Misfortune has truly become the story of the Warriors this season.
Before the team headed off to Los Angeles, "Agent 45" Gerald Wallace was left behind in Oakland.
This new addition to the Golden State bandit gang, who joined with such high ambitions, could only be described as disheartened and dejected right now.
Even though most of his teammates, including Zack, had visited the Bay Area's new first mate, who was about to undergo left foot surgery, Wallace still couldn't accept the fact that he'd be the first to fall during the reigning champions' tough journey ahead.
"When you start having bad luck, it feels like even drinking cold water will get stuck in your teeth."
That's how Coach Malone commented sharply on Wallace's unexpected injury during practice, which happened without any contact.
After being traded to the Warriors, Wallace had been playing exceptionally well, but now he was forced to undergo surgery due to an unfortunate training injury and would miss at least four months of the team's games.
Without a doubt, Wallace's accidental injury was like a bolt from the blue, directly hitting the reigning champions who had just started to get back on track.
Because Wallace's injury at this point, including his recovery period after healing, pretty much meant his season was over.
In 1998, Michael Jordan, who was carrying the Bulls through despair, could at least wait for the Bulls' key players to gradually return before the playoffs began.
But now...
Zack, this new GOAT, could only passively accept the reality that the team would have to finish the rest of the season with this crippled roster.
Perhaps, before the league's deadline for using injury exceptions, the Warriors could still use their exception to sign a championship puzzle piece for Zack.
But that was no longer a big deal.
After all, any championship puzzle piece has limited ability.
They were definitely unable to free up Zack on the court in the way a near-star player like Wallace could.
---
Before the All-Star Weekend, the Warriors played two games against the Lakers.
Carrying his discontent with fate, Zack, like a god descending from heaven, led the crippled Warriors to conquer Los Angeles once again at the Staples Center.
This earth-shattering "24 VS 30" ended with Zack scoring 51 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 blocks for the Warriors, leading his team to a road victory.
But a day later, at Oracle Arena, the fully-rostered Lakers evened the score on the road.
Kobe's performance was average in this game, shooting 7-of-15 from the field and scoring a total of 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals including free throws and three-pointers.
However...
Warriors' legend Rick Barry, who was commentating on the game live, said, "When the Lakers can beat the Warriors without Kobe playing exceptionally well, honestly, I think the chances of the Warriors defending their title and achieving a three-peat this year are almost zero."
Although on the court, Zack constantly suppressed the still-developing Marc Gasol by calling for isolations.
But after last year's first-round exit, Pau Gasol's tougher playing style had already subtly transformed him into a true superstar big man.
Moreover, through continuous adaptation and study, almost all opponents had now figured out a way to deal with these Warriors who actively slowed down the game.
If the Warriors wanted to play slow, then they would actively play fast.
Zack and Brown's interior defense had a despair-inducing rim protection ability, so they would attack the Warriors' weak side by clearing out one half of the court.
In this rematch at Oracle Arena, the Lakers, with as many as six players scoring in double figures, put on a perfect clinic for future opponents on how to beat these Warriors.
In the game, besides Kobe, Pau Gasol, Odom, Battier, Ellis, and Lowry all scored in double digits.
"Consider this a favor I'm doing for you. I still have three scores to settle with you," Kobe, who had always had a love-hate relationship with Zack, said after the game.
Hearing this, Zack retorted, "It should be me doing you a favor, because I just led the Warriors to a win at Staples in the last game. The scores you need to settle with me have clearly accumulated to four."
After a pause, Zack added, "But seeing as you've rarely beaten me, let's say three then. Why do you always like to play the loser in front of me?"
"..."
---
Before the All-Star Weekend, the Warriors, suffering a three-game losing streak, had slipped to fifth in the Western Conference standings.
Following the Lakers...
The Celtics, led by Duncan, Pierce, and Carter, also defeated the reigning champions at Oracle Arena.
Al Horford, who had been traumatized by Zack in college, played well in this game.
As Duncan's best frontcourt partner since David Robinson, Horford had improved rapidly this season under the guidance of Duncan and Perkins.
Although he still had a long way to go to fulfill his potential.
