Chapter Summaries

After the Knicks took a 3-2 Finals lead, Li Fei said the team would stay focused on winning Game 6 in Los Angeles, while Kobe and O'Neal vowed to force a Game 7. Scarlett Johansson visited Li Fei after his 77-point performance, and he went to bed thinking about the Lakers' last stand and the championship one win away.

• Albert and Harlan said the Knicks led the Finals 3-2 after Game 5 and would face the Lakers in Los Angeles for Game 6.
• Kobe and O'Neal said the Lakers could still win at home and promised to contain Li Fei and the Knicks' shooters.
• Li Fei said winning mattered more than his record-breaking 77 points and vowed the Knicks would win Game 6.
• Sprewell, Houston, Sabonis, and Jackson celebrated the Knicks' victory in the locker room.
• Scarlett Johansson visited Li Fei, praised his performance, and told him she would watch Game 6 from home and call if he won.
• Li Fei went to bed thinking about the Lakers' last stand and the single win separating him from his third championship.

After Li Fei scored 77 points to lead the Knicks over the Lakers in Game 5, media outlets and fans celebrated the Knicks’ 3–2 Finals lead and debated whether Los Angeles could force a Game 7. The chapter ended with Game 6 approaching at the Lakers’ home court.

• Sports media reported that Li Fei’s 77-point performance gave the Knicks a 112–98 win and a 3–2 series lead.
• ESPN, TNT, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and NBC Radio highlighted Li Fei’s performance and the Knicks’ chance to win a three-peat.
• Woj described the victory as Li Fei’s declaration that the NBA was his era and league.
• Knicks and Lakers fans argued online over whether Kobe and O’Neal could win Game 6 and force a deciding seventh game.

Lakers and Knicks fans reacted to the Knicks’ 3–2 lead in the NBA Finals, with both sides looking ahead to Game 6 and Li Fei’s 77-point performance. China Central Television’s Sports News then reported the Knicks’ 112–98 Game 5 victory and Li Fei’s record-breaking stats.

• Lakers fans on their forum insisted the series was still winnable, while Knicks fans urged restraint until the team secured the championship.
• Lakers fans at a Los Angeles bar worried that Li Fei would lead the Knicks to victory again, while Knicks fans at a New York bar predicted a win in Game 6.
• China Central Television editors prepared a short Game 5 highlight reel, including Li Fei’s assist to Sprewell.
• The Sports News host reported that the Knicks had beaten the Lakers 112–98 to take a 3–2 series lead, and that Li Fei’s 77 points broke the NBA Finals single-game scoring record.

After Li Fei scored 77 points to give the Knicks a 3–2 Finals lead, news outlets and fans across China celebrated his record-breaking performance and anticipated Game 6. The chapter ended with Lakers fans hoping Kobe would force Game 7 while wondering whether Li Fei could score 77 again.

• Sports broadcasts and newspapers hailed Li Fei's 77-point performance as the greatest in NBA Finals history and noted that the Knicks were one win away from a three-peat.
• Readers flooded Sina Sports with comments comparing Li Fei's performance to Michael Jordan's and Kobe Bryant's records.
• Chinese fans made Li Fei's 77 points and the upcoming Finals Game 6 major topics on Weibo.
• Fans in workplaces, universities, and cafés discussed the Knicks' lead and predicted how Li Fei and Kobe would perform in Game 6.
• Li Fei Brand's brick-and-mortar stores had become a household name across China.

Fans across China lined up for Li Fei’s shoes after his 77-point performance, while supporters discussed the Knicks’ chance to secure a Three-Peat in Game 6. With the series at 3–2 and the next game in Los Angeles, they expressed confidence that Li Fei would lead his team to victory.

• Fans in Tianjin, Xi'an, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changchun, and Changsha queued for Li Fei shoes and shared their admiration for him and basketball.
• In Xi'an, people offered to buy shoes for a schoolboy who could not afford them after he showed them his worn Li Fei IVs.
• A pinned post on the Li Fei Brand forum asked what fans had to worry about before Game 6 in Los Angeles.
• Fans debated Li Fei’s stamina, the referees, and Kobe, with many predicting that Li Fei would avoid fouling out and lead the Knicks to win the series.

