Chapter Summaries

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 108:102 win over the Houston Rockets, finishing with 48 points, 16 rebounds, and a career-high 19 assists. After exchanging jerseys with Charles Barkley, Li Fei learned from his agent, David Falk, that talks with young LeBron about the Li Fei Brand were progressing well.

• Li Fei hit a pull-up jumper over Charles Barkley to put the Knicks ahead 105:100.
• Barkley made two free throws, then Li Fei drew Olajuram with a shot fake and passed to Sprewell for a layup and a foul; Sprewell made the free throw.
• Li Fei secured the rebound after Houston missed a desperate three-pointer, and the Knicks won 108:102.
• Li Fei and Barkley embraced and exchanged jerseys after the game.
• Li Fei praised Barkley at the press conference and promoted Li Fei Brand sneakers, while Barkley praised Li Fei in his own interview.
• David Falk texted Li Fei that Wall Street was excited by the game and that talks with young LeBron were progressing.

As the Knicks remained atop the Eastern Conference without the injured Arvydas Sabonis, team executives debated finding a younger long-term partner for Li Fei. Li Fei then rang the NASDAQ opening bell as his Li-Fly brand launched publicly, soaring to a $40 billion market capitalization within minutes.

• Ernie Grunfeld, Jeff Van Gundy, and Dave Checketts discussed Arvydas Sabonis’s recurring injuries and the need to plan for a younger interior partner for Li Fei.
• Grunfeld ended the meeting by deciding that the Knicks would maintain their current roster and focus on winning the championship.
• The Knicks kept the Eastern Conference’s top spot as Li Fei led the team through the regular season without Sabonis.
• Li Fei and David Falk rang the NASDAQ opening bell to launch Li-Fly under the stock ticker LIFLY.
• Li-Fly’s stock price surged after opening, pushing its market capitalization above $40 billion in less than ten minutes.
• Li Fei told the crowd that Li-Fly represented a spirit of challenging limits and pursuing excellence beyond basketball.

On the night of Li-Fly’s IPO celebration, Nike launched a labor-rights smear campaign against the brand. Li Fei ordered an immediate, aggressive response, leaving Falk to mobilize the company’s crisis plan.

• At Li-Fly’s IPO reception, David Falk’s assistant showed him a CNN report accusing a Southeast Asian contract factory of labor abuses.
• As the story spread across television and social media, Falk learned that Phil Knight had ordered Nike’s attack using former employees and cooperating media outlets.
• Falk told Li Fei about the campaign, and Li Fei rejected waiting to see how public opinion developed.
• Li Fei ordered SGS to conduct surprise factory audits with reporters present and livestream the process.
• Li Fei directed Falk to hold an online press conference and disclose Li-Fly’s labor standards, then arranged a TNT interview for himself.
• Li Fei ordered the legal team to prepare defamation lawsuits against the outlets and groups spreading the allegations.

Li Fei countered the sweatshop allegations with detailed labor-rights disclosures and a defiant television interview, turning the controversy into favorable publicity. LIFLY’s stock rebounded as Phil Knight realized his attack had failed.

• Li Fei ordered Falk to respond to the attack and vowed to fight Nike in business as he did on the court.
• Li-Fly released a detailed account of its global labor protections, an SGS preliminary audit report, and a lawyer’s letter targeting media outlets.
• Li Fei told Kevin Harlan the allegations were fabricated, defended Li-Fly’s labor standards and products, and announced an independent SGS investigation.
• LIFLY’s stock recovered after opening lower as investors and supporters rallied behind the company.
• Phil Knight watched Li Fei’s interview at Nike headquarters and admitted that his attack had failed.

Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Charles Barkley publicly defended Li-Fly and Li Fei against the sweatshop allegations, helping turn public opinion in the brand’s favor. Wall Street analysts praised Li-Fly’s crisis response, and its stock soared to a new record as its market value rose by billions of dollars.

• Kobe Bryant defended Li-Fly, citing Li Fei’s perfectionism and the care he showed in developing their shoes.
• Allen Iverson angrily rejected the allegations and said he believed in Li Fei and Li-Fly.
• Charles Barkley mocked the accusations and blamed rival companies for trying to undermine Li Fei.
• Kobe, Iverson, and Barkley’s statements strengthened public support for Li-Fly.
• Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and other investment banks issued favorable reports praising Li-Fly’s crisis management and raising its rating.
• Investors rushed to buy LIFLY shares, sending the stock past its previous high and adding billions of dollars to Li-Fly’s market value.

