Watching Zack celebrate by walking around the American Airlines Arena with his hands in his pockets, as shown on the big screen, was undoubtedly the most beautiful moment Oracle Arena had witnessed in thirty-one years. For a split second, the golden wave at Oracle Arena even stopped surging. It wasn't because they were tired; many fans were just busy wiping away tears.
At the commentary table, Rick Barry's booming voice shouted, "Thirty-one years, and we are world champions again!" (Note ①)
In the stands, 98-year-old "Sweetheart" Sweety immediately opened her wallet and gazed at the photo of her deceased husband tucked inside, saying, "Darling, they did it... they really did it. This is absolutely the best birthday present I've ever had."
A beautiful, well-built female fan, when interviewed by the on-court host, said, "I know they're partying hard over 5,000 kilometers away in Miami, but I really want them to come back quickly. I can't wait to kiss our Messiah. He's a hero to all of us. For this trophy, I'm taking a week off to celebrate."
When the once-spirited youths grew old with white hair, and younger Warriors fans could only imagine the appearance of the Rick Barry-era Warriors from the descriptions of elders, only Warriors fans could truly understand the darkness Zack had torn away for them and the light he had brought.
"We-Believe!"
"We-Believe!"
"We-Believe!"
Why would the Warriors need the foolish and incompetent league to crown their current number one player?
The German Tank, Dirk Nowitzki, was cut down by him on the battlefield.
The Big Fundamental, Tim Duncan, was like a laughable Maginot Line in his eyes.
The Trophy Thief, Steve Nash, was also defeated by him and publicly executed.
Now, with him completely shattering Shaquille O'Neal in the Finals and returning triumphantly with the remnants of Dwyane Wade's knees, he had personally claimed the heaviest crown of June! You ask why Bay Area fans were going crazy? Of course, it was for their beloved Messiah and that damned Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy!
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### Miami Madness
At American Airlines Arena, the losing team's MVP, or rather the SVP, Dwyane Wade, was still visibly heaving, even after his teammates helped him up from the floor. Was Wade crying? No one knew, because O'Neal, who was exceptionally experienced in being swept, immediately placed a towel over his head. This was definitely O'Neal, the "understanding big brother," at his most responsible.
Meanwhile, Pat Riley, who at this moment wanted to slap himself twice and then dump buckets of ice water over his head, still couldn't understand, even after shaking hands with Warriors head coach Mike Montgomery, why a former college basketball coach who had already proven he couldn't adapt to the NBA became this season's lucky charm?
To this, Montgomery, who had endured a season full of grievances, responded to Riley with a smug look, "Please tell my colleagues who are still fighting in the NBA that Mike Montgomery has become the 28th head coach in NBA history to own a championship ring. I know some people think this Warriors team could win a championship even with a dog on the sidelines, but so what? Now, none of you have a chance to get revenge on Mike Montgomery. You will always be my defeated opponents! Remember, always!"
Although Montgomery hadn't expected the Warriors to go all the way and lift the championship trophy, he had already prepared his resignation before the Finals even began. That's right, this former Stanford University coach, who had just led the Warriors to a championship, would retire successfully after this season and return to college basketball, where he was more suited.
In that moment, looking at Montgomery's utterly punchable face, only God knew how much Pat Riley wanted to punch him. "What a despicable scoundrel!" Riley fumed as he turned to walk down the player tunnel.
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### The Gang's All Here
Scoundrels? Indeed, this Warriors team had many "scoundrels." On the court, Ron Artest, looking at the cameraman recording footage for the future championship documentary, quickly put down his champagne and said, "First, get a solo shot of me!" What did Artest want to film at this moment?
"Hey, my dear former teammates! Especially Jermaine and Stephen, guess what, I fing miss you guys! But you don't have to worry about me not doing well in Oakland, because I deeply love the city of Oakland too! Oh, by the way, just in case you didn't know, a reminder: your former teammate Ron Artest is now an NBA Champion! Oh, damn, why is God so fond of Ron Artest?"
Artest planned to upload this video online later. After all, when else would you get to show off if not after winning a championship?
Meanwhile, Zack, who had finished his celebratory walk with his hands in his pockets, became the target of a furious attack from his teammates with champagne and buckets of iced drinks. Although Zack suspected that his teammates, including Dunleavy, Murphy, and Richardson, were retaliating for their "unconventional" introductions during the preseason training camp, since they had already won the championship, why would Zack care about such minor details?
"Jarrett, help me remember who just poured drinks and champagne on me."
"There were... many."
"No problem. When we get back, I'll have that 'drunkard' trade them all to Minnesota!"
What's the consequence of offending a young king? The answer, of course, is immediate banishment after humiliation!