At NBA headquarters, David Stern and league executives reviewed the record-breaking attention and revenue surrounding the Finals and concluded that a Game 7 would be enormously valuable. Stern ordered normal home-court officiating for Game 6, leaving the outcome to the players as fans worldwide awaited the game.

• David Stern reviewed reports showing record ratings, sales, and revenue through the first five Finals games, including the audience for Li Fei’s 77-point performance.
• Brian McIntyre, Russ Granik, and the chief financial officer explained that a Game 7 could generate major revenue, extend the NBA’s summer coverage, and strengthen sponsor negotiations.
• Granik and McIntyre argued that a Lakers win in Game 6 would create a Game 7, where Li Fei could face Kobe and O’Neal on the road.
• John Walker confirmed that Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie, and Ron Garretson would officiate Game 6, and Stern directed them to use normal home-court standards without favoring either team.
• Fans and media worldwide prepared for Game 6, while ticket prices, advertising costs, social media discussion, and Chinese viewership forecasts reached extraordinary levels.

After returning to Los Angeles with the series tied 3–3, Kobe and O'Neal drew strength from the Lakers fans' support and committed to leaving everything on the court in Game 7. At the Lakers' training facility, Kobe and the team prepared for the decisive game by assigning defensive responsibilities and pledging to fight together.

• Thousands of Lakers fans welcomed Kobe, O'Neal, and their teammates at the airport, chanting and urging the team to win Game 7.
• Kobe signed an old fan's sign and gave his headband to a grieving girl, while O'Neal promised her he would win Game 7.
• On the bus, Kobe and O'Neal vowed to give everything they had in the deciding game.
• The next morning, Kobe addressed the Lakers and outlined how the team should defend Li Fei, Sabonis, and the opposing point guard.
• O'Neal, Fisher, Horry, Fox, and Grant each pledged to fight in Game 7, and the team joined Kobe and O'Neal in a vow to win together.

As the Lakers and Knicks prepared for their decisive playoff games, Kobe and O'Neal vowed to give everything in Game Seven. The Knicks arrived secretly in Los Angeles for Game Six, but Lakers fans harassed their hotel through the night, leaving Sprewell furious and demanding help.

• Kobe and O'Neal clasped hands and promised to leave everything on the court in Game Seven.
• Li Fei led the Knicks to a secluded Los Angeles hotel and told the team to rest and stay focused before Game Six.
• Li Fei stayed awake, thinking through the first five games and anticipating the Lakers' desperate effort.
• Lakers fans gathered outside the Knicks' hotel after midnight, using horns, drums, and chants to disrupt the players' sleep.
• Police repeatedly dispersed the fans, who returned or drove around nearby streets making noise.
• Sprewell stormed to the hotel front desk to complain, then called the police when the manager could not stop the harassment.

Lakers fans harassed the Knicks outside their hotel, and Sprewell nearly fought with the police when they failed to stop the noise. Li Fei calmed him and rallied the team to stay focused on Game 6, leaving the players determined to win the championship.

• Sprewell called the police about fans making noise outside the hotel, then confronted officers who arrived but did not disperse the cars.
• Sprewell shoved an officer, and Li Fei arrived with Houston and Marshall to stop the confrontation.
• Li Fei persuaded Sprewell that the harassment was meant to disrupt the Knicks and that fighting the police would only help their opponents.
• Sabonis and Houston supported Li Fei, and Sprewell apologized and promised to focus on winning Game 6.
• Li Fei sent the players back to rest and remained calm as the cars continued driving nearby.

After Lakers fans kept the Knicks awake with a night of noise, Li Fei adjusted practice to conserve the exhausted team’s strength for Game 6. Sprewell, Houston, Marshall, Sabonis, and Stephen Jackson condemned the harassment and insisted the Knicks would stay focused and fight to win.

• Li Fei stayed awake refining the playbook while the noise outside continued.
• The exhausted Knicks gathered for breakfast, and Li Fei urged them to set aside their anger and use practice to recover and review tactics.
• After practice, Sprewell condemned the Lakers fans’ harassment and accused the Los Angeles police of failing to stop it.
• Houston and Marshall described how the noise had affected the team and said the Knicks would still give everything in Game 6.
• Sabonis called for respectful fan support and vowed to pursue the Knicks’ third straight championship, while Stephen Jackson said the harassment would not break the team.

