Li Feng sat on the bench, silent, contemplating how to deal with Wade.
But against such a Flash, what method could there be?
Soon, the timeout ended, and Li Feng and the starters returned to the court.
Before taking the court, Li Feng, Yao Ming, and Stoudemire had a brief chat. Li Feng told them that he would rather Wade pass to his teammates than drive to the basket.
Now, only the last defensive stopper remained.
The game resumed, with the Knicks on offense.
Li Feng once again tore through the Heat's defense with a phantom pass, sending it to Yao Ming.
Yao Ming made a scoop shot, scoring 2 points and temporarily ending the Knicks' scoring drought.
The deficit narrowed back to 11 points.
Wade dribbled across half-court. Facing Li Feng's defense, he called for a screen again, blocking Li Feng.
As he drove into the paint, Yao Ming stood in front of him, while Stoudemire was also nearby, ready to help defend.
Wade knew very well that the Knicks had intensified their defense against him.
Whoosh!
Wade immediately passed the ball to Bosh.
Because Stoudemire had gone to help defend Wade, Bosh was left open.
Bosh calmly took the shot.
Just as he released the ball, smack!
A figure flew in from the left and swatted the ball away.
This was Li Feng's follow-up strategy: have Yao Ming and Stoudemire lock down Wade.
Bosh was shocked. He had clearly seen Li Feng blocked by Chalmers, so how did he suddenly appear here?
He didn't know that Li Feng's speed was too great. Chalmers could only block him for a moment, but couldn't keep up with Li Feng at all.
After the block, the ball flew into Bill Walker's hands.
At the same time, Lowry was already pushing the pace, crossing half-court. Bill immediately tossed the ball to Lowry.
The "Little Cannon" didn't stop, driving into the paint and dunking for a score!
The Knicks finally managed to contain Wade through collective effort, albeit temporarily.
However, Wade was Wade. In the next possession, he scored another 2 points with a pull-up jump shot.
The teams were once again in a stalemate, with the score hovering around 10 points.
Although the Knicks had somewhat contained Wade, preventing him from being as explosive as in the first quarter, Wade still used his experience to help his team. The Knicks couldn't catch up.
With 11 seconds left before halftime, the Heat had the last possession.
Wade held the ball at the top of the arc and called for another screen.
Just as Li Feng prepared to navigate the screen, Wade suddenly pulled up for a three-pointer!
Truly worthy of being Wade!
This was his first three-point attempt of the game.
In fact, Wade didn't shoot many threes, but when it came down to crucial moments, Wade's three-point percentage was actually quite high.
This was somewhat similar to Jordan.
During Jordan's era, players shot very few threes because the prevailing mentality was that threes were for role players, and they only shot them occasionally.
Shooting too many threes would earn you the label of a "softie."
But even though Jordan shot few threes, his accuracy was not low.
Moreover, his three-point percentage in the playoffs was higher than in the regular season, and in the Finals, it was even higher than in the playoffs!
Truly a born superstar, a player for the big moments. The more crucial the game, the more accurate his three-pointers became!
Wade was the same today. He knew everyone on the Knicks was focused on his drives.
So, he suddenly pulled up for a three-pointer before halftime.
Li Feng watched helplessly as the basketball drew a beautiful arc and swished through the net!
At the same time, the buzzer sounded, and the first half ended!
The deficit instantly jumped to 15 points.
63:48!
This basket was a huge blow to the Knicks players.
With a 15-point deficit, on the Heat's home court, and Wade playing so well, was there still a chance for a comeback?
After making the shot, Wade excitedly rushed to the sideline and roared at the spectators—
"This is my turf! This is my town!"
The home crowd was extremely excited. Their team's soul, after all, had finally put on an astonishing performance in Game 7!
Wade played 19 minutes in the first half and scored 34 points. It was terrifying.
Although Li Feng also scored 23 points in the first half, he was significantly outshone by Wade.
...
In the TNT broadcast booth, Barkley, Smith, and Reggie Miller were commentating on the game.
And today, there was a special guest: Shaquille O'Neal.
O'Neal had joined the Celtics this season, hoping to break out of the East with a few veteran giants and achieve a great feat in the twilight of his career.
However, reality was cruel, and the Celtics were eliminated by the young Bulls in the second round.
