"Owen, I'm sorry, I'm just here with my girlfriend today."
"I understand, I understand. It's an honor to lose to you. You're too strong. Oh, and this chain is for you..."
Li Feng smiled and pushed back the gold chain in his hand. "Don't be like that. We just had a casual spar. Let's forget about the bet."
Owen had no choice but to put the chain back on. The two chatted for a few more minutes.
Li Feng and Jenna departed amidst the applause of the spectators.
As they walked along the road by Venice Beach, Li Feng smiled and said, "Jenna, how was it? Exciting?"
"So exciting! Hehe, you were amazing!"
Jenna couldn't help but kiss Li Feng again. The couple was enviably sweet.
After a fun day, Li Feng returned to New York the next day to continue his rigorous training.
Mobile phones are too common nowadays. Someone recorded Li Feng's performance at Venice Beach with their phone.
Then they uploaded the video to the internet.
This immediately made Li Feng, who was already immensely popular, the focus of media attention once again.
Li Feng's videos went viral on various platforms.
Red Star Sports had also learned to be clever. They were preparing to launch Li Feng's fifth signature shoe.
Although the signature shoes were already designed, they hadn't found the best time to release them.
The explosion of Li Feng's Venice Beach gameplay video was the perfect opportunity to launch the signature shoes.
As expected, the signature shoes sold extremely well again.
...
The Knicks' next game was a home game against the Celtics.
Against the aging Celtics, they adopted a strategy during the regular season: facing strong teams, they would only try their best in the first half.
If they felt they had a chance, they would fight harder in the second half.
If they lost by too much in the first half, they would give up in the second half.
This was a necessary strategy for an "elderly" team.
However, for the Celtics, this strategy had been successful.
Currently, the Celtics ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference, even better than the relatively younger Magic team, who were ranked fifth.
As long as they reached the playoffs, the Celtics would give their all.
While it was difficult to break out of the Eastern Conference, the experienced Big Three would cause significant trouble for their opponents.
...
Seven o'clock in the evening, Madison Square Garden Arena.
The Knicks faced the Celtics.
Because the fans knew that the Celtics would go all out in the first half, everyone wanted to know if the Knicks could withstand it.
In the first quarter, Garnett played exceptionally well. He changed his usual role as a defensive anchor and increased his mid-range jumpers.
Although Yao Ming was actively involved in interior defense, Garnett's shooting range was very wide. His long two-pointers made it difficult for Yao Ming to defend him.
Li Feng was heavily guarded today. He was tightly marked by Rondo, which limited Li Feng's ability to help defend.
Rondo had improved significantly this season. His defense was already strong, and now it was even stronger.
After all, Rondo's physical talent was also top-tier in history. He was only 1.88 meters tall but had an astonishing wingspan of 2.13 meters!
Although he didn't look bulky, his body fat percentage was very low, consisting of lean muscle and plenty of strength.
Especially last season, when Li Feng led the team to the championship, it had spurred Rondo on. He had trained diligently during the offseason and also worked hard during the regular season.
He swore that the next time he met Li Feng, he would lock him down!
At the end of the first quarter, Garnett scored 21 points, truly embodying the spirit of an old man playing like a young warrior.
This was Garnett's best game of the season, considering he was already 35 years old.
With Garnett's performance, the Celtics led by 11 points in the first quarter, 36:25!
Li Feng had a poor first quarter, scoring only 6 points, while Yao Ming scored 9 points.
Garnett was 8-for-8 from the field, with 4 free throws, making him a devastating force.
D'Antoni was helpless on the sidelines. There was no one on the Knicks who could match Garnett.
Stoudemire was offensively strong but defensively weak, unable to stop a rampaging Garnett.
Previously, Li Feng could provide help defense, but Rondo, who had prepared well, was desperately defending Li Feng today.
Although Rondo also committed two fouls, he didn't care.
The second quarter began with the reserve players from both teams on the court.
Fortunately, Billups was stable and played well today, leading the reserves to close the gap a few points.
With five minutes into the second quarter, the score was 45:37, with the Celtics leading by 8 points.
Perhaps seeing a glimmer of hope for victory, Celtics coach Rivers brought his starters back onto the court, aiming to establish an advantage in the first half.
Garnett immediately continued his excellent form from the first quarter, hitting another mid-range jumper.
D'Antoni did not bring his starters back, wanting to gauge the Celtics' momentum.
Seeing Garnett's continued accuracy, D'Antoni walked over to Li Feng.
"Li Feng, do you think Garnett can be contained playing this well?"
