Chapter Summaries

The Knicks overwhelmed the Sacramento Kings with suffocating defense and dominant offense, winning 145–101. Li Fei recorded 48 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals as the commentators declared the Knicks both the strongest spear and the strongest shield.

• Li Fei stole Chris Webber’s pass and launched a fast break, signaling the Knicks’ intensified defense.
• The Knicks shut down the Kings’ offense, with Li Fei limiting Webber and Sprewell smothering Peja Stojaković.
• Li Fei set up teammates as the Knicks outscored the Kings 32–15 in the second quarter and led 82–57 at halftime.
• Li Fei scored 10 straight points in the third quarter before sitting, and the Knicks won 145–101.
• Li Fei finished with 48 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals, while Webber and Peja struggled.
• Bill Walton declared that the Knicks were both the strongest spear and the strongest shield, calling them a dynasty.

The Knicks overwhelmed the Sacramento Kings after studying their offense in the first quarter and shutting it down in the second. Rick Adelman admitted the defeat had shattered the Kings’ hopes of challenging for the championship, while the Knicks remained the standard for the league.

• Bill Walton, Kevin Harlan, and Marv Albert said the Kings had been outclassed by the Knicks in talent, tactics, and mentality.
• Rick Adelman faced a sparse press conference as reporters asked why the Kings’ offense had collapsed in the second quarter.
• Adelman said the Knicks had studied the Kings’ passing patterns in the first quarter before cutting off their passing lanes and pressuring their players.
• Adelman described Li Fei’s defense in the paint and Sprewell’s pressure on Peja as key parts of the Knicks’ defensive shutdown.
• Adelman said the Knicks’ layered offense remained powerful after their defense took control, and he conceded that the loss had crushed the Kings’ championship hopes.

After the Knicks crushed the Kings by 44 points, Li Fei declared that he had overwhelmed them to prevent anyone from mistaking them for equals. He returned to his Long Island estate, where Angelina Jolie was waiting with a meal.

• Adelman ended the Kings’ press conference, drained and unable to answer more questions.
• Li Fei praised the Kings’ offense as artistic, then said he had defeated them decisively to defend the Knicks’ standing as champions.
• Reporters and media outlets reacted to Li Fei’s remarks as the Knicks’ 44-point victory announced their dominance.
• Li Fei arrived at his Gold Coast estate around eleven at night.
• Angelina Jolie greeted Li Fei from the kitchen with freshly cooked ribeye steaks.

Li Fei returned home to Julie after the Knicks' dominant win, and the two shared an intimate evening. Afterward, they watched SportsCenter begin announcing the NBA Players of the Month, starting with the Eastern Conference selection.

• Li Fei came home, and Julie welcomed him with a meal of Wagyu steak, lobster, and wine.
• Julie praised Li Fei's domineering postgame remarks, and the two flirted over dinner.
• Li Fei carried Julie to the sofa, where they spent the night together.
• Li Fei and Julie watched SportsCenter introduce the NBA Players of the Month announcement.

Li Fei won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month after leading the Knicks to a 15–0 November, while Kevin Garnett received the Western Conference award. Li Fei said his real goal was to defeat Shaq and Kobe in the NBA Finals and win his fifth championship, then celebrated with Julie.

• Commentators praised Li Fei's extraordinary November statistics and named him Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
• The commentators named Kevin Garnett Western Conference Player of the Month, citing his performance and the Lakers' internal tensions.
• Julie congratulated Li Fei, who said he was thinking about the Lakers and expected them to reach the Finals.
• Li Fei told Julie that he intended to beat Shaq and Kobe in the Finals and win his fifth championship.
• Li Fei and Julie celebrated his award together at home.

With the Knicks undefeated and Li Fei atop the early MVP rankings, fans and the NBA built anticipation for the Knicks’ upcoming road game against the Lakers. The chapter ended with the matchup promoted as a nationwide spectacle and a likely Finals preview.

• Julie told Li Fei that sports outlets had made him a front-page story and embraced the nickname “Emperor.”
• Li Fei read the updated MVP rankings, which placed him first, Shaquille O'Neal second, Kevin Garnett third, and Kobe Bryant fifth.
• Fans argued online over whether the Lakers’ OK Duo could challenge Li Fei and the Knicks, debating team chemistry, roster depth, and home-court advantage.
• David Stern and the NBA promoted the Knicks-Lakers game with a nationwide broadcast and extensive preview coverage.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal prepared for their looming showdown with Li Fei and the undefeated Knicks as both teams extended their winning streaks. The 19-0 Knicks and 17-2 Lakers finally met at Staples Center, where Li Fei emerged from the tunnel and locked eyes with Kobe and O'Neal.

• Kobe challenged O'Neal to a one-on-one, and the two tested each other's skills during practice.
• The Knicks won four straight games, including victories over the Raptors, Hawks, Pacers, and Wizards, to reach a 19-0 record.
• The Lakers defeated the Rockets, SuperSonics, Suns, and Nuggets to improve to 17-2.
• Fans and celebrities packed Staples Center for the Knicks-Lakers showdown.
• Li Fei entered the arena and exchanged a charged look with Kobe and O'Neal.

