Chapter Summaries

Li Fei’s fifth consecutive MVP and DPOY wins were celebrated as proof of his unprecedented dominance on both ends of the court, sending demand for his signature shoes soaring. David Falk proposed creating separate offensive and defensive flagship shoe lines, and Li Fei listened as Falk outlined the concepts.

• Walton, Marv Albert, and Harlan discussed Li Fei’s five consecutive MVP and DPOY awards and compared his records with those of Russell, Chamberlain, Bird, and Rodman.
• Fans rushed Li Fei Brand stores after the awards announcement, and the Knicks colorway of the General IV sold out within hours.
• David Falk called Li Fei and proposed splitting the General series’ all-around concept into parallel offensive and defensive shoe lines.
• Falk described the aggressive, lightweight “Spear” line and the protective, stable “Shield” line to Li Fei.

Li Fei and David discussed future shoe concepts before the NBA Finals opened at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks and Spurs prepared to face off. The chapter ended as Li Fei entered to a deafening MVP chant, just before tip-off.

• David presented the Yin & Yang shoe concept, with an explosive Yang line for offense and a stable Yin line for defense.
• Li Fei praised the idea but said they would refine their options and choose a concept after winning their third trophy.
• The NBA Finals began at Madison Square Garden, where fans booed the Spurs and chanted MVP for Li Fei during the teams' introductions.
• The Knicks' starters, including Larry Johnson, Allan Houston, Arvydas Sabonis, Donyell Marshall, and Li Fei, were introduced to a roaring home crowd.
• Li Fei walked to center court, raised his hand, and received thunderous MVP chants as the game was about to begin.

Li Fei faced the Spurs’ twin-tower defense in the opening possessions of the Finals, creating a shot for Donyell Marshall and then shutting down Tim Duncan. The Knicks took possession again after Li Fei’s help defense forced a shot-clock violation.

• Sabonis tipped the opening jump ball to the Knicks, and Allan Houston brought it up before feeding Li Fei in the low post.
• David Robinson and Tim Duncan double-teamed Li Fei, who slipped a pass to Donyell Marshall for an open shot that missed.
• Li Fei charged toward the basket as Marshall’s shot came off the rim, while Gregg Popovich concluded the Spurs’ plan to contain him was working.
• Avery Johnson directed a patient Spurs possession and passed the ball to Duncan in the low post.
• Li Fei rotated over to trap Duncan, forcing him to give up the ball as the shot clock expired.
• The crowd erupted as the Knicks regained possession and the commentators praised Li Fei’s impact on both ends.

Li Fei answered the Spurs’ double-teams with a putback dunk over Tim Duncan, but cold Knicks shooting kept the first quarter tied at 20–20. As both teams prepared for the next quarter, Chinese fans gathered in Shanghai to watch the Finals broadcast.

• The Spurs double-teamed Li Fei and pressured Allan Houston, while Larry Johnson missed an open shot.
• Li Fei read the rebound, jumped over Duncan, and slammed in a one-handed putback dunk.
• Both teams struggled to score as the Knicks’ shooters stayed cold and the Spurs’ offense met tough defense, ending the first quarter tied 20–20.
• Larry Johnson complained about his shooting, Allan Houston stayed silent, and Jeff Van Gundy searched for a tactical answer while Li Fei remained composed.
• Popovich urged the Spurs to keep double-teaming Li Fei and making his teammates beat them.
• Basketball fans in Shanghai gathered in a small Shikumen living room to watch the game on an old television.

Li Fei adjusted the Knicks’ offense in the second quarter, drawing the Spurs’ twin towers away from the paint and setting up teammates for inside scores. The Knicks took a 48–45 halftime lead, while Li Fei recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

• The crowd in New York and a rural Chinese village watched anxiously as the game resumed.
• Li Fei’s movement drew Duncan and Robinson away from the basket, and Sabonis’s screen helped Larry Johnson score a tomahawk dunk.
• Li Fei shifted his passing toward the paint, creating scoring chances for Sabonis, Sprewell, and Donyell Marshall.
• The Knicks entered halftime ahead 48–45, and Li Fei completed a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Knicks general manager Scott Layden and Tom Thibodeau discussed the team's reliance on Li Fei and considered pursuing Phil Jackson to lead a lasting dynasty. In the third quarter, Li Fei continued to direct the Knicks against the Spurs, reaching a 20-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist triple-double as the game remained close.