After Li Fei’s victory over Nike, he planned to expand Li-Fly into a sports technology ecosystem while the Knicks continued dominating the NBA regular season. As the season neared its end, David Falk met fifteen-year-old LeBron James, his agent Rich Paul, and his mother Gloria in Akron.

• Phil Knight realized he had lost the business battle against Li Fei and threw his cigar into an ashtray.
• Li Fei told David Falk that Li-Fly needed a deeper foundation and proposed a sports technology fund, research investments, and global flagship experience stores.
• The Knicks continued their winning streak under Li Fei and secured their place atop the Eastern Conference.
• The NBA’s contenders took shape, with the Knicks, Bulls, and Heat leading the East and the Lakers, Rockets, and Spurs battling in the West.
• As the regular season neared its end, David Falk met LeBron James, Rich Paul, and Gloria in an Akron high school gymnasium.

Li-Fly offered LeBron James a sweeping partnership, and he agreed to sign. Meanwhile, Phil Knight committed Nike to backing the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan against Li Fei’s New York Knicks in the playoffs, setting up a decisive showdown.

• Falk presented LeBron James and his family with Li-Fly’s ten-year endorsement and business-development offer.
• Falk relayed Li Fei’s message that a king should have his own empire, and LeBron agreed to sign.
• After Nike’s public-relations defeat, Phil Knight decided to challenge Li Fei on the basketball court.
• Phil Knight ordered Nike to give the Bulls and their players whatever support they needed to defeat the Knicks in the playoffs.
• Nike prepared to make Michael Jordan the centerpiece of its campaign against Li Fei.

Li Fei's Li-Fly brand surged in popularity across the United States, with blockbuster sales for its signature shoes. After reviewing the company's growth, Li Fei shifted his focus to leading the Knicks to consecutive championships and tying the brand's success to victory on the court.

• Crowds lined up at Li-Fly's New York flagship store to buy the Dynasty, The Answer, and Flying Pig shoes.
• Li-Fly's stores and authorized dealers across the United States saw booming sales as its commercial featuring Li Fei, Allen Iverson, and Charles Barkley played in stores.
• David Falk told Li Fei that quarterly sales had risen by 300 percent, the Dynasty had sold over five million pairs, and The Answer had sold over one million pairs in three weeks.
• David Falk revealed that Li-Fly had secretly signed LeBron and that analysts predicted the brand could challenge Adidas and Nike.
• Li Fei said he would devote his energy to preparing for the playoffs and aimed to lead the Knicks to back-to-back titles, then a third straight championship.

The 1998–1999 regular season ended with the Knicks atop the Eastern Conference and the playoff bracket setting them against the Philadelphia 76ers. On TNT’s playoff preview, analysts expected the top seeds to advance easily and singled out the Pacers-Hawks and Trail Blazers-Kings series as the closest matchups.

• The Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards in the final regular-season game, and the league released the standings and playoff bracket.
• The Knicks drew the 76ers in the first round, while the Eastern and Western Conference brackets laid out the remaining playoff matchups.
• Kevin Harlan, Bill Walton, and Marv Albert opened TNT’s playoff preview and identified the Knicks, Bulls, Heat, Spurs, Lakers, and Rockets as clear favorites to advance.
• Bill Walton predicted the Pacers-Hawks series could go seven games, and Marv Albert called the Trail Blazers-Kings matchup the most entertaining and unpredictable first-round series.

As the playoffs approached, analysts predicted the likely conference finalists and framed a Knicks-Bulls showdown between Li Fei and Michael Jordan as the central clash. The league released its regular-season leaders, confirming Li Fei’s overwhelming statistical dominance as the real playoff war loomed.

• Bill Walton predicted that the Eastern Conference would come down to the Knicks and Bulls, while favoring the Spurs in the West.
• Marv Albert and Kevin Harlan described the playoffs as a brutal contest among six star-packed teams, with the spotlight on Li Fei and Jordan.
• The league office announced the 1998-1999 regular-season statistical leaders, with Li Fei leading the league in scoring at 45.2 points per game and blocks at 5.2.
• Li Fei ranked second in rebounds and fourth in assists, placing him in the top four in all four major statistical categories.

