While the NBA is undoubtedly a commercial league driven by profit and increasingly internationalized in the 21st century, it still harbors a core tenet: American players are meant to be the best basketball players on Earth.
International players might win one or two championships, but to dominate the league, it must be players from the United States. International players can become superstars, but not generational icons.
Thus, the media, as if under some directive, began to pick apart Li Feng. They sought angles to discredit him, even publishing inflammatory articles.
During the Mavericks' two home games, the media seemed to hold back. However, after the Knicks secured a victory in the third game, the media collectively erupted.
At today's press conference, reporters were eager, ready to launch their assault on Li Feng.
One reporter seized the opportunity, asking, "Mr. Li Feng, in your last game, you scored only 26 points, significantly lower than your playoff average. Does this indicate you're struggling on the NBA Finals stage?"
Before Li Feng could respond, Yao Ming snatched the microphone and exclaimed loudly, "Are 26 points few? You only see the 26 points, but you don't see that Li Feng only took 14 shots, nor do you see Li Feng's 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and 5 steals!"
"Without Li Feng, we absolutely would not have won the third game!"
Yao Ming's words were resonant, making the reporters' ears buzz throughout the hall.
The reporter, stunned by Yao Ming's outburst, moved his lips but did not ask further questions, retreating to the back.
Another reporter with short hair then asked, "Mr. Li Feng, I recall after the second game, you praised the Mavericks' role players, saying they played very well. Yet, the Knicks' role players also played well. Does this suggest you are standing on the shoulders of giants to achieve your current success?"
Yao Ming was about to retort, but Li Feng stopped him. Then, with a smile, he replied, "You could say that, I am indeed standing on the shoulders of giants."
"Even if I could score thirty or forty points in a game, that would still be less than half of the team's total score. The majority of the points were scored by my teammates. I am standing on their shoulders. Are you satisfied now?"
Seeing that Li Feng wasn't angry at all and even agreed with the reporter, it completely flustered the journalist.
The short-haired female reporter pondered for a moment and continued, "Since that's the case, do you think if the Knicks win the championship, you might be able to get the f...
The Mavericks' defense on Li Feng was exceptionally tight, making it difficult for him to receive the ball.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was 28:26, with the Mavericks leading by 2 points.
Amar'e Stoudemire, who had played for over 7 minutes in the first quarter, looked exhausted, sitting on the bench and panting heavily.
The team doctor quickly approached him to inquire about his physical condition.
This was understandable; after a long layoff, jumping straight into the NBA Finals would be taxing even for the fittest individual.
In the second quarter, the game remained very close, with neither team able to establish a significant lead.
The audience felt a sense of breathless tension, having been on edge since the game began.
Although Li Feng switched to an individual offensive mode in the latter half of the second quarter, Nowitzki also began to assert himself through his teammates' screens.
The two star players engaged in a scoring duel, making the game exciting.
At halftime, the score stood at 57:56, with the Knicks leading by 1 point.
The game was incredibly intense; no one could predict who would win today, with overtime seeming like a distinct possibility.
...
The second half began, and Nowitzki immediately pushed Yao Ming aside, caught the ball, and sank a jump shot.
The Mavericks took a 1-point lead again.
Li Feng, of course, was not to be outdone. On his home court, he couldn't let the opponents gain momentum!
Therefore, Li Feng shed Kidd and, before Marion could close in, made a floater for 2 points.
Unlike the first half, the star players of both teams began trading blows at the start of the second half.
The game continued to be deadlocked.
With 2 seconds left in the third quarter, Nowitzki, under double-team coverage, executed a one-legged fadeaway, a shot at the buzzer!
This shot was incredibly difficult; Knicks' Jordan Hill and Stoudemire practically swarmed Nowitzki, but the basketball still dropped precisely into the hoop.
This basket brought the score back to a tie.
Statistics showed this was the 12th tie of the game.
D'Antoni looked at Nowitzki with a sense of helplessness. The Mavericks' Nowitzki was becoming more formidable with age, and this year he was truly exceptional.
Li Feng played the entire third quarter, and his stamina was severely depleted.
Before coming onto the court, Billups whispered a few words to Li Feng.
"Fireplace, I'm counting on you. Hold on for five minutes, don't fall too far behind."
Billups understood the importance of this game and nodded vigorously.
"Don't worry, I'm very familiar with the Mavericks' bench lineup. They won't gain any advantage."
Billups was experienced and exceptionally calm at this moment.
However, when Billups stepped onto the court, he was stunned.
Because Nowitzki was still on the court.
Li Feng was somewhat bewildered. Nowitzki was almost 32 years old and had played over 9 minutes in the third quarter, with only a 3-minute break in between.
Unexpectedly, he was still playing in the fourth quarter with the reserves.
