Li Feng, despite being a transmigrator who knew the outcome of the Western Conference playoffs in advance, was still shocked when he heard the news three days prior.
The Mavericks were indeed strong this year, but Li Feng's Knicks and the Lakers had also faced off during the regular season, with the Lakers still being a top team in the league.
If it had been a close series, going six or seven games before a narrow defeat, it would have been understandable.
This current result could only be explained by one sentence: this was the Mavericks' strongest year!
Dirk Nowitzki's personal peak was coinciding with the team's, and it should have been a season for harvest!
Recalling Nowitzki's career, it had been quite a winding road.
In the era when he first entered the league, big men were expected to attack the basket. Anyone who shot from outside, even three-pointers, would be called a "softie"!
Thus, the nickname "softie" had always followed Nowitzki.
Especially with the Mavericks holding the top seed in the West, only to be upset in the playoffs.
After finally making it to the NBA Finals, he became Dwyane Wade's backdrop!
These experiences led many fans to believe that Nowitzki would never win a championship in his life, that he was just a big man who shot the ball.
In another parallel world, the Mavericks had defeated the seemingly invincible Miami Heat Big Three and won the most coveted championship!
But after Li Feng transmigrated, what role would the Mavericks play?
Would they snatch a championship from Li Feng as well?
Li Feng didn't think too much about it, as he wasn't sure himself.
However, for now, he first had to get past the Heat.
If he fell in the second round, there would be no talk of facing the Mavericks.
...
The entire Knicks team once again traveled to Miami for a Game 7 against the Heat in two days!
Despite playing in Miami's home arena, not all media outlets favored the Heat.
About a third of the media believed that the Knicks had found their confidence in the previous game and had showcased their strengths.
Furthermore, the Knicks had Li Feng, last year's Finals MVP, who, despite his youth, had championship game experience.
Therefore, the Knicks should be the ones to emerge victorious.
However, more media outlets still felt that the Heat's Big Three would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and would win the championship.
The reason was simple: such a peak combination had to win a championship; otherwise, it would be incomprehensible.
Although Li Feng did not want to accept any interviews before such an important game, he still had to attend the press conference, as it was an NBA rule written into his contract.
Li Feng and Yao Ming accepted media interviews.
"Mr. Li Feng, you performed exceptionally well in the last game, but according to statistics, your performance on the road is not as good as at home. Do you have confidence in today's game?"
Li Feng smiled, nodded, and replied, "Games are won on the court, not by cold statistics. I admit that I feel more energized playing at the Knicks' home arena because the home crowd is very supportive and enthusiastic towards me!"
"But I am a professional player, and I will strive for victory in away games as well. As long as the team can win, it doesn't matter if my stats are a little lower."
His words were quite clear: in away games, as long as they won, Li Feng wouldn't even bother to pad his stats.
Another reporter asked, "Li Feng, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's drives are always very strong, and you seem to have limited ways to contain them. Do you have any countermeasures for Game 7?"
Li Feng smiled mysteriously and answered, "You are correct, their drives are indeed very strong, but we have already prepared targeted countermeasures. You just have to wait and see!"
The reporters smiled knowingly. They knew Li Feng well; within the Knicks team, Li Feng was essentially a co-coach.
Many tactics were initiated by Li Feng himself, so his comments about tactics in interviews were usually realized in the games.
Li Feng had never made unrealistic pronouncements during interviews or been proven wrong.
One reporter turned to Yao Ming: "Mr. Yao, as the Knicks' inside pillar, your role in the playoffs is significant, but facing the Heat's Big Three, you have a tough time on defense. How is your physical condition?"
Yao Ming replied seriously, "As long as I am on the court, it means my body is fine. Furthermore, after losing weight since joining the Knicks, my physical load has been reduced considerably, so my body is in good condition. Thank you for your concern!"
The reporter then asked, "It's rumored that many young Chinese people's idols are Li Feng. Your number of fans is decreasing; how do you view this phenomenon?"
Yao Ming frowned. He disliked such questions, finding them quite childish.
