Chapter Summaries

Li Fei blocked Kobe’s layup, then scored a fadeaway jumper to give the Knicks a 57–53 lead with 2 minutes and 18 seconds remaining in the championship game. The Lakers prepared to counterattack as the Knicks tried to protect their four-point advantage.

• After Sabonis’s dive sent the ball out of bounds, the Lakers ran an O’Neal screen to free Kobe for a drive to the basket.
• Li Fei rotated over and blocked Kobe’s layup out of bounds, stopping the Lakers’ attack.
• Li Fei brought the ball up, backed Kobe into the paint, and slipped past a double-team from Kobe and Glen Rice to hit a fadeaway jumper.
• The Knicks took a 57–53 lead with 2 minutes and 18 seconds left, and Li Fei reassured the injured Sabonis.
• Phil Jackson planned the Lakers’ next tactics as Kobe and O’Neal prepared to fight back.

With the Knicks leading by four late in Game 7, Sabonis fouled O'Neal while defending him in the post. O'Neal missed both free throws, leaving the Lakers unable to cut into the lead as the game continued.

• Li Fei's clutch fadeaway gave the Knicks a four-point lead with 2:18 remaining.
• Kobe passed the ball to O'Neal, who drove into Sabonis and drew a defensive foul.
• O'Neal missed his first free throw off the rim.
• O'Neal missed his second free throw off the backboard, wasting the Lakers' chance to reduce the deficit.
• Phil Jackson reacted in frustration while O'Neal lowered his head, shaken by the misses.

With the Knicks leading by six late in the fourth quarter, Li Fei exploited Shaq O'Neal’s missed free throws and emotional lapse to score over him, but Kobe Bryant answered with a fadeaway to cut the lead to four. Li Fei then slowed the game down as the final seconds dwindled, leaving the Knicks’ crucial possession unresolved.

• After O'Neal missed both free throws, Li Fei and Sabonis ran a pick-and-roll that forced a switch, leaving Li Fei guarded by O'Neal.
• Li Fei crossed O'Neal off balance and made a mid-range jumper, giving the Knicks a 59–53 lead with 1:52 left.
• Kobe drove past Sprewell and hit a fadeaway over Marshall and Li Fei, cutting the score to 59–55.
• With 58 seconds remaining, Li Fei brought the ball up and deliberately slowed the Knicks' possession to run down the clock.
• As the clock fell from 58 to 45 seconds, Li Fei kept dribbling beyond the arc while the Lakers guarded him closely.

Li Fei hit a step-back three from the left wing to put the Knicks ahead of the Lakers 62–55 with 40 seconds remaining. The Lakers called their final timeout as O'Neal sat on the bench, dazed over his missed free throws.

• With 45 seconds left, Li Fei dribbled to his favorite spot on the left wing while Kobe guarded him and the Knicks set up around the court.
• Li Fei drove toward the basket, stepped back beyond the three-point line to create space from Kobe, and made the shot to give the Knicks a seven-point lead.
• Madison Square Garden erupted as the Knicks celebrated, while Kobe and O'Neal looked dejected.
• Phil Jackson called the Lakers' last timeout, and O'Neal sat with his head lowered, reflecting on his missed free throws and Li Fei's clutch scoring.

The Knicks won the 1999–2000 NBA championship, completing a three-peat after a Game 7 victory over the Lakers. Li Fei’s 39-point performance cemented his status as the league’s best player as New York celebrated its historic title.

• Kevin Harlan announced that the Knicks had won the championship and completed their third consecutive title.
• Marv Albert recounted the Knicks’ championship run, including victories over the Lakers, Spurs, and Bulls.
• Bill Walton praised Li Fei for scoring 39 points in the hard-fought Game 7 and leading the Knicks to victory.
• Fans and celebrities at Madison Square Garden chanted MVP and applauded Li Fei as the Knicks celebrated.
• Barkley congratulated Li Fei, while Jordan applauded and recognized the beginning of Li Fei’s era.
• David Falk celebrated the win and saw the Li Fei Brand’s growing influence as a challenge to Adidas, Nike, and Air Jordan.

The Knicks celebrated their third consecutive championship after defeating the Lakers, while Kobe, O'Neal, and their teammates left the court in dejection. The chapter ended with players, families, coaches, and fans celebrating together at Madison Square Garden.