TNT’s Inside the NBA held a special discussion before the undefeated Knicks faced the Lakers in Los Angeles, weighing Li Fei’s dominance and New York’s depth against the Lakers’ OK Duo and Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense. The panel concluded that the teams were nearly evenly matched, leaving the result to key possessions or a superstar performance.

• Kevin Harlan opened the special program by asking Marv Albert and Bill Walton to predict the winner of the Knicks-Lakers matchup.
• Marv Albert argued that the Knicks had grown stronger with Arvydas Sabonis and Li Fei’s improved all-around play.
• Bill Walton praised Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense, Glen Rice’s arrival, and the Lakers’ developing chemistry around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
• Marv Albert compared the teams’ individual matchups and noted that the Knicks had a bench advantage while the Lakers had Robert Horry.
• Kevin Harlan summarized the panel’s view that the teams were nearly balanced and that the game could turn on a few possessions or a superstar performance.

Media coverage built anticipation for the Knicks-Lakers showdown as Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant declared their determination to beat Li Fei. The starters met at center court, and Li Fei and O'Neal leaped for the opening tip.

• ESPN, Woj, The New York Times, and The Times framed the game as a major clash between Li Fei's Knicks and the Lakers' star duo.
• O'Neal told reporters that the Lakers would end the Knicks' nineteen-game winning streak and that he ruled the paint.
• Kobe told a reporter that beating Li Fei was the goal of his summer training and said they had waited far too long for the game.
• The Knicks and Lakers starters assembled at center court as the Staples Center crowd roared.
• The referee tossed the ball up, and Li Fei and O'Neal jumped for the opening tip.

Li Fei dismissed the Lakers’ summer preparation as a test before winning the opening tip for the Knicks. He received the first possession at the top of the arc, matched up against Kobe Bryant.

• Craig Sager asked Li Fei whether the Knicks were ready, and Li said he had come to test how much the Lakers had improved.
• Li Fei’s confident remarks eased the Knicks’ tension and fired up fans ahead of the game.
• Li Fei beat Shaquille O’Neal to the opening tip, giving the Knicks possession.
• Charlie Ward brought the ball up and passed to Li Fei, who faced Kobe Bryant on the perimeter.

Li Fei opened the game with a step-back three over Kobe, and the Lakers answered with a Triangle Offense sequence that ended in Kobe's mid-range jumper. The score stood at 3-2 as the game continued.

• Li Fei used a step-back to score a three-pointer over Kobe on the Knicks' first possession.
• Fisher brought the ball up for the Lakers and passed to Kobe, who handed it off to Glen Rice.
• Rice drew Houston's attention with a shot fake and fed O'Neal in the low post.
• O'Neal drew the Knicks' defense toward him and passed behind his head to Kobe, who had cut free on the weak side.
• Kobe pump-faked Sprewell into the air, then hit a mid-range jumper to make the score 3-2.

The Knicks and Lakers traded early baskets as Li Fei answered Kobe Bryant’s physical defense by creating a team play for Latrell Sprewell. Shaquille O’Neal then powered past Arvydas Sabonis to score, leaving the Lakers ahead 5-2.

• The Lakers ran the Triangle Offense, with Shaquille O’Neal facilitating and Kobe Bryant finishing to answer Li Fei’s three-pointer.
• Kobe pressed Li Fei aggressively, but Li Fei stayed composed and passed to Allan Houston on a give-and-go.
• Li Fei drew O’Neal and Kobe into help defense, then passed to Latrell Sprewell for a dunk that put the Knicks behind 5-2.
• The Lakers used Kobe’s movement to free O’Neal in the low post, where O’Neal spun past Sabonis and dunked over Sprewell’s help defense.

The Knicks and Lakers traded baskets in a high-intensity first quarter, with Li Fei leading New York through scoring, rebounding, and passing while Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal powered Los Angeles. The Lakers finished the quarter ahead 28-26 as viewers in China watched the game.

• Shaquille O'Neal powered in a dunk to give the Lakers an early lead, and commentators described the clash between the teams' offenses.
• Li Fei grabbed a contested rebound and launched a fast break that ended with Allan Houston scoring to put the Knicks ahead 15-12.
• Kobe Bryant answered with a contested three-pointer to tie the score at 15-15.
• Li Fei, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal continued trading standout plays as the first quarter ended with the Lakers leading 28-26.
• Chinese commentators Sun Zhengping and Zhang Weiping discussed the Lakers' Triangle Offense while fans gathered around televisions across China.

The game between Li Fei’s Knicks and the Lakers continued amid intense national attention, with Kobe and O’Neal powering the Lakers’ offense. Li Fei answered with his own scoring as the game entered a back-and-forth stretch.

