Before the Western Conference Semifinals kicked off, the NBA officially announced the major awards for the 2007-08 season.
Zack was named regular season MVP for the second consecutive year. Even though the Warriors' record this year dipped to fourth in the West due to injuries compared to last year, the committee didn't overlook Zack's mythical performance, truly carrying the team on his own. And hey, if Michael Jordan could win MVP in the 1987-88 season with 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, leading the Bulls to fourth in the East (50 wins), then Zack, with even more astonishing stats this season and a better team record (57 wins), perfectly fit the criteria for the current NBA Regular Season MVP.
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### Award Season Surprises
It's pretty interesting, though, that in the season where Zack's defense showed the most significant improvement, the league instead awarded Kevin Garnett with the Defensive Player of the Year. Zack took a wild guess at the league's DPOY awarding strategy. Simply put, the league probably wanted more hype for the upcoming Western Conference Semifinals. On one side, you have a young superstar who's won MVP two years in a row. On the other, you have a veteran DPOY who's only getting stronger. Plus, "Full-effort KG" has always been widely considered the best player in the league to guard Zack. So, from the perspective of building excitement for the Western Conference Semifinals, that DPOY trophy naturally had to go to Garnett.
And similar to the reasoning behind Garnett's DPOY win, this year's Coach of the Year award went to the SuperSonics' head coach, Rick Carlisle. The league clearly intends to elevate this year's Western Conference Semifinals to a whole new level. After all, the "Derby" between the SuperSonics and Warriors already made the league a ton of money last year.
In other news, this year's Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player awards went to Monta Ellis of the Lakers and Hedo Türkoğlu of the Magic, respectively. As for Rookie of the Year, it was won by Zack's incredibly talented younger brother, Kevin Durant. It's worth noting that Greg Oden, who narrowly lost to Durant in the Rookie of the Year voting and has been strictly controlling his weight since college on the advice of Tim Grover, actually played 70 games for the Blazers this regular season, averaging 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
In the future, there were many speculations about Oden's "glass body." But if you think about it carefully, you'll realize that whether it's his natural leg length discrepancy or an early hip surgery that caused muscle atrophy in one hip, preventing his legs from bearing excessive weight, strictly controlling his weight can effectively reduce the knee wear and tear Oden experiences during strenuous exercise. The fact that Grover unexpectedly "saved" Oden subtly made Zack look at the GOAT of the training world with even more respect. This legendary trainer's brilliant resume truly wasn't misleading. Historically, over 400 athletes and Olympic champions from the four major leagues who received his guidance almost without exception performed in subsequent sporting events in a healthier and exceptionally vigorous state with his assistance.
And even back when he first advised Tracy McGrady, Grover had warned him: "T-Mac might be the least suitable player in NBA history for gaining weight that I've ever seen. If his weight exceeds a certain threshold, his career will definitely end prematurely."
Zack knows very well that no matter how astonishing the talent he gets from the [Summit] System is, Grover, who has been guiding his various training routines since college, is a major contributor to his continuous progress. Zack plans to give this GOAT of the training world another raise this summer to secure Grover's "loyalty."
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### All-NBA and All-Defensive Selections
Furthermore, on the day of the award announcements, the highly anticipated All-NBA and All-Defensive Team selections were as follows:
All-NBA First Team: Yao Ming, Zack, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul.
All-NBA Second Team: Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, Deron Williams.
All-NBA Third Team: Amar'e Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade.
All-Defensive First Team: Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Zack, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd.
All-Defensive Second Team: Tyson Chandler, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier, Tayshaun Prince, Raja Bell.