The NBA playoffs opened with dominant wins by the Bulls, Heat, Lakers, and Rockets, followed by close victories for the Trail Blazers and Pacers and a Spurs win over the Timberwolves. The first round continued with the league’s top teams asserting themselves.

• Jordan and Malone led the Bulls past the Bucks 112–89 as Chicago smothered Milwaukee’s Three Musketeers.
• Mourning and the Heat defense held Grant Hill’s Pistons to a 85–72 loss in a low-scoring game.
• O’Neal scored 41 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as the Lakers crushed the Suns 120–101.
• Barkley, Pippen, and Olajuwon combined for 71 points in the Rockets’ 115–95 win over the Jazz.
• Rasheed Wallace made a clutch jumper and blocked Webber as the Trail Blazers edged the Kings 101–98, while the Pacers beat the Hawks 92–88.
• Duncan and Robinson shut down the Timberwolves’ interior, leading the Spurs to a 105–85 victory despite Garnett’s 28 points and 15 rebounds.

The Knicks and 76ers opened their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden in a heavily hyped matchup between Li Fei and Allen Iverson. Li Fei scored the game’s first basket by using Iverson’s signature crossover, leaving the contest poised for a fierce response.

• Iverson told reporters he respected Li Fei as his boss but intended to beat the Knicks on the court.
• Li Fei said he welcomed the chance to test Iverson, and the Knicks started their strongest lineup with Arvydas Sabonis returning from injury.
• Sabonis tipped the opening jump ball to Charlie Ward, who passed to Li Fei on the Knicks’ first possession.
• Li Fei crossed over Theo Ratliff, shook him off balance, and sank a jumper near the free-throw line for the opening basket.
• TNT commentators called Li Fei’s use of Iverson’s signature move a direct provocation.

Li Fei and Allen Iverson traded spectacular baskets as their rivalry intensified at Madison Square Garden. Li Fei answered Iverson’s taunt by drawing the defense and setting up Allan Houston, while the Knicks adjusted their defense for Iverson’s next attack.

• Li Fei scored with Iverson’s signature crossover, then ignored him as he returned on defense.
• Iverson broke past Larry Johnson with a crossover and evaded Sabonis with an up-and-under reverse layup to tie the score at 2–2.
• Iverson taunted Li Fei by making his listening gesture as the crowd roared.
• Li Fei backed down Theo Ratliff, drew Tyrone Hill’s help defense, and passed to Allan Houston for a corner jumper that put the Knicks ahead 4–2.
• Iverson tried to drive past Larry Johnson using a teammate’s screen, but the Knicks had changed their defensive strategy.

Li Fei dominated the first quarter against Allen Iverson, shutting down his drive before scoring a powerful fast-break dunk and later hitting a buzzer-beater. The Knicks led the 76ers 28–20 as Li Fei’s efficient all-around play contrasted with Iverson’s exhausting scoring effort.

• Li Fei switched onto Iverson, forced him into a missed floater, grabbed the rebound, and raced downcourt for a one-handed dunk over the empty paint.
• Iverson answered with a pull-up jumper and continued scoring through difficult drives and shots, including two and-ones.
• Li Fei passed out of a three-man double team to find Sprewell for an open three-pointer.
• With three seconds left in the first quarter, Li Fei hit a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer.
• The first quarter ended with the Knicks leading 28–20; Li Fei had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, while Iverson had scored 14 points.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a dominant win over the 76ers by directing a punishing defense against Allen Iverson and taking over in the third quarter. He finished with 48 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 blocks as the Knicks held a 20-point lead entering the fourth.

• Li Fei instructed Sprewell to pressure Iverson and told the Knicks to wear him down, then Sprewell repeatedly fouled Iverson as he drove to the basket.
• Li Fei scored efficiently in the second quarter, and the Knicks went into halftime ahead 55-44 as Iverson showed signs of fatigue.
• In the third quarter, Li Fei hit a deep three, stole a pass for an Allan Houston fast-break layup, blocked Iverson at the rim, and helped Houston score again during a 10-0 run.
• The Knicks ended the third quarter ahead 85-65, while Li Fei had 40 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks.
• Li Fei returned briefly in the fourth quarter and assisted Larry Johnson, reaching 48 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 blocks.

The Knicks defeated the 76ers 108–85 as Li Fei recorded 48 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against Allen Iverson’s 35 points. After the two stars exchanged respect, Li praised Iverson at the press conference, while Iverson vowed the 76ers would fight back in the next game.

