After this game, I can die without regrets." Yao Ming said tearfully after the final. "Unity brought us step by step to where we are today, but having Zack undoubtedly gave us the capital to dream."
Yao Ming's heartfelt words after the final pretty much echoed the feelings of the vast majority of basketball fans at that moment.
Zack's incredible performance at the Beijing Olympics wouldn't just go down in history; it was a game-changer that completely rewrote the history of basketball.
Kirk Goldsberry, an ESPN data expert, noted, "In this Olympic final, watched by over a billion people, the Messiah's 58 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, and 1 steal for successfully broke the Olympic men's basketball single-game scoring record, which he co-held with Brazilian player Oscar Schmidt."
"Furthermore, the Messiah's tournament averages of 46 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal, along with his impressive 55% field goal percentage, 48% three-point percentage, and 90% free throw percentage, undeniably cemented his status as the best international player ever."
It's worth mentioning that the average scoring record Zack broke at these Olympics was also held by Schmidt. Historically, Oscar Schmidt, a player who never even played in the NBA but was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, truly proved just how terrifying a forward who could light it up at will on the international stage could be.
Revered as "The Holy Hand" by Brazilian fans and "King Oscar" by Italian fans, Schmidt had already shown the world what he was capable of. In 1988, Schmidt averaged 42.3 points at the Seoul Olympics, a record for single-tournament average scoring that stood until this very competition. And as early as 1987, facing a US team led by David Robinson and Danny Manning, Schmidt, with his 7-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc and 46 points for Brazil, handed the American team their first home-court loss.
Moreover, during his time in the Italian league, Schmidt's unparalleled scoring ability even captivated a young American boy living in Italy. Funnily enough, that very boy was in the Wukesong Basketball Arena right then.
On the court, Kobe, still unable to calm down, chewed on his jersey and stared up at the scoreboard, unable to accept the Redeem Team's failed mission until the final buzzer. When the horn signaled the end of the game, the members of the Redeem Team looked like soulless zombies. Amidst the seemingly endless cheers from the crowd, the American players, feeling a ringing in their ears, could only watch dejectedly as the team celebrated wildly on their side of the court.
Zack had made the abstract concept of "God" a concrete reality at these Olympics. If the US team's goal before the Olympics was redemption, then Zack's magnificent performance at the Olympics was his personal testament to the myth he had written for basketball.
This would be the greatest day in basketball history. More importantly, it was the day Zack transcended to officially claim his divine throne.
"Considering that world basketball is in a more competitive era, we need to show more determination to return to the top in the future," Coach K defended the Redeem Team after the game. "This loss doesn't mean American basketball is falling behind the world. The Messiah also grew up within the American basketball system."
Kobe didn't speak to the media after the game. And LeBron, who needed some time to himself, was still in a whirlwind of emotions even during the medal ceremony. When the Redeem Team members, who had practically worn arrogance and overconfidence on their faces before the game, individually stepped onto the silver medal podium, they stood in stark contrast to the Spanish team players who received bronze.
Thanks to his thick skin, Marc Gasol became the biggest winner of the awards ceremony. The young Spanish center not only got autographs from both Yao Ming and Zack but also successfully snagged the socks Zack wore in the final. Those were great socks, no explanation needed!
And Zack? The moment he received the Olympic gold medal, looking at the "gold-inlaid jade" medal, the resentment that had been building up in his chest instantly vanished. However, what truly made Zack lose control of his emotions was the moment the national flag was raised. As the national anthem played, that sense of belonging, which he could never get playing in the NBA, instantly filled Zack's heart. Tears involuntarily streamed down his face, and emotions intensely erupted from his chest.
When Zack came back to his senses, the team players had already walked up to him one by one, hanging all their gold medals around his neck. Seeing this, reporters from all over the world immediately crowded around, eagerly snapping photos of this world-famous scene that would surely be passed down through generations.
Led by Zack, the gift the men's basketball team presented to the entire nation on the day of the Olympic closing ceremony was undoubtedly far-reaching in its impact.
After the award ceremony, as soon as Zack arrived at the media room with his teammates, he was informed that he needed to stay in for a few more days. The Basketball Association leaders excitedly told Zack that the country had prepared a unique celebration banquet for them. At that event, he, as the undisputed core of the men's basketball team, would be recognized along with his teammates by high-ranking officials. This would be a "conferment" ceremony that would thoroughly solidify Zack's historical status in .
Meanwhile, in the media room, in addition to numerous reporters, many American reporters also wanted to interview Zack. Zack's mythical performance at the Olympics had once again proven that he was the king of the NBA mountain.
So, an American reporter immediately asked, "After leading to an unprecedented Olympic championship, who do you think is the best player in the basketball world, you or Michael Jordan?"
"Of course, it's me," Zack cleverly defused the question. "Michael is 45 years old this year; he can only shine in the BIG3 League now."