But compared to the 2-point, 3-rebound, 1-assist, 1-block stat line he put up against Zack in college, at least on the night he helped his big brothers defeat the reigning champions, Horford, who scored a total of 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 6 fouls for the Celtics, was no longer as afraid of Zack as he used to be.
Of course, the reason Horford could wear "I-am-not-afraid" on his face was that Pierce and Carter combined to score 58 points for the Celtics in this game.
Plus, whenever Horford, trembling with fear, was switched onto Zack through a pick-and-roll, Duncan would always caress his head afterward with that sinister smile.
So, no matter how Zack toyed with him on the court...
The resilient Horford would straighten his chest again in the next possession.
Furthermore, Duncan, who finally dared to look Zack in the eye after leaving the Spurs, also gained faster foot speed by losing weight last summer.
Since these Celtics had Horford and Perkins at the center position, Duncan, who didn't need to consistently play center in games, could confidently lose weight and thus extend his peak career.
And after the game, when Duncan shook hands with Zack and unconsciously reached out his other hand towards Zack's head...
Duncan immediately smiled when he noticed Zack didn't dodge.
At this moment, no words were needed.
Duncan knew that his former college teammate had already used his actions to declare that after more than half a year of estrangement, the longest river and the highest mountain of Wake Forest had reconciled.
A day later, the SuperSonics, who conquered Oracle Arena, handed the Warriors their third consecutive loss before the All-Star Weekend.
The addition of "White Devil" Bibby gave Carlisle's pistol and horn offensive schemes for the SuperSonics greater room to operate on the court.
Moreover, compared to last year's Western Conference Finals, the injury-riddled Warriors had ironically become the team with no cards left to play.
In the game, the SuperSonics had multiple players contributing, and even though Zack scored 40+ points consecutively at home, it was difficult to help the team salvage a win in this game.
This feeling of scoring high points for the team but failing to win wasn't pleasant.
But the more uncomfortable Zack was now...
The more excited those teams eager to break the Warriors' monopoly on the championship became.
Because the decline of the reigning champions would mean everyone had a chance to seize the opportunity.
---
On the 15th, Zack, who had been in a bad mood recently, arrived in New Orleans with the title of All-Star fan vote leader.
Last year, Zack's perfect performance in the Slam Dunk Contest earned him immense popularity among fans.
In this year's All-Star voting, he completely dominated the fan vote with a lead of 1.8 million votes.
Keep in mind that Kobe, who had the second-highest votes in the West, only received 2 million votes.
The New York Times commented on Zack's current popularity: "He's already a global idol, with fans all over the world. Hollywood actresses are proud to play Texas Hold'em with him, and last year's Golden Ball winner, AC Milan's star player Kaká, even stated that the Messiah's experience of playing through injury in last year's playoffs has become an inspiration for him to overcome his own injuries."
Nike executives, knowing Zack was in a bad mood, deliberately reduced Zack's commercial activities during the All-Star Weekend.
And, to help Zack turn his luck around, Nike would also officially launch the latest "Overlord Series" basketball shoes during this year's All-Star Weekend.
Nike hoped that the fifth generation of the "Overlord Series," with its predominantly red color scheme, would help Zack's career continue to flourish.
That night.
In the New Orleans Arena, which had been hit by a hurricane, the divinely assisted Daniel Gibson scored 36 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals for the Sophomore team and was named the Rookie Challenge MVP.
It's worth noting that...
All 36 of Gibson's points in the game were scored from three-pointers.
And Gibson, who made a total of 12 three-pointers for the Sophomore team, broke the Rookie Challenge's single-game three-point record. ①
Gibson's excellent performance in the Rookie Challenge made him an overnight favorite to win this year's Three-Point Contest.
However, even with such an outstanding Gibson...
He still couldn't pull his "big brother" LeBron James out of the Cavaliers' recent losing streak.
If Zack, who had suffered a three-game losing streak with his team before the All-Star Weekend, was just in a bad mood...
Then James, who was enduring a nine-game losing streak with the Cavaliers before arriving in New Orleans with Iverson...
Could only be described as utterly frustrated.
As the only scoring title season of James's long career in history...