• Van Gundy reviewed the Knicks' defensive tactics at halftime, while recognizing that Li Fei's adjustments had sparked the second-quarter turnaround.
• Layden told Thibodeau that the Knicks needed a powerful perimeter star because Li Fei and the injury-prone Sabonis could not carry the team alone.
• Layden proposed pursuing Phil Jackson, arguing that Jackson's Triangle Offense could maximize Li Fei's abilities, even if hiring him meant parting ways with Jeff Van Gundy.
• The second half began with the Knicks and Spurs locked in a fiercely contested game, and Li Fei kept finding teammates with precise passes despite Duncan and Robinson's defense.
• Li Fei finished the third quarter with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Li Fei waited until the fourth quarter to attack, scoring 12 straight points in the final five minutes and leading the New York Knicks to a 101:92 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Finals. The chapter ended with Li Fei’s dominant 35-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist performance securing the Knicks’ victory.

• With five minutes left and the Knicks ahead 85:84, Li Fei broke the Spurs’ double-team and hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to four.
• Li Fei broke through Duncan and Robinson’s defense and sank a high-arcing jumper, putting the Knicks ahead 90:84.
• After a Spurs timeout, Li Fei hit a pull-up jumper over Sean Elliott to make it 93:84 with 2:20 remaining.
• Li Fei scored two more jumpers, including a low-post fadeaway, completing 12 straight points in the final five minutes.
• The Knicks defeated the Spurs 101:92, and Li Fei finished with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists, 6 blocks, and 2 steals.

After Li Fei led his team to victory over the San Antonio Spurs, he concealed his simple late-game approach behind modest postgame remarks. Gregg Popovich suspected Li was hiding his real strategy, while Tim Duncan vowed the Spurs would adapt as the Finals continued.

• Li Fei accepted his teammates’ congratulations and watched the defeated Tim Duncan from the bench area.
• Gregg Popovich brooded over how Li had broken through the Spurs’ defense late in the game.
• David Robinson described Li’s final-minute scoring as helpless to defend, while Tim Duncan called the matchup both a physical and mental battle and promised the Spurs would review the film.
• Li Fei credited his teammates and claimed his late baskets came from having a hot hand rather than a planned strategy.
• Popovich dismissed Li’s explanation as empty platitudes and suspected he was concealing his approach from the Spurs.

After Li Fei’s dominant Finals performance, Michael Jordan feared that Li Fei could eclipse his legacy, while Scottie Pippen celebrated the performance as proof that Jordan needed him. Media outlets around the world hailed Li Fei’s clutch scoring as the defining story of Game 1.

• Michael Jordan watched Li Fei’s interview and highlights, recognized his dominance, and worried that a championship dynasty would end Jordan’s status as the league’s only god.
• Scottie Pippen watched Li Fei’s highlights and celebrated, believing Li Fei’s success proved Jordan had needed Pippen to win.
• ESPN, TNT, NBC Sports, The Times, and The New York Times published glowing coverage of Li Fei’s decisive final five minutes in Game 1.

After Li Fei led the Knicks to a Game 1 victory over the Spurs, fans in New York and China celebrated his performance. Spurs coach Popovich replayed the loss through the night and decided the team would keep double-teaming Li Fei in the next game.

• New York fans celebrated Li Fei’s performance, while fans across China rejoiced at the Knicks’ 101–92 win and his near quadruple-double.
• Sports outlets and online forums praised Li Fei for scoring 12 straight points in the final five minutes and overcoming the Spurs’ defense.
• Popovich reviewed the game and concluded that the Spurs had defended almost flawlessly but still could not contain Li Fei’s offense.
• Popovich considered whether to double-team Li Fei in Game 2 and ultimately decided the Spurs would keep doing so.

