Li Feng and Curry, like twin dragons attacking from left and right, split the court. Bill Walker, seeing Hill guarding Curry, passed the ball to Li Feng.
Stephenson lunged forward, and Li Feng executed a spinning maneuver, leaving Stephenson behind. He drove to the basket and slammed home a dunk!
After the score, Li Feng grabbed the rim with his left hand and pointed at Jokic with his right!
The message was clear: "Your defense is great!"
Jokic let out a long sigh of relief. He realized he finally had a purpose.
However, his block did not excite the fans, nor did they cheer for him.
This was the harsh reality.
Li Feng's Knicks teammates were supportive, all coming over to high-five and encourage Jokic.
In the following possessions, led by Li Feng, the Knicks gained the advantage.
But Jokic still couldn't get the better of Hibbert in the paint; Hibbert had an easy time against him.
If it weren't for Yi Jianlian's active help defense, Jokic would have been thoroughly exposed.
At halftime, the score was 57:53, with the Knicks leading by four points.
Although the Pacers played well overall, those who understood the game could see that as soon as Li Feng exerted himself, the Pacers couldn't withstand it.
No one could defend Li Feng.
If they double-teamed him, Curry would deliver the punishment!
When the Splash Brothers teamed up, they were invincible!
The second half began with the Knicks continuing their perimeter-oriented offense, and the Pacers gradually started to falter.
The point difference widened.
Li Feng didn't deliberately create plays with Jokic, but after more than four minutes into the third quarter, Li Feng, through a pick-and-roll, managed to pass the ball to Jokic.
Jokic finally scored on a layup!
In the first half, Jokic only managed 3 points, but he finally got on the board in the second half, finishing with a total of 5 points.
However, just as Jokic scored 2 points, Hibbert responded with a powerful dunk right over him, returning the favor with 2 points.
At the same time, the referee also called Jokic for an offensive foul.
A three-point play!
Jokic had now committed four fouls.
Generally, a starting center with four fouls would be taken out by the coach.
But D'Antoni seemed to pretend not to see it, keeping Jokic on the court. He didn't care at all.
Even if he fouled out, so be it...
After three quarters, the Knicks still held a nine-point lead.
Entering the fourth quarter, despite the Pacers making strategic substitutions and keeping two key players on the court, the Knicks' overall strength proved superior.
Ultimately, the Knicks defeated the Pacers at home 114:102, securing an opening win for the regular season.
Li Feng played 33 minutes today and scored 32 points, Curry had 27 points, and Jokic had 5 points.
For the Pacers, Paul George scored 27 points, and Hibbert had 25 points.
Hibbert averaged only 12.4 points last season, which showed how poor Jokic's defense was.
The victory in the first game did not boost the Knicks' championship predictions.
Their weak interior presence caused many basketball commentators to remain skeptical of the Knicks.
The Knicks' next three games were all on the road.
Perhaps due to the high expectations for the reigning champions, the Knicks faced unfavorable officiating in their away games!
In the third game against the Magic, the free-throw disparity was a staggering 12:35.
Away games felt like graveyards!
D'Antoni couldn't stand it and, in an interview, fiercely criticized the unfair officiating.
But the league immediately fined him $10,000.
Li Feng, in his interview, did not mention the referees. This wasn't out of fear of a fine.
He knew very well that as a Chinese player who had led the team to three consecutive championships, he had already shocked the world!
Many media outlets began comparing him to Jordan, analyzing their games in various aspects.
Certainly, based on their careers in the first few years, Li Feng was undoubtedly more outstanding.
But Jordan was irreplaceable; in his era, with his unparalleled skill and aesthetic, he had helped the NBA open its international doors.
This is why Chamberlain once said that all NBA players should contribute ten percent of their salary to Jordan.
This season, the Knicks' challenge to win a fourth consecutive championship would be extremely difficult.
And the biggest obstacle was the referees.
Li Feng was mentally prepared for this.
The reason he was cultivating Jokic also stemmed from this: to play the underdog initially, and then shock the world in the playoffs!