Today, O'Neal was invited to the broadcast booth to commentate on this heavyweight Game 7.
Although O'Neal had not yet retired, it was certain that he would become a regular guest on TNT after his retirement.
This was because every time O'Neal and Barkley commentated together, the viewership ratings soared, and the atmosphere became incredibly lively.
O'Neal was truly a born entertainer. Not only was he lively on the court, but he was also an excellent joke teller during commentary.
"Charles, why are you so quiet today? Is it because Li Feng isn't playing well?" O'Neal knew Barkley was a Lakers fan and teased him.
Actually, O'Neal had a good opinion of Li Feng, but seeing Li Feng win a championship in his first year, O'Neal immediately became envious.
So, from then on, he started to find opportunities to diss Li Feng.
Furthermore, because he had a good relationship with Yao Ming, he, like Yang Yi, praised Yao Ming and belittled Li Feng.
Another reason was that last season, when Li Feng played against the Cavaliers, he instructed his teammates to constantly use the "hack-a-Shaq" tactic, which made O'Neal miserable.
In the late stages of his career, very few teams hacked him, but Li Feng continuously told his teammates to hack Shaq, making O'Neal feel like this kid was targeting him.
Barkley and O'Neal's arguments never ended in surrender, not even after that incident of "kissing the donkey's butt."
"Shaq, the game isn't over yet, what's the hurry? Anyway, the Celtics are out, and your colorful jersey will be retired soon, right?"
Barkley's mouth was also quite sharp. He was mocking O'Neal's wandering career in its later stages, constantly changing teams.
O'Neal was provoked. How could he stand this kind of talk!
So, he brought out his killer move, the one that bothered Barkley the most...
"Hmph, I at least have four championship rings, do you?"
This was Barkley's sore spot. As soon as these words were spoken, Barkley was rendered speechless.
Seeing Barkley turn his head away in anger, Smith and Reggie Miller quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Gentlemen, let's not ruin the atmosphere. Why do you two start arguing as soon as you meet!"
"Let's talk about Wade instead. The Flash's performance today has been incredible. Shaq, it reminds me of the season Wade won a championship with you."
O'Neal had used his killer move and gained the upper hand, so he was very pleased.
"Indeed. Wade's performance today has shocked me and reminded me of the invincible Wade in the '06 season!"
"I thought the Flash wouldn't appear again, but I didn't expect Wade to prove me wrong with his actions once more. He's too strong!"
"LeBron James and Li Feng's performance today has been average. It depends on who steps up in the second half."
"I think Li Feng's performance is still normal, it's just that Wade is too explosive. If Li Feng can return to his previous game's form in the second half, the Knicks still have hope."
"We also have to watch LeBron. His drives have been heavily guarded by the Knicks, and he's a bit sluggish, but LeBron is a superstar after all. I expect him to rebound in the second half."
"A 15-point deficit isn't big, but it's not small either. It won't be easy for the Knicks to catch up, especially with the Heat's tough perimeter defense."
"Yao Ming has played well on both ends of the court today, which is one of the Knicks' few strengths, but relying on him alone won't win them the game."
"So, in the end, it still comes down to Li Feng. If the Knicks can't make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, it will be interesting."
"That's true. Last year's two Finals teams, the Lakers in the West have already been eliminated. Now it's up to the Knicks. If they are also eliminated, it would be truly disappointing."
...
The opinions of the commentators were similar to those of the fans. The pressure was now on Li Feng.
Moreover, in a Game 7, tactics could be put aside; the more important factor was the battle of willpower.
If Li Feng had even the slightest thought of giving up, the Knicks would completely collapse.
...
In the Knicks' locker room, the atmosphere was oppressive.
As a team that had not yet won a championship, Li Feng had done his best to lighten the mood.
But today, even after Li Feng made several jokes, none of his teammates responded, except for Yao Ming who gave him a reply.
It was clear that his teammates' mental state had started to buckle.
This was precisely what Li Feng was worried about.
Trailing by 15 points at halftime was not terrifying; what was terrifying was when the players lost the motivation to chase the score.
"Brothers, don't be like this. Do you remember the pressure we faced in last year's Finals? Is the pressure this time even greater than then?"
