The fourth quarter began with Larry Hughes leading the bench unit onto the court.
Through team training and his own efforts, Larry Hughes' playing style had undergone significant changes.
He simplified his offense, accelerated his pace, and increased the speed of his shots and passes.
While he lacked Li Feng's explosive power, Larry Hughes effectively fulfilled his role during the bench period, relying on years of accumulated experience and skill.
The Knicks trailed by only 3 points, 93:90, with over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Clippers brought their starters back onto the court first. D'Antoni also wanted to make a substitution, but he saw Li Feng showing no intention of entering the game, instead cheering enthusiastically for Larry Hughes.
Coach D'Antoni immediately understood Li Feng's intention: to reward Larry Hughes by letting him play a bit longer!
Thus, the Knicks' bench unit continued to face the Clippers' starting lineup.
Griffin was furious. Seeing the Knicks trailing and refusing to substitute, he felt it was a blatant display of disrespect.
So, Griffin unleashed his full might, channeling all his explosive power against the Knicks' reserves.
Despite the Knicks' bench playing with all their might, the gap in skill was evident. They gradually began to falter, and the deficit started to inch towards ten points.
Just after Jordan Hill was once again dunked on by Griffin, Coach D'Antoni quickly called a timeout to bring the starters back in.
At this point, with 5 minutes and 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the score was 101:91, with the Clippers leading by ten points.
The fans at Staples Center were ecstatic, believing there was a real chance for victory.
The Knicks were the league's only undefeated team. If the Clippers could defeat them, it would be a significant testament to their own strength.
Upon seeing Li Feng enter the game, Griffin's spirits soared, and he roared at his teammates, "Secure the victory!"
The other Clippers players were also angered, feeling that the Knicks team didn't take them seriously, allowing their starters to rest for so long.
Therefore, they were all determined to give their all, just like Griffin, to win the game.
However, Li Feng would not give them that opportunity.
As soon as the Knicks' starters took the court, Li Feng delivered a scalpel-like pass directly into the Clippers' paint, leading to a layup by David Lee.
The ease with which this play was executed was due to the Clippers players' eyes being glued to Li Feng.
With as many as three players surrounding Li Feng, David Lee had ample space to take his shot.
Griffin, enraged, slammed the ball hard onto the floor. The referee, showing no leniency, immediately called a technical foul.
Li Feng stepped up to the free-throw line and calmly sank the shot.
The deficit quickly narrowed to seven points, 101:94!
Clippers head coach Dunleavy was furious and yelled at his players to calm down.
The Clippers initiated another offensive play. Griffin called for the ball at the elbow of the paint. Seeing that Li Feng was not providing help defense, he gained confidence and began to drive towards the basket.
David Lee couldn't hold his ground, and Gallinari quickly came over to help.
Griffin, showing no fear, pushed Gallinari aside, took a step, and unleashed a one-handed slam!
Simultaneously, Gallinari fell to the ground, and the referee's whistle blew, calling a blocking foul on Gallinari.
This play exuded a powerful aura, showcasing the perfect combination of Griffin's strength and vertical leap!
It was a 2+1 play!
The crowd at Staples Center erupted in thunderous applause and cheers!
Li Feng also admired Griffin's post-up skills. As a fellow rookie, Griffin was indeed in a league of his own at the power forward position.
In his previous life, Griffin was the number one pick in the following year's draft, and deservedly so!
Unfortunately, Griffin missed the ensuing free throw, and the score remained 103:94, a nine-point difference!
Li Feng brought the ball across half-court. He looked left and right, making the Clippers players extremely nervous, unsure if he was going to shoot or pass.
Suddenly, Li Feng glanced to his right and made a motion as if to gather the ball with both hands.
Gordon reflexively reached out to block, thinking Li Feng was about to shoot. However, Li Feng rapidly lowered the ball, changed direction, and blazed past him on the left like lightning!
It was too fast!
Gordon reacted, but Li Feng was already behind him.
The other Clippers players rushed to cover, but it was too late. Li Feng drove directly into the paint, heading straight for Griffin.
He already had eight alley-oops and needed two more to complete his goal.
Not only did he need to complete it, but he had to do it over Griffin's head!
Since Griffin had dunked on Gallinari earlier, Li Feng felt compelled to retaliate for his teammate.
This was what a team leader needed to do!
It wasn't that Li Feng was petty or held grudges; in competitive sports, a "never forget a slight" mentality was a basic psychological state.
