Chapter Summaries

Sabonis endured severe knee pain while clinging to his dream of winning an NBA three-peat, even as Van Gundy reduced his role and considered moving on from him. At practice, Li Fei noticed Sabonis’s condition, while the Knicks learned Philadelphia might pursue Shareef Abdur-Rahim to ease Iverson’s scoring burden.

• Van Gundy decided Sabonis was too old and fragile to justify his roster spot, while Sabonis spent the night icing his knee and vowed to endure the season for a chance at a three-peat.
• Li Fei arrived at practice in peak condition, and Van Gundy assigned Sabonis to focus on defensive rebounds while increasing Marshall and Jackson’s minutes.
• Li Fei noticed Sabonis limping and checked on his knee, but Sabonis insisted he could still play and set screens.
• Allan Houston reported that Billy King was reportedly contacting the Vancouver Grizzlies about acquiring Shareef Abdur-Rahim to reduce Iverson’s workload.
• Li Fei said Philadelphia’s moves would not change the outcome of the series.

Li Fei prepared to face Allen Iverson while investigating signs that Knicks management might be moving against Arvydas Sabonis. The chapter then shifted to the playoffs, where Michael Jordan defied expectations against Miami and Karl Malone began attacking in the paint.

• Li Fei told his teammates he would guard Iverson in the next game and wanted to ease Sabonis's burden.
• Layden instructed his staff to investigate Denver's offer to Ralph Lorenz and seek young free-agent big men, while Sabonis's name was marked in red in his notebook.
• Li Fei asked David Falk to look into Sabonis's contract and the Knicks management's recent moves.
• Iverson practiced alone in Philadelphia despite his knee pain and vowed not to let Li Fei pass him easily.
• The playoff action shifted to Miami, where Jordan spun past Eddie Jones and scored an up-and-under layup over Alonzo Mourning.
• Karl Malone began a rampage in the paint against the Heat.

Michael Jordan and Karl Malone led the Chicago Bulls to a 102–91 playoff win over the Miami Heat, while the Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 98–95. In New York, Li Fei read about the victories and realized his road to a three-peat would be difficult; David Falk then called him.

• Michael Jordan and Karl Malone combined for 76 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 102–91.
• Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to a 98–95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
• Li Fei read about Jordan and Malone's victory in The New York Times and welcomed the challenge posed by the resurgent playoff contenders.
• David Falk called Li Fei.

Li Fei threatened Knicks management to protect Arvydas Sabonis and prepared for Philadelphia as the playoffs approached. The Lakers and Spurs split their series 1-1 after San Antonio won the second game 98–88.

• Falk told Li Fei that Knicks management was marginalizing Sabonis and considering ways to replace or undervalue him.
• Li Fei ordered Falk to publicize his dissatisfaction and warned Layden that Sabonis must be respected or Li Fei would refuse an extension.
• Li Fei studied the 76ers and vowed to protect Sabonis as the Knicks prepared for their next game.
• The Spurs defeated the Lakers 98–88 at Staples Center, tying their series 1-1.
• The Spurs used team passing, screens, and pick-and-rolls to break down the Lakers' defense despite Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's individual dominance.

The Spurs defeated the Lakers to tie their playoff series at 1-1, while the Knicks changed their lineup against the 76ers to disrupt Allen Iverson’s offense. The chapter left the Knicks’ adjustment underway as their game against Philadelphia continued.

• The Spurs used disciplined team play to beat the Lakers, tying the series at 1-1 despite Shaq and Kobe combining for 62 points.
• Sports media praised the Spurs’ tactics, and reporter Woj reported that Shaq criticized the Lakers’ perimeter defense while Kobe practiced alone after the loss.
• Li Fei and the Knicks faced Allen Iverson and the 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
• After Iverson attacked the Knicks’ defense in the first quarter, Jeff Van Gundy reduced Arvydas Sabonis’s playing time in the second.
• Van Gundy brought in Stephen Jackson and Donyell Marshall to form a quicker defensive wall and cut off the 76ers’ offensive lifeline.