LeBron James, the Cavaliers' star who was eliminated by the Hawks 4-3 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, making the First Team this year was mainly compensation from the league for his performance last season. Zack noticed that because the league's "pie" is limited each year, every time awards are chosen, David Stern seems like a heavily indebted person who can only "rob Peter to pay Paul" by constantly swiping different bank credit cards. Chris Paul, who averaged 20 points and 10 assists for the Jazz in the regular season, successfully made the First Team, just as Zack remembered. And Tim Duncan, who switched from the Spurs to the Celtics, was clearly affected by the "Hulk Incident." His ex-wife Amy's betrayal inevitably caused Duncan to be distracted in the latter half of the regular season.
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### Zack's Determination
Before heading to Seattle, the Warriors held a grand press conference for Zack at Oracle Arena. When delivering his acceptance speech, Zack, whose mood hadn't improved despite winning MVP, briefly thanked everyone he needed to thank and then said, "This wasn't an easy season, but many years from now, when I look back at this season, I think I'll still be proud of my performance."
He concluded his speech by quoting Napoleon: "Nothing is impossible for the man who will not admit defeat."
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At the newly renovated KeyArena, the Warriors lost 99-108 to the SuperSonics in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. As championship favorites, the SuperSonics showed the world their roster depth in this game. If their starting five of Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett, James Posey, Ray Allen, and Mike Bibby was already a headache, then once the rotation started, "Diamond" Luis Scola, who always plays well when things are going his way, and Vladimir Radmanović, who returned home, effectively improved the SuperSonics' weakness from last season: a lack of bench firepower. In Game 1, with everyone on the SuperSonics playing well, Zack's 41 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal against "Full-effort KG" unfortunately went to waste.
A day later, the second game between the two teams continued at KeyArena. The shorthanded Warriors fully exposed their current lack of perimeter defensive resources in this game. To limit Ray Allen, Malone could only send Jarrett Jack, who had defended him well last season, to guard him. As a result, the Warriors were exploited by the "White Devil" Bibby, who put on a perfect individual performance. Throughout the game, Bibby, who had never experienced such excellent offensive conditions, shot 8-for-12 from the field, including 6-for-8 from three, and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, totaling 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists for the SuperSonics. The final score was 102-106. Zack's 40 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in Game 2 once again went to waste.
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### A Glimmer of Hope and a Defining Moment
Fortunately, two days later, back at their home court, Oracle Arena, the Warriors successfully won Game 3, which Zack believed they absolutely couldn't lose. Why did Zack think the Warriors couldn't lose Game 3? Because during the game, SuperSonics players who dared to touch him were immediately called for fouls, making it impossible for them to apply the same physical pressure they did in the first two games. That night, Zack drew 26 free throws, making 24 of them, and scored a total of 50 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors. Although a 50-point playoff game achieved largely through free throws wasn't something Zack felt was worth bragging about, since the league could grant the SuperSonics an "off-court advantage" in Game 6 of last year's Western Conference Finals for ratings, how could NBA Commissioner David Stern remain indifferent with the Warriors down 0-2?
However, the help Stern could give the Warriors was undoubtedly limited. In Game 4, as the refereeing returned to normal, this Western Conference Semifinals series – where the Warriors had a high chance of losing if Zack didn't score 50 points – ultimately ended with the SuperSonics winning on the road. Zack once again exploded for 44 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors. On the court, facing Zack, who consistently found ways to score for the Warriors, even "Full-effort KG" was temporarily put into "self-isolation" mode. Entering the playoffs, Zack's dribbling attribute had grown to 93. His ability to combine ball-handling with his body, which gave Garnett such a headache, allowed him to constantly get shot opportunities despite Garnett's relentless defense.
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### On the Brink
However, after four games, the overall stronger SuperSonics held a 3-1 lead, successfully kicking the defending champions to the edge of a cliff. But just as Rick Carlisle, not wanting to drag things out, intended to completely finish off the Warriors in Game 5, a god-like Zack led the Warriors to successfully defeat the SuperSonics' first match point at KeyArena. In Game 5, Zack, with the unspoken consent of the beautiful team physical therapist Ryan (who had no choice but to agree), played all 48 minutes for the Warriors, taking all the shots he wanted. And on the court, under the incredibly disbelieving gaze of the live audience, in the fourth quarter, Zack single-handedly accounted for the Warriors' final 31 points.