• Fans in a dorm, Beijing traders, and Guangzhou tea-house diners watched the game and celebrated Li Fei as a source of national pride.
• During the break, viewers saw a Li Fei Sports Brand commercial featuring Allen Iverson and Li Fei.
• Stephen Jackson replaced Allan Houston to defend Kobe, while Ron Harper entered for the Lakers as the second quarter began.
• Kobe scored a difficult mid-range jumper over Jackson to extend the Lakers’ lead to 30:26.
• Li Fei responded by shooting over Robert Horry, cutting the score to 30:28.
• Across the second and third quarters, Kobe attacked from the perimeter and O’Neal dominated inside as the Lakers repeatedly created scoring chances through the Triangle Offense.

With the game tied in the fourth quarter, the Lakers exploited the Knicks’ dilemma between defending Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, but Li Fei answered Kobe’s challenge with a difficult turnaround jumper. The shot gave the Knicks a chance to break the tie as the arena watched in silence.

• The Knicks and Lakers finished the third quarter tied 78–78 as Li Fei carried the Knicks’ offense.
• Phil Jackson used O’Neal’s presence inside to draw Li Fei into the paint and create a mismatch for Kobe Bryant against Donyell Marshall.
• With two minutes left, the score reached 102–102 and the Knicks had possession.
• Li Fei backed down Kobe on the right wing, feinted a drive, and rose for a leaning turnaround jumper over Kobe’s contest.
• Li Fei’s shot swished through the net.

Li Fei and Kobe Bryant traded clutch shots as the Knicks and Lakers battled for the lead in the final minute. Li Fei put the Knicks ahead with an impossible fadeaway over Kobe and O'Neal, leaving 33 seconds on the clock.

• Kobe Bryant answered Li Fei's fadeaway with one of his own, tying the game at 104:104.
• Li Fei passed out of a double-team to Allan Houston, who scored to put the Knicks ahead 106:104.
• Shaquille O'Neal powered through Sabonis and Li Fei for an and-one, giving the Lakers a 107:106 lead with 58 seconds remaining.
• Li Fei drove through Kobe's defense and shot a fadeaway over Kobe and O'Neal, putting the Knicks ahead 108:107 with 33 seconds left.

Kobe Bryant hit a step-back three over Sprewell to put the Lakers ahead 110–108 with 13 seconds left. Jeff Van Gundy drew up a final possession to get Li Fei the ball, and Li Fei promised the Knicks he would take responsibility for bringing home the win.

• Kobe Bryant used a step-back to create space from Sprewell and made a three-pointer, giving the Lakers a 110–108 lead.
• Kobe Bryant approached Li Fei and declared that his era had arrived, while Li Fei reminded him that the game was not over.
• Jeff Van Gundy called a timeout and instructed the Knicks to use screens and cuts to get the ball safely to Li Fei.
• Li Fei told Allan Houston and Sprewell to shoot if they found an opening, but said he would take the final shot in most situations.

Li Fei tied the game for the Knicks with a quick turnaround fadeaway, then defended Kobe’s last possession. The chapter ended as Li Fei blocked Kobe’s fadeaway at the moment of release.

• With the Knicks down two and out of timeouts, Donyell Marshall lobbed the inbound pass to Li Fei, who caught it and scored over Kobe and Robert Horry to tie the game at 110.
• Phil Jackson called the Lakers’ final timeout, and the Lakers inbounded with 8.1 seconds remaining.
• Jeff Van Gundy assigned Li Fei to guard Kobe as Kobe brought the ball up for the Lakers’ final possession.
• Kobe drove right, changed direction with a behind-the-back dribble, then pulled up for a fadeaway when Li Fei blocked his path.
• Li Fei jumped with Kobe and slapped the ball away just as Kobe was releasing his shot.

Li Fei blocked Kobe's potential game-winning shot, leaving the Knicks with 1.2 seconds to score the winner. As the Lakers regrouped to double-team Li Fei, Van Gundy prepared the Knicks' final play.

• Li Fei pinned Kobe's shot in midair, and Van Gundy called a timeout with 1.2 seconds remaining.
• The commentators and Lakers fans criticized Kobe for taking the shot instead of passing to O'Neal, who had position near the basket.
• O'Neal angrily confronted Kobe, but Phil Jackson stopped the argument and ordered the Lakers to forget the mistake and defend the final possession.
• Phil Jackson instructed Robert and Kobe to pressure Li Fei while O'Neal protected the paint.
• Van Gundy praised Li Fei's block, then began drawing the Knicks' final play as Li Fei recovered his breath.

With 1.2 seconds left, Van Gundy called a play that sent Li Fei to the three-point line for the winning shot. Li Fei made it over Kobe Bryant’s desperate defense, giving the Knicks a 113–110 victory as the buzzer sounded.

• Van Gundy called for a three-point play with Li Fei as the sole finisher, while Sabonis and Sprewell set screens and Allan Houston acted as a decoy.
• Kobe Bryant clung to Li Fei and Robert Horry guarded the passing lane as Marshall prepared to inbound the ball.
• Li Fei feinted toward the basket, used Sprewell’s screen, and broke free to the right wing.
• Marshall passed to Li Fei, who caught the ball and shot with 0.8 seconds remaining as Kobe lunged to contest.
• Li Fei’s three-pointer went through the net, ending the game with the Knicks ahead 113–110.