Chapter Summaries

TNT commentators debated how NBA teams could defend Li Fei, concluding that no solution to the “Lee Conjecture” existed yet. The next day, Li Fei met Angelina Jolie for lunch, where they discussed their Sony partnership and a proposed PlayStation advertisement.

• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton debated defensive strategies for containing Li Fei and identified flaws in each approach.
• Marv Albert concluded that the “Lee Conjecture” had no solution, and the term spread through North American sports discussions.
• Li Fei finished recovery training, returned to his apartment, and drove to Le Bernardin to meet Angelina Jolie.
• Jolie congratulated Li Fei on his performance and discussed the media attention surrounding the “Lee Conjecture.”
• Li Fei told Jolie that Sony had sent David a PlayStation advertising proposal and wanted them to appear together in the shoot.

Li Fei shared a provocative dinner with Julie before leading a meeting to sign Kobe Bryant and make his signature shoe the centerpiece of Li Fei Brand’s expansion. He approved paying Adidas an $8 million penalty and left his executives preparing for a fierce battle ahead of the company’s planned public offering.

• Julie teased Li Fei during dinner, and the two passionately kissed after he confronted her about playing with fire.
• At Li Fei Brand’s Manhattan headquarters, David Falk and the executives reviewed a proposed endorsement deal for Kobe Bryant, who was still under contract with Adidas.
• The marketing director argued that Kobe’s rising performance and competitive drive made him an ideal spokesperson, while the legal chief warned that signing him would cost $8 million in penalties.
• Li Fei declared that Kobe and a first-generation Black Mamba shoe could help the brand break away from Nike and Adidas and challenge Michael Jordan’s AJ line.
• Li Fei ordered David Falk to prepare an offer covering the penalty, exceeding Adidas’s endorsement fee, and including a share of signature-shoe sales.

Kobe Bryant accepted Li Fei Brand’s lucrative offer and left Adidas to launch the Black Mamba signature line, escalating Li Fei’s battle with rival sports brands. With the deal announced, Li Fei returned his attention to the Knicks, who were preparing to face the Atlanta Hawks and Dikembe Mutombo.

• Kobe Bryant received Li Fei’s contract, including the $8 million Adidas buyout and a share of signature-shoe sales, and agreed to join Air Lee.
• Kobe told Li Fei he would help build the brand but would still aim to beat him on the court, and Li Fei promised not to go easy on him.
• Three days later, David Falk announced Kobe’s signing and the upcoming Black Mamba I shoe, prompting widespread media coverage and fan excitement.
• Kobe posted a training photo after the announcement and said he would let his performances answer the news.
• Li Fei returned his focus to the Knicks as they prepared to host the Atlanta Hawks, led by Dikembe Mutombo.

The Knicks faced the Hawks as Li Fei controlled the offense from small forward, but Sabonis injured his right ankle and could not continue. With no suitable backup center, Li Fei moved to center to face Dikembe Mutombo, setting up the showdown the commentators had anticipated.

• Li Fei scored and created chances for his teammates as the Knicks' offense overwhelmed Atlanta's defense.
• Sabonis fell while contesting a rebound and injured his right ankle, forcing him to leave the game.
• Jeff Van Gundy chose to move Li Fei to center because the Knicks lacked another suitable replacement.
• Lenny Wilkens urged Mutombo to seize the chance to prove himself against Li Fei.
• Li Fei returned to the court at center, and the commentators announced his matchup with Mutombo.

Li Fei dominated Dikembe Mutombo in the paint, scoring over him and swatting away three consecutive shots. Mutombo’s confidence collapsed as the Knicks took possession.

• Mutombo tried to back Li Fei down, but Li Fei overpowered him, stole the pass, and finished a coast-to-coast fast break with a Tomahawk Dunk.
• Li Fei used a fadeaway jumper to score over Mutombo, then shook his finger at him and drew a roaring reaction from Madison Square Garden.
• On the next Hawks possession, Li Fei blocked Mutombo’s turnaround hook shot without jumping.
• Mutombo recovered the ball and tried to score twice more, but Li Fei blocked both attempts and gave the Knicks possession.

