ESPN: "Uncrowned Champions Show Grit, Defeat Big Three on the Road to Reach Eastern Finals!"
Sports Illustrated: "Li Feng Refuses to Give Up, Secures Another Triple-Double, Says No to the Heat!"
Yahoo Sports: "After the Lakers' Fall, the Knicks Stand Firm, Defending the Uncrowned Champions' Dignity!"
...
The Knicks fought through seven grueling games, their entire team heavily fatigued.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, they will face a well-rested Bulls team.
This season's Bulls have brought surprises to countless fans.
With his strong performances, Rose has, in the final few games, seized...
For example, Noah in the paint, increasingly mature, while average in rim protection and rebounding, his playmaking and help defense are top-notch.
Noah was also named to the All-NBA First Team this season.
This is quite rare; players of his type are usually not highly valued.
But with the Bulls being the league's top team this season, Noah's contribution cannot be overlooked.
Additionally, Boozer, Luol Deng, and Gibson have all had career-best seasons with the Bulls.
This is the power of team chemistry.
It's not always about putting top stars in every position on one team to achieve dominant performance.
Just like the Mavericks this year, apart from Nowitzki, the other players are ordinary, and apart from Kidd, there aren't many big names.
Yet, a team like this can defeat the Lakers, and in a parallel world, even defeat the Heat's Big Three.
The Bulls are somewhat like the Mavericks of the East.
While they only have one superstar in Rose, the other players have come together as one unit, achieving great success.
Li Feng was at home watching Bulls game footage when his phone rang.
Without a doubt, Li Feng knew it was Jenna calling.
He picked up his phone and found it was Rose's number.
Generally, players rarely communicate before major competitions; even the best friends wouldn't call or meet beforehand.
But Rose's personality is a bit unusual, so Li Feng wasn't too surprised.
He pressed the answer button and asked with a smile, "Rose, hello! Been waiting long?"
"Heh heh, to be honest, before your Game 7, I thought I wouldn't see you in the playoffs this year!"
Rose is indeed straightforward; he didn't start with congratulations like others but expressed his true thoughts.
"Seems you don't have much confidence in me, haha!"
"No, I find it incredible; that was the Big Three!"
Li Feng nodded slightly and said, "Indeed, we barely won in the end. If we had to do it again, we might not win."
Rose changed the topic, saying, "But congratulations nonetheless, and your Knicks' victory also taught me a lesson."
"A lesson?"
"Yes, I realized that a team doesn't necessarily need to stack star players; even ordinary players, when united, can play high-quality games. Of course, having a superstar like you is the cornerstone of the Knicks' wins."
Li Feng feigned surprise, "Rose, since when have you become so eloquent, haha!"
"I'm speaking from the heart. I've watched all your games. You are the Knicks' most important player; without you, they'd be a playoff fringe team."
"Alright, I'll take that as a compliment. Is there anything else you called for?"
Li Feng had a feeling Rose had something more to say.
"It's nothing much, I just wanted to suggest we grab a meal when you get to Chicago, because you are my best friend!"
Hearing Rose's words, Li Feng didn't answer immediately, a warm current rising in his heart.
Even though Li Feng was currently immensely popular and had many "friends" around him.
As the actor Huang Bo said, when you are successful, you find everyone around you is "well-intentioned."
But Li Feng felt that only when it came from Rose did it carry genuine warmth.
Because Rose had few friends, partly due to his personality and partly due to his upbringing.
Therefore, Li Feng was very happy to be considered Rose's friend.
"No problem, I'll call you as soon as I get to Chicago."
"Okay, I'll pick you up at the hotel! It's settled then!"
"It's a deal!"
After hanging up the phone, Li Feng's smile remained.
The "Wind City Rose," in Li Feng's past life memories, exuded a cool demeanor.
Even at the All-Star game, he wore a blank expression.
But in front of Li Feng, Rose seemed to shed all pretense, becoming a sincere, straightforward, and warm buddy!
Just as Li Feng was about to continue watching the Bulls' game footage, his phone rang again.
He thought Rose had something else to say and picked up the phone, only to see it was Jenna.
He pressed the answer button and teased exaggeratedly, "Oh, my God, who is this? It's the little fairy Jenna!"
Jenna giggled and chided, "What, you don't recognize me? Tell me! Who were you just talking to? I tried calling several times and couldn't get through!"
Li Feng realized Jenna was actually a bit jealous.
"I was chatting with Rose!"
"Rose? Is he an actor or a model?" Jenna asked, alerted, thinking it was a woman's nickname.
"Haha, it's Rose from the Bulls! The Wind City Rose!"
Jenna suddenly understood, laughing and scolding, "You scoundrel, you tricked me again! When I see you, I'll make sure you know who's boss!"
Her words were suggestive, and Li Feng chuckled wickedly, "Don't you always end up begging for mercy?"
Although he couldn't see her expression over the phone, Jenna must have been blushing.
She said softly, "I'm already in New York. Don't you want me to come over?"
Although they had been a couple for some time, Jenna had never been to Li Feng's place; they usually met at hotels.
Li Feng was taken aback, "You're in New York? For work, or specifically for me?"
"Kind of for you. The fashion show in New York is a small-scale event, one I wouldn't normally bother with. But I came to see you."
Jenna was indeed capable of such a gesture, and Li Feng was a little touched.
In fact, Li Feng hadn't met Jenna since the playoffs began.
This wasn't for abstinence or any professional attitude.
It was just that they were both too famous now, and Li Feng didn't want the media to report carelessly and affect the team's atmosphere.
After all, if the star player was constantly with his girlfriend during such a crucial period, how could he perform at his best in games?