Influenced by Iverson, James averaged only 25.4 points this season, and his average field goal attempts reached a career low of 18.1 attempts.
Although the bulked-up James did play with extremely high court efficiency, with an overall field goal percentage over 50% and a true shooting percentage close to 59%.
But James, who constantly felt he was unable to exert his full strength on the court, had privately questioned the Cavaliers' trade for Iverson last summer more than once.
And...
As time went on, as Iverson's idol aura gradually faded, James and his other "three musketeers" had also grown tired of Iverson's circle of hangers-on.
Certainly, Randy Mims and Maverick Carter were able to live privileged lives because of James.
But as James's personal chief of staff, Mims would never be like Iverson's hangers-on, who only knew how to take and not give.
And Carter, who had interned at Nike in his early years, would even help James coordinate commercial activities with various sponsors.
As for Rich Paul, who could get rich even without James?
In Paul's view, Iverson's hangers-on were simply the scum of society.
In short, James not only didn't get along with Iverson on the court...
Off the court, the two were practically strangers.
For his life, James had always had extremely high aspirations.
He yearned to stand at the center of the basketball world.
He yearned for greater exposure, even to build his own business empire, break into high society, and achieve class transcendence.
Therefore...
For Iverson, who only wanted to be a "street idol," James's differences with him were almost all-encompassing.
"Is that young man talking to the Messiah 'KD'?" Mims asked curiously.
Hearing this, James looked at Durant and nodded, "People say he's the next Messiah."
As the losing team's MVP in this Rookie Challenge...
Although Durant's 28 points and 7 rebounds for the Freshman team unfortunately went to waste...
After the game, Zack specifically praised Durant in an interview: "Whenever I see 'KD', I can't help but think of my past self. I know he still needs time to grow, but don't forget, he's only 19 years old this year."
Durant's performance in his rookie season was undoubtedly outstanding.
This season, Durant averaged 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists for the Knicks.
Although Durant's rookie season couldn't be compared to the legendary rookie Zack, as a player who chose to enter the NBA after only one year in college, Durant, who still needed time to grow, had already provided the world with ample room for imagination.
Especially when he moved the ball from the perimeter with his astonishing agility on the court to initiate an attack, apart from not being as graceful and elegant as Zack...
He truly felt like Zack reincarnated. (Zack: ?)
Moreover, the Knicks' current growth environment also helped Durant to further develop.
Zack knew very well that the current Knicks general manager, Donnie Walsh, was one of the few normal people in the Knicks' front office in the 21st century.
Currently, Walsh's main task was to clean up the Knicks' messy contracts while accumulating some assets for the team by tanking and patiently waiting for the summer of 2010.
Therefore, in this good tanking environment...
Durant not only experienced less external pressure, but with Walsh's authorization, Durant, who could have "unlimited shot attempts" in his rookie season, could also evolve quickly through extensive practical experience.
Additionally...
As "Messiah the Second," the usually arrogant and self-important New Yorkers showed Durant rare patience.
After all, Zack was already near max level before entering the NBA.
In the eyes of Knicks fans, they had every reason to give their "new Messiah" more time.
"Brown, have you noticed that 'KD''s playing style and approach really match yours?"
On the sidelines, at Rich Paul's reminder, James smiled, "'KD' is the teammate everyone wants to have. He has the demeanor of a top scorer at such a young age."
What a great young man. How good would it be if I could be his teammate in the future?
At that moment, James thought to himself.
---
The next day, the All-Star Weekend's various individual skill challenges continued at the New Orleans Arena.
Zack, who signed up for this year's Skills Challenge, successfully met his college teammate, Paul, in the finals as expected.
In the preliminary round, two-time Skills Challenge champion Wade performed poorly, finishing the course in only 54 seconds.
And Delon Williams, who in Zack's memory would have achieved the best historical result in this Skills Challenge final, was squeezed out of the final by Zack's preliminary score of 30 seconds.
On the court, as the 211cm tall Zack completed various obstacle course performances...
His agile movements and his historically unique ball-handling ability for an NBA big man instantly ignited the entire arena.
In the finals, Paul, who went first, finished with a time of 31.1 seconds.