After the Knicks won Game 1, Popovich prepared the Spurs to keep targeting Li Fei, while the Knicks celebrated and recovered. At practice, Sabonis’s injuries and expiring contract left Knicks general manager Ernie Grunfeld weighing the team’s need for him against the risks of a long-term deal.

• Popovich told Budenholzer to assemble the coaching staff and review every possession of Game 1, especially Li Fei’s late shots.
• The Knicks celebrated their victory as Li Fei quietly enjoyed the team’s camaraderie and noticed Sabonis receiving treatment for his exhausted legs.
• At the Knicks’ next practice, Sabonis received massage and stretching instead of joining the starters’ tactical drill, while Van Gundy watched with concern.
• Grunfeld considered Sabonis indispensable to the Knicks’ Finals plans but worried about his worsening injuries and expiring contract.
• Grunfeld began considering a short 1+1 contract with a team option to limit the Knicks’ financial and injury risks.

The Knicks faced a suffocating Spurs defense in Game 2 of the NBA Finals as Arvydas Sabonis’s injury limited the team’s options. San Antonio took a four-point lead after the first quarter, while Li Fei struggled to score but kept creating for his teammates.

• Grunfeld and Van Gundy decided to rest Sabonis as much as possible early and use him when needed because of his injury.
• Duncan and Robinson said the Spurs would rely on their defensive system, and Li Fei sensed their determination before Game 2 began.
• The Spurs pressured Li Fei with Elie and Duncan, while Robinson blocked Larry Johnson’s dunk attempt and San Antonio scored on the ensuing fast break.
• Li Fei passed out of the double-team, but Houston missed a jumper as San Antonio’s composed offense drew a foul and made a free throw.
• The first quarter ended with the Knicks trailing 22–26; Li Fei had two points, three rebounds, and six assists, while Duncan had eight points and five rebounds.

Li Fei led the Knicks past the Spurs in Game 2, taking over in the final minutes after keeping his teammates involved with his passing. The Knicks won 102:94 and took a 2:0 lead in the Finals.

• The Spurs contained the Knicks through three quarters, while Li Fei piled up assists and made a chase-down block on Tim Duncan.
• With the Knicks trailing 88:90 late in the game, Li Fei hit a three-pointer to give them their first lead.
• After Duncan tied the score, Li Fei scored twice against the Spurs’ defense to put the Knicks ahead 95:91.
• Li Fei drew a triple-team and passed to Allan Houston, who made an open jumper to extend the lead.
• Li Fei assisted Larry Johnson on a corner three, and the Knicks beat the Spurs 102:94 to take a 2:0 Finals lead.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a 102–94 win over the Spurs with a 30-point, 18-rebound, 18-assist triple-double, outmaneuvering Gregg Popovich’s late-game trap by setting up his teammates. Popovich recognized that Li Fei had controlled the game through both scoring and playmaking, and resolved to find a new strategy before the series returned to San Antonio.

• Li Fei and the Knicks defeated the Spurs 102–94, with Li Fei recording 30 points, 18 rebounds, and 18 assists.
• Tim Duncan scored 38 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, but the Knicks’ teamwork proved decisive in the closing minutes.
• Gregg Popovich watched Li Fei’s postgame interview and realized his earlier claims of good shooting had concealed a deliberate strategy.
• Popovich recalled how Li Fei switched from organizing the Knicks to scoring in Game 1, then used passes to exploit the Spurs’ triple-team in this game.
• Popovich resolved to devise a new defensive approach against Li Fei when the series resumed at the AT&T Center.

After the Knicks took a 2-0 lead over the Spurs, Li Fei praised his teammates and warned that the San Antonio games would be a serious test. As commentators predicted his fourth championship, Michael Jordan watched Li Fei celebrate and worried that the young star might eventually take his place.

• Li Fei told reporters that his teammates' open shots and his late return to form had helped secure the Knicks' win, then insisted the Spurs series was far from over.
• On Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson praised Li Fei's scoring, passing, and game management and discussed the Knicks' strong chance of winning the championship.
• Michael Jordan watched Li Fei celebrate in his home theater and feared that Li Fei's potential fourth title could bring him level with Jordan's championship total and threaten his legacy.

