan dismissed concerns about the lockout and his team’s chemistry, declaring that they were ready to win.

• David Stern and league executives arranged a compressed 50-game season beginning February 5.
• The NBA announced that the Knicks would host the Bulls in a nationally televised opening-night matchup.
• Media outlets, commentators, and fans debated the clash between Li Fei and Michael Jordan and promoted it as a battle between eras.
• The Bulls and Knicks held acclimation practices at Madison Square Garden before the game.
• Michael Jordan told reporters the lockout had not affected the Bulls and said his team only needed to take the court and win.

Li Fei and Michael Jordan declared their determination to win before the Knicks and Bulls opened the 1998-1999 season at Madison Square Garden. Karl Malone dominated Donyell Marshall in the first quarter, giving Chicago a 20-12 lead as the Knicks struggled to contain the Bulls’ offense.

• Li Fei told reporters the Knicks’ goal of defending their title had not changed and that the wait caused by the lockout was over.
• The Knicks and Bulls announced their starting lineups, and the teams began the season opener after Li Fei and Jordan exchanged a charged look.
• The Knicks’ first possession ended with Larry Johnson missing a hurried shot, and Karl Malone grabbed the rebound.
• Jordan directed the Bulls’ offense to Malone, who scored over Marshall with a turnaround jumper to put Chicago ahead 2-0.
• Malone continued scoring as Li Fei helped in the paint, leaving Bulls perimeter players open; Chicago led 20-12 eight minutes into the first quarter, with Malone scoring 12 points.

The Knicks’ bench unit erased the Bulls’ lead with a 7–0 run before Patrick Ewing steadied Chicago. Li Fei returned to face Michael Jordan, hit a deep three over him, then blocked Jordan’s layup at the rim, leaving Madison Square Garden erupting.

• Allan Houston scored a mid-range jumper, but Jordan answered with a layup and free throw as the Bulls led 28–25 after the first quarter.
• Latrell Sprewell attacked the basket and Stephen Jackson hit a corner three, then Sprewell drew a foul and made both free throws for a Knicks 7–0 run.
• Phil Jackson sent Patrick Ewing into the game, and Ewing stopped Sprewell in the paint before scoring with a short hook.
• Li Fei returned with 6:30 left in the second quarter as Jordan and Karl Malone also reentered for the Bulls.
• Li Fei made a deep three over Jordan, then rotated to the basket and blocked Jordan’s layup against the backboard.

Li Fei and Michael Jordan traded dominant scoring runs as the Knicks and Bulls fought for control. The Knicks carried a narrow 82:79 lead into the fourth quarter, leaving the game’s outcome undecided.

• Li Fei sparked the Knicks’ comeback in the second quarter with a deep three-pointer, a block, and an assist, then led them to a 56:54 halftime lead.
• Jordan demanded the ball at halftime and opened the third quarter by exploiting mismatches to score 10 straight points and put the Bulls ahead.
• Li Fei answered Jordan with a three-pointer and a poster dunk over Karl Malone.
• Li Fei and Jordan traded baskets through the rest of the third quarter, and the Knicks ended it ahead 82:79.

Li Fei and the Knicks battled the Bulls through a tense fourth quarter, with Jordan putting Chicago ahead before Li Fei’s pass to Allan Houston gave New York a late lead. The game remained undecided as the Knicks led 100:99 with the final seconds approaching.

• Karl Malone scored against Larry Johnson, and Sabonis answered inside as the teams traded baskets in a slow, physical fourth quarter.
• Jordan passed to Sam Cassell for a jumper, and Li Fei responded by setting up Larry Johnson for a tying layup.
• Jordan faked Li Fei into the air and made a jumper to put the Bulls ahead 99:97 with 1 minute and 2 seconds remaining.
• Van Gundy called timeout, then the Bulls trapped Li Fei after the Knicks inbounded the ball.
• Li Fei fired a long pass to the open Allan Houston, who made a three-pointer to put the Knicks ahead 100:99.