Over the three road games, the Knicks managed to win only one difficult victory, which came in overtime.
That game was on the road against the 76ers.
Li Feng and Curry both played exceptionally well, with the Splash Brothers combining for 79 points to clinch the win.
The Knicks started with a 2-2 record, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Li Feng's detractors began to emerge, claiming that Li Feng was no longer effective!
"See? Yao Ming is the real star; Li Feng only won three championships because of Yao Ming!"
"Exactly! Now that he's playing with Jokic, Li Feng's true colors are showing!"
"I said it long ago, if Yao Ming had stayed with the Rockets, he would have won championships too."
"F
"You still have the mood to tease me? What's going on with the Knicks? Why didn't they sign a better center?" Yao Ming asked directly.
Li Feng didn't know how to explain. He knew Yao Ming had good intentions.
As an elder brother, Yao Ming hoped Li Feng could lead the team to four or even five consecutive championships, creating a miracle.
"It's like this, there aren't many good centers on the market right now, and they're not cheap, so we just want to cultivate one..."
"Sigh, cultivating a center isn't that easy. You're at your peak now, and by the time Jokic is developed, you'll be pushing thirty!"
"Haha, Brother Yao, you're exaggerating. How could that be? I'm only 23."
"Time flies by. Even if you win championships in a couple of years, they won't be consecutive, which would be such a shame!"
Yao Ming understood that consecutive championships were definitely more valuable than a collection of scattered titles, so he hoped the Knicks would make a trade quickly to strengthen their interior and help Li Feng achieve a four-peat!
"Thank you, Brother Yao. I know what you mean, but... Jokic is actually quite good. He has potential..."
"I don't see any potential in him. Listen to me, trade him away as soon as possible. I see a few centers on the market, like McGee and Mozgov, they're both pretty good."
Li Feng was touched. Although Yao Ming had retired, he was still thinking about the Knicks and had thoroughly researched the current trade market.
His suggestions were spot-on and perfectly suited to the Knicks' current roster.
But how could Da Yao know that Li Feng was a穿越者 (transmigrator) playing the long game!
If Jokic developed, he could absolutely dominate the league with Li Feng and Curry for five years, or even longer!
"Brother Yao, what you're saying makes a lot of sense. How about this, I'll go back and discuss it with Coach D'Antoni and General Manager Burke. Jokic is indeed too raw."
"Yes, with the Knicks' financial resources, signing a good center shouldn't be difficult. You should try your best to persuade the management!"
...
They chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up the phone.
The next two games were home games for the Knicks against less formidable opponents: the Hornets and the Timberwolves from the West.
Playing at home, the officiating was relatively fair, and the Knicks secured two consecutive victories.
However, the following game presented another challenge for the Knicks.
They were scheduled to play the Miami Heat on the road.
This was the third year of the Heat's "Big Three" era.
In the previous two years, the Heat had been eliminated by the Knicks, once in the second round and once in the Eastern Conference Finals.
LeBron James was likely quite frustrated.
If he didn't win a championship this year, he might have to leave.
Li Feng lacked confidence for this game due to several factors that were unfavorable to the Knicks.
Firstly, the Knicks had undergone significant roster changes, leaving them at a disadvantage in the interior.
Secondly, Wade had healed his knee, regaining his strength and almost returning to his peak form. Who could defeat such a "Big Three"?
Thirdly, playing on the road meant the referees would undoubtedly be unfriendly. The Knicks were in a precarious situation.
But the most crucial factor that allowed Li Feng to lead the team to three consecutive championships was his unwillingness to give up!
During the pre-game preparations, Li Feng cautioned his teammates that this game was extremely important and they needed to give 200% effort!
The next afternoon, the entire Knicks team arrived in Miami.
At the pre-game press conference, Li Feng and Curry accepted media interviews.
A reporter asked, "Mr. Li Feng, the Heat's Big Three have been playing exceptionally well this season, with six wins in six games, ranking them first in the league. Do you feel any pressure?"
Li Feng shrugged, "No pressure. It's just a regular-season game. We'll try our best to win; if we lose, we lose."