Michael Jordan agonized over his loss to Li Fei, while Scottie Pippen took satisfaction in Li Fei’s success and Kobe Bryant vowed to improve. On the flight to San Antonio, Li Fei warned the Knicks that their 2–0 lead was not enough and asked how Gregg Popovich would adjust for Game 3.

• Michael Jordan recalled Li Fei shutting him down in Game 7 and struggled with the gap between them.
• Scottie Pippen toasted Li Fei, believing his victory showed Jordan could not beat Li Fei without him.
• Kobe Bryant trained while watching Li Fei and promised himself he would be stronger next season.
• Li Fei studied footage of the first two Finals games aboard the Knicks’ flight to San Antonio.
• Li Fei told his teammates that Gregg Popovich would change the Spurs’ approach, and Allan Houston predicted San Antonio would raise its defensive intensity.

Li Fei rallied the Knicks for the hostile road game in San Antonio, while Gregg Popovich devised an extreme defensive gamble for Game 3. The chapter ended with Popovich revealing that the Spurs would abandon their double-teams in the final five minutes.

• Li Fei warned the Knicks that Popovich would trap him aggressively and urged his teammates to take open shots despite the hostile crowd and physical play.
• Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Larry Johnson vowed to shoot, and Li Fei rallied the team to win in San Antonio.
• Popovich reviewed the Spurs' losses in the first two games, noting that Li Fei had scored 62 points in Game 1 and recorded 21 assists in Game 2.
• Popovich ordered the Spurs to double-team or triple-team Li Fei for the first 43 minutes, accepting that the strategy would leave his teammates open.
• Popovich said the Spurs would end the double-team in the final five minutes, surprising Duncan and the rest of the room.

Popovich prepared a late-game gamble to stop Li Fei as the Spurs hosted the Knicks for Finals Game 3. The Rockets' Big Three drew attention before the opening tip, and the Spurs immediately double-teamed Li Fei on the Knicks' first possession.

• Popovich explained his plan to double-team Li Fei for most of the game, then switch to one-on-one defense in the closing minutes, and Duncan agreed.
• Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, and Hakeem Olajuwon appeared courtside, with Barkley and Pippen backing the Knicks while Olajuwon supported the Spurs.
• Li Fei won the opening tip against Tim Duncan, and Allan Houston secured the ball for the Knicks.
• Houston passed to Li Fei near the top of the arc, and Duncan and David Robinson rushed in to double-team him.

Li Fei repeatedly beat the Spurs' double-teams with sharp passes as the Knicks and Spurs traded baskets in a high-scoring first half. The teams entered halftime tied 68–68, while Scottie Pippen hoped a Knicks victory would validate Michael's decision to leave him behind.

• Li Fei passed through Duncan and Robinson's opening double-team to set up Allan Houston for a three-pointer, then fed Larry Johnson for another three as the Spurs answered with baskets from Duncan and David Robinson.
• When the Spurs nearly triple-teamed him, Li Fei passed behind his back to the cutting Sprewell, who dunked to give the Knicks a 9–4 lead.
• The Knicks' role players and the Spurs' stars traded efficient scores, and neither side pulled away before halftime ended with the score tied 68–68.
• Charles Barkley and the Dream Olajuwon predicted a close finish and hoped for a game-winner.
• Scottie Pippen said he wanted the Knicks to win so Li Fei's success would prove Michael had been right to leave him behind.

With five minutes left in a tied game, Li Fei punished the Spurs’ decision to defend him one-on-one and led the Knicks to an eight-point lead. The Spurs’ offense then unraveled as Li Fei took over the game.

• At 112-112, Popovich ordered the Spurs to stop double-teaming Li Fei and have Duncan guard him alone.
• Li Fei crossed past Duncan and dunked, giving the Knicks a 114-112 lead.
• Li Fei beat Duncan with a fadeaway jumper to extend the Knicks’ lead to 116-112.
• With Robinson guarding him, Li Fei made a pull-up jumper, drew a foul, and hit the free throw to put the Knicks ahead 120-112.
• Popovich kept the Spurs in their one-on-one defense after a timeout, while Li Fei’s scoring broke their resolve and their offense began to falter.