Back at Oracle Arena, the Warriors handily won Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals against the Suns.
This might have been Steve Nash's most frustrating night of his career.
On the court, he shot 12-of-21 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, totaling 33 points, 7 assists, and 2 rebounds.
With a performance like that, he absolutely deserved the MVP title.
Throughout the game, despite repeated assaults from Davis, Nash bit back with tenacious replies.
Facing boos from all directions and the Warriors players who constantly targeted him in their offense, Nash tried to narrow the gap for the Suns, even as he burned his last drop of fuel.
But by the time the fourth-quarter clock hit zero, the Warriors still led the Suns by 14 points.
These 14 points were 14 points of despair for Nash.
They were also 14 points that caused the Suns' fans watching on TV to collectively break down.
The final score: 117 to 103.
The Golden State Warriors, witnessed by a golden wave of fans, changed the Western Conference Finals series score to 2-1.
And after the game, Warriors fans had no intention of forgiving Steve Nash.
Was Nash's performance of 33 points, 7 assists, and 2 rebounds really that outstanding? Then what about Zack, who dropped 37 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals for us in this Game 3? Isn't he stronger than Nash? Doesn't he deserve this year's regular-season MVP more?
Nash is a good guy, always popular in the league, but isn't our Messiah a good guy too, a heroic and upright young man?
To calm the anger of the Warriors' fans, even Zack had to speak up for Nash: "I've always recognized Steve's on-court performance. Aside from his pre-free throw 'shoe-licking' habit, I've always considered him the best point guard in the league right now."
Since Nash had never wronged him, Zack, who always gets revenge when he has a grudge, didn't plan on kicking him when he was down.
Besides, constantly belittling an opponent...
That would only make the Warriors' victory, led by him, seem less valuable.
However...
The more generous Zack was at this moment, the more the Warriors' fans and his supporters resented Nash and Stern.
Online, more and more conspiracy theories emerged. In the eyes of these theorists, the league was entirely targeting Zack because they didn't want to see an Asian player become the face of the NBA in the post-Jordan era.
In response, NBA Commissioner David Stern immediately held a press conference that day to refute the claims: "As a fair, open, and just league, the NBA would never discriminate against any player based on their skin color."
However, for Stern's refutation...
The conspiracy theorists found it utterly unconvincing.
After all, this was the NBA that, back then, simply swept it under the rug when Shaquille O'Neal used discriminatory language to insult Yao Ming, as long as O'Neal apologized afterward.
Clearly, with the Warriors' unexpected success this year, the previous "trophy theft incident" had reached its climax.
### NBA Commissioner's Office
Stern looked frustrated, saying, "The conspiracy theories out there are getting more and more ridiculous. What can we possibly do to completely quell this storm?"
Hearing this, Vice President Mark said, "David, I don't think this is a bad thing... Michael's supporters also questioned the league's award selections multiple times back in the day, didn't they?"
Stern sighed, "It's different... Back then, Michael's supporters mostly questioned the fairness of the league's award selections, but now, the conspiracy theories out there are touching on the fundamental issue of racial discrimination."
Seeing this, Mark said, "David, discrimination against Asians in American society has a long history; it's not something you and I can solve. Right now, our top priority is to find a way to divert public attention."
"How do we divert it?"
"We need the help of allies."
---
A day later, before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Nike prematurely unveiled the look of Zack's second-generation "Overlord Series" sneakers and an urgently produced advertising campaign.
Compared to the first generation, the second-generation "Overlord" sneakers not only had a cooler appearance, but their main color scheme also became a suggestive gold.
Of course, these weren't the main points.
The key was, in this commercial...
The words Zack said at the end: "I don't need anyone to crown me, because I will personally claim that crown."
For Warriors fans who hadn't tasted a championship in thirty-one years...
Zack's domineering advertising line was already seen by them as a championship declaration that he would undoubtedly lead the Warriors to win this year's NBA championship!
And so...
The Bay Area fans' anger towards Nash instantly transformed into their adoration for Zack.
Although many Warriors fans were indeed dreaming of the Finals and the ultimate championship after taking a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, once Zack voiced their beautiful future imaginations...
At this moment, who in the entire Bay Area still cared about Steve Nash?
Our Messiah doesn't need the muddle-headed, incompetent NBA to crown him!
Because he will surely lead us, with that golden wave, straight to the peak and capture that championship trophy that has been absent for thirty-one long years!
Yes, he will crown himself on the Finals stage with the most significant trophy!
---
### Oracle Arena
When the Suns players entered the court for their pre-Game 4 warm-up, an unforgettable sight greeted their eyes almost simultaneously.
The game wasn't set to begin for another hour.
But in the stands, the golden wave had already begun to surge.