Li Fei and the Knicks faced Jordan and the Bulls in a tense final possession, then won the season debut with Li Fei’s buzzer-beating three-pointer. Madison Square Garden erupted as the game ended.

• Jordan tried to shake Li Fei with a series of dribble moves, but Li Fei stayed in front of him and contested his final fadeaway.
• Sabonis boxed out Malone and Ewing to grab the rebound, then called a timeout with 0.8 seconds left and the Knicks holding the ball.
• Li Fei told Van Gundy and his teammates to run a play that would free him for a three beyond the arc.
• Johnson inbounded to Li Fei after the play drew Jordan toward the basket, and Li Fei released the shot with 0.2 seconds remaining.
• Li Fei’s three-pointer went in at the buzzer, giving the Knicks the win as Madison Square Garden erupted.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 103–99 season-opening win over Jordan’s Bulls with 51 points and a buzzer-beating three, then urged his teammates to prepare for a hard season. Jordan left the loss in silence and vowed to prevent Li Fei from getting the ball in another crucial moment.

• Li Fei hit a buzzer-beating three to give the Knicks a 103–99 victory over the Bulls on the night New York received its championship rings.
• Li Fei finished with 51 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 blocks, and 2 steals, while Jordan scored 45 points in the loss.
• During a postgame interview, Li Fei credited the team and praised Jordan before his teammates drenched him with Gatorade.
• Sports outlets celebrated Li Fei’s game-winner, and orders for his signature sneakers surged as his fame grew.
• Li Fei ended the locker-room celebration and warned his teammates that the Bulls would counterattack during the shortened season.
• Jordan left the arena without speaking, then trained alone that night and promised John Bach he would not let Li Fei touch the ball in a crucial moment again.

After Li Fei’s game-winning shot, commentators predicted another Eastern Conference Finals clash between the Knicks and Bulls, while surging demand and investor interest put Li Fei Brand’s IPO back in focus. Li Fei rejected the executives’ call to move quickly, saying the timing was not good enough yet.

• Marv Albert, Bill Walton, and Kevin Harlan praised the Bulls’ orderly offense and the Knicks’ depth and versatility after the season opener.
• Bill Walton predicted the Bulls and Knicks would meet again in the Eastern Conference Finals and called Li Fei a developing “Sovereign.”
• David Falk reported that orders for the Li Fei III colorway matching Li Fei’s game-winning shoes had surged 327% in twelve hours.
• David Falk presented updated Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reports that praised Li Fei Brand’s growth potential and recommended advancing its IPO timetable.
• Li Fei asked the executives for their views, then rejected their suggestion to launch the IPO while public attention was at its peak.

Li Fei delayed Flying Shadow’s IPO until the Knicks’ record stabilized, then planned to sign Kobe Bryant away from Adidas to boost the company’s launch. He watched Kobe struggle against the Spurs, and the game’s turning point began just as Kobe remained scoreless with two turnovers.

• Li Fei decided to wait one month before setting Flying Shadow’s IPO date so the Knicks could establish a strong record.
• Li Fei asked Falk about Kobe Bryant’s Adidas contract and told him Flying Shadow could cover the termination penalty and prepare a new endorsement deal.
• Li Fei made a Kobe signing conditional on seeing a dominant performance that proved he could help carry Flying Shadow’s future alongside Iverson.
• Li Fei watched the Lakers face the Spurs as Kobe struggled against Mario Elie, missing shots and committing two turnovers in the first quarter.
• The game’s situation suddenly changed while Kobe remained scoreless and Del Harris considered pulling him out.

Kobe Bryant erupted after a steal and dunk, then led the Lakers to a 112–111 win over the Spurs with a 44-point performance and a buzzer-beating fadeaway. Impressed by Kobe’s resolve, Li Fei decided to raise his contract offer by twenty percent and fly to Los Angeles to meet him.