To rise again where you fall is how you reach the pinnacle of achievement and command universal admiration.
If you are humiliated by an opponent and fail to respond, instead slinking away, you are psychologically at a significant disadvantage.
Griffin felt a surge of unease as Li Feng charged towards him, remembering being dunked on by Li Feng at the start of the game.
Even DeAndre Jordan hadn't been spared.
So, as Griffin moved to meet him, he also called out to his teammates for help defense.
Gomes immediately shifted his position and moved in as well.
But Li Feng remained unruffled. About a meter and a half from the basket, he leaped into the air again, grasped the ball with his right hand, and slammed it towards the hoop.
Griffin roared and leaped simultaneously, extending his left hand in an attempt to swat the ball away from Li Feng.
At the same time, Gomes flew in from the side, aiming to collide with Li Feng.
These two 2-meter players, one a power forward and the other a small forward, converging on a guard simultaneously, created a truly spectacular scene.
Li Feng's body tensed, showing no intention of evading. He pressed down with his right hand against Griffin and dunked the ball.
Although Griffin's arms were a bit short, his height and leaping ability were truly astonishing. Li Feng's hand was only about 10 centimeters higher than his.
Anyone else would have likely had their shot disrupted by Griffin, but Li Feng's power was immense.
Moreover, with the system's assistance, Li Feng's hands had become incredibly large, like suction cups, firmly gripping the basketball.
With a "bang!"
Li Feng still managed to dunk the ball. Simultaneously, Griffin's arm was forcefully pressed down by Li Feng and also hit the rim, causing him to cry out in pain.
Gomes' collision with Li Feng caused Li Feng's body to tilt, but Li Feng's balance was remarkable. Using the force of his grip on the rim, he swung twice in mid-air before landing gracefully.
The fans at Staples Center, being knowledgeable about the game, were stunned for a second before erupting into enthusiastic applause and cheers!
Even though Li Feng was an away player, they couldn't help but express their admiration!
It was too cool!
Li Feng's Knicks teammates had been holding their breath, fearing he would be knocked to the ground by the two opposing forwards.
To their surprise, not only did Li Feng score with the dunk, but he also emerged unscathed, which was incredibly impressive!
His teammates rushed over, high-fiving him and chest-bumping, shouting incessantly.
The Knicks' morale surged once again, the entire team energized as if injected with adrenaline.
Gallinari, in particular, had been dunked on by Griffin earlier, and Griffin had even given him a mocking sideways glance.
Now that Li Feng had avenged him, Gallinari deliberately shot a sideways glance at Griffin.
In the ensuing possessions, the Knicks played with seamless fluidity. When the players got into a rhythm, everything they did seemed to work.
Li Feng took advantage of the situation to complete two more alley-oops, assisted by David Lee and Duhon respectively.
Clippers head coach Dunleavy shook his head in resignation and sighed.
Li Feng was truly a handful.
He was like the anchor of the Knicks, always appearing in the right place at the right time and making the correct plays.
With 1 minute and 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Knicks had already taken a seven-point lead.
The Clippers struggled for a while longer before finally giving up.
The final score was 114:105, with the Knicks securing a victory on the road.
Li Feng played 33 minutes today, scoring 42 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 15 assists.
Griffin also had a brilliant performance, playing 34 minutes and scoring 30 points, with 11 rebounds.
However, the lasting impression of this game for most people was the iconic moment of Li Feng dunking over Griffin, a feat Griffin hadn't anticipated.
Li Feng was the undisputed MVP of the game.
Upon returning to the hotel, the system's voice chimed—
"Ding, host has completed 10 alley-oops, rewarding the host with a high-level treasure chest!"
Li Feng, unable to contain his excitement, quickly exclaimed, "Open it!"
The dazzling golden treasure chest opened, revealing a gold card inscribed with "Iverson Crossover Skill."
Li Feng shouted with excitement!
That was Iverson!
His dribbling and drives were unique and incredibly sharp!
As the saying goes, many say Kyrie Irving has great handles, using a hundred ways to get past you!
But Iverson used one way to get past you a hundred times, and you'd still be helpless!
With Iverson's crossover, Li Feng's drives would become even more invincible!
Although he had just played a game and was physically drained, Li Feng's eagerness to get to the next game was palpable after acquiring such a powerful skill!
After defeating the Clippers, the Knicks extended their winning streak to seven games, standing tall above the entire league.
Li Feng's name became the hottest name in the NBA, even worldwide, with countless fans discussing this young Chinese star.
