Chapter Summaries

The Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers and learned they would face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. On Inside the NBA, commentators predicted the Knicks and Bulls would advance, then discussed the Spurs–Trail Blazers matchup.

• The Bulls, Heat, Lakers, and Rockets completed first-round sweeps, and the Knicks beat the 76ers 115:102 as Li Fei averaged 45.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 11.0 assists, and 6.3 blocks in the series.
• The Spurs swept the Timberwolves, while the Hawks and Trail Blazers extended their series against the Pacers and Kings.
• Reggie Miller scored 35 points as the Pacers beat the Hawks 95:84 to advance 3:1, and the Trail Blazers eliminated the Kings 3:2.
• The finalized second-round matchups included the Knicks against their old rival, the Pacers led by Reggie Miller.
• On Inside the NBA, Marv Albert and Bill Walton predicted the Knicks would beat the Pacers and the Bulls would defeat the Heat.
• Bill Walton predicted the Spurs would beat the Trail Blazers, citing San Antonio’s Twin Towers and discipline.

The NBA announced several regular-season awards as Li Fei led three statistical categories and the Knicks claimed Coach of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. After Iverson reflected on the Knicks’ sweep of Philadelphia, the second round began with Chicago crushing Miami in Game 1.

• Li Fei led the league in scoring, blocks, and steals, while Chris Webber led in rebounds and Jason Kidd in assists.
• Kobe Bryant won Most Improved Player, Jeff Van Gundy won Coach of the Year, and Latrell Sprewell won Sixth Man of the Year.
• Li Fei Brand sold out Allen Iverson’s signature shoe, The Answer, and announced plans for The Answer II; Iverson accepted the Knicks’ sweep and vowed to improve.
• The Bulls opened their second-round series against the Heat by winning 110–85, led by Michael Jordan’s offense and Karl Malone’s interior play.

The Rockets beat the Lakers in overtime, while the Spurs opened their series against the Trail Blazers with a decisive win. Li Fei reflected on how much the Western Conference had changed, and the league's attention shifted to Madison Square Garden.

• Jordan and Malone led the Bulls past Mourning and the Heat, while the Rockets defeated the Lakers 115–110 in overtime behind Olajuwon's clutch shots and Pippen's key steal and assist.
• Li Fei watched the game replays and considered how Kobe's early rise and the Rockets' veteran trio had made the Western Conference playoff picture unpredictable.
• The Spurs controlled the Trail Blazers from the opening minutes and won 98–79, led by Duncan's 28 points and 15 rebounds.
• Li Fei was unsurprised by the Spurs' win, noting that their core roster and defense remained strong despite changes to the timeline.
• The league's attention turned to Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks faced the Pacers as Reggie Miller taunted Li Fei ahead of their playoff game. Li Fei scored on the opening possession, and Miller rose for a shot just as a large shadow closed in behind him.

• Reggie Miller mocked the Knicks and vowed to defeat Li Fei during a pregame interview.
• Li Fei emerged to a loud MVP chant as the Knicks and Pacers announced their starting lineups.
• Arvydas Sabonis won the opening tip for the Knicks against Rik Smits.
• Li Fei shook off Miller, drove past help defender Dale Davis, and dunked to give the Knicks a 2–0 lead.
• Mark Jackson found Reggie Miller off a screen, and Miller shot as a massive shadow descended behind him.

The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Indiana Pacers in Game 1, led by Li Fei’s dominant performance against Reggie Miller and Rik Smits. After the loss, Miller stayed late to practice, determined to reclaim his dignity in the next game.

• Li Fei blocked all five of Reggie Miller’s first-quarter shots, while Sabonis dominated Rik Smits in the paint.
• The Pacers cut New York’s lead to twelve points late in the fourth quarter, but Li Fei scored, hit a jumper, and assisted Larry Johnson to restore a twenty-point lead.
• The Knicks defeated the Pacers 125–101 as Li Fei recorded 44 points, 16 rebounds, 10 blocks, and 8 assists, while Miller scored 9 points.
• Miller slammed his fist into a locker after the game, injuring his knuckles as his teammates watched in silence.
• After sports media focused on a possible Knicks–Bulls Eastern Conference Finals, Miller practiced alone late into the night, determined to recover his lost dignity.