"I have to share a secret with you. When the Messiah said this Finals series only had two games left, I felt like only the old 'Chicago wouldn't play a Game 7' could compare. And the Messiah delivered. You know, before we left for Miami, he even told each of us to only pack for four days. Ron brought a bit extra and was punished by having to take a regular flight."
On the sidelines, unlike his completely delirious teammates, Kwame Brown, the strict second-in-command of this Warriors team and Zack's most reliable Scottie Pippen, took it upon himself after the game to promote Zack's magnificent image to the media.
As for Zack's legendary first mate, Jason Richardson? "You know, within this Warriors team, I've always been the most special one. I'm different from others; I've always been mature and poised. Only I am worthy of being the first mate of this young battleship." It's like how everyone in the martial arts world today claims to have Jordan's bravery. In the NBA, ever since Pippen retired, everyone claims to be no less than Pippen himself.
"Don't listen to those scoundrels' nonsense. In this Finals series, my plus-minus was second only to the Messiah. I am his true right-hand man!" Baron Davis specifically emphasized his role as the second-in-command during his post-game interview. Clearly, the question of who was truly Zack's second-in-command on this Warriors team was destined to remain an unsolvable mystery.
On the court, the Warriors players, completely disregarding the emotions of the Heat fans, celebrated to their heart's content before finally returning to the locker room to change into their championship T-shirts. But then again, why should a team care about the opposing fans' emotions when winning a championship on the road? This Warriors team was the notorious "Golden State Thugs"; why should they follow the so-called etiquette of winning on the road?
To hell with road championship etiquette! When you win a championship, you celebrate wildly, celebrate like crazy! Otherwise, why is a champion a champion? If the Warriors players celebrating on the road were an eyesore, then the Heat fans present could simply leave. It's not like the Warriors players on the court could hold them at gunpoint and force them to watch the award ceremony, could they?
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### The Crowned King
At American Airlines Arena, when the Warriors players, led by Zack, returned to the court, now wearing their championship T-shirts and hats, they quickly saw that the few "Heat" fans who had remained in the stands to watch the award ceremony were taking off their outer jerseys, revealing Warriors jerseys underneath.
Next came the most exciting moment. Zack personally received the Larry O'Brien Trophy, symbolizing the highest team honor in the NBA, from NBA Commissioner David Stern! Even though winning on the road was far less lively than at home, at this moment, every Warriors fan at Oracle Arena in Oakland, 5,000 kilometers away, had "happiness" written all over their faces. They shouted in unison, their voices hoarse:
"We are champions!"
Then, as Zack passed the championship trophy down the line, even Warriors owner Chris Cohan, who wasn't particularly fond of basketball, shed tears of excitement. This was the completely different meaning the championship bestowed upon the city of Oakland, the entire Bay Area, and the entire Warriors franchise.
From this moment on, they would no longer be the Golden State Warriors, a team considered rotten for thirty-one years, but the enviable 2005/2006 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors!
Then, with tears in their eyes, the Warriors fans immediately chanted for the man standing tall in American Airlines Arena:
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
There was no suspense. Nor could there be. Zack, who averaged 38 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors in the Finals, was unanimously voted this year's Finals MVP, or FMVP!
In the Heat locker room, when O'Neal heard Stern announce Zack's name, he initially thought nothing of it. After all, it was just an FMVP trophy, right? He had three of those. But as Zack's Finals average stats flashed across the screen, O'Neal quietly shut up. "Is this really a rookie's stats?"
This year's losing team MVP, Wade, was excellent, no doubt, but in front of Zack's report card, even the "Flash" who could unleash a rain of points every night had to bow down. Now, no one felt wronged or unfair about the Heat being swept by the Warriors, because when Zack rightfully lifted that FMVP trophy, the entire basketball world instantly had only one voice:
"He's worthy! He deserves it! He's undisputed!"
Thus, Zack became the first foreign-born Finals MVP in NBA history, and only the second player to be named Finals MVP in his rookie season. If his senior at Wake Forest (Tim Duncan) defined what it meant to peak upon debut, then Zack had redefined what it truly meant to peak upon debut! From the first round of the playoffs to the Finals, he had delivered explosive performances in every round, playing the role of the Warriors' savior in each one.
"This is just your rookie season, which is truly incredible. You've gone all the way and personally lifted the championship trophy, and now you've been named Finals MVP. How do you feel about this?"
Feelings? Naturally, he had to speak his truth. "I mean no offense to anyone, but I've been saying since the regular season that I was the best player this season. From my personal perspective, this wasn't a perfect season. But I still like this ending because my teammates and I lifted the ultimate championship trophy. And not getting the regular season MVP just goes to show that I still have a lot of potential to unlock."