In the first offensive possession of the final quarter, when he crossed over Garnett on a dribble drive from the perimeter and hit a step-back three, Barkley chuckled, "The Messiah hits a three-pointer, giving the Warriors a much-needed shot of confidence."
Then, in the TNT studio, Barkley's hearty laugh was quickly replaced by an expression of utter disbelief.
"He scored again! Kevin Garnett just can't stop his explosive first step!"
"My goodness! He was like a glider just now, flying over his compatriot 'Big-Yao'!"
"That's his 18th consecutive point for the Warriors, tell me, where is his limit?"
"He's unstoppable! Just now, the Messiah sank his 28th point of this quarter from the right baseline!!"
"It's over, ladies and gentlemen, it's all over! This is absolutely the greatest single-quarter scoring performance I have ever witnessed in NBA history!! With the Messiah scoring 31 points for the team in the final quarter, the defending champions showed everyone that they are still alive!!!"
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### A Heartbreaking End
If Zack's performance in the first four games had already reconfirmed to the entire basketball world that he was the most individually outstanding player in the current league, then Zack, who scored a total of 61 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks for the Warriors in Game 5, simply cannot be described with any accurate word in any dictionary in human history.
Carlisle's heart, which had always disliked ball-dominant players, was completely shaken. "We didn't lose to the Warriors; we just lost to a god you cannot overcome in this game."
Perhaps Carlisle's post-Game 5 comment, "We just lost to Zack," successfully spurred the Warriors' championship players. Two days later, at Oracle Arena, six Warriors players scored in double figures, unleashing a much-needed three-point barrage that finally gave Zack, who had been carrying the team, some positive feedback from his teammates. The final score was 107-119. In Game 6, Zack, who only scored 30 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors, once again led the Warriors to defeat another SuperSonics match point. And as this Western Conference Semifinals series went to a do-or-die Game 7, the Warriors, who were initially on the edge of a cliff, quietly pulled the SuperSonics onto that precarious tightrope where anyone could fall.
The Warriors and SuperSonics' Game 7 was held at KeyArena. After the tip-off, Zack, with exhaustion clearly written on his face, was practically running on pure willpower to complete those impossible offensive plays for the Warriors. But in the final moments of the game, the SuperSonics' "horns," led by Yao Ming and Kevin Garnett, seized their opportunities and won this Game 7. The final score was 90-94.
However, Zack, who completely burned himself out scoring 45 points for the Warriors in the game, didn't feel as bad as he had initially thought when the fourth-quarter buzzer sounded. All the SuperSonics players, including Ray Allen, immediately went up to Zack to shake his hand and hug him. ESPN also launched a poll after the game asking: "Is the Messiah's average of 44.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in this Western Conference Semifinals series the greatest single-series performance in NBA history?"
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### Beyond Defeat: Eyeing Beijing
Of course, failure can never be associated with greatness. But after giving his all and doing his absolute best, Zack faced defeat calmly, saying, "Obviously, my worst career record has now gone from a championship to a Western Conference Semifinal." Furthermore, Zack wished Yao Ming and Garnett well, saying, "They are an excellent interior duo, and I hope they ultimately win the championship."
However, compared to Zack, who could calmly accept defeat, when Zack finished his interview and returned to the locker room, his teammates were even more upset. J-Rich, who sometimes played well in the playoffs but more often struggled, knew very well that he might have missed his most promising chance to be part of a dynasty. Stephen Jackson, who had been plagued by injuries and played on and off all season, teared up sadly at that moment. Grant Hill, who chose to join the Warriors last summer to "ride Zack's coattails" and now only wanted to retire with a championship ring, couldn't help but mock himself, "Could it really be me affecting this team's feng shui?" Barnes, with limited ability, didn't know if he could stay with the team after this season. And Dunleavy, who repeatedly showed problems on defense, worried that his poor playoff performance would make him a trade chip for the Warriors this summer.