Li Fei led the Knicks to a dominant 106:88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Allen Iverson struggling against their defense. After the game, Li Fei declared that no one could stop him from building a dynasty and that he made the rules in this era.

• Li Fei took over in the second quarter with mid-range scoring as the Knicks built a lead of more than 15 points.
• The Knicks’ defense shut down Iverson, and New York won 106:88.
• Li Fei finished with 36 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks, while Iverson shot 8 of 26.
• The commentators praised the Knicks’ dominance and predicted they would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
• Li Fei declined a lengthy interview, exchanged glances with Angelina Jolie and Monica Bellucci, and told David Falk to handle business matters.
• Li Fei declared that nobody could stop him from building a dynasty and told reporters to stop comparing him to others.

After the Knicks crushed the 76ers in Game 2, New York celebrated while Philadelphia fans feared a sweep. Allen Iverson rejected the doubts at a press conference and vowed the 76ers would win the next four games.

• New Yorkers celebrated the Knicks' eighteen-point victory and declared the series effectively over.
• Philadelphia fans watched Li Fei dominate the paint and worried that the 76ers had no chance.
• Allen Iverson arrived at the press conference in 76ers gear and faced reporters' questions about the team's 0-2 deficit.
• Iverson dismissed talk of despair and promised the 76ers would win four straight games.
• Iverson vowed to tear apart anyone who stood against him once he stepped onto the hardwood.

After Iverson’s defiant postgame challenge thrilled fans and boosted sneaker sales, the NBA announced its first regular-season awards. Knicks reserve Stephen Jackson won both Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player, while the chapter detailed the other winners and left his season-long role in the Knicks’ system under discussion.

• Iverson stormed out of the press room after promising to show the Knicks what real hell looked like in Philadelphia.
• Fans celebrated Iverson’s defiance online, and sales of his The Answer sneakers surged, even as sports media called the 76ers’ series against the Knicks effectively over.
• The NBA named Doc Rivers Coach of the Year for leading Orlando to a 41-41 record despite its depleted roster.
• Steve Francis and Elton Brand shared Rookie of the Year after standout seasons for Houston and Chicago.
• Stephen Jackson won both Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player after averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals as a key Knicks reserve.

Stephen Jackson reflected on how Li Fei had helped him rise from poverty to NBA award winner, then thanked him aboard the Knicks' plane. Li Fei credited Jackson's own hunger and hard work as the team prepared to face Philadelphia.

• Stephen Jackson watched award news in his Manhattan apartment and called Li Fei, vowing to crush Philadelphia and keep pursuing success.
• Li Fei told Jackson to stay hungry and ordered him to report to the training facility at ten the next morning.
• The next morning, Jackson approached Li Fei aboard the Knicks' chartered plane and thanked him for securing his chance in the NBA and teaching him professionalism.
• Li Fei told Jackson that his awards came from his own hard work and fierce play, not charity.

Li Fei read reports about the Pacers tying their series with the Bulls and the Trail Blazers crushing the Rockets, both by exploiting their opponents’ exhaustion. As his team flew to Philadelphia, he warned Jackson not to show weakness and dismissed Reggie Miller’s attempt to provoke Michael Jordan.

• Li Fei told Jackson that his players had to keep fighting or he would send him back to Brooklyn, and Jackson vowed to show Philadelphia no mercy.
• Jeff Van Gundy gave Li Fei reports showing the Pacers and Trail Blazers had each tied their semifinal series at 1–1.
• The Pacers beat the Bulls 108–99 as Reggie Miller scored 34 points and taunted Michael Jordan with a choke gesture after the game.
• Miller declared that he would topple Jordan, while Jalen Rose said the Pacers planned to run the Bulls’ veterans into exhaustion.
• Li Fei said Miller was foolish to provoke Jordan and read that the Trail Blazers had beaten the Rockets 112–95 by wearing them down.

The Trail Blazers overwhelmed the aging Rockets with their speed, prompting Li Fei to reflect on the NBA’s changing generations and the business surrounding Iverson’s popularity. As the Knicks arrived in Philadelphia, Li Fei vowed to crush Iverson and the 76ers before their home crowd.