But the reporter asked them for traffic.
"I think this phenomenon is quite normal. I am also a fan of Li Feng now. Although he has only played one year in the NBA, his achievements have surpassed mine. I believe young fans should like such quality idols!"
Upon hearing this, the reporters exclaimed and applauded.
Yao Ming's magnanimity was immense!
He was so humble.
Li Feng also looked at Yao Ming gratefully, stood up, and hugged him.
Although Li Feng's achievements in the NBA were dazzling, Yao Ming would always be number one in bringing Chinese fans to the NBA.
Many people knew about the NBA, or even watched their first game, because of Yao Ming.
Moreover, Yao Ming's fans were not fewer than Li Feng's, perhaps even more. It was just that Yao Ming's fans were older, with families and careers, and did not have as much time to surf the internet.
To use a recently popular saying: Yao Ming's fans have just gotten old, not dead...
...
The atmosphere at the Heat's press conference was much livelier than at the Knicks'.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh accepted interviews together.
This was the first time this season that the Big Three had attended a press conference simultaneously.
Previously, it was mostly James and Wade who participated, and Bosh often declined.
Occasionally, James would forcefully bring Bosh, and Wade would not attend.
The reporters were also curious and couldn't help but ask, "Why are all three of you here today?"
The three exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
James took the microphone and replied, "Because I saw some fans saying that Wade and I always sideline Bosh, so we specifically invited Bosh today!"
Bosh laughed heartily, shaking his head, and said, "I'm not sure why fans think so much. We are players, not actors; where would there be so much drama?"
The reporters also laughed.
A female reporter raised her hand and asked, "Mr. James, Li Feng performed exceptionally well in the last game, scoring a playoff high. How will you contain him?"
James's smile faded. In his heart, he knew Li Feng was uncontainable.
"Oh... actually, we have many ways to contain Li Feng. We did well in the previous games. As long as we execute more decisively in today's game, victory will be ours!"
The female reporter found James's words somewhat ambiguous and continued, "But Li Feng scored 59 points in the last game, and your Heat had every chance to win the game 4-2. Why couldn't you contain Li Feng?"
James became agitated, his voice rising as he shouted, "Last game is in the past, I don't want to answer that. But in today's game, I'll bet you, Li Feng's score will definitely not reach 30 points!"
The reporters had been waiting for this statement and became excited.
"Mr. James, is what you said true? What if Li Feng scores 30+?"
James had blurted it out in anger.
But with the reporters pressing him, James calmed down.
Wade quickly intervened to smooth things over.
"Let's change the subject. Don't dwell on this question; it's meaningless!"
Bosh also said, "You reporters just love to stir up trouble. We will focus on Li Feng today, just you wait and see!"
The reporters finally understood why the Big Three were being interviewed together; it turned out that there was strength in numbers.
"Mr. Bosh, Yao Ming is the Knicks' defensive anchor in the paint. How do you think the Heat should deal with Yao Ming?"
Bosh thought for a moment. He was actually in a difficult position.
Because Yao Ming had performed exceptionally well against the Heat's interior players. In the six games, he averaged 22.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
In contrast, Heat center Joel Anthony averaged only 6.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, and Bosh averaged 15.7 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Yao Ming had single-handedly outperformed both of them.
So, he bit the bullet and said, "I have found a way to counter Yao Ming. We will definitely not suffer in the paint today!"
The reporters laughed and said, "Yao Ming's post-up game is excellent, and his physical condition is also good. How will you counter him?"
Having learned from James's earlier lesson, Bosh would not state a specific scoring limit for Yao Ming.
He cleared his throat and replied, "We will ultimately win the game. You'll know when the time comes!"
A reporter asked Wade another question.
"Wade, in these past few games, the Knicks have had more rebounds and assists than the Heat. How will you improve in these areas?"
Wade frowned and replied, "Yao Ming and Li Feng are very active in protecting the boards and crashing for rebounds. We indeed need to work harder!"
Wade's answer was quite practical, and the reporters nodded in agreement.
