Chapter Summaries

Li Fei hit a last-second shot to give the Knicks a dramatic win over the Lakers, sending his teammates into celebration and leaving the Lakers devastated. The replay revealed that his foot was on the three-point line, but the shot still secured the victory.

• Li Fei’s shot swished through the net, and the Knicks rushed onto the court to celebrate their win.
• Van Gundy threw down his clipboard and leaped in celebration as Lakers fans sat in stunned silence.
• Kobe Bryant struck the floor in frustration, while O’Neal watched the replay and kicked a water bottle.
• TNT commentators called Li Fei’s basket a game-winning shot and replayed the final possession.
• The replay showed Li Fei steadying himself after a difficult catch and stepping back with his toe on the three-point line before making the shot.

Li Fei hit a buzzer-beating jumper to defeat the Lakers in Game 5, leaving the Knicks one victory away from the championship. His win stunned Los Angeles and sparked celebrations across China.

• Li Fei's final shot sailed over Kobe's outstretched hand and secured the victory as the Knicks celebrated on the court.
• Li Fei pointed toward the retired Lakers jerseys while Kobe walked dazed toward the tunnel and Phil Jackson watched in silence.
• Chinese commentators Sun Zhengping and Zhang Weiping erupted in celebration as they announced the Knicks' 3–2 series lead.
• Fans across China poured into dorm hallways and living rooms to cheer and cry over Li Fei's buzzer-beater.

Li Fei’s game-winner against the Lakers sparked celebrations among Chinese fans and sent sports media around the world scrambling to cover the shot. The chapter ended with reporters shaping their headlines around the victory as celebration and despair filled the Staples Center.

• Chinese fans erupted in celebration after Li Fei’s shot won the game.
• ESPN’s editor-in-chief ordered the newsroom to make Li Fei’s game-winner its top story under the headline “The King’s Silence.”
• Kenny Smith celebrated on air and taunted Charles Barkley over his failed prediction.
• The Times editor chose “The Emperor’s New Clothes Are Blue and Orange” as its headline about Li Fei’s shot.
• The New York Times celebrated Li Fei’s victory, while the Los Angeles Times planned to frame Kobe’s defeat as painful growth and portray him as a tragic hero.

The Knicks celebrated Li Fei’s 108–107 win over the Lakers, giving New York a 3–2 series lead and match point. Kobe collapsed under the blame for his late-game decisions as Li Fei left the court after a 66-point performance.

• The Knicks surrounded Li Fei and celebrated their victory while Van Gundy congratulated the players.
• The Lakers stood stunned after losing, and Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson struggled to take in the defeat.
• Kobe Bryant blamed himself for choosing to shoot instead of passing and for failing to defend Li Fei’s game-winning shot, then kicked and broke a bench chair.
• Li Fei glanced calmly at Kobe as he passed the Lakers’ bench and continued toward the tunnel without speaking.
• The scoreboard showed the Lakers’ 108–107 loss and Li Fei’s 66 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks.

After the Knicks won Game 5 at Staples Center, O'Neal and Kobe faced questions about the Lakers' loss and Kobe's blocked final shot, while Li Fei received a standing ovation at the press conference. The chapter ended as Craig Sager asked Li Fei how he felt after scoring 66 points and hitting the game-winner.

• The Knicks celebrated their victory on the bench while Tom Thibodeau excitedly reviewed the game.
• O'Neal said the Lakers had given everything, vowed to win Game 6 at Madison Square Garden, and defended Kobe's decision to take the final shot.
• Kobe insisted he would make the same choice again, despite reporters laughing at his description of isolating against Li Fei as a small-on-big matchup.
• Li Fei entered the press conference with Van Gundy and Allan Houston and received a standing ovation from the reporters.
• Craig Sager congratulated Li Fei and asked how he felt after scoring 66 points and making the buzzer-beater.