• Kobe led the defeated Lakers toward the tunnel as O'Neal blamed himself for mistakes that helped bring about their loss.
• Sprewell erupted in celebration, thanking Li and his teammates for winning the three-peat.
• Allan Houston embraced his family, and Sabonis joined Sprewell and Allan Houston in celebrating the championship.
• Donyell Marshall called his family, while Stephen Jackson hugged Li Fei and hailed him as their leader.
• Jeff Van Gundy embraced Li Fei, and the Knicks' players, staff, and fans celebrated their third straight title.

Li Fei and the Knicks celebrated their 1997–2000 championship run, completing a Three-Peat and cementing Li Fei’s place in NBA history. As his teammates gathered around him, staff brought out commemorative Three-Peat T-shirts and hats.

• Barkley, Jordan, and celebrities applauded as Li Fei completed the Three-Peat, while David Falk celebrated the milestone for the Li Fei Brand.
• Li Fei stood beneath the hoop and reflected on the hard work and championships that had led him to finally achieve a Three-Peat.
• Li Fei wept with relief and joy as he remembered the Knicks’ battles on the way to the championship.
• Stephen Jackson asked Li Fei why he was not celebrating, and Li Fei said he was celebrating in his heart for the team.
• Sabonis and the other Knicks thanked Li Fei, who credited their shared effort for the Three-Peat.
• Staff brought the team commemorative Knicks Three-Peat T-shirts and blue championship hats bearing the team and Li Fei Brand logos.

The Knicks celebrated their 1999-2000 NBA championship and historic three-peat at Madison Square Garden. David Stern opened the award ceremony, and Jeff Van Gundy praised the team and Li Fei, leaving the players ready to receive their awards.

• The Knicks players changed into three-peat commemorative shirts and caps as fans, guests, and commentators celebrated their championship.
• David Stern took the stage and congratulated the Knicks on winning the 1999-2000 NBA championship and completing a three-peat.
• David Stern invited head coach Jeff Van Gundy to speak at the ceremony.
• Jeff Van Gundy thanked the NBA and the Knicks players for their effort and resilience over the past three years.
• Jeff Van Gundy praised Li Fei as the team's leader and credited him with helping the Knicks achieve their three-peat.

The Knicks celebrated Jeff Van Gundy’s victory speech before David Stern announced Li Fei as the 1999–2000 NBA Finals MVP. Li Fei accepted his fifth Finals MVP trophy and began his acceptance speech, leaving the arena waiting to hear what he would say.

• Jeff Van Gundy thanked the Knicks’ staff and fans for supporting the team, then embraced the players.
• David Stern announced Li Fei as the 1999–2000 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
• The Knicks players and fans celebrated Li Fei, while the commentators praised his Finals performance and the team’s three-peat.
• David Stern presented Li Fei with the trophy and congratulated him on his fifth Finals MVP.
• Li Fei took the microphone and began his acceptance speech as Madison Square Garden fell silent.

Li Fei delivered an acceptance speech after winning the Knicks' third consecutive championship and the FMVP, thanking his teammates, coaches, fans, family, and supporters. He celebrated with his teammates and vowed to keep pursuing more championships with the Knicks.

• Li Fei thanked the NBA, his Knicks teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and Chinese supporters in his acceptance speech.
• Li Fei thanked his agent David Falk, his family, and his former Phoenix Suns teammates, and promised the three-peat was only a new beginning.
• Li Fei bowed with the FMVP trophy as Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers and fans chanted his name.
• Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Sabonis congratulated Li Fei and said they would keep pursuing championships with him.
• Li Fei embraced his teammates and vowed that they would keep moving forward together.
• Monica Bellucci, Angelina Jolie, and Larsa Pippen applauded Li Fei with tears of pride and joy.

Li Fei celebrated the Knicks’ three-peat and his fifth Finals MVP after they defeated the Lakers in Game 7, while fans in Madison Square Garden and China hailed his achievement. Sports media then covered the victory as a historic dynasty-making triumph, with Li Fei’s performance at its center.