The Bulls routed the Heat to take a 2:0 series lead, while the Lakers beat the Rockets in overtime to tie their series 1:1. At Li Fei Brand headquarters, David Falk and the executives responded to the Lakers-Rockets games’ surging popularity by planning a major advertising push for Kobe Bryant’s and Charles Barkley’s shoes.

• The Bulls defeated the Heat 105:82 as Michael Jordan and Karl Malone led Chicago to a 2:0 series lead.
• Kobe Bryant hit a buzzer-beating jumper against Scottie Pippen, but Charles Barkley’s last-second putback sent the Lakers-Rockets game to overtime.
• The Lakers beat the Rockets 128:124 in overtime, with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe leading Los Angeles to tie the series at 1:1.
• Bill Walton and Marv Albert praised the Lakers-Rockets series as a thrilling ratings success.
• David Falk told Li Fei Brand executives that online orders for Mamba I and Flying Pig III had risen by more than 300% after Game 2.
• Falk and the executives agreed to increase sports-media advertising and make new commercials featuring Kobe and Barkley.

Li Fei reunited with Monica Bellucci at his Long Island villa, where they spent the evening together and discussed expanding the Li Fei Brand into high fashion. The chapter ended with Li Fei agreeing to Monica’s plan for a New York Fashion Week show before they resumed their intimacy.

• Monica Bellucci visited Li Fei and teased him about the media attention surrounding him and Angelina Jolie.
• Monica cooked dinner for Li Fei, and they shared a meal before becoming intimate.
• Monica told Li Fei that the basketball line’s success had boosted sales of the fashion line she endorsed by more than thirty percent.
• Monica proposed that the Li Fei Brand hold an independent show during New York Fashion Week to raise its standing in fashion.
• Li Fei approved the idea and told Monica to discuss the plan with Falk.
• Monica offered Li Fei a playful reward, and they became intimate again.

The Knicks routed the Pacers in Game 2 to take a 2:0 series lead, while Li Fei prepared to travel to Indianapolis after spending a jealous, intimate evening with Monica Bellucci. Elsewhere, the Heat and Trail Blazers each won Game 3 at home, cutting their series deficits to 1:2.

• Li Fei blocked Reggie Miller again as the Knicks overwhelmed the Pacers 130:95, with Li Fei recording 33 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 5 assists in 28 minutes.
• Monica Bellucci helped Li Fei pack for the road trip, warned him to stay away from Angelina Jolie, and spent the night with him before his departure.
• The Knicks boarded a chartered plane to Indianapolis while Li Fei thought about the other playoff series.
• Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway led the Heat to a 101:92 win over the Bulls, reducing Chicago's series lead to 2:1.
• The Trail Blazers beat the Spurs 99:88 behind balanced team scoring, cutting San Antonio's series lead to 2:1.

The Knicks arrived in Indianapolis to hostile Pacers fans, then endured a night of staged roadwork outside their hotel meant to keep them from sleeping. Li Fei stayed calm and managed to rest, while his exhausted teammates gathered for breakfast before the game.

• Li Fei and the Knicks arrived at Indianapolis International Airport, where Pacers fans hurled insults at them, especially Li Fei.
• Coach Van Gundy told the team to ignore the fans and focus on the game.
• Pacers supporters arranged overnight roadwork and flashing fire truck lights outside the Knicks' hotel to disrupt their sleep.
• Li Fei recognized the scheme, then used his mental control to block out the noise and rest.
• The next morning, Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Larry Johnson complained that the disturbance had left the team exhausted.

Li Fei rallied the Knicks after Indiana fans used disruptive tactics, while media reports exposed a city official’s role and inflamed the rivalry between New York and Indiana. At Conseco Fieldhouse, the Knicks prepared for Game 3 with Li Fei unexpectedly starting at power forward.

• Li Fei told his teammates that Indiana’s airport and hotel harassment showed the Pacers feared facing them on the court, restoring the Knicks’ fighting spirit.
• NBC Sports and TNT criticized Indiana’s tactics, and Woj reported that a Pacers season-ticket holder in Indianapolis government had approved the midnight construction permit.
• New York fans erupted over the revelation, and online battles between Knicks and Pacers fans intensified the teams’ long-standing rivalry.
• Conseco Fieldhouse filled with cheering and booing fans as the Pacers kept their usual starting lineup of Rik Smits, Dale Davis, Jalen Rose, Reggie Miller, and Mark Jackson.
• Coach Van Gundy moved Li Fei to power forward in the Knicks’ starting lineup alongside Arvydas Sabonis, Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Larry Johnson.