...
Countless fans eagerly awaited the Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Finally, the game began!
Miami Arena, 7:30 PM.
Game seven between the Knicks and the Heat.
The Knicks' starting lineup was Li Feng, Yao Ming, Bill Walker, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Ty Lawson.
The Heat's starting five were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, and center Joel Anthony.
At the tip-off, Yao Ming secured the first possession for the Knicks.
Li Feng, bringing the ball up, noticed that the Heat were not double-teaming him full-court.
But as soon as he crossed half-court, Wade and Chalmers rushed up, initiating a double-team.
Li Feng immediately passed the ball to Lawson, running towards the baseline himself.
Even though Li Feng acted as if he didn't want to be involved in the offense, Wade and Chalmers dared not be careless.
Coach Spoelstra had given strict orders: Wade and Chalmers had to stick to Li Feng today, even if it meant exhausting themselves.
Lawson received the ball and, with no one in his face, surprisingly shot a three-pointer directly!
This shot greatly shocked the entire Heat team.
Normally, the Knicks' first possession either went to Li Feng or Yao Ming, or at least the ball would go through Yao Ming's hands.
Who would have thought Lawson would treat himself like Li Feng?
Clang!
As expected, it missed. Joel Anthony screened Yao Ming, and Bosh grabbed the rebound.
Lawson hit his own head in frustration, but Li Feng ran over and encouraged him, "It's okay, you're doing the right thing. Keep shooting decisively, don't hesitate!"
Although Li Feng had secured the win with his dominant performance in the previous game, he still needed to try and involve his teammates, at least for the first half of the first quarter.
The Heat initiated a fast break. After grabbing the rebound, Bosh immediately made a long pass to James.
As James was about to accelerate, Luis Scola tackled him.
This was the Knicks' pre-game strategy: absolutely prevent James from getting a head of steam and intercept him early, even if it meant a foul.
James was fuming. He had wanted to use this possession to boost the team's morale and ignite the home crowd.
Who would have thought the Knicks would use such a tough tactic from the start?
The Heat were helpless and settled into a half-court offense.
James had the ball at the top of the arc. Facing Scola, he directly made a crossover, accelerated, and drove past Scola.
However, this was all within the Knicks' expectations.
Amar'e Stoudemire immediately rotated to cover, while Lawson and Li Feng, sliding their feet to the left and right respectively, positioned themselves for a potential double-team.
James had excellent court vision and saw Bosh was open, so he immediately passed the ball.
Before Yao Ming could rotate, Bosh received the ball and made a mid-range jump shot!
The Heat scored 2 points using a classic "one-star-four-shoot" tactic.
The Heat fans in the arena roared with excitement. They hoped to witness the Heat's Big Three triumphantly advance to the Eastern Conference Finals here!
In the minds of many Heat fans, the Knicks were already considered their strongest opponent.
Even a local Miami basketball commentator had boldly stated, "Once they get past the Knicks, the Heat will be invincible, and they will march all the way to win the championship!"
This view represented the majority of the fans.
After all, the dominance the Heat's Big Three had displayed after the All-Star break was unparalleled in the league, unstoppable!
2-0.
The Knicks' offense.
Li Feng, dribbling the ball past half-court, raised his hand to tell his teammates not to panic and to execute the play.
Facing the double-team, Li Feng still passed the ball to Lawson without hesitation.
This was a testament to his trust in his teammates.
Perhaps because Lawson had missed his previous shot, the Heat's help defense was not as immediate.
Before LeBron James could close out, Lawson once again shot a three-pointer!
He was that confident!
In 2010, no team played like this.
Although the proportion of three-point shots had increased significantly, at the beginning of the game, teams still focused on two-point shots, especially around the basket.
In fact, coach Mike D'Antoni also disagreed with shooting three-pointers right from the start.
But Li Feng, being a transmigrator, knew the power of three-point shooting, so he persuaded the coach.
"As long as there's an open look, Lawson can definitely shoot the three!"
This was Li Feng's guarantee to the coach, made in front of Lawson.