Zack, who followed and completed the course with zero errors, set a new Skills Challenge record with a time of 25.4 seconds.
On TNT, Stephen A. Smith exclaimed, "Yesterday we were praising 'KD', and today the Messiah showed us what historical-level ball-handling ability looks like with his actions."
Beside him, Charles Barkley echoed, "Although the Skills Challenge has a lot of randomness, even 'D-Wade', a two-time champion of the event, can make mistakes.
But I think the Messiah's final score of 25.4 seconds doesn't lie. For his height, his ball-handling ability is absolutely the best in history."
"It feels great to be able to showcase my skills at my height and prove to the world that big men can break the guards' monopoly on this event," Zack said as he held up the Skills Challenge trophy. "I don't want to specifically mention myself, but I believe many young big men will definitely look up to me as an example in the future."
Zack's victory brought highlights to the previously less-watched Skills Challenge.
However...
This couldn't stop the failure of the other individual challenges at this year's All-Star Weekend.
Jason Kapono won the boring Three-Point Contest for two consecutive years.
Looking at the results alone, Kapono's 25 points in the final were indeed excellent...
But his lack of star power failed to satisfy the fans' appetites.
As for the Slam Dunk Contest that followed, compared to Zack's shocking performance in Las Vegas last year, it could only be described as lackluster.
Even if Howard, just as Zack remembered, pulled out the Superman cape, it only caused a brief sensation.
Because when he received the pass from teammate Nelson and slammed the ball into the hoop, all the fans could clearly see...
At a distance where even Zack could have taken one more step back and soared, Howard could only barely manage to slam the ball into the hoop.
"The Slam Dunk Contest is dead. I killed it once in Oakland, and the Messiah killed it again last year," Carter said in an interview. "If Dwight can win a championship with a move that strictly speaking isn't even a dunk, then it only proves that this event is dead."
"Superman? What Superman? I don't know why Dwight dared to wear that Superman cape. I don't think he's qualified at all," O'Neal, furious that Howard had stolen his Superman title, ranted. "I'll only acknowledge his right to wear that cape when he leads the Magic to a championship."
Before the contest, Howard, who had originally just wanted to show off, never expected that he would suddenly become the target of criticism.
In fact, Howard's dunk performance that night was by no means useless.
For example, his astonishing behind-the-backboard, reverse dunk.
Only...
After watching Zack's performance last year, the audience's expectations for the Slam Dunk Contest were no longer what they used to be.
And after the less-than-successful All-Star Weekend individual challenges, the league, which had hoped to help New Orleans recover from the hurricane's impact with a perfect All-Star Weekend...
Also welcomed one of the most unsuccessful All-Star Games in recent years.
LeBron James, who was historically this year's AMVP, had no enthusiasm for this game due to the Cavaliers' recent poor performance.
Iverson, who returned to the All-Star starting lineup, played exceptionally actively.
But with a cold shooting hand, he shot only 6-of-17 from the field.
In Zack's opinion, Iverson, who couldn't make a shot that night, might as well have boldly attacked the Western All-Stars' paint, which only seemed intimidating because of their size.
Yes, on this night, Zack and the other Western All-Star big men were just putting on a show defensively.
In short, it was a game where even without defense, both teams didn't want to put in too much effort; they just wanted to finish early and go home.
The final score: 126 to 132.
Anthony, the only member of the Western All-Stars who was extremely excited, lifted the AMVP trophy under David Stern's indescribable expression.
This year's All-Star Game was far from exciting, which was related to the overly congested schedule of the various championship contending teams after the All-Star Weekend.
In addition, the Warriors' dominance this season had significantly declined, so the core players of each championship contending team didn't want to expend too much energy during the All-Star Weekend.
However...
Zack, who was well aware of the subtle intentions of these people, silently became furious.
The Warriors' path to defending their title was indeed incredibly difficult.
But Zack had never thought of giving up.
Since all the championship contending teams thought their opportunity had come...
Zack was determined to show them who was the number one villain in the NBA of this era.
---
①: In the original historical timeline, Gibson would have made 11 three-pointers in the first half of this game. Don't doubt this little brother of LeBron James's skill in three-point shooting.