• Li Fei celebrated with his Knicks teammates at Madison Square Garden while holding his fifth FMVP trophy.
• Fans across China watched Li Fei’s acceptance speech and cheered for him and the Knicks’ three-peat.
• Sports media across the United States and around the world made the Knicks’ victory and Li Fei’s fifth FMVP the leading story.
• TNT’s Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton praised the Knicks’ defense, their three-peat, and Li Fei’s record-setting Finals performance.
• Jeff Van Gundy credited the whole Knicks organization and called Li Fei the team’s cornerstone and leader.
• NBC radio reported that the Knicks had defeated the Lakers by six points to complete their three-peat and begin a new chapter in the Knicks Dynasty.

After the Knicks completed their Three-Peat by defeating the Lakers in Game 7, media outlets and fans celebrated Li Fei’s historic achievements and growing legacy. The chapter ended with Knicks supporters and neutral fans gathering in New York to honor the team and Li Fei.

• ABC and other outlets praised the Knicks’ Three-Peat and Li Fei’s dominance, with Larry Bird calling him the most complete player he had seen.
• The New York Times highlighted the Knicks’ Game 7 victory over the Lakers and Li Fei’s five championships, five FMVPs, and five regular-season MVPs at age 23.
• The Times reported that the Knicks became the fourth NBA team to complete a Three-Peat, while Sports Illustrated and David Stern celebrated Li Fei’s career and influence.
• ESPN and Yahoo Sports published Li Fei’s Finals statistics and comparisons with Jordan and Magic Johnson at age 23.
• Knicks fans celebrated across New York, and a longtime supporter called Li Fei a hero who had saved the team.
• Fans gathered outside Madison Square Garden, where a neutral visitor from California praised the Knicks’ defense and Li Fei’s Game 7 performance.

Fans celebrated the Knicks’ Three-Peat and praised Li Fei’s dominance, while Lakers fans accepted the Game 7 loss and congratulated their opponents. The chapter ended with the Knicks’ dynasty and Li Fei’s growing legacy dominating the news as Lakers fans looked ahead to next season.

• Knicks fans celebrated Li Fei’s five championships and five FMVPs, and Li Fei Series sneaker sales surged after the game.
• Lakers fans acknowledged that the Knicks had been better, praised Li Fei and the team, and accepted the defeat without excuses.
• Lakers fans congratulated the Knicks and Li Fei online and expressed hope that Kobe and O'Neal would challenge them again next season.
• The Knicks’ celebration continued at Madison Square Garden as national media replayed Game 7 highlights and Li Fei’s acceptance speech.
• The next morning, newspapers across New York featured Li Fei and the Three-Peat while Lakers fans looked forward to the next season.

After Li Fei led the Knicks to a Three-Peat and won his fifth FMVP, Chinese media celebrated his historic achievement and his pride in representing Chinese fans. By daybreak, people across China, especially in Beijing, were rushing to buy newspapers featuring him.

• China Central Television led Sports News with the Knicks' Game 7 victory over the Lakers and Li Fei's Three-Peat.
• Yu Jia and Xu Jicheng praised Li Fei's five championships and five FMVPs and replayed his decisive moments and acceptance speech.
• China Central Television aired a special program tracing Li Fei's career and featuring praise from basketball experts.
• Titan Sports, Basketball Pioneer Newspaper, and Basketball Guardian Newspaper published special editions celebrating Li Fei's championship, achievements, and leadership.
• People across China discussed Li Fei's accomplishments, while crowds gathered at Beijing newsstands to buy newspapers bearing his image.

Li Fei’s Three-Peat sparked celebrations across Beijing and sent Li Fei Brand sales soaring. The chapter ends with fans crowding stores and Li Fei VI shoes selling out, while more stock remained days away.

• Beijing newsstands sold out of sports newspapers featuring Li Fei as residents celebrated his championship and Three-Peat.
• Fans gathered across Beijing, including near Workers' Stadium, to praise Li Fei and cheer for his achievements.
• Crowds lined up outside the Wangfujing Li Fei Brand flagship store to buy Li Fei VI shoes and other merchandise.
• Fans quickly bought out the Li Fei VI restock, and shop assistants said nationwide demand had delayed further supplies.
• The Sanlitun Li Fei Brand store also filled with local and out-of-town fans scrambling to buy Li Fei Series products.

Li Fei’s Three-Peat sparked a nationwide buying frenzy for Li Fei Brand merchandise, with Li Fei VI selling out and fans celebrating his achievement. Li Fei Brand announced a new shipment and limited-edition commemorative sneakers, while the chapter ended with fans still lining up and waiting for restocks.