With soaring popularity came a significant increase in commercial value.
Bill Duffy, as Li Feng's agent, was naturally raking in the profits, yet he remained an agent with a strong moral compass.
Every sponsor Li Feng partnered with was meticulously vetted by Bill Duffy.
Bill Duffy kept Li Feng's few conditions firmly in mind.
The Knicks' next game was a home match against the Boston Celtics.
Before the game, Bill Duffy called Li Feng to inform him of something.
A Chinese sports brand owner, Deng Huasheng, had specially traveled to the United States to watch this game live.
Li Feng showed no particular reaction upon hearing this, merely offering a soft "Oh."
Bill Duffy expressed his surprise, asking, "Li Feng, you've rejected several American and international sports brands for collaboration, weren't you waiting for a domestic Chinese brand?"
Li Feng replied, "That's right, but there are quite a few domestic Chinese sports brands, and their quality varies. I need to consider carefully. Which brand is this Deng Huasheng associated with?"
"Red Star. I checked, and it's ranked in the top five in China. The owner, Deng Huasheng, is quite decent, often engaging in charity work and donating generously."
Li Feng's mind stirred, but he still cautiously stated, "Alright, I'll observe further."
Such matters couldn't be rushed. A sports brand's endorsement could have a profound impact on a player.
Many star players had made compromises or were dissatisfied with their initial contracts, only to reluctantly switch brands a few years later.
Therefore, Li Feng didn't want to go through that cycle. He needed to choose a Chinese domestic brand with whom he could mutually support and grow together, which was Li Feng's ultimate aspiration.
Since winning the championship in the 2008 season, the Celtics had remained a championship-contending team. However, as the Big Three aged, their competitive edge had somewhat declined.
But the experience of the "Big Three" veterans, coupled with the increasingly mature Rondo, gave the Celtics immense resilience.
In the past seven games, the Celtics had a record of 5 wins and 2 losses, ranking second in the Eastern Conference.
This matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference once again became a focal point of discussion.
The Knicks also took this game very seriously, preparing meticulously and watching game film all morning.
D'Antoni sought Li Feng's opinion. Li Feng felt the odds were stacked against them for this game.
Li Feng was not one to underestimate himself; on the contrary, he was very level-headed.
Although the Knicks had previously defeated strong teams like the Spurs and the Magic, the Celtics were different from them.
The Celtics excelled in both offense and defense, and their few star players possessed seasoned and cunning playstyles, making them genuinely difficult to contend with.
D'Antoni placed significant pressure on his players, urging them to intensify their training.
Despite the Knicks being the league's top team, they couldn't afford to become complacent.
There were always a few teams that showed impressive early-season performance. However, the regular season was a long grind, and long-term stability was crucial.
Li Feng and D'Antoni were well aware that apart from Li Feng, the other players' skills were only slightly above average in the league.
If the roster remained unchanged, their chances of making the playoffs were high. However, to go further in the playoffs, trades would ultimately be necessary.
Li Feng also discussed Yao Ming with D'Antoni.
As a player, he couldn't say too much to management, but D'Antoni could.
Upon hearing that Yao Ming might request a trade, Coach D'Antoni rubbed his hands together in delight.
"Li Feng, if Yao Ming could team up with you, I... I truly can't imagine!"
"Coach, I think the same way. You should communicate with management first. If Yao Ming really requests a trade, the Knicks must offer the most sincere assets to acquire Yao Ming."
"Absolutely! I'll go talk to management right away!" D'Antoni couldn't even spare time for the team's training; he immediately went to find the team manager.
Two days later, at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Knicks hosted the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics' starting five consisted of Pierce, Garnett, Ray Allen, Rondo, and Perkins.
The Knicks' starting lineup remained Li Feng, David Lee, Gallinari, Duhon, and Jeffries.
Garnett secured the first possession for the Celtics.
Although Perkins was the center, Garnett's leaping ability was clearly superior, hence his taking the jump ball at center court today.
Rondo dribbled the ball past half-court, and Duhon stepped up to apply tight defense.
Li Feng was not guarding Rondo but Ray Allen, as Ray Allen's off-ball movement was formidable and required constant attention.
Facing Duhon, Rondo called for a screen. Perkins stepped out to set the pick on Duhon, and Rondo quickly drove into the paint.
Garnett made a quick cut, Rondo lofted the ball, and Garnett caught it for a thunderous slam!
This was the Celtics' strategy; their seasoned veterans possessed vast experience, and every detail was executed flawlessly.