After scoring 66 points and hitting the game-winner against the Lakers, Li Fei credited the Knicks and his teammates rather than claiming he had defeated Shaq and Kobe alone. His interview and the Lakers’ Game 5 loss fueled widespread debate, with reports suggesting Shaq and Kobe barely spoke and that the defeat could deepen the cracks between them.

• Li Fei told reporters he was happy with the win and joked that he was thinking about returning to New York because Los Angeles traffic was terrible.
• Li Fei rejected the claim that he had beaten the OK Duo alone and praised Allan Houston, Van Gundy, Sprewell, Sabonis, and the Knicks’ bench.
• Allan Houston patted Li Fei on the shoulder, moved by his willingness to credit the team.
• Li Fei’s interview spread across the United States, and sports media highlighted his 66-point performance, block, and buzzer-beating winner.
• Woj reported that Shaq and Kobe barely interacted in the Lakers’ locker room after the loss, while Bill Simmons argued that the defeat had opened a serious crack in the OK Duo.

Li Fei’s game-winning performance sparked a worldwide rush for his Soar 5 shoes, while Kobe’s Mamba 2s were left largely ignored. The chapter ended with TNT’s panel preparing to discuss the season’s MVP rankings after Game 5 of the Finals.

• Fans flooded Li Fei Brand’s New York flagship store, and its commemorative Soar 5 edition sold out within fifteen minutes.
• Customers ignored the Mamba 2 section as Li Fei’s shoes flew off the shelves.
• Fans lined up at Li Fei Brand stores in Chicago and Beverly Hills, including former Jordan loyalists and disappointed Lakers supporters.
• David Falk watched Li Fei Brand’s sales soar and concluded that the commercial value of the win had surpassed that of a championship.
• Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton began discussing how Li Fei’s Finals performance affected the season’s MVP rankings.

The MVP rankings placed Li Fei first by a wide margin, while commentators explained why his individual value surpassed that of the Lakers’ stars. Though the media portrayed the Knicks’ next Finals game as Li Fei’s coronation, the chapter revealed the season was still in February and ended with Kobe Bryant reliving Li Fei’s game-saving block during a lonely predawn practice.

• The rankings listed Li Fei first, followed by Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.
• Bill Walton and Marv Albert argued that Li Fei’s numbers and effect on the Knicks made him the clear MVP, while the Lakers’ shared stardom diluted O'Neal’s and Kobe Bryant’s cases.
• The media and fans anticipated Li Fei’s championship coronation, even though the celebrated matchup had been an ordinary regular-season game in February.
• Kobe Bryant practiced alone at four in the morning, repeatedly remembering Li Fei blocking his potential game-winning shot against the backboard.

Kobe tried to overcome Li Fei’s defense by practicing against a homemade blocking dummy, while Shaquille O'Neal called to make peace after their postgame tension. Kobe refused dinner and told O'Neal to meet him at the training facility, leaving O'Neal stunned at the prospect of training while exhausted.

• Kobe repeatedly practiced fadeaway jumpers against a dummy set to Li Fei’s blocking height, but his shots kept hitting the frame.
• O'Neal tried calling Kobe several times after their disagreement over the Lakers’ final possessions, while the media spread rumors about conflict between them.
• Kobe called O'Neal back from an empty gym, where he was still training.
• O'Neal invited Kobe to dinner to ease tensions and counter the rumors, but Kobe refused.
• Kobe told O'Neal to come to the training facility if he was his brother, then hung up, leaving O'Neal shocked and dreading a workout.

After Kobe's defeat by Li Fei, O'Neal joined him at the training facility, where they used a grueling practice session to rebuild their trust. They left united in their resolve to defeat Li Fei and the Knicks and reclaim their glory.

• O'Neal remembered Kobe's invitation and decided to leave his mansion and join him at the training facility.
• O'Neal found Kobe repeating fadeaway jumpers and offered to be his practice partner.
• Kobe attacked O'Neal's defense, but missed shots under the pressure of his size and strength.
• O'Neal pushed Kobe through an hour of intense drills, criticizing his footwork, timing, and willingness to make contact.
• Kobe and O'Neal renewed their trust through their collisions and shared resolve to defeat Li Fei and the Knicks.