The reporter was puzzled and pressed further, "The Heat and the Knicks have met many times in the playoffs, with close losses for the Heat. This season, the Heat are well-meshed, while the Knicks have undergone significant roster changes. Aren't you worried?"
Li Feng laughed, "The regular season has just begun. How do you know we won't mesh well?"
This was a sharp retort, and Curry chuckled along.
Another reporter turned to Curry and asked, "Stephen, how do you feel since joining the Knicks? Is it a better fit for you than the Warriors?"
Curry was an honest and kind person. He would never speak ill of others.
He answered calmly, "The Knicks are great and a good fit for me. The Warriors were also good to me, and I cherish my time with the Warriors."
This wasn't Curry being politically savvy; it was simply his personality.
Even after leaving, he wouldn't say anything bad about the Warriors.
A female reporter asked, "Mr. Li Feng, I heard you helped Wade heal his knee, allowing him to return to his peak. Many of Wade's fans are very grateful to you. Do you know that?"
Li Feng nodded, "I saw it. Many of Wade's fans sent me gifts. They're very lovely."
"If, I mean, if you meet again in the playoffs this season and Wade eliminates you, will you regret it?"
Li Feng smiled coldly and shook his head, "Of course not. If I were that kind of person, I wouldn't have helped Wade with his knee. I want all my opponents to be healthy and play at their best! Only by defeating the strongest opponents can our championships be truly proud of!"
These powerful and magnanimous words touched all the reporters present.
They couldn't help but applaud, celebrating Li Feng's broad-mindedness.
Curry also nodded repeatedly, deeply impressed by Li Feng's charisma.
...
At the Heat's press conference, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade spoke to the media.
Perhaps because the Heat had a perfect 6-0 record and the Knicks had a less impressive start, James appeared to be in high spirits, his face beaming with smiles.
A reporter asked, "LeBron, this is the third year of the Heat's Big Three combination. How do you think the Heat this year compare to last year?"
"Of course, we're stronger. The team chemistry is better, and Wade's knee is healed. The Heat are the strongest team in the league!"
The reporter, seeing James speak so confidently, but Wade bowing his head beside him, then asked, "What do you think are the chances of the Heat winning a best-of-seven series against the Knicks this year?"
Perhaps the shadow Li Feng cast over James over the years, from the Cavaliers to the Heat, having been eliminated for consecutive years, made James reluctant to answer such a specific question.
"A series... um... we'll likely win."
Seeing James's clear lack of confidence, the reporter wanted to ask more, but James waved his hand and said, "The regular season has just begun. Don't ask questions so far ahead. I'm not a fortune teller, how can I know about the playoffs?"
Sensing James's slight impatience, the reporter turned to Wade.
"Mr. Wade, you've played exceptionally well in the six games this season, averaging 26.6 points. Does this indicate that your knee is completely healed?"
When his knee was mentioned, Wade couldn't suppress his inner excitement. He nodded repeatedly and replied, "Yes, my knee is completely recovered. Li Feng took me to China to get it treated!"
"Since Li Feng was so good to you, will you go easy on him on the court?" the reporter playfully asked.
Wade's smile vanished, and he said seriously, "No. We are both professional players who love this sport. On the court, we are opponents, and we will never go easy. Similarly, Li Feng won't go easy on me!"
The reporter nodded approvingly and then asked, "Mr. LeBron, if the Heat don't win the championship this season, will you leave the Heat?"
James did not answer immediately. His facial expression changed unpredictably. After more than ten seconds, he slowly replied, "Heat fans, please rest assured, I will not leave the Heat!"
Among the reporters were many of LeBron's fans, and they all applauded, cheering for LeBron's determination.
...
At 7:30 PM, the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
The Heat hosted the reigning champion Knicks.
The Knicks' starting lineup remained Li Feng, Jokic, Yi Jianlian, Bill Walker, and Curry.
The Heat's starting five were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, and Shane Battier.
As the players walked onto the court, James and Li Feng brushed past each other.
"Li Feng, this season, we will win the championship, and we will achieve a five-peat!"