Li Feng frowned, recalling the previous game where he could provide help defense to limit Garnett.
But Rondo's improvement in speed and strength over the past month was incredible.
Therefore, Li Feng knew he had to take Rondo out of the game.
With this thought, Li Feng said, "Coach, put me in. I have a plan."
D'Antoni's eyes lit up. If Li Feng said he had a plan, he would surely have one.
The Knicks' starters then returned to the court.
After coming on, Li Feng actively called for the ball, wanting to take on Rondo himself.
In this offensive possession, Li Feng's goal was not just to score but to draw a foul on Rondo.
However, Rondo had extremely high basketball IQ, making it difficult to draw fouls on him.
Facing Rondo's defense, Li Feng first accelerated and drove to the basket from the left.
Rondo moved his feet quickly to keep up, simultaneously shouting for his teammates to come and help defend.
This was the brilliance of Rondo; he wasn't stubborn.
He knew clearly that it was impossible to guard Li Feng one-on-one and that his teammates had to participate in the help defense.
Li Feng seemed to be intimidated by the help defense and immediately pulled the ball back, preparing to shoot.
Perhaps because he pulled the ball back too quickly, Li Feng fumbled it, and it almost slipped out of his hands.
Li Feng scrambled, regaining control of the ball, and then made a shooting motion.
This fumble gave Rondo an idea; he thought he could disrupt Li Feng's shot.
So Rondo jumped, extended his long arms, and lunged at Li Feng.
But Li Feng made a fake move. He didn't shoot and pulled the ball back again.
As Rondo leaned into him, Li Feng made another shooting motion.
Rondo's heart sank as he realized he had been tricked.
*Beep!*
The referee's whistle blew, calling a blocking foul on Rondo.
And the ball Li Feng shot hit the rim, bounced twice, and surprisingly dropped into the basket!
A 2+1!
The home crowd erupted in cheers. At a time when the Knicks were trailing, this 2+1 from Li Feng was a huge morale booster!
Li Feng gave Rondo a sly smile. He hadn't expected to make the shot, but getting Rondo an extra foul was a success.
Rondo now had 3 fouls, and Rivers on the sideline shook his head slightly, considering whether to substitute Rondo.
But Rondo waved his hand at Rivers, clearly indicating he was going all out.
Even if he fouled out, he had to stop Li Feng.
Because besides Rondo, no one else on the Celtics could defend Li Feng.
Li Feng calmly stepped to the free-throw line and made the shot.
47:40, the Knicks still trailed by 7 points!
The Celtics' offense.
Li Feng observed Rondo's defensive movements.
Although Rondo hadn't left the court, his entanglement with Li Feng was not as fierce.
After all, he already had three fouls in the first half, which was a bit risky.
Li Feng took the opportunity to increase his help defense on Garnett.
With Li Feng's help defense, Garnett's offense was no longer as easy.
At this moment, Garnett glanced at Rondo, seemingly asking, "Why aren't you locking down Li Feng? How am I supposed to score?"
Rondo was also helpless.
Garnett didn't get a chance to shoot and had to pass the ball to Pierce.
Pierce faced Bill Walker and took a shot from the 45-degree angle.
*Clang!*
The ball bounced off the rim and missed!
Yao Ming secured the rebound and immediately passed it to Lowry.
Lowry crossed halfcourt and, under Ray Allen's defense, drove in for a layup!
After two seasons of development, Lowry was becoming more and more consistent.
Lowry had received a significant number of votes in this year's All-Star balloting and had a good chance of making it to the Eastern Conference All-Star reserve lineup.
For Lowry, who was a reserve point guard for the Rockets in the first half of the season, it felt like a dream.
Therefore, Lowry was playing exceptionally hard and with great passion in these past two games. Li Feng had also praised Lowry multiple times in the media, helping him campaign for votes.
Rondo's face turned green with anger. He gritted his teeth, thinking, I'm going all out!
I don't care about fouls anymore, I have to lock down Li Feng, otherwise the Celtics will definitely lose!
In the next possession, Rondo once again relentlessly guarded Li Feng.
Seeing Rondo increasing his intensity, Li Feng suddenly changed direction during a cut.
Rondo reacted too slowly and, in desperation, reached out and grabbed Li Feng's arm.
Li Feng was held, but he didn't fall.
However, Li Feng deliberately exaggerated his fall to draw a whistle from the referee.
*Beep...*
The referee immediately blew the whistle because Rondo's hand was still on Li Feng's arm.
Rondo rushed to the referee to argue that it was a mutual grab, but the referee remained unmoved.