Li Fei dominated inside and led the Knicks back from a late deficit to beat the Pacers 98–96, taking a 3–0 series lead. The Knicks left Indiana one win away from advancing, with Li Fei praised for his decisive performance.

• Coach Van Gundy started Li Fei at power forward alongside Sabonis as the Knicks struggled with their shooting against the Pacers.
• Li Fei and Sabonis relied on their size to keep the Knicks close, and New York trailed 48–52 at halftime.
• In the fourth quarter, Li Fei blocked Reggie Miller’s layup, then set up Allan Houston for a three-pointer and Latrell Sprewell for two tying free throws.
• With 24 seconds left, Li Fei switched onto Miller and blocked his game-winning shot before sending a long pass to Sprewell for a buzzer-beating layup.
• The Knicks defeated the Pacers 98–96, took a 3–0 series lead, and Li Fei finished with 52 points, 24 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 6 assists.

After Li Fei led the Knicks to a 3–0 series lead with a dominant performance, he told reporters, “The job is not finished,” and the phrase spread widely among fans. The chapter ended as Inside the NBA began a panel discussion about the game and the Knicks’ tactical versatility.

• Larry Bird said the Pacers would keep fighting despite falling behind 0–3.
• Reggie Miller said Li Fei’s height and wingspan had made his blocked potential game-winner impossible to solve.
• Li Fei told reporters the Knicks had only one goal: win the next game.
• Fans embraced “The job is not finished” as a motto, spreading it across forums, social media, posters, and memes.
• Kevin Harlan, Bill Walton, and Marv Albert began discussing Li Fei’s performance and the Knicks’ tactical versatility on Inside the NBA.

TNT commentators praised Li Fei’s return to power forward and debated whether he could dominate all five positions, while fans concluded the Knicks were nearly impossible to defend. As the Spurs took a 3–0 lead over the Trail Blazers, Li Fei recognized them as a major threat to the Knicks’ title defense.

• Marv Albert, Bill Walton, and Harlan discussed how Li Fei’s power-forward play had disrupted the Pacers and recalled his success at center and small forward.
• Walton speculated that Li Fei could become the best player at all five positions after seeing him organize the offense and block Reggie Miller.
• Fans debated defensive plans for the Knicks’ different lineups and concluded that the team was nearly impossible to stop.
• The Spurs took a 3–0 lead over the Trail Blazers as Duncan and Robinson dominated on both ends of the floor.
• Li Fei watched coverage of the Spurs and recognized them as one of the Knicks’ toughest potential opponents.

The Bulls and Rockets won to strengthen their playoff positions, while the Rockets-Lakers series reached a tied 2:2 amid escalating player taunts. The Knicks crushed the Pacers 125:82 in Game 4, completing a 4:0 sweep and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Michael Jordan and Karl Malone led the Bulls to a 105:88 win over the Heat, giving Chicago a 3:1 series lead.
• Charles Barkley, Olajuwon, and Pippen powered the Rockets past the Lakers 112:101, tying their series at 2:2.
• O'Neal, Barkley, Kobe Bryant, Pippen, and Olajuwon exchanged sharp insults ahead of the decisive Game 5.
• Li Fei dominated the Pacers in the paint as the Knicks built a lead of more than 40 points.
• The Knicks defeated the Pacers 125:82, sweeping the series 4:0 and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks swept the Pacers behind Li Fei’s dominant performance, while the Spurs also swept their series to reach the Western Conference Finals. After Li Fei earned spots on the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams, TNT commentators debated how much he had elevated the Knicks’ defense.

• The Knicks defeated the Pacers by 43 points to complete a 4-0 sweep, with Li Fei posting 44 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 blocks in three quarters.
• TNT commentators praised Li Fei’s record-setting series averages and his ability to dominate both the perimeter and the paint.
• The Spurs swept the Trail Blazers 4-0 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
• The NBA announced its All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams, selecting Li Fei to both First Teams and Sabonis to the All-NBA Third Team.
• On Inside the NBA, Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton discussed the Knicks’ lack of defensive selections beyond Li Fei and argued that he had raised the whole team’s defense to a historic level.

After the Bulls eliminated the Heat, Michael Jordan rallied his team for an Eastern Conference Finals rematch against Li Fei and the Knicks. The Bulls left for Chicago determined to challenge the Knicks, while Karl Malone overcame his fear of facing Li Fei again.