After reports claimed Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were feuding, the Lakers stars answered with photos of themselves battling in practice. The media reversed course and portrayed them as united against Li Fei and the Knicks.

• Sports outlets and Bill Simmons's column fueled rumors that Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were fighting for control of the Lakers.
• At noon, O'Neal posted a practice photo praising Kobe's competitive spirit and calling him his little brother.
• Kobe posted another photo showing O'Neal blocking his shot and captioned it “Work.”
• The photos silenced breakup speculation, and ESPN and other outlets recast the pair's practice as proof of their unity.
• Commentators declared that Li Fei and the Knicks had become a common enemy for the Lakers stars.

An emergency TNT roundtable discussed Kobe and O'Neal reconciling and what their renewed partnership meant for the Lakers and the league. The commentators predicted a potential Finals showdown between the Lakers and Li Fei's Knicks as the start of a major rivalry.

• Kevin Harlan asked Marv Albert to assess Kobe and O'Neal's reconciliation after their training photo silenced breakup rumors.
• Marv Albert said the loss to Li Fei had fueled Kobe and O'Neal's determination and made the united Lakers more dangerous.
• Bill Walton described the Lakers' renewed partnership as a war between the OK Duo and Li Fei's Knicks.
• Marv Albert compared the teams' strengths, highlighting Shaq's dominance inside and Li Fei's ability to score and defend.
• Kevin Harlan concluded that a Lakers-Knicks Finals would be a momentous seven-game rivalry.

The Knicks extended their winning streak to 22 games as Li Fei and his teammates dominated the league. Their next opponent was Allen Iverson’s 76ers, and the nationally televised matchup left Iverson poised to challenge his boss and the league’s undefeated kings.

• The Knicks beat the Jazz 99-91, with Li Fei scoring 32 points and grabbing 18 rebounds while Sabonis recorded nine assists.
• The Knicks defeated the Mavericks, Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Cavaliers to reach a 22-game winning streak, while Li Fei posted extraordinary season averages.
• The Knicks prepared to face the 16-6 Philadelphia 76ers, led by Allen Iverson and head coach Larry Brown.
• Sports media highlighted the clash between Li Fei and Iverson, whose signature shoes were made by Li Fei’s brand but whose competitive drive made him eager to defeat his boss.
• ABC upgraded the Knicks-76ers game to a nationwide broadcast, as commentators debated whether the Knicks would reach 23 wins or Iverson would end their streak.

Media framed the Knicks–76ers game as a clash between Li Fei’s winning team and Allen Iverson, his rebellious challenger and business partner. Before tipoff, Iverson said that once the game began, Li Fei would be only an opponent he intended to defeat.

• Walton and Marv Albert previewed Iverson’s matchup with Li Fei and the tactical battle between Larry Brown and Van Gundy.
• Adrian Wojnarowski described the game as a test of what Iverson and Li Fei represented to the Li Fei Sports Brand.
• The Times and New York media promoted the matchup as a major cultural and basketball showdown.
• Madison Square Garden filled with fans as promotional images of Li Fei and Iverson asked, “Who Is The Real Answer?”
• Doris Burke asked Iverson about challenging Li Fei and the Knicks’ winning streak, and Iverson said there were no bosses on the court, only opponents.

Allen Iverson publicly vowed to knock Li Fei off his pedestal, while Li Fei welcomed the challenge and framed their rivalry as both a basketball contest and a showcase for Iverson’s “The Answer” brand. After the Knicks and 76ers took the court amid a roaring Madison Square Garden crowd, Li Fei won the opening tip, but did not tap the ball back as expected.