Under Nowitzki's leadership, the Mavericks built a 7-point lead within the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter.
D'Antoni grew restless, repeatedly glancing at Li Feng.
He knew Li Feng was tired; having played the entire third quarter, he should have ideally rested for at least 5 minutes before returning.
But the situation was critical now. If the deficit continued to grow, it would be difficult to catch up.
Li Feng had been using the "Curry Stamina Recovery Technique" and had recovered half of his stamina.
According to his usual practice, he should have rested a little longer.
But he still stood up and nodded at D'Antoni.
D'Antoni was overjoyed and immediately called a timeout.
The score at this point was 88:81, with the Mavericks leading by 7 points.
After the timeout, Li Feng, Billups, Jordan Hill, Bill Walker, and Stoudemire returned to the court.
The Mavericks still fielded Nowitzki with their reserve lineup.
As soon as Li Feng stepped onto the court, he delivered an easy pass to Jordan Hill, narrowing the gap by 2 points.
But the Mavericks' Terry hit a three-pointer through a screen, extending the lead to 8 points!
The home crowd tensed up again. Were the Mavericks going to explode in the fourth quarter?
Li Feng felt a sense of urgency. He had been observing Nowitzki, wondering if he wasn't tired.
It seemed the veteran's willpower was historically top-tier; he had truly given his all in this crucial game.
Li Feng couldn't help but feel a touch of shame.
He was only 20 years old, while the veteran was 31, yet he had played for so long.
The seconds ticked by, but the score remained at a 7-8 point difference.
The cheers at Madison Square Garden grew quieter, and the fans' disappointment was evident on their faces.
With 1 minute and 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks still led by 7 points.
Li Feng was truly desperate. After crossing half-court, he used a fake move, then rapidly changed direction, darting through the gap between two defenders.
This drive was spectacular; even Kidd and Marion couldn't stop him.
After breaking through, Li Feng drove straight into the paint and slammed the ball down before Chandler could contest, scoring 2 points!
This dunk was incredibly powerful, instantly igniting the home crowd.
Li Feng hoped this dunk would inspire the team's morale and allow them to tie the score in the remaining time.
The score was 99:94, with the Mavericks still holding a 5-point lead.
Unexpectedly, on the Mavericks' next possession, Nowitzki moved to the three-point line, received a pass from Terry, and hit another three-pointer.
Li Feng was truly astonished.
The veteran had played the entire fourth quarter and still possessed such excellent stamina!
It was as if the German Tank had possessed him!
The score was 102:94, with the deficit widening to 8 points.
Only 42 seconds remained.
Unless a miracle occurred, the Knicks' chances seemed slim.
Although Li Feng managed to hit an ultra-long three-pointer, Terry, after receiving a pass from Nowitzki, responded with one of his own.
There wasn't enough time.
Ultimately, the Knicks regrettably lost their second home game.
The series was now tied at 2:2!
By losing their second home game, the Knicks had essentially handed the home-court advantage back to the Mavericks.
Li Feng played 40 minutes today, scoring 38 points, while Nowitzki played 42 minutes and tallied 41 points!
41 points!
Nowitzki's jersey number was also 41!
Today, Nowitzki was like a god of war.
At the post-game press conference, Li Feng faced the media.
The reporters seemed to have been waiting for this opportunity; the Knicks had lost!
They hadn't succeeded in their attempts to undermine Li Feng at the pre-game press conference.
Now that Li Feng had lost, they felt they could finally mock him thoroughly.
"Mr. Li Feng, what do you believe was the primary reason for this game's defeat?"
This reporter posed a probing question first.
Li Feng's expression was somber as he slowly replied, "There are two reasons. The first is Nowitzki; he was possessed by a god of war today, playing at his peak performance. The second is me; I didn't play as well as Nowitzki today. That's all."
Li Feng still candidly admitted that he was not as good as Nowitzki.
The reporters did not let him off the hook despite his honesty.
"Since you admit you're not as good as Nowitzki, do you still have confidence in beating the Mavericks in the series?"
Li Feng answered seriously, "The series is best-of-seven. We've already won two games, why wouldn't I have confidence? Are you joking?"
Seeing Li Feng counter-attack, the reporters remained undeterred and pressed on, "But the momentum is with the Mavericks now, and today's victory is proof."
Li Feng snorted, "Games are won by playing, not by proving. If that were the case, many historical championships would have to be re-awarded!"
Despite the reporters' barrage of mocking arrows aimed at Li Feng, he used his excellent rhetoric and sharp wit to leave them momentarily stunned.
Although Li Feng refused to concede defeat verbally, he treated the Mavericks with even greater respect.
Nowitzki's performance today exceeded Li Feng's understanding.
He discussed with D'Antoni for over an hour, primarily focusing on how to limit Nowitzki.