And in various bars, on streets, and in alleys across the Bay Area, fans wearing Warriors #30 jerseys were uniformly shouting Zack's name.
Additionally, before Game 4, boosted by the golden wave, the entire Warriors team's morale reached its peak since entering the playoffs.
With this kind of morale...
Could the Suns, trailing 1-2 in the series, defeat the Warriors at Oracle Arena?
Two hours later, an exhausted Steve Nash and Shawn Marion answered with their dejected expressions.
On the scoreboard, 112 to 97.
The Warriors took another game, leading the Western Conference Finals 3-1 against the Suns.
Two-time MVP Nash had an average performance in this game, shooting only 7-of-17 from the field, including 1-of-4 from three, and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line, totaling 17 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Such a performance, if it had been in the previous game, Nash probably wouldn't have had the courage to walk out of Oracle Arena.
But this night, Warriors fans had long lost any interest in Nash.
Because that Messiah had already promised them he would personally lift that championship trophy for them!
After the game, a reporter asked Zack, who had effortlessly scored 35 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors in this game: "Warriors fans are interpreting the ending line of your shoe commercial as your declaration of a championship. What are your thoughts on that?"
Hearing this, Zack, knowing it was time for "a change of plans, prepare for the championship," smiled and said, "I'm very happy that the fans share my thoughts. Yes, that is indeed my long-prepared championship declaration."
Seeing this, a reporter asked in surprise, "You haven't even made it to the Finals yet, and this year's Eastern Conference competition is far stronger than in previous years. Isn't it a bit too early to declare a championship now?"
Zack replied, "You know, I'm not one to hide things. I believe we are the best team in this year's playoffs.
My teammates and I are ready to bring that championship trophy back to this city, to these fans, and to all our supporters in June."
Of course, saying it is one thing; you still have to take it one step at a time.
After finishing Game 4 against the Suns, the Warriors would once again head to Phoenix.
Since there was a possibility that the Suns might have a hot-shooting night and defeat the Warriors...
All the Warriors players were on high alert before Game 5.
Upon arriving in Phoenix that night, Zack felt an unprecedented nervousness.
Because if he could lead the Warriors to defeat the Suns in the next game, he would reach the NBA Finals stage.
This was a scene he had dreamed of countless times in his previous life, and it had always been his dream.
Looking back, especially at all the sweat he shed during his college career, Zack even secretly wiped away a tear at that moment.
These were "heroic tears" shed out of excitement and thrill, and Zack wasn't ashamed of them. He just thought that the Warriors' achievements in the playoffs this year were truly too dreamlike.
It was as if he truly had some kind of divine destiny upon him.
Zack no longer doubted that he was the Messiah, a level above even the "Chosen One."
Then, wiping away those excited tears, clenching his fists in anticipation, he walked into the restroom, looked at himself in the mirror, and once again asked himself that question.
"Do you love basketball?"
The next second, his eyes instantly cleared, and Zack answered without hesitation: "Of course I do."
---
### June 4th evening, America West Arena
This Western Conference Finals, contested between two teams that championed offense, officially reached its decisive game.
In the first quarter, amidst the deafening cheers of the Phoenix fans, the Suns' desperate "small ball" lineup briefly extended their lead to double digits.
But for the Warriors, who also possessed "high critical damage," a double-digit deficit was merely a difference that three three-pointers could erase.
It's worth noting that in the latter half of the first quarter, when Richardson bravely dove out of bounds to save the ball, he happened to fall right next to his college coach, Tom Izzo.
Seeing this, the usually fiery Izzo, after a hard kick to Richardson's backside, barked, "Get up, you useless bum! Can't you see your teammates are on a fast break?"
In that moment, Zack had every reason to suspect that Izzo had wanted to kick Richardson like that for a long time.
But Izzo's kick, which had a bit of a personal vendetta...
Actually resulted in three three-pointers from former Michigan State Spartan and NCAA Tournament champion, Jason Richardson, in the next three offensive possessions!
On the court, as he retreated on defense, Richardson looked directly at Izzo and said, "Old man, don't call me useless in front of so many people anymore. You know, I'm about to play in the Finals!"
Hearing this, Izzo smiled, a wonderfully bright smile.
Then, tearing off his jacket to reveal a Warriors #23 jersey underneath, the wild-spirited Spartans head coach roared to the entire America West Arena, "Did you all hear that? That useless bum I coached is about to play in the Finals!"
The Warriors came from behind in the latter half of the first quarter, and at the end of the quarter, the scoreboard read 34-33.
---
In the second quarter, Chris Paul, who was also courtside tonight to support Zack, smiled and asked, "Do you need me to give you a buff too?"