Of the entire team, only Jack and Shannon Brown felt similarly to Zack, believing they had all given their best in the game. Having won for the past two years, Zack vaguely realized that, at this moment, he didn't know how to comfort his teammates. In many ways, this was an incredibly trying season. Although Zack sometimes got angry with his teammates during the playoffs, he also knew better than anyone that the reason these championship pieces on the Warriors didn't perform well was mainly because the Warriors lacked two key lieutenants. Whether it was Ron Artest before, or Rasheed Wallace who the team traded for later, the defensive protection they provided on the wing was crucial for players like Dunleavy and Stephen Jackson to perform well, whether coming off the bench or starting. Loyal Barnes and Old Man Hill, who believed he affected the team's feng shui, no matter how hard they tried, couldn't guarantee the Warriors would have the same defensive toughness on the wing as before. And Baron Davis's season-ending injury further meant the Warriors lacked a crucial second scoring option.
Zack didn't know if team president Robert Rowell, who was on paid leave, had seen all of this. It's a shame that even if Rowell belatedly realized how naive his previous idea was — that the Warriors could use some cheap championship pieces to fill Artest and Baron Davis's voids — the outcome was already sealed that night.
Now, with this not-so-satisfying season over, the Warriors only have one path: to look forward. Not achieving a three-peat in his first three years is certainly regrettable. But since giving his all couldn't change the outcome, Zack naturally had nothing more to say.
Of course, since this all-out Western Conference Semifinals series also couldn't fully vent the resentment in Zack's chest, while calmly accepting defeat, Zack also prepared to completely shatter the dream of redemption for American basketball this summer. On the FIBA stage, with this year's playoffs pushing him beyond his previous limits, Zack now has the absolute confidence to destroy the "Dream Team" he remembers. Before legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has his epiphany, the US men's basketball team, attempting to achieve redemption at the Beijing Olympics, will undoubtedly become Zack's perfect outlet for his frustration. In that game that will decide the fate of American basketball, Zack will unleash all the resentment he's accumulated over the past year on that "Dream Team" led by Kobe and LeBron! He wants to create a legendary performance, unprecedented and unmatched, to personally shatter American basketball's mental defenses and tell this era who the greatest player in the basketball world truly is!
"Play well in the Finals. See you in BJ [Beijing]." Zack said to Yao Ming when they hugged after the game.
Hearing this, Yao Ming chuckled awkwardly, "We have to win the Western Conference Finals first before we can play in the Finals."
"The Lakers are no match for you guys. The Gasol brothers can't handle you with Garnett by your side at this stage," Zack said. "Though the world won't officially recognize it, this season, Garnett is the second-best power forward in the league, second only to me."
Seeing this, Yao Ming replied, "Garnett will be very happy with that compliment."
Zack knows very well that Ray Allen, who always gets fired up when playing against Kobe, doesn't need to play him to a draw on the court. Because as long as he can shoot that despairing three-point percentage, like in the 2008 NBA Finals in history, the SuperSonics can indirectly "trade blows" with Kobe. Moreover, in this Western Conference Semifinals against the SuperSonics, Zack, who tormented Garnett to no end, didn't look down on Garnett in the slightest. On the contrary, Zack was very certain that Garnett's form had reached the peak of his entire career, driven by his hunger for a championship.
Furthermore, Zack's desire for Yao Ming and the SuperSonics to ultimately win the championship this year wasn't just because the SuperSonics defeated the Warriors. Rather, Zack hoped that Yao Ming, as a champion, would have the same confidence as him to shatter American basketball's dream of redemption on home soil.
"What damn Dream Team?" In Zack's eyes, they were just a toy for him to vent his anger!
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