If Yao Ming was still "under pressure" from Alexander before the end of this season, then at this moment, Stern was also "under pressure." Zack's words put immense pressure on the NBA.
'Is this what NBA players with a degree are like? Why is he so aware of the league's behind-the-scenes dealings? If all college players are as smart as him in the future, will the NBA still be playable?' Stern thought to himself at that moment.
Of course, Zack had to put pressure on the league. Otherwise, what if he got "robbed" of an MVP trophy again in the future? Who would he complain to then? Not getting the regular season MVP this year wasn't perfectly satisfying, but that wasn't important or crucial. After all, Zack had already tried his best. But what about next? What if Stern continued to adhere to that damned NBA regular season MVP basic law of three consecutive wins, and messed with him when he had a chance to win three consecutive regular season MVPs?
Zack clearly understood that this pressure was a transaction. Stern also clearly understood that this was a transaction he had to complete with Zack. Because this year's "Trophy Theft Incident" meant the league had to repay Zack, an ally, outside the court. Especially after he had personally plucked that crown and crowned himself. At this moment, Zack was undeniably the NBA's new flag. The league not only had to promote him but also had to try its best to protect him.
"I think Baron probably only looked at the starters list when checking plus-minus, but actually, I was the Warriors' second-best player in the Finals, with a plus-minus second only to the Messiah. No, no, I'm not questioning Baron, because I've always been very grateful for his contributions on the court to this Warriors team that the Messiah and I led together." Mike Dunleavy Jr. said this when discussing his performance of 13 points per game and a whopping 48% three-point shooting percentage in this year's playoffs.
"Playing time? I don't care. Personal stats? I care even less. You ask me what my next plan is? I plan to fly back to Oakland with the Warriors and then enjoy our championship parade together." When asked if he would pursue more playing time next season to achieve better on-court performance after getting a championship ring, Murphy, who only wanted to sleep with the championship trophy at that moment, said.
"This year's championship fully proves that I was just a sleeping lion, especially after being successfully awakened by the Messiah. I believe every knowledgeable fan will acknowledge my performance. If I were to rank, I would definitely be the second-best shooting guard in the West, second only to Kobe Bryant." Jason Richardson said modestly at the press conference.
Previously, when Richardson reached that contract extension worth $70 million over six years with the Warriors after the 2004-05 season, Warriors fans were worried he would become a future salary burden. Now, they could completely rest assured. Because as long as Richardson could maintain his three-point shooting percentage, even in this era, his contract could only be described as a guaranteed profit.
"Based on my offensive and defensive performance this year, I think the Warriors completely robbed the Pacers. No choice, it's not that I like to brag, but the Pacers' management and my former teammates didn't appreciate my beauty." Ron Artest said, dissing his old team again during an interview.
And this, this also made Zack, who had changed into long pants and could officially walk into the press conference with his hands in his pockets, fully realize what it meant to be... in the NBA, everyone could be O'Neal.
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### A New Era Begins
Undoubtedly, with the Warriors arrogantly lifting that championship trophy tonight, the entire league couldn't help but feel an inexplicable fear. A defending champion team with the NBA's current number one player, and this number one player was only 22 years old, with most of his teammates in their prime.
You want to talk about the future with this Warriors team? They don't even want to give others the present, so how can you talk about the future? When asked if he thought about defending the title next year, Zack, with his hands in his pockets, cautiously replied, "Next season, we will strive for the championship while ensuring we don't finish last."
This was undoubtedly a nonsensical statement. But it perfectly helped Zack avoid the possibility of a boomerang coming back to hit him!
"Have you thought about what kind of player you'll be in the future?"
"I hope the label people remember me by after I retire is 'down-to-earth' and 'no shortcuts.'"
"How will winning the championship this year change you?"
"Undoubtedly, it will make me crave the next championship even more."
What does "it will make you crave the next championship even more" mean? Indeed, Zack simply made a very common, diplomatic statement during the interview. But this diplomatic statement was enough to break the hearts of the trembling teams across the league!
June 18th marked the definitive end of the 2005-06 NBA season. But at the same time, it also marked the beginning of the undeniably turbulent and unpredictable 2006 summer offseason. Before the draft arrived, before the free agency market officially opened, the NBA teams, unable to compete with the Warriors in terms of future prospects, would use secret transactions to jointly forge an alliance named the "Anti-Zack Alliance."
Yes, even though he had only been in the league for a year, by accidentally winning a championship, the legendary rookie Zack had already completed in the shortest time what Michael Jordan took a full seven years to achieve. To stop this legendary rookie, who intended to concoct a new GOAT elixir, and to avoid becoming pitiful figures like Barkley, Malone, Ewing, and Mullin in the future, a massive "Punish the Unjust, Execute the Tyrant Zack" uprising had officially begun!
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