• Allen Iverson told reporters he intended to end Li Fei’s myth and make him feel what it was like to be knocked down.
• Li Fei praised Iverson’s defiant spirit, welcomed his challenge, and said Iverson needed to produce a real “Answer” to claim the throne.
• The players returned from their locker rooms, and Madison Square Garden erupted as Li Fei entered last and the teams were introduced.
• The 76ers started Iverson alongside Tyrone Hill, George Lynch, Aaron McKie, and Matt Geiger, with the lineup built to create isolation chances for Iverson.
• Li Fei easily won the opening tip against Tyrone Hill, then surprised everyone by not tapping the ball back to a teammate.

Li Fei opened the game with a three-second alley-oop for the Knicks, then Allen Iverson answered with a twisting high-bank layup to tie the score at 2–2. The scoring duel between Li Fei’s height and Iverson’s speed was underway.

• Li Fei redirected the opening tip to Allan Houston, sprinted downcourt, and caught Houston’s long pass for a powerful alley-oop dunk.
• Madison Square Garden erupted as the Knicks took a 2–0 lead, and Iverson collected the ball to begin the 76ers’ possession.
• Iverson used a crossover to beat Allan Houston and drove into the paint past the rotating Sabonis.
• Iverson evaded Sabonis in midair and scored with a high-bank shot, tying the game at 2–2.

Li Fei and Allen Iverson traded baskets as the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers settled into a superstar shootout. The chapter left both players scoring freely against a succession of defenders.

• Iverson scored over Li Fei and taunted him, but Li Fei answered with a jab about Iverson's shoe sales.
• Li Fei backed down Matt Geiger, spun past him, and scored over Tyrone Hill to put the Knicks ahead 4-2.
• Iverson shook off Madman Sprewell with a step-back jumper and tied the game at 4-4.
• Li Fei shot over Tyrone Hill without dribbling, scored to make it 6-4, and mocked Hill's jump.
• Iverson continued beating the Knicks' perimeter defenders while Li Fei dominated the 76ers inside.

Li Fei shut down Iverson in a one-on-one showdown, but Iverson's scoring kept the 76ers tied with the Knicks after the first quarter. Iverson refused Larry Brown's offer to rest, insisting he would give everything he had to challenge Li Fei.

• Iverson tried his killer crossover against Li Fei, but Li Fei stayed balanced, forced him toward the baseline, and blocked his fading shot.
• Donyell Marshall collected the blocked ball, and Allan Houston finished the Knicks' fast break with a layup.
• The first quarter ended in a 32-32 tie, with Iverson scoring 20 points and Li Fei recording 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• Larry Brown asked Iverson to rest in the second quarter, but Iverson refused and demanded every possible minute to keep fighting Li Fei.

Larry Brown let Iverson stay in the game, and the Knicks and 76ers traded baskets as Iverson carried Philadelphia through relentless pressure. With 90 seconds left in the second quarter, Iverson collided with Li Fei on a daring drive and twisted into a shot, leaving the result unresolved.

• Larry Brown allowed Iverson to continue playing after warning him to protect himself.
• Li Fei directed the Knicks’ offense against a double-team, setting up Sprewell to find Allan Houston for a three-pointer and a 34-32 lead.
• Iverson answered the Knicks’ double-team with a behind-the-back pass to Geiger, who tied the score at 34-34.
• Iverson drove into the paint and collided with Li Fei, disrupting his block before twisting in midair to flick the ball toward the basket.

Allen Iverson and Li Fei traded spectacular performances as the Knicks and 76ers battled through a tense game. With the score tied at 110 late in the fourth quarter, the contest remained undecided.

• Iverson scored an and-one over Li Fei, giving the 76ers a 62–60 halftime lead, and Larry Brown handed him a tactical board marked “Answer.”
• Li Fei told Jeff Van Gundy to let Iverson shoot, then expanded his offense while Iverson kept pressuring the Knicks despite fading stamina.
• The Knicks reclaimed the lead 90–84 by the end of the third quarter as Li Fei took over and Iverson continued playing every second.
• Iverson hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 108, and Li Fei answered with a fadeaway to put the Knicks ahead 110–108.
• Iverson broke past Allan Houston and evaded Sabonis for a reverse layup, tying the game at 110.