Li Fei urged the exhausted Knicks to focus on Game 6 as they faced the Lakers in a hostile Staples Center. The Lakers built a commanding lead, and Sprewell was ejected after receiving his second technical foul.

• Li Fei told reporters the Knicks would overcome the previous night's harassment and play to win Game 6 and complete their three-peat.
• At Staples Center, Lakers fans booed and insulted the Knicks as the teams warmed up, while Li Fei's exhausted teammates struggled with their shots.
• Kobe and O'Neal led the Lakers to a 28–16 first-quarter lead as Li Fei tried to keep the Knicks in contention.
• Sprewell confronted the fans and received a technical foul, then Li Fei urged him to focus on the game.
• The Lakers widened their lead in the second quarter while Li Fei scored and his struggling teammates turned the ball over.
• Sprewell deliberately bumped Kobe, received his second technical foul, and was ejected.

Li Fei scored 46 points, but the Knicks lost Game 6 to the Lakers 112–90, tying the NBA Finals at 3–3. After the game, Li Fei confirmed that Lakers fans had disturbed the Knicks’ rest, as the teams prepared for Game 7.

• Sprewell earned two technical fouls and was ejected after arguing with the referee and making an obscene gesture at Lakers fans.
• Li Fei kept scoring and assisting, but the Lakers’ Kobe and O'Neal maintained a large lead as the Knicks struggled without Sprewell and Sabonis faced foul trouble.
• Li Fei scored 46 points with 12 rebounds, six blocks, and four assists, but the Lakers won 112–90 and tied the series at 3–3.
• The Lakers celebrated as the Knicks left the court disappointed, and commentators announced that Game 7 would take place at Staples Center in two days.
• Li Fei confirmed to a reporter that Lakers fans had disturbed the Knicks’ rest before the game.

After the Knicks lost to the Lakers, Li Fei defended Sprewell and vowed the team would be ready for Game 7, while news coverage speculated that Sprewell might be suspended. The chapter ended with the Knicks regrouping and Li Fei learning that the league was investigating Sprewell, with a suspension still uncertain.

• Li Fei told reporters that Sprewell had acted like himself, said he understood his anger, and promised to fight for the championship in Game 7.
• Major news outlets and fans debated Sprewell's middle finger and whether the league should suspend him.
• Sprewell apologized to the Knicks in the locker room, and Li Fei, Houston, and Marshall encouraged him to prepare for Game 7.
• Jeff Van Gundy urged the team to move past the loss, rest, and prepare for the deciding game in two days.
• Li Fei read David Falk's message that the league was investigating Sprewell and that a fine was likely but a suspension remained uncertain.

Fans and former players argued over whether Latrell Sprewell should be suspended for flipping off Lakers fans, putting pressure on the NBA ahead of Game 7. At an emergency meeting, David Stern heard Rod Thorn argue that Sprewell deserved at least a one-game suspension, but the league had not yet reached a ruling.

• Lakers fans demanded Sprewell be suspended, while Knicks fans, Chinese fans, and many neutral fans defended him and pointed to the harassment he had faced.
• A Bleacher Report poll and an ESPN forum debate drew hundreds of thousands of votes and more than a million views as public opinion remained divided.
• Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson publicly supported Sprewell, increasing pressure on the league.
• David Stern convened an emergency meeting at NBA headquarters to discuss Sprewell's punishment.
• Rod Thorn argued that Sprewell should be suspended for at least one game because his gesture violated league rules and harmed its image.

NBA executives debated whether Latrell Sprewell should be suspended for his gesture after Lakers fans harassed Knicks players. David Stern decided to fine Sprewell $100,000 but allow him to play in Game 7, while warning the Lakers fans and arranging added hotel security.

• Rod Thorn and several executives argued that Sprewell should be suspended, while Brian McIntyre and others supported a fine without a suspension.
• David Stern weighed league rules, fan reaction, Li Fei’s influence in China, Game 7’s ratings, and the Lakers fans’ harassment.
• David Stern announced that Sprewell would not be suspended and would receive the maximum $100,000 fine.
• David Stern ordered the league to warn Lakers fans against harassment and ask Los Angeles police to increase patrols around the Knicks’ hotel.
• League officials drafted a statement and prepared to release the punishment at dawn.