Li Fei dominated the Hawks after returning to center, leading the Knicks to a 118–92 win with a near quadruple-double and overwhelming Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo vowed to use the loss as motivation, while a postgame panel argued that Li Fei could become the greatest player at center, power forward, and small forward.

• Li Fei wagged his finger at Mutombo after blocking him, then continued scoring as Mutombo avoided confronting him.
• The Knicks defeated the Hawks 118–92, with Li Fei recording 48 points, 28 rebounds, 9 assists, 8 blocks, and 3 steals.
• Mutombo admitted Li Fei had outplayed him and vowed to grow stronger and challenge him again.
• Ernie Johnson hosted an emergency Inside the NBA discussion about Li Fei’s performance and ability to dominate at multiple positions.
• Bill Walton predicted that Li Fei could be remembered as the greatest center, power forward, and small forward in NBA history.

After Bill Walton claimed Li Fei could become the greatest player at all five positions, fans and media debated his versatility. Sabonis’s ankle injury would keep him out for four to six weeks, and Li Fei reassured him that he could take over at center while he recovered.

• Bill Walton argued that Li Fei’s skills and physical abilities could make him the best player in history at every position.
• Sports media spread Walton’s claim, and fans debated whether Li Fei could dominate at all five positions.
• The Knicks announced that Sabonis had a moderate right ankle sprain and was expected to miss four to six weeks.
• Li Fei visited Sabonis in the hospital and told him not to worry about the team or feel guilty about his injury.
• Li Fei assured Sabonis that he could return to playing center and handle the Knicks’ needs while Sabonis recovered.

After Sabonis suffered an ankle sprain and minor ligament tear, Li Fei stayed calm amid concerns over how his absence would affect the Knicks. He took Angelina Jolie to a private spa to unwind, where they settled in to relax and play chess.

• Li Fei spoke with the team doctor, who diagnosed Sabonis with a moderate right ankle sprain and a minor ligament tear, ruling him out until at least after the All-Star break.
• Knicks fans worried that Sabonis's injury would disrupt the team's offense and force Li Fei back to center, though many trusted Li Fei to keep the team strong.
• Li Fei declined media interviews and called Angelina Jolie to meet him at a private cinema in Manhattan.
• Li Fei and Jolie watched Pulp Fiction, then he took her to the Oasis Spa and led her into a private VIP room.
• After bathing and relaxing in the spa, Li Fei brought out a chess set at Jolie's request.

After winning a private chess match with Julie, Li Fei kissed her and later led the Knicks to three straight wins after returning to center. Meanwhile, Jordan’s Bulls also built a winning streak, setting up a growing threat behind the Knicks in the Eastern Conference.

• Julie checkmated Li Fei at chess, and the two kissed and embraced in the bathhouse.
• With Sabonis injured, Van Gundy moved Li Fei to center and put Sprewell in the starting lineup.
• Li Fei led the Knicks past the Warriors 118:95 with 38 points, 21 rebounds, 8 assists, and 7 blocks.
• The Knicks crushed the Clippers 125:99 as Li Fei scored 33 points and Sprewell added 24.
• Li Fei dominated the SuperSonics late, securing a 105:98 Knicks victory and their third straight win.
• Jordan’s Bulls beat the Hornets, Hawks, and Heat, with Jordan and Karl Malone leading their surge.

The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers strengthened their championship ambitions as the shortened season’s contenders took shape. The chapter ended with the four leading teams preparing to challenge the Knicks and Li Fei.

• Phil Jackson moved Ron Harper and Sam Cassell into the Bulls’ starting lineup, helping Chicago improve to 9-1.
• Michael Jordan rallied the Bulls and secured Karl Malone and Clyde Drexler’s commitment to pursue the championship together.
• The Houston Rockets’ Big Three of Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Hakeem Olajuwon began the season 9-1 and set their sights on the Knicks.
• Kobe Bryant urged the Lakers to give everything in practice and games, while Shaquille O’Neal backed his determination.
• The Knicks, Bulls, Rockets, and Lakers emerged as the leading championship contenders, all facing Li Fei and the Knicks as their ultimate challenge.