Although Zack was absolutely certain he was better than the old GOAT in international competition, he would avoid any comparisons to Jordan until he had six championship rings. This was Zack's principle, and his respect for the "basic law" of NBA championships. If a player couldn't even match Jordan's championship count, how could he claim to have surpassed Jordan?
"American basketball has missed out on championships in four consecutive major tournaments. As an Olympic champion, do you have any advice for American basketball?"
This was certainly an audacious moment. Zack, half-amused, replied, "The only advice I can give American basketball is that they need to understand that FIBA and NBA are two different dimensions of the game."
Zack knew very well that the main reason for American basketball's repeated failures in major tournaments during the first decade of the 21st century was that they had underestimated FIBA competitions. Zack didn't care if American basketball could achieve redemption in the future. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the satisfaction of crushing American basketball's "Redeem Team" dream.
That evening, the Olympic closing ceremony was held at the Bird's Nest National Stadium. Zack and Yao Ming, who had led the men's basketball team to the top of the world just hours earlier, became sought-after figures by athletes from various countries. As Zack remembered, Australian women's basketball player Lauren Jackson, who had expressed her admiration for Yao Ming early on, didn't miss her chance. After extending her hand to Yao Ming, Lauren and Yao Ming shared a close embrace, their cheeks gently touching.
After this several-second-long hug, a still-eager Lauren wanted to continue interacting with Yao Ming, but the shy Yao Ming quickly slipped away.
"You'd better start thinking about how you're going to explain this when you get home," Zack, who was busy chatting up Maria Sharapova (who could only attend the Olympics as a mascot due to a shoulder injury), ribbed Yao Ming. "Reporters from all over the world just captured that moment."
Yao Ming, looking innocent, said, "She and I are not what you think."
Zack shrugged and said, "Don't explain to me. Even if there was something between you two, I'd just quietly support you."
Yao Ming: "..."
At that moment, Yao Ming, feeling like he couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River, looked at Zack, who had even dared to kiss Sharapova while chatting her up, and asked, "Why do you never worry about the media gossiping about your romantic life?"
"Because I'm single!"
"..."
The Beijing Olympics concluded successfully. It was a summer worth revisiting. The new GOAT of the basketball world, in an incredibly unbelievable way, presented a gift to this rising nation that would be talked about for centuries to come. Without a doubt, after this summer, Zack had become a god in the eyes of sports fans.
But to truly solidify his place on the divine throne, Zack still needed to climb, and this climb would never end. Because once Zack stopped climbing, it would mean his irreversible descent down the "mountain."
It's worth noting...
During the closing ceremony, Zack, who had developed an inexplicable bond with tennis beauty Sharapova, spent the next few days "developing new playstyles" and "exploring new avenues" with her, providing her with a completely different experience. He even helped her overcome the weakness of unilaterally lacking passion during special training sessions.
Although Sharapova was famous for her piercing shouts in the tennis world, in private, this "passion-lacking" Russian beauty nearly left Zack at a loss. Luckily, Zack had watched enough "action movies." Under his patient guidance, this tall and athletic tennis beauty eventually succumbed to the basketball god's "historical-level hard-solve ability."
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After attending the solemn commendation ceremony and then being "escorted" by various sponsors to several commercial promotion events, Zack finally returned to Oakland in mid-September. Because he represented in the Olympics, Zack was granted a one-week delayed return to the team.
While Zack was at the Olympics, the second BIG3 League also crowned its champion. Reggie Miller, who had been promoted from player to captain, tore through the BIG3 League for two consecutive years, becoming the undisputed first-generation GOAT of this "senior league."
Compared to last year, this year's BIG3 League felt a bit less star-studded. Jordan was out due to injury. Barkley and Pippen, among others, didn't sign up for various reasons. And Payton was busy assisting Zack's coronation at the Olympics. However, this league, which Zack initially started just for fun, still received a lot of positive feedback from the public.
Especially when Miller kept sinking four-pointers on the court, many American fans grew increasingly frustrated, "Look at these former NBA stars! Even after retirement, they can still effortlessly hit these tough threes on the court! Now look at the 'Golden Generation' led by LeBron; can any of them shoot like Reggie Miller?"
Are current NBA stars really technically inferior to these retired NBA players? Zack didn't know. But Zack did know that it was precisely to encourage the new generation of NBA players to focus on fundamentals that the league introduced the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend.
Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the hand-check rule, the change in the gather step rule, and interior players' hands and feet being tied by the new verticality rule... Why bother with fundamental drills when it's simpler and more enjoyable to just use physical prowess to rampage on the court? Zack didn't want to say that NBA rule changes led to those extremely talented young players overly relying on their gifts in games, but looking at the future trajectory of the NBA, it was indeed the truth.
Historically, the American team's "victory that felt like a defeat" in their future Paris Olympics title defense had already sufficiently proven that the new generation of American stars had no dominance to speak of on the international stage.