Some of the players were new this year and hadn't experienced the atmosphere of last year's Finals.
But most of the players still remembered.
Speaking of pressure, last year's atmosphere was truly suffocating because no one believed that the Knicks' rookies would take the championship from the seasoned Lakers!
But under Li Feng's leadership, the team had the last laugh and ultimately lifted the championship trophy.
"Li Feng, I understand the logic, but Wade's performance today is too shocking. We really can't defend him!"
Li Feng nodded. "That's true, Wade is playing exceptionally well, but he's not the Flash he used to be. His stamina will definitely become an issue in the second half."
"I will be more active in helping on defense, but you guys also need to increase your defensive intensity on Wade. Also, LeBron is still the most terrifying player!"
In fact, the tactical adjustments Li Feng was mentioning now were just to reassure the players.
In the first half, everyone had tried their best.
Now, they could only hope that Wade's stamina would decrease and he wouldn't be as explosive.
Li Feng had some other ideas, but he didn't voice them.
However, he would try to exploit the subtle psychological changes of the Heat players in the second half.
That was the "alpha dog rivalry" between LeBron and Wade!
Although both LeBron and Wade were selfless and never expressed any desire for power or showed it, judging from the games so far, there were many incompatibilities in their tactical roles.
For example, Wade had publicly stated that he preferred playing off the ball, and the Heat needed to let LeBron handle the ball more.
But since he said this, it represented that this contradiction already existed, and the solution was for Wade to give up the ball.
From the first half's performance today, Wade's ball-handling power was still immense, so LeBron would surely have some psychological fluctuations.
It depended on whether Spoelstra could achieve a good balance between the two in the second half.
If not handled well, their dispute over ball possession could become a hidden danger within the Heat.
Li Feng's thinking was not baseless; he was a transmigrator.
In his past life, many fans were still upset about the 2011 Finals, believing that LeBron had shown signs of passive play.
But Li Feng felt that it was just a team chemistry issue. As a professional player, LeBron wouldn't do that.
Moreover, Wade and LeBron had a very good private relationship, so how could they do something like that?
Judging from the first half's result, LeBron's performance was indeed sluggish after Wade took the ball.
...
The second half of the game began.
As expected, at the start of the third quarter, the Heat's strategy was unclear.
Wade and LeBron exchanged passes, seemingly trying to show their magnanimity.
But for the Knicks, this was a golden opportunity.
The moment LeBron passed the ball to Wade for the third time, Li Feng suddenly burst out and stole the ball.
There was no other way; Li Feng's ability to accelerate like a cheetah was too strong.
LeBron and Wade reacted quickly and immediately gave chase.
Li Feng secretly resolved that he had to make this shot because it was the beginning of the second half.
The Knicks needed a morale boost, and the Heat's turnover would make LeBron and Wade even more hesitant.
With this back and forth, the Knicks had a chance to close the gap!
With this thought, Li Feng accelerated with all his might. He crossed half-court, with LeBron and Wade chasing him closely from both sides.
Although Li Feng was fast, these two were also historic superstars. They wouldn't be easily shaken off by Li Feng.
Furthermore, having played against Li Feng in so many games, LeBron and Wade were very familiar with his playing style. They maintained an appropriate distance from Li Feng.
They didn't give Li Feng a chance to suddenly pull up for a shot.
If the three of them reached the basket, Li Feng would have even less space to drive.
At this moment, Li Feng suddenly changed direction, not heading straight for the basket, but moving to the left, as if waiting for a teammate's pass.
LeBron and Wade immediately extended their long arms, boxing Li Feng in and preventing him from passing.
Just when everyone thought Li Feng was going to call a timeout, Li Feng suddenly faked a shot and then turned, surprisingly leaving the two behind!
This was a classic move by Jordan!
Jordan would drive to the baseline, feign a return pass to a teammate.
But he would suddenly turn and drive back to the basket.
Although many stars had imitated this move, Li Feng's turn-and-go today was the most similar.
LeBron and Wade were both stunned in place, watching Li Feng ghost his way to the basket and dunk for a score.
This shot greatly boosted their morale. The Knicks players were extremely excited, especially the bench players who exploded.
They jumped up, waving their towels frantically, shouting and cheering for Li Feng's brilliant drive!