• The Trail Blazers used their pace to defeat the Rockets, with Rasheed Wallace scoring 28 points and Damon Stoudamire recording 14 assists while Charles Barkley and Olajuwon struggled.
• Rasheed Wallace mocked the aging Rockets veterans after the game, saying they should be thinking about retirement rather than trying to keep up with the Trail Blazers.
• Li Fei learned that Iverson’s remarks had driven another surge in sales of the Answer sneakers and that investors saw Li Fei Sports Brand as highly profitable.
• Li Fei told Van Gundy that the Knicks would overpower the 76ers and that he would personally defeat Iverson in Philadelphia.
• The Knicks descended on Philadelphia as thousands of 76ers fans gathered outside the Wells Fargo Center to support Iverson.

The Knicks crushed the 76ers 118-88 in Philadelphia to take a 3-0 series lead, with Li Fei dominating both ends of the court. Two days later, Allen Iverson refused to give up and played through a bleeding injury as Philadelphia made one last stand.

• Li Fei and the Knicks arrived at the Wells Fargo Center amid hostile jeers from Philadelphia fans.
• Li Fei scored 43 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, and blocked eight shots as the Knicks beat the 76ers 118-88 and took a 3-0 lead.
• Li Fei told reporters, "One more game," after the victory.
• Iverson practiced alone before Game Four, determined to keep fighting despite Philadelphia's desperate position.
• Iverson scored 14 points in the first quarter, split his forehead while diving for a loose ball, and refused to leave the court for treatment.

Li Fei and the Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-92 to sweep their series 4-0 and become the first team to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. As New York celebrated, Li Fei learned the Bulls and Pacers were tied 2-2 and declared that neither team could stop him.

• Iverson kept attacking despite his injury, but Larry Brown eventually sat him down as the 76ers fell further behind.
• Li Fei scored 26 points in limited minutes as the Knicks beat the 76ers 112-92 and completed the 4-0 sweep.
• TNT commentators reviewed Li Fei's dominant series and Iverson's effort, while media outlets celebrated the Knicks' advance.
• New York fans celebrated Li Fei and debated Iverson's future as the Knicks flew away from the city.
• Li Fei's assistant told him the Bulls and Pacers were tied 2-2, and Li Fei said either opponent would be unable to stop him.

Li Fei watched the Lakers and Spurs battle into overtime while discussing Tim Duncan with Monica Bellucci. After Shaquille O'Neal fouled out, Kobe Bryant hit a go-ahead shot with 3.2 seconds left, leaving the Spurs one last chance to respond.

• Li Fei returned to his Manhattan apartment, where Monica Bellucci told him his sneaker sales had risen and the Spurs led the Lakers by five.
• The Lakers erased the deficit behind Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant hit a three-pointer before Tim Duncan tied the game to force overtime.
• O'Neal picked up his fifth foul, then fouled out with 1:38 remaining as Duncan put the Spurs ahead 99-98.
• Kobe Bryant drove past Mario Elie and hit a high-arcing shot to give the Lakers a 101-99 lead with 3.2 seconds remaining.

The Lakers defeated the Spurs 101-99 in overtime to take a 3-1 series lead, with Kobe Bryant making the decisive shots and block after Shaq fouled out. Li Fei watched the highlights in Manhattan and looked ahead to the Bulls-Pacers Game 5, declaring that the league’s true king would emerge after the coming battles.

• Kobe Bryant scored five straight points in overtime and blocked Tim Duncan’s final shot to secure the Lakers’ 101-99 win over the Spurs.
• Kobe told reporters the Lakers would finish the series at home, while Shaq said the team was aiming for the championship.
• Tim Duncan and David Robinson acknowledged the Spurs’ 1-3 deficit and vowed to keep fighting, with Robinson saying they needed to improve their defense.
• Li Fei watched Kobe’s highlights with Monica Bellucci and recognized his killer instinct, then said he would wait to see who was the league’s king.
• Li Fei anticipated Game 5 between the Bulls and Pacers in Indiana and said their eventual opponent would face him.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Pacers 88-85 in a grueling Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead, while the Rockets and Trail Blazers prepared for their own decisive Game 5. The Knicks had already swept the 76ers and awaited their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals.