Zack shook his head and said, "I don't need those things. I just need you to quietly enjoy my performance from the sidelines."
Paul pouted and said, "Didn't the old man (Prosser) tell you he already booked tickets for the Finals?"
Zack wondered, "Why didn't the old man just ask me for tickets directly?"
Paul said, "The old man said he was afraid it would affect your performance."
Zack shrugged and said, "I'm not that fragile."
Paul nodded and said, "This summer, I'll be attending your college jersey retirement ceremony."
After a pause, Paul suddenly raised his voice, "Now, go bring back that damn championship trophy! Bring it with you to your college jersey retirement ceremony! You are a forever legend of Wake Forest, just as you said yourself—you will crown yourself!"
Then, turning his back to Zack, Paul cried.
Even though Paul had promised himself he wouldn't cry before deciding to watch this Western Conference Finals game, he still cried.
It wasn't because he was fragile... it was just that Zack's back reminded him of the wonderful time they had fought side-by-side at Wake Forest.
In the 2004-05 season, they had teamed up to sweep the entire American college basketball scene with an invincible force.
And now, his college teammate, that tallest mountain at Wake Forest, was about to play in the NBA Finals.
In the second quarter, Zack personally blocked Steve Nash's layup, which had a chance to put the Phoenix Suns ahead.
It was a block that, in the eyes of the home crowd, was cold-hearted and filled them with sadness.
Immediately after, controlling the second rebound and dishing the ball to the fast-breaking Mike Dunleavy Jr...
Zack led the Golden State Warriors to officially unleash a game-changing run that utterly demoralized Nash, Marion, Bell, Diaw, and the rest of the Suns players!
In a total of 7 minutes and 15 seconds, the Warriors went on a 31-7 scoring run on the road, at America West Arena!
At halftime, the scoreboard read 74-49.
The Warriors entered the second half with a 25-point lead.
During halftime, Charles Barkley was already discussing with Kenny Smith who the Warriors' Finals opponent would be this year.
Would it be the Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat?
Or the Detroit Pistons, who were preparing for an epic comeback?
"Hey, Charles, do you think the Warriors will win the championship?" Smith asked in the studio.
"I don't know."
The next second, Barkley added, "But in my eyes, the Warriors are already the best team this year."
The "best team" in Charles Barkley's eyes gave the Suns no chance in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, D'Antoni, knowing the game was over, looked up at the empty America West Arena ceiling, then went to the scorer's table to call a timeout and subbed out all of the Suns' starters.
And the always ruthless NBA broadcast cameras immediately focused on the Suns' bench.
It was a scene of utter dejection that saddened countless Suns fans.
They were just one series away; if they had won this Western Conference Finals, they would have been back on the Finals stage.
Barkley, who had once faced the Bulls and Jordan in the Finals as a Sun, sighed and said, "This is the classic story of our lives...
Failure always runs through life; regret is the norm of youth."
Final score: 125-97.
The Golden State Warriors won this year's Western Conference Finals with a 4-1 series victory!
They will head to the 2005-06 NBA Finals as the Western Conference Champions!
---
A day later, the Wade-led Heat didn't keep the Warriors waiting long.
Back on their home court, they sunk the Detroit Pistons with a 4-2 series victory.
They will meet the Warriors in this year's Finals as the Eastern Conference Champions.
---
"After losing this year's Western Conference Finals 1-4, Suns' star big man Amar'e Stoudemire stated that he will recover from his injuries this summer and compensate his teammates with his actions next season." - Phoenix New Times
"The NBA is about to welcome its annual big show: the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors will contend for this year's championship. Due to a better regular-season record, the fifth-seeded Warriors from the West will have home-court advantage under the 2-3-2 Finals format. It's worth noting this is the first time they've had this privilege in the playoffs this year." - ESPN News Flash
"When asked about the Messiah leading the Warriors to the Finals in his rookie season, LeBron James stated that people should focus on the Warriors' upcoming Finals trip instead of listening to his comments all day." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
"After leading the Heat to the Finals, Pat Riley said in an interview that the Messiah is absolutely the most incredible basketball player he has ever seen. 'Just thinking about him averaging 37 points in the playoffs keeps me up every night.'
Furthermore, Pat Riley emphasized that the Messiah's average free throw attempts since entering the playoffs are second only to Tim Duncan among all interior players, which means the Heat must be cautious in the upcoming Finals." - Miami Herald
"What is our Messiah most concerned about in the upcoming Finals? The Messiah, who is always helpful and good at caring for others, said in an interview with this newspaper, 'Hey, Shaq, your foot injury won't act up in the Finals, will it?'
In response, Shaquille O'Neal, completely ignoring the Messiah's warm gesture, refused to be interviewed by this newspaper." - San Francisco Chronicle