Basketball is a sport that doesn't lie. In 1992, when Michael Jordan led the Dream Team to world domination, do you know what Jordan regretted most later on? He most regretted that many American team stars, including his old rival Clyde Drexler, not only had an absurd attitude towards training but also lacked serious attention to game details. ①
"They were entirely playing on talent. When I saw them continuously cheating themselves on the things necessary for this sport, I immediately realized that the sweat I poured in training was the key to my constant victories over them."
With Jordan, the old GOAT, leading the way, Zack knew very well that no matter how strong his ball-handling skills were at the moment, no matter how evolved his technique had become, to maintain long-term dominance, hard work was the only way.
However...
At the end of September this year...
An unexpected incident interrupted Zack's grand plan to lead this new Warriors team back to the summit. On the practice court, when that massive body, which meant everything to the Warriors, suddenly collapsed without contact, almost everyone on the Warriors instantly went blank.
"[Path to the Summit] quest conditions revealed."
[Path to the Summit]: It's time to kick Michael Jordan off that damn throne. But this is bound to be a difficult journey, because you need to prove you still have the power to dominate the basketball world after this major injury.
Quest Completion Conditions: After the host returns from injury, you must lead your current team to one championship and win that season's MVP and FMVP.
Quest Completion Rewards: [The Zone] Badge Shard, a legendary random technical attribute gift package, and the [Iron Body] Badge.
[Iron Body]: This badge will significantly reduce the host's risk of injury due to cumulative fatigue.
When the [Path to the Summit] quest, which would only trigger at a specific time, officially revealed its completion conditions, Zack, unfortunately injured in practice, found himself in a state of not knowing whether to be happy or sad.
Tim Grover, who had seen it all before, said after receiving Zack's injury report, "I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
Zack, lying in the hospital bed at the time, said with a wry smile, "Tim, the good news first."
Grover nodded, "First, I must congratulate you. The injury you sustained is a left navicular fracture. The location and severity of your injury are almost exactly the same as Michael Jordan's back in the day."
Zack, confused, asked, "How is that good news?"
Grover explained, "Of course, it's good news, because I happen to know the doctor who helped Michael overcome that injury back then. And compared to other injuries, this is one I can guarantee you'll make a 100% recovery from."
Zack continued, "What about the bad news?"
Grover took a deep breath and said, "The bad news is, if you want to ensure a 100% recovery, you must give up the upcoming season."
"..."
With Grover's explanation, Zack roughly understood what his accidental injury was all about. Simply put, because Zack had played too many games over the past three years, coupled with his aggressive and relentless playing style, this was an injury caused by cumulative fatigue.
"Although the Warriors' team doctor had already advised your head coach to reduce your playing time during the regular season last season, it still couldn't prevent you from being at a high risk of injury. Then, this summer, you played in the Olympics without enough rest, which naturally made your injury risk much higher than others."
After briefly explaining the cause of Zack's injury, Grover, speaking from experience, said, "This injury is definitely not a bad thing for you. Not only will you get real rest during your recovery period, but I also plan to completely change your previous playing habits and style during this recovery."
"How do you want me to change?"
"Like Michael, when you return, focus primarily on jump shots and fadeaway jumpers, reducing the number of times you force your way to the paint."
Grover knew very well that only by fundamentally solving the problem could he effectively prevent Zack from being forced to break down in the future due to cumulative fatigue.
And Zack? With Grover's explanation, combined with the latest quest rewards for the [Path to the Summit] quest, Zack suddenly felt that... this forced long vacation might actually not be a bad thing at all.
A long vacation would undoubtedly allow his exhausted body to fully recover. Plus, with Grover's assistance, he would have more time to hone his fundamentals after returning from injury. And then there was the [Iron Body] badge, which would safeguard his future career. In Zack's eyes, aside from having to miss the upcoming 2008-09 season, this accidental injury would actually help him better dominate the NBA in the future.
However...
Zack didn't know that because of this unexpected injury, he, who had already gained a sense of belonging and recognition in the Bay Area, would also receive an unexpected surprise.
"Damn it! What the hell! How could he go down at a time like this?"
At this moment, Chris Cohan, who had already planned to sell the team, was caught completely off guard by Zack's unexpected injury. Especially when Cohan learned that Zack would likely be out for the season, the Warriors owner, who had originally wanted to demand an exorbitant price, immediately made up his mind. He had to sell this team, which had already extended Zack's contract, as soon as possible! Even if the team couldn't sell for his original asking price, he had to find a way to sell it quickly!
Without a doubt, Cohan's decision at this moment would give the Warriors a much brighter future. Because as Cohan lowered his asking price, the buyers who had been hesitant before completely dispelled their doubts.
However, the fall of the new GOAT... its impact on the entire league was far more than just this. At the end of September this year, Zack's accidental injury was like a nuclear bomb dropped on the entire NBA. After the nuclear fission, the entire development and progression of the NBA would be profoundly affected.
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①: This quote comes from multiple biographies of Jordan.
Note: As you all know, I (the author) never "abuses" the main character. So, even if the plot requires it, I will tell you that this injury, which is identical to Jordan's early career injury, will be Zack's only major injury throughout his entire career.
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