• Kobe stole a Spurs pass, sprinted downcourt, and dunked over Avery Johnson to ignite the arena and his own offense.
• Kobe attacked the Spurs’ defense with a range of drives and jumpers while Shaquille O'Neal battled the Twin Towers in the paint.
• With the Lakers trailing by one, Kobe shook Sean Elliott and hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to beat the Spurs 112–111.
• Kobe finished with 44 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Tim Duncan scored 24 points and David Robinson added 18.
• Li Fei told Falk to raise Kobe’s contract offer by twenty percent and book the earliest flight to Los Angeles for a personal meeting.

Li Fei attended an NBA and UNICEF charity gala in New York, where he met actress Angelina Jolie and bonded with her over acting and basketball. The gala auction drew intense bidding for his signed Knicks jersey, but the chapter ended before the winning bid was revealed.

• Li Fei attended the charity gala at the Waldorf Hotel and greeted NBA Commissioner David Stern, UN officials, and business magnates.
• Angelina Jolie approached Li Fei, praised his game against the Bulls, and learned that he had seen her film Gia.
• Li Fei and Angelina Jolie discussed films, acting, sportsmanship, and the ways athletes sometimes had to perform on the court.
• The auction sold Michael Jordan’s signed 1998 Finals jersey to a Wall Street banker for $150,000.
• The auctioneer presented Li Fei’s signed Knicks No. 91 jersey, and the bidding rose rapidly after opening at $50,000.

Angelina Jolie bought Li Fei’s jersey at a charity auction and attended his Knicks game against the Miami Heat. As the game began, Li Fei faced a nervous Jamal Mashburn at small forward, setting up another matchup after their punishing playoff series.

• Angelina Jolie won Li Fei’s jersey for $250,000, exchanged phone numbers with him, and asked for a courtside ticket.
• Angelina Jolie appeared courtside at the Knicks’ game against the Heat and encouraged Li Fei during warm-ups.
• Alonzo Mourning declared that the Heat were ready to overwhelm the Knicks with their defense.
• Jamal Mashburn panicked after seeing Li Fei listed at small forward, recalling how Li Fei had dominated him in the playoffs.
• The Knicks won the opening tip, and Li Fei received the ball at the top of the arc with Mashburn guarding him.

Li Fei dominated the first quarter against the Heat, scoring 28 points on perfect shooting as the Knicks built a 38–22 lead. During the break, Pat Riley planned a more physical attack, while Li Fei joked that he wanted to end Jamal Mashburn’s suffering sooner.

• Li Fei repeatedly scored pull-up jumpers over Jamal Mashburn and passed to open teammates when the Heat double-teamed him.
• Li Fei finished the first quarter with 28 points, shooting 10-for-10 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, as the Knicks led 38–22.
• Pat Riley told Alonzo and Tim to attack the Knicks’ interior with pick-and-rolls and urged Mashburn to wear Li Fei down with help from the team.
• Li Fei told Larry Johnson that he wanted Mr. Mashburn’s suffering to end sooner, making his teammates laugh.

Li Fei shut down the Heat’s pick-and-roll offense with three consecutive blocks, leaving the Knicks with a commanding lead. In the third quarter, he lunged for a loose ball and crashed into Angelina Jolie’s courtside seat, twisting to protect her from the impact.

• The Heat targeted Sabonis with Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning’s pick-and-roll, but Li Fei blocked Mourning’s alley-oop attempt.
• Li Fei pinned Hardaway’s layup against the backboard on the Heat’s next possession.
• Li Fei disrupted Mourning’s hook shot and collected the ball, completing three blocks in a row.
• With the game in garbage time, Li Fei stayed on the court and chased down a loose ball near the sideline.
• Li Fei twisted in midair and braced himself, but his back still struck Angelina Jolie and pushed her chair backward.

Li Fei protected Angelina Jolie from a fall during the Knicks’ season-opening win, and their courtside collision sparked nationwide romance rumors. After the Knicks crushed the Heat, Li Fei took Jolie to dinner, where she playfully suggested she would welcome more such “accidents.”