• Walton and Kevin Harlan credited Li Fei with transforming the Knicks' defense into a league-best system.
• Jordan and Malone led the Bulls to a 98–85 win over the Heat, completing a 4–1 series victory.
• Jordan declared that he wanted revenge against the Knicks, setting up another Eastern Conference Finals clash with Li Fei.
• On the flight to Chicago, Malone worried that Li Fei's return to power forward would leave him facing his longtime tormentor again.
• Jordan urged his teammates to defend Li Fei together and trust their own experience and toughness.
• Malone regained his resolve as Jordan reaffirmed his determination to hold onto basketball's throne.

After the Knicks eliminated the Pacers, Indiana fans harassed the team at the airport while New York fans welcomed Li Fei and his teammates as heroes, fueling a rivalry between the cities. The chapter then shifted to Game 5 between the Rockets and Lakers, where Shaquille O'Neal battled Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley before the narration turned to Kobe Bryant's rapid growth.

• Indiana fans blocked the Knicks' bus at Indianapolis International Airport, hurling insults and objects at the team and especially Li Fei.
• Allan Houston remarked on the fans' reaction, Latrell Sprewell mocked them with the series score, and Li Fei rested without responding.
• Thousands of New York fans greeted Li Fei and the Knicks at JFK Airport, while sports outlets and online fans amplified the conflict between the two cities.
• The Spurs swept the Timberwolves and awaited the winner of the Rockets-Lakers series as Game 5 began in Houston.
• Shaquille O'Neal scored over Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, while Olajuwon and Barkley answered with post moves and offensive rebounds.
• The Rockets double-teamed O'Neal and relied on their interior strength, but they underestimated Kobe Bryant's rapid development.

The Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 110:106 in Game 5, with Kobe Bryant’s scoring overcoming Houston’s defense and giving Los Angeles match point. As the Rockets vowed to fight back in the next game, Li Fei spent a quiet afternoon in New York with Monica Bellucci.

• Kobe Bryant scored a late fadeaway over Scottie Pippen to put the Lakers ahead, and Los Angeles won Game 5 by 110:106.
• Kobe led the Lakers with 31 points while Shaquille O’Neal added 26 points and 15 rebounds; Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Pippen led Houston’s effort.
• Barkley angrily lamented Houston’s loss at the press conference, while O’Neal celebrated and Kobe stressed that the series was not over.
• Tomjanovich told Pippen that Kobe’s shooting had been the key problem, and Pippen, Barkley, and Olajuwon rallied their teammates to fight for a road win.
• Li Fei walked along Fifth Avenue with Monica Bellucci, enjoying a rare afternoon without training.

Li Fei and Monica Bellucci grew closer before Li Fei trained for the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Houston Rockets beat the Lakers in Game 6 to force a deciding game. The story left the Western series tied, with Kobe Bryant vowing to make amends in Game 7.

• Li Fei and Monica watched Malèna in a private screening room and kissed as their relationship grew more intimate.
• Li Fei trained at the Knicks' facility, where Monica joined him and he showed her how to shoot before they kissed again.
• The Rockets battled the Lakers in Los Angeles, and Scottie Pippen's defense held Kobe Bryant to 5-for-21 shooting as Houston won 95–88.
• Olajuwon scored 28 points and Barkley added 20 points and 18 rebounds as the Rockets forced Game 7.
• Kobe blamed himself for the loss and promised to make it right in Game 7, while Barkley and Olajuwon celebrated the Rockets' chance to advance.

The Lakers defeated the Rockets in Game 7 to reach the Western Conference Finals, while Pippen and Barkley were left to face another playoff defeat. The conference finals matchups were set, and TNT commentators debated the Knicks-Bulls series, with both predicting a Knicks victory.

• Kobe played more patiently in Game 7, scored 32 points, and led the Lakers to a 102–94 win over the Rockets.
• O'Neal lifted Kobe in celebration as Barkley watched angrily and Pippen walked off the court after Houston's elimination.
• The conference finals matchups were set as the Spurs faced the Lakers and the Knicks faced the Bulls.
• Marv Albert predicted the Knicks would beat the Bulls in six games, citing their youth and versatility.
• Bill Walton predicted the Knicks would sweep the Bulls and said Li Fei would end Jordan's era.