• The Houston Rockets and Trail Blazers entered Game 5 tied 2-2, with Portland’s young players’ speed and stamina testing Houston’s aging stars.
• The Bulls held a 78-76 lead over the Pacers after three quarters, then traded leads with them as Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan scored in response.
• Jordan defended Miller’s final three-point attempt, then made two free throws to give the Bulls an 88-85 lead.
• Miller missed a last-second three, and the Bulls won to take a 3-2 series lead and reach match point.
• The Knicks rested after sweeping the 76ers 4-0 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

On May 15, Li Fei took Monica Bellucci to visit the Brooklyn community center where he grew up and the restaurant where he once worked, then trained at the Knicks facility and taught her to shoot. The chapter ended with Monica laughing after her first shot missed wildly, as Li Fei encouraged her to try again.

• Li Fei and Monica Bellucci visited the Brooklyn community center where Li Fei had lived until he was fourteen, and he introduced her to Mr. Johnson.
• Li Fei gave Mr. Johnson a check and spent an hour teaching the children at the center how to play basketball.
• Li Fei took Monica Bellucci to the Brooklyn restaurant where he had worked as a teenager, and they ate roast beef sandwiches.
• Li Fei trained alone at the Knicks facility while Monica Bellucci watched, then offered to teach her how to shoot.
• Monica Bellucci missed her first shot, and Li Fei encouraged her to try again.

Li Fei and Monica spent a quiet evening together as they discussed the coming Bulls-Pacers game and Li Fei's ambitions. In Los Angeles, the Spurs mounted a major third-quarter comeback against the Lakers, leaving the Lakers trailing by 13.

• Monica celebrated making a basket with Li Fei before they returned to their Manhattan apartment.
• Li Fei watched coverage of Houston's 98-94 win over Portland and considered the Rockets' difficult matchup with the young Trail Blazers.
• Li Fei told Monica he hoped the Bulls and Pacers would play all seven games, and he said he had prepared for greatness since he was fourteen.
• The Lakers took a 28-21 first-quarter lead over the Spurs, but Tim Duncan helped San Antonio cut the deficit to three by halftime.
• The Spurs outscored the Lakers 28-12 in the third quarter, and San Antonio led 70-57 entering the fourth.

The Spurs beat the Lakers 96–88 to cut the series deficit to 3–2, while Kobe and O'Neal vowed to finish the series in San Antonio. In Houston, the Rockets defeated the Trail Blazers 97–93 to take a 3–2 series lead.

• Duncan scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Spurs defeated the Lakers 96–88, making the series 3–2.
• O'Neal said the Lakers would finish the series in San Antonio, and Kobe declared that they would advance without a Game 7.
• Duncan and Popovich credited the Spurs' effort and said they would focus on the next game.
• Barkley dominated the third quarter as the Rockets took a 76–70 lead over the Trail Blazers.
• Pippen hit a clutch jumper with 48 seconds left, helping the Rockets win Game 5, 97–93, and take a 3–2 series lead.

The Indiana Pacers crushed the Chicago Bulls 118-88 in Game 6, tying their playoff series and leaving Chicago facing elimination in Indianapolis. Reggie Miller’s record-setting shooting exposed the Bulls’ exhaustion as their dynasty neared its end.

• The Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 as Olajuwon, Barkley, and Pippen led them to a chance to close out the series in Portland.
• The Bulls opened Game 6 strongly, with Michael Jordan scoring 10 first-quarter points as Chicago took a 28-22 lead over Indiana.
• Reggie Miller hit four three-pointers in the second quarter, helping the Pacers take a 52-48 halftime lead.
• Miller added four more three-pointers in the third quarter as Indiana stretched its lead to 78-58 and silenced the United Center.
• The Pacers defeated the Bulls 118-88, with Miller scoring 41 points and setting a playoff record with 10 made three-pointers.
• The series headed to Indianapolis for Game 7, while commentators warned that the exhausted Bulls could be nearing the end of their season.