• Li Fei shielded Angelina Jolie from a courtside fall, and the crowd cheered as they checked that each other was unharmed.
• The Knicks defeated the Heat 118–95, with Li Fei scoring 52 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and recording 8 assists and 8 blocks.
• Reporters focused on Li Fei’s encounter with Jolie, and he insisted they were just friends after calling the collision an accident.
• News outlets and fans circulated a photograph of Li Fei protecting Jolie, and romance rumors overshadowed the NBA season’s opening.
• Li Fei apologized to Jolie over dinner, and she teased that she would welcome more accidents like it.

Li Fei led the Knicks to five straight wins while the Bulls also recovered from their opening loss and began a winning streak. After reconnecting over dinner, Li Fei and Angelina Jolie unexpectedly met again while shooting a Sony Cyber-shot advertisement.

• Angelina Jolie praised Li Fei's basketball performance over dinner, and the two discovered they shared similar ambitions and dedication to their careers.
• The Heat defeated the Pacers by 22 points, while the Knicks beat the Nets, Hawks, and Wizards to extend their season-opening streak to five wins.
• The Bulls won four straight games behind Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, setting up anticipation for another clash with the Knicks.
• Angelina Jolie arrived at a New York studio to shoot a Sony Cyber-shot advertisement and found Li Fei there as the campaign's other spokesperson.
• Li Fei and Jolie recognized each other and expressed surprise at their unexpected reunion.

Li Fei and Angelina Jolie filmed a Sony Cyber-shot advertisement together, and a scripted near-kiss turned into a real kiss. After filming, Jolie called the kiss work-related, but Li Fei followed her into her dressing room and silently faced her.

• Sony advertising director Martin saw Li Fei and Jolie together and decided to film them as an agent couple in one advertisement.
• Li Fei and Jolie acted out scenes evading pursuers, posing together with a Sony camera.
• During the final hotel-corridor scene, Li Fei kissed Jolie, and she kissed him back.
• Martin and the crew praised the take, and Li Fei and Jolie separated with flushed faces.
• After filming, Jolie said the kiss had been required for work, but Li Fei entered her dressing room and quietly looked at her.

After beginning a relationship with Jolie, Li Fei faced Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers on the road. He repeatedly blocked Miller’s shots and turned the blocks into thunderous dunks, leaving the Pacers’ arena stunned.

• Li Fei declared that being his girlfriend was Jolie’s most important job, and Jolie kissed him in response.
• Li Fei and the Knicks traveled to face Reggie Miller and the Pacers in Indiana.
• Miller boasted before the game that the Pacers would defend their home court against Li Fei.
• Li Fei opened the game by shooting over Miller, then blocked Miller’s three-point attempt and finished the fast break with a powerful dunk.
• Li Fei blocked Miller again after another off-ball cut and scored another thunderous fast-break dunk.

Li Fei dominated the Pacers, building a huge Knicks lead before Indiana mounted a late comeback. With the lead down to five, he returned to the game and shut down the rally with decisive blocks and dunks.

• Li Fei blocked Reggie Miller three times in a row and turned the stops into fast-break scores, including a poster dunk over Rik Smits.
• The Knicks finished the first quarter ahead 38:18 as Li Fei recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
• The Pacers kept the deficit near 20 while Li Fei rested, then fell 30 points behind after he returned in the third quarter.
• Larry Bird's small-ball lineup sparked a fourth-quarter comeback, and Reggie Miller's three straight three-pointers helped cut the Knicks' lead to five.
• Jeff Van Gundy sent Li Fei back in, and Li Fei scored through contact to push the lead back to eight.
• Li Fei blocked Miller, dunked on the ensuing fast break, then pinned Dale Davis's layup to end the Pacers' comeback bid.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 115–101 win over the Pacers, recording 54 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 blocks as New York extended its season-opening winning streak to six. After the game, Reggie Miller and Larry Bird admitted they had no answer for him and said stopping Li Fei would be a league-wide challenge.

• Li Fei overwhelmed the Pacers with 54 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 blocks as the Knicks won 115–101.
• TNT commentators Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton praised Li Fei's historic performance.
• Reggie Miller said Li Fei played in a different dimension and described trying to score against him as handing him blocks.
• Larry Bird admitted he had failed to find a way to beat Li Fei and called defending him a generational problem for the league.