• Fans crowded Li Fei Brand stores across Beijing and the country, buying out Li Fei VI sneakers and other merchandise after Li Fei’s Three-Peat.
• David Falk celebrated the sales surge, as Li Fei VI sold more than 100,000 pairs nationwide within 24 hours and sales of other Li Fei Brand series rose.
• Chinese fans also bought Kobe’s Mamba III sneakers, whose sales increased fivefold after his determined performance in the NBA Finals.
• Fans gathered in Beijing’s Wangfujing square to chant in celebration of Li Fei, and a tourist learned that he had led his team to three straight championships and won five FMVPs.
• Li Fei Brand headquarters announced that new Li Fei VI stock would reach stores in three days and that limited-edition Three-Peat sneakers were coming, prompting fans to reserve pairs.
• Students across Beijing praised Li Fei as a basketball and business role model, while fans continued lining up for sneakers into the evening.

After Li Fei led the Knicks to a third straight championship, fans across China celebrated his achievement and Li Fei Brand benefited from the excitement. US sports media hailed the 23-year-old’s five championships and five FMVPs as an unprecedented legacy, leaving his legend firmly established in NBA history.

• Chinese fans celebrated Li Fei’s third straight championship, while Li Fei Brand stores handled heavy interest in the Li Fei VI sneakers.
• Fans in Beijing watched game highlights, saved commemorative newspapers, and discussed Li Fei’s future and the Knicks’ title.
• The chapter described Li Fei’s five championships, five FMVPs, and three-peat as the culmination of his rise to all-time superstar status.
• TNT aired a special program in which Kevin Harlan, Marv Albert, and Bill Walton praised Li Fei’s historic dominance and predicted few players could match him.

After Li Fei’s three-peat brought him into the NBA’s all-time top five, he stayed focused on future championships and thanked his fans for their support. Kobe, devastated by losing the Finals to Li Fei for a second time, went to the Lakers’ practice facility and vowed to become strong enough to beat him.

• ESPN and Yahoo Sports praised Li Fei’s historic accomplishments as fans debated his place among the NBA’s greatest players.
• Li Fei returned to his apartment with Monica Bellucci, Angelina, and Larsa Pippen, then calmly told David Falk to restock his sold-out sneakers.
• Li Fei said the three-peat was only the beginning and thanked his fans for sharing in his success.
• Kobe returned to Los Angeles after the Lakers’ Game 7 Finals loss and drove straight to the team’s empty practice facility.
• Kobe shot relentlessly despite exhaustion and painful blisters, replaying his missed shot and Li Fei’s game-winner in his mind.
• Kobe vowed that he would win a three-peat and five FMVPs too, and that he would beat Li Fei next time.

After losing the NBA Finals to Li Fei and the Knicks, Kobe trained relentlessly and persuaded O'Neal to join him. O'Neal returned to Los Angeles ready to work with Kobe toward winning the next championship.

• Kobe practiced through the night and continued training every day, determined to beat Li Fei and win a championship.
• Kobe called O'Neal during his vacation and urged him to train so the Lakers could challenge the Knicks again.
• O'Neal recalled the Finals defeat and agreed to return to Los Angeles after two weeks.
• O'Neal returned as promised, and Kobe welcomed him at the Lakers' training facility.
• Kobe and O'Neal vowed to train together, improve their teamwork, and win their next Finals matchup against Li Fei.

Kobe and O'Neal trained together and prepared to challenge Li Fei and the Knicks next season, while the Lakers' front office and Phil Jackson planned to strengthen the team around them. In New York, the Knicks' front office faced the problem of sustaining its championship dynasty after a three-peat.

• Kobe and O'Neal trained together, sharpened their partnership, and vowed to beat Li Fei and win next season's championship.
• Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and the front office agreed to build around the OK Duo, strengthen the bench and defense, and refine the team's tactics.
• Phil Jackson guided Kobe and O'Neal with individual advice on Kobe's shooting rhythm and O'Neal's free throws.
• Kobe and O'Neal continued training in Los Angeles as they waited for a chance at revenge and another championship.
• The Knicks' front office in New York confronted the challenge of maintaining the team's dominance after its three-peat.