Li Feng felt a bit conflicted. He wanted to see Jenna after the Finals.
But Jenna was already in New York, and it would be awkward not to meet her.
Jenna sensed Li Feng's hesitation and said softly, "I know what you're thinking. How about this, I'll come to you, and I won't let the reporters snap any pictures."
Li Feng smiled wryly, "You're too naive. Don't underestimate those reporters; they can photograph anything."
"Hehe, I have my ways. You wait for me. Send me the address first."
Li Feng had no choice but to give Jenna his address and hang up.
Half an hour later, Li Feng heard the doorbell ring.
When he opened the door, he found a man standing there.
The man was slender, with a large beard, but his eyes looked very familiar.
"You..." The astute Li Feng finally realized it was Jenna in disguise as a man!
And indeed, with Jenna's outfit and makeup, it was impossible to recognize her original appearance.
Jenna didn't speak, looking at Li Feng with a smile.
Li Feng quickly let Jenna into the house.
After they entered the room, Li Feng burst into laughter, saying, "What were you thinking, dressing up like this?"
Jenna spun around and laughed, "How is it? Do I look like a man?"
"You really do. The reporters probably never dreamed it would be you coming to find me, haha!"
Li Feng was deeply touched. Jenna's initial pursuit of him might have had a touch of seeking publicity.
But as their relationship progressed, Jenna had fallen completely in love with Li Feng.
She could disguise herself as a man for Li Feng just to avoid causing him trouble.
This showed that she had completely abandoned her initial intention of seeking fame and considered Li Feng her true love.
After a few minutes of chatting and laughing, Jenna was about to go to the bathroom to remove her makeup.
Li Feng suddenly had an idea and stopped her.
"No, this is fine!"
Jenna blinked, not understanding Li Feng's intention, "What's fine? The beard on my face is uncomfortable."
"You can take off your makeup later. This is quite exciting..."
"Ah? What do you want to do..."
...
There were still three days until the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Li Feng spent a day with Jenna, then went to the stadium for training the next day.
On the third day, the entire team flew to Chicago.
The Western Conference Finals were also about to begin.
The Mavericks and the Thunder emerged victorious, set for a showdown for the Western Conference crown!
Before this game, more media outlets favored the Thunder.
This was because the Thunder were young, possessed strong talent, and could play tough games, having defeated the Grizzlies.
Despite the Mavericks sweeping the Lakers, most media believed the Mavericks were a team that relied on their shooting touch.
Their touch couldn't possibly stay that good all the time, and the Thunder would defeat them!
Among Chinese basketball commentators, Yang Yi was currently the most prominent.
He had been proven wrong repeatedly in his playoff predictions this year.
He was practically cursed.
In his Eastern Conference predictions, Yang Yi believed the Magic would defeat the aging Celtics and advance to the second round, but the Magic lost.
Then, he predicted the Heat's Big Three would defeat the Knicks and reach the Eastern Finals.
However, in the Game 7, the Knicks had the last laugh.
Nevertheless, for the Eastern Conference Finals, he had learned his lesson and predicted the Knicks to win, but he still belittled Li Feng.
In an interview, he stated that only by making Yao Ming the tactical core could they possibly defeat the Bulls.
Yang Yi's Western Conference predictions were truly legendary.
He had been proven wrong at every turn!
He predicted the Spurs would defeat the Grizzlies, but the Spurs were upset.
Then he predicted the Lakers would defeat the Mavericks 4:1, but the Lakers were swept.
This guy still didn't stop predicting, and he then predicted the Thunder would defeat the Mavericks 4:2.
In this parallel world, with the Western Conference Finals yet to begin, Li Feng chuckled. Yang Yi was about to be proven wrong again.
...
Upon arriving in Chicago, Li Feng called Rose as arranged.
Rose immediately drove to the hotel and picked Li Feng up.
He invited Li Feng to a Chinese restaurant in Chicago, which surprised Li Feng.
"Rose, you like Chinese food too?" Li Feng asked in surprise.
"Yeah... but it was after I became friends with you that I developed an interest in Chinese cuisine. I tried it, and I thought it was good."
Li Feng chuckled in amusement. Rose was truly a lovable person.
Because he had become good friends with Li Feng, he became interested in Li Feng's country.
"Alright then, I'll try it today and see if the Chinese food here is authentic!"
"I heard this is a Hunan restaurant. I don't really know, but I thought it was good, just a bit spicy."
Li Feng burst into laughter, "If it's really Hunan cuisine, you definitely won't be able to handle it; it's very, very spicy!"
As they spoke, they arrived at a private room.
After the dishes were served, Li Feng discovered that, like many other Chinese restaurants abroad, this one had been modified.
It wasn't authentic Chinese food.
This was understandable; after all, it was abroad, and to cater to foreigners' tastes, modifications were necessary.
Li Feng suddenly had an idea and asked, "Rose, I see you're a foodie. Want to partner with me for a small business?"
Rose was taken aback and asked, "What small business?"
"Let's open a restaurant. I'll hire authentic Chinese chefs and see if we can conquer the diners here!"
Rose nodded repeatedly, "Sure! Since you say the dishes here aren't authentic, I can try them first, haha!"
Li Feng laughed, "You'll be the boss, of course, you can try them first, but don't blame me if we lose money!"
Rose said seriously, "It's okay. This is indeed a small business, and I can afford to lose money. Besides, we won't lose money; many people like Chinese food."
After chatting for a while, they returned to the main topic.
Li Feng said, "Your current playing style is very effective; I think it's great."
Rose looked at Li Feng gratefully, "I've taken all your words to heart, and the team doctor also says my changes are good."