The NBA fined Sprewell $100,000 for his gesture but did not suspend him, making him eligible for Game 7 as fans and media argued over the decision. At the Knicks’ hotel, Sprewell thanked Li Fei and promised to control his emotions and help the team win the championship.

• The NBA announced Sprewell’s $100,000 fine, cleared him to play in Game 7, and said it would work with police and the Lakers to prevent fan harassment.
• News outlets reported on the ruling, with New York coverage welcoming Sprewell’s return and the Los Angeles Angel Daily accusing the league of favoring the Knicks.
• Knicks and Chinese fans celebrated the decision, while Lakers fans protested and threatened further harassment; neutral fans largely considered the ruling reasonable.
• Sprewell thanked Li Fei at the Knicks’ hotel after learning he could play, and Li Fei told him to treat the fine as a lesson and stay composed.
• Sprewell promised to give everything in Game 7, and Allan Houston, Donyell Marshall, and the rest of the team shared in the renewed morale.

Sprewell returned to the Knicks for Game 7 after the league reduced his punishment to a fine, and Li Fei urged him to channel his anger into play on the court. Li Fei rallied the reunited team to prepare together for a chance to win their third consecutive championship.

• Sprewell’s teammates welcomed him back and encouraged him to help the Knicks in Game 7.
• Li Fei reminded Sprewell that he needed to control his actions and turn his frustration into scoring and effort on the court.
• Sprewell promised Li Fei that he would fight hard and help the Knicks win the three-peat.
• Li Fei rallied the team, assigning Houston, Sabonis, Marshall, and Jackson roles and urging everyone to give their best in Game 7.

Jeff Van Gundy rallied the Knicks after their 22-point loss, and the players pledged to fight for a third straight championship in Game 7. At the Lakers' training facility, Kobe urged his teammates to focus on the game and outlined a plan to contain Li Fei and attack through himself and Shaq.

• Jeff Van Gundy invoked the Knicks' resilience and called on the team to prepare for Game 7 at Staples Center.
• Houston, Sabonis, Marshall, Stephen Jackson, Sprewell, and Li Fei each promised to contribute to the Knicks' victory.
• Kobe told the Lakers to put aside their dissatisfaction over the league's ruling and focus on winning at home.
• Kobe said the Lakers would double-team Li Fei and rely on Shaq and himself to lead their offense.

Kobe, O'Neal, and Phil Jackson rallied the Lakers ahead of Game 7 against the Knicks, urging the team to stay united and focused despite the league's decision to let Sprewell play. Jackson outlined a plan to contain Li Fei and exploit O'Neal's strength, leaving the Lakers determined to win the championship at Staples Center.

• Kobe urged Shaq, Fisher, Horry, Fox, and the rest of the Lakers to give everything they had and win Game 7 together.
• O'Neal pledged to dominate the paint, withstand Sabonis, and help Kobe lead the Lakers to victory.
• The Lakers players rose and shouted that victory and the championship belonged to them.
• Phil Jackson told the team to set aside their anger over Sprewell's ruling and focus on the game.
• Phil Jackson outlined a plan to double-team Li Fei, limit his mid-range shooting and play through Shaq's interior advantage.
• Phil Jackson invoked The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump as examples of persistence, then called on the Lakers to defeat the Knicks at Staples Center.

The Knicks and Lakers completed two days of intense preparation for Game 7 of the Finals. As the decisive game arrived, New York erupted in support of the Knicks, with fans filling streets and gathering to watch.

• Li Fei led the Knicks through tactical reviews while he and his teammates trained for Game 7.
• Kobe, O'Neal, and the Lakers practiced under Phil Jackson's guidance, preparing to face the Knicks.
• Game 7 arrived, and New York filled with Knicks fans wearing jerseys and celebrating across the city.
• Fans in Chinatown decorated the streets and shops to support Li Fei and the Knicks.
• Staff set up giant screens in the city-center plaza as fans gathered to discuss the matchup and cheer for the Knicks.