If it was his fourth foul, he would have to leave the game, as Rondo was a crucial player in the Celtics' starting lineup.
Therefore, Rondo became somewhat agitated, his voice too loud, and the referee became very angry, immediately issuing Rondo a technical foul.
His teammates quickly ran over to pull Rondo to the sideline, and Rivers substituted him out.
Li Feng secretly rejoiced; his objective was achieved!
Not only did Rondo commit another foul, but he was also assessed a technical foul.
Li Feng stepped to the free-throw line and made the free throw for the technical foul.
The Celtics had suffered a great loss. Not only did Rondo have to sit out, but they also conceded a point, and possession of the ball went to the Knicks.
47:43, the Celtics still led by 4 points.
The Celtics players were frustrated. If Garnett's performance was so good, but the team still couldn't win, then there was no chance in the second half.
Knicks' offense. Without Rondo's defense, Li Feng felt much more comfortable.
Bradley was guarding him.
Although Bradley's defense was also good, it was still significantly inferior to Rondo's.
Li Feng completely dominated the game in the latter part of the second quarter, going on a scoring run.
At the end of the first half, the score was 61:57, with the Knicks leading by 4 points.
Although the lead was only 4 points, the Celtics' mentality had been broken.
The Celtics had not expected to win against the Knicks; they only wanted to give it their all in the first half.
If they had led by more than 10 points in the first half, the entire team would have been energized and fought with full commitment in the second half.
Unfortunately, despite their all-out effort, they were easily reversed by Li Feng's team. This was truly disheartening.
In the second half, there was no suspense. Li Feng, Yao Ming, and other starters only played for a little over 7 minutes before extending the lead to 23 points.
The game was effectively over by the end of the third quarter.
Ultimately, the Knicks defeated the Celtics at home with a score of 121:102, securing another victory.
...
The All-Star Weekend was about to arrive.
Li Feng ultimately received the most votes, having over 300,000 more votes than Kobe Bryant in second place and over 400,000 more votes than LeBron James in third place.
The Eastern Conference All-Star starting lineup was Li Feng, Rose, James, Stoudemire, and Yao Ming.
The Eastern Conference reserve lineup included Garnett, Pierce, Ray Allen, Wade, Lowry, Bosh, and Howard.
The Western Conference starting lineup was Kobe, Paul, Durant, Anthony, and Duncan.
The Western Conference reserve lineup included Ginobili, Gasol, Nowitzki, Westbrook, Griffin, and Deron Williams.
The All-Star Game was hosted in Los Angeles, which meant Li Feng and Jenna could spend a few more days together.
The Eastern Conference coach was Heat head coach Spoelstra.
It was supposed to be D'Antoni, but since D'Antoni had coached the Eastern Conference All-Stars last year, according to All-Star rules, the head coach could not serve consecutive terms.
The Western Conference All-Star coach was the coach of the top-ranked Spurs, Gregg Popovich.
Since Li Feng was the biggest winner of the All-Star Game last season, winning the Slam Dunk Contest, the Three-Point Contest, and the All-Star Game MVP, Li Feng announced this year that he would not participate in any of the individual events, only the All-Star Game itself.
Li Feng had a clear understanding: if he participated, he would most likely win these awards again, but other young players would have no opportunity to shine.
Additionally, Yao Ming had a minor injury, so he also announced that he would not participate in the All-Star Game. Dwight Howard became the starting center for the East.
On the first day, the Rookie Challenge, the first-year rookies defeated the second-year rookies 148:140.
The MVP was John Wall.
The statistics in this Rookie Challenge were explosive. Cousins scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while John Wall dished out an impressive 22 assists.
In the West, Harden also scored 30 points, and Curry represented the second-year rookies, dishing out 8 assists.
Li Feng and Curry were known as the "Splash Brothers" in college, with their dual stars shining brightly.
However, after entering the NBA, their situations were completely different, a world apart.
Li Feng's accolades were almost overwhelming, while Curry could only participate in the Rookie Challenge, which was a shame.
However, Curry was still in his incubation period. His rise with the Warriors had yet to begin.
...
The next day was the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Shooting Contest.
There were five participants in the Slam Dunk Contest: Griffin from the Clippers, McGee from the Wizards, DeRozan from the Raptors, Ibaka from the Thunder, and Jennings from the Bucks.
In the first round, Griffin and McGee advanced.
In the finals, Griffin won the championship by executing a thunderous tomahawk dunk, which earned him a standing ovation, ultimately defeating McGee.