• The Knicks beat the 76ers 108–85, and Li Fei finished with a 48-point triple-double while Iverson scored 35 points.
• Li Fei went to Iverson after the final buzzer, praised his performance, and advised him to manage his stamina across the series.
• Iverson accepted Li Fei’s challenge to meet again, and photographers captured their shoes together in an image that became iconic for the Li-Fly Derby.
• At the press conference, Li Fei called Iverson a true warrior and said the Knicks’ tough defense showed respect for him.
• Iverson acknowledged that Li Fei and the Knicks were better that night, then promised the 76ers would return for the next game.

After Li Fei’s playoff showdown with Allen Iverson sparked a nationwide sensation, Li-Fly launched a limited-edition shoe set that drove huge sales and raised the company’s valuation above $40 billion. The chapter ended with Li Fei telling David Falk to pay Iverson his share promptly.

• U.S. media celebrated Li Fei’s 48-15-10 performance and framed his game against Allen Iverson as both a sporting and commercial spectacle.
• Li-Fly announced the limited-edition “King vs. Answer” set, featuring new colorways for Li Fei and Iverson, and fans rushed to buy the shoes.
• The presale drew enormous demand, crashing Li-Fly’s website and generating more than $50 million in global sales within an hour.
• Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson told David Falk that the underwriting syndicate had raised Li-Fly’s offering price by 15%, lifting its valuation above $40 billion and recommending an earlier listing.
• Falk told Li Fei about the valuation and Iverson’s sales share, and Li Fei instructed him to send Iverson the money as soon as possible.

Li Fei urged David Falk to use their influence to help Allen Iverson get an All-Star teammate and greater exposure, envisioning a stronger Philadelphia 76ers team. Later, Li Fei invited Angelina Jolie to New York, where she replied with a first-class ticket showing she was already on her way.

• Li Fei told David Falk that Allen needed a strong teammate to support his career and protect Li-Fly's long-term brand value.
• Falk proposed targeting an All-Star player, and Li Fei ordered the scouting department to identify potential trade candidates.
• Li Fei said he would speak with David Stern after the season to pursue a partner for Allen and more national broadcasts and media exposure.
• In his Manhattan apartment, Li Fei received Angelina Jolie's call from Rome and invited her to come to New York.
• Jolie sent Li Fei a photo of her first-class ticket to New York, and he messaged her about the city view and her silhouette.

Angelina Jolie visited Li Fei in New York and asked to become the face of Li-Fly, but he explained that Monica Bellucci’s collection had to establish the brand first. Jolie accepted his reasoning, and the next morning Li Fei woke to sports media covering the first-round playoff games.

• Angelina Jolie arrived at Li Fei’s apartment, and they spent the night together.
• Jolie praised Li-Fly’s success after hearing the King vs. Answer set had earned fifty million dollars in one hour.
• Jolie suggested Li-Fly launch a Jolie Collection and pointed out that Monica Bellucci had already been signed.
• Li Fei explained that Bellucci’s collection was intended to establish Li-Fly’s image and open the European market, while promising Jolie a future opportunity.
• Jolie set aside her disappointment, and Li Fei woke the next morning as sports media previewed other first-round playoff games.

The NBA playoff first-round Game 2s saw the Bulls, Heat, Rockets, Lakers, Pacers, Spurs, and Knicks take 2:0 series leads, while the Kings tied their series with the Trail Blazers. Li Fei led the Knicks past the 76ers with a near quadruple-double, and Iverson left the loss determined to return stronger.

• Jordan and Malone led the Bulls to a 105:88 win over the Bucks, while Mourning's Heat defeated the Pistons 96:81.
• Olajuwon, Barkley, and Pippen powered the Rockets past the Jazz 110:95, and O'Neal and Bryant led the Lakers to a 115:101 win over the Suns.
• Webber's 31-point, 15-rebound performance led the Kings to a 101:92 win over the Trail Blazers, tying their series 1:1.
• Miller hit a clutch three-pointer to give the Pacers an 85:82 win over the Hawks, and Duncan and Robinson led the Spurs past the Timberwolves 99:85.
• Li Fei scored 44 points with 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and 8 blocks as the Knicks beat the 76ers 108:90 and took a 2:0 lead.
• Iverson watched Li Fei celebrate and left the court with a renewed determination to come back.