Li Fei dominated January after returning to center, while Kobe Bryant emerged as the Lakers’ leading force and earned Western Conference Player of the Month. Impressed by Kobe’s rapid rise, Li Fei ordered David Falk to accelerate the Kobe-One launch, aiming to get the shoes into stores within a month.

• Li Fei averaged 50.1 points, 18.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 6.1 blocks in January and won Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
• Kobe Bryant averaged 31.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals, earning Western Conference Player of the Month as he carried the Lakers.
• TNT’s panel debated Li Fei’s historic dominance and Kobe’s rise, with Bill Walton criticizing Shaq for his lack of discipline.
• Li Fei watched the discussion at the Knicks’ training facility and called David Falk about Kobe’s signature shoe.
• Li Fei instructed Falk to accelerate production and launch the Kobe-One within a month, and Falk agreed.

Li Fei learned that Sabonis had recovered and would return for the Knicks’ February 15 game against the Lakers, allowing Li Fei to move back to small forward. Kobe welcomed the chance to face him, while Soar accelerated production of Kobe’s signature shoes.

• Li Fei congratulated Kobe on winning Western Conference Player of the Month and told him his first-generation signature shoe would go on sale within a month.
• Team doctor Fink told Van Gundy and Li Fei that Sabonis had recovered and was cleared to return against the Lakers on February 15.
• News of Sabonis’s return spread, with media anticipating a matchup between Li Fei and Kobe.
• O'Neal celebrated that Li Fei would no longer play center against him, but Kobe eagerly accepted the coming challenge.
• Soar made the Kobe-One project its top priority and continued expanding its shoe lines and stores.

Li Fei and David Falk agreed to delay the IPO until Kobe-One had sales data to strengthen the brand’s valuation. As the Knicks prepared to face the Lakers, Kobe’s focus made a striking impression before the teams’ first matchup of the season.

• Li Fei learned from David Falk that the IPO preparations were complete, and they agreed to wait for Kobe-One’s launch and sales results before going public.
• The Knicks reached a 23–2 record while the Lakers stood at 20–5, setting up their first meeting of the season on February 15 at Madison Square Garden.
• TNT analysts debated the matchup, with Marv Albert favoring the Knicks by a narrow margin and Bill Walton predicting a decisive Knicks win.
• At Los Angeles International Airport, Sabonis said he would pass the ball to number 23 and let Li Fei handle the Lakers.
• At Staples Center, Kobe calmly shoved aside Bailey the Lion’s mascot when it tried to startle him, and cameras captured his intense focus.

Before the Knicks-Lakers game at Staples Center, Kobe declared his determination to challenge Li Fei, while Li answered calmly and teased Shaquille O'Neal. At Soar headquarters, David Falk and his executives prepared to turn the matchup into a marketing campaign for Kobe-One and Air Li.

• Bailey the Lion startled Shaquille O'Neal in the players' tunnel, and O'Neal chased the mascot while staff laughed.
• Kobe told reporters he had spent his career preparing to face Li Fei and would challenge him on the biggest stage.
• O'Neal theatrically lamented missing a matchup with Li Fei, though he was relieved to face Sabonis instead.
• Li Fei respected Kobe's ambition and joked that O'Neal might regret meeting him in the low post during the second half.
• At Soar headquarters, David Falk directed executives to promote the game as a brand showdown and prepare Kobe-One sales campaigns around Kobe's performance.

Li Fei opened the game by stealing the tip-off from Kobe, then scored over him and wagged his finger in Staples Center. Kobe silently picked up the ball, preparing to answer as the game continued.

• O'Neal tipped the ball toward Kobe, but Li Fei reached over and stole it to claim the first possession.
• Li Fei pushed the ball upcourt, stopped beyond the three-point line, and challenged Kobe in isolation.
• Li Fei crossed over and shoved past Kobe, creating space for a mid-range jumper.
• Li Fei made the shot and wagged his finger at Kobe, declaring that Kobe would not take the throne today.
• Kobe picked up the ball in silence, visibly fired up to respond.

Kobe Bryant challenged Li Fei one-on-one, scoring after Li Fei blocked his first layup and the rebound bounced back to him. Li Fei answered by overpowering Kobe for a clean shot, putting the Knicks ahead 4:2.

• Kobe waved off O'Neal's screen and drove past Li Fei with a crossover before attempting an up-and-under layup.
• Li Fei chased Kobe down and blocked his shot, but the ball bounced off the backboard into Kobe's hands, and Kobe scored with a reverse layup to tie the game 2:2.
• Kobe insisted that Sabonis stay out of the matchup and defended Li Fei one-on-one.
• Li Fei drove through Kobe's resistance and made a high-release shot to give the Knicks a 4:2 lead.

Li Fei and Kobe’s fiery matchup became a showcase for the Soar brand, as David Falk and NBA Commissioner David Stern recognized the rivalry’s potential. The chapter left Kobe preparing to attack again as a long-running battle between the two players and their shoe lines began.

• Li Fei scored against Kobe, wagged his finger at him, and taunted him, prompting Kobe to threaten him.
• Bill Walton celebrated the tension between Li Fei and Kobe as an exciting individual showdown.
• At Li Fei brand headquarters, executives planned to promote their matchup and develop a Kobe-One Challenger colorway.
• David Falk told David Stern that Li Fei had predicted Kobe would become one of his strongest Finals opponents.
• Falk and Stern agreed that the rivalry could make Soar the leading brand regardless of who ruled the league.
• Kobe received the ball again, his anger intensifying as the game continued.

Li Fei dominated Kobe in the first quarter, but O'Neal led the Lakers back to a halftime tie while Li Fei rested. The teams entered the third quarter level, with the Knicks' trademark surge still looming.

• Li Fei blocked Kobe's step-back jumper, then took Larry Johnson's long pass and finished a fast-break tomahawk dunk as the Knicks ended the first quarter ahead 32:29.
• Li Fei finished the quarter with 20 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while Kobe scored 10 points on poor shooting against Li Fei's defense.
• With Li Fei resting in the second quarter, O'Neal used speed and footwork to score repeatedly against Sabonis and help the Lakers erase the deficit.
• O'Neal scored 14 points in the second quarter, and the teams entered halftime tied 58:58.
• The Silver Fox rallied the Lakers in the locker room, while Marv Albert warned that the Knicks might unleash their third-quarter surge.

Kobe’s scoring barrage kept the Lakers within two points after the Knicks’ third-quarter run, but Li Fei took control in the fourth and helped stretch the Knicks’ lead to twelve. After a Lakers turnover, Sprewell stole the ball, leaving the Lakers in deep trouble.

• Li Fei assisted Allan Houston and Larry Johnson, then scored against Kobe as the Knicks opened the third quarter with a 6–0 run.
• Kobe answered with three consecutive difficult shots, scoring 18 points in the third quarter as the Lakers cut the deficit to two.
• Van Gundy kept Li Fei on the floor for the entire fourth quarter, and Li Fei scored an and-one over O’Neal.
• Li Fei grabbed a rebound and made a mid-range jumper, then passed to Allan Houston for a corner three that put the Knicks up twelve.
• After a timeout, the Lakers turned the ball over, and Sprewell stole it.

The Knicks defeated the Lakers 128–110 after Li Fei led a decisive late scoring run and finished with 66 points. After the game, Li Fei wagged his finger at Kobe and told him to use the humiliation of the loss as motivation.

• Li Fei fueled a 15–3 Knicks run with scoring, an assist, a fast-break dunk, and a forced turnover, putting the game out of reach.
• The Knicks beat the Lakers 128–110, with Li Fei recording 66 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks while Kobe scored 48.
• Li Fei found Kobe after the game and silently wagged his finger at him in front of the arena crowd.
• Kobe vowed that Li Fei would not be so lucky next time, but Li Fei dismissed luck and urged him to turn his frustration into fuel.