After the Christmas break, whether Wake Forest, having held the number one spot nationwide for eleven consecutive weeks, could march into March Madness with an undefeated record became the hottest topic. Now, every time Wake Forest wins a game, their fans cheer, "We're one step closer to making history!"
Also, ever since that "Cannon Punch," Chris Paul seems like a completely different person. In games, he's wholeheartedly assisting Zack. Behind almost every dunk that Zack gets fans talking about, you can practically see Paul's shadow, setting things up like Miyagi to Sakuragi's dunks. And the most crucial thing is, whenever a team tries to double-team Zack, Paul punishes them with his crisp, decisive shots, much like Mitsui draining threes when Akagi draws attention.
If the Paul before the "Cannon Punch" was just reluctantly submitting to Zack's overwhelming power, then the current Paul, both on and off the court, is absolutely the perfect second-in-command, like a supremely dedicated Ryota Miyagi ensuring his ace player shines.
As the saying goes, the stronger the light, the darker the shadow. With Paul's complete mental transformation, in ESPN's first draft projection report of the new year, these complementary Wake Forest twin stars both entered the top five of the first round. It's clear that people aren't overlooking Paul's progress in the 04/05 season just because of Zack's brilliance. Because when Paul is on the court, people can clearly see that every one of Zack's scores is as easy as eating and drinking.
"You know what? In the latest draft projections, I might even be a top-three pick in the first round!" Inside Wake Forest University's basketball practice gym, Paul, holding newspapers with various media's draft predictions, excitedly told Zack.
Honestly, Zack, who had already locked up the number one pick, couldn't really empathize with Paul at this moment. But to manage Paul's emotions, Zack smiled faintly and said, "Congratulations, Chris." However, as he congratulated Paul, a subtle hint of worry, unnoticed by Paul, was hidden behind Zack's smile that day.
The Illini Threat and Championship Glory
Time quickly moved to late February. Before the ACC Tournament began, Wake Forest remained ranked number one nationwide with a 28-0 record. Then, silently, Illinois, which had risen to number two, proved with their recent performance that Zack's earlier worries weren't unfounded.
Luther Head, Illinois's and the Big Ten's best shooter, made a total of 29 three-pointers for Illinois in their last five games. So far in the 04/05 season, Head has averaged over 7 three-point attempts, hitting 3 of them per game at an impressive 41% accuracy.
Furthermore, Dee Brown, another member of Illinois's "golden backcourt trio," recently found his game again, averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.5 steals for Illinois in February. There's also the sturdy 6'6" power forward Roger Powell and James Augustine, who has a remarkably accurate mid-range shot. (Note ①)
Paul's draft projection earlier had already reminded Zack that in current college basketball, this Illinois team, led by Deron Williams (who, in Zack's memory, would overshadow Paul to become the third overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft), was a stylistic nightmare for Wake Forest. This year, Deron, also a junior like himself, would relentlessly dominate Chris Paul even if Paul made it to the NBA and never reached his peak, just as Sendoh often gave Rukawa a run for his money. Plus, this Illinois backcourt combination has been playing together for three years. In college, both Head and Brown could handle the ball, relieving Deron of organizing and attacking pressure.
Therefore, compared to the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are also in the ACC and Wake Forest has already faced them, if Illinois goes all the way to the finals as Zack remembers, then in a single-elimination March Madness game, Zack believes they could absolutely defeat Wake Forest with a clutch performance from their backcourt players.
The Aftermath: Accolades, Media Circus, and a System Payday
Illinois was already tagged as a "serious threat" in Zack's mind. In March, after leading Wake Forest through the gauntlet, Wake Forest ultimately clinched the ACC Tournament championship with a 31-0 record, becoming the ACC's top seed as hoped, and the first team since 1979 to enter March Madness with an undefeated record.
In the final against the Duke Blue Devils, Zack delivered a perfect stat line of 34 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal, successfully earning the 04/05 ACC Tournament MVP. On the day of the final, in addition to a large number of American media documenting history, many media were also present. In 2005, influenced by Yao Ming, as the NBA's attention grew day by day, fans eagerly hoped for another Yao Ming to emerge in the NBA. This night, Zack's performance truly made all reporters present proud.
The only slight imperfection was that during the awards ceremony, to prove to the world that Duke would never bow to Wake Forest, the Cameron Crazies who chose to stay and watch the ceremony let out all sorts of strange yells when Zack accepted his award. In response, Zack immediately put his right hand to his ear and made that unforgettable "listening" gesture to the Cameron Crazies in the stands, a taunt worthy of Sakuragi himself. Seeing this, the Wake Forest fans at the venue responded, "Shut up, Duke! Can't you see your principal telling you to shut up?"
Zack's post-game taunt to Duke fans puzzled many reporters. After all, during this period, humility, kindness, low-key demeanor, and pragmatism were the qualities that people were expected to display in the eyes of the world. On this night full of laughter, Zack didn't explain to these reporters. Because just as every era has its own aesthetic, Zack had witnessed the future, and he knew very well that in this era, some of his actions and behaviors would simply be misunderstood.
For example, when accepting interviews after the game, especially from reporters, Zack, unlike others, ended his acceptance speech after thanking his family, fans, teammates, and coaches.
"Do you think you can surpass Yao Ming in the NBA in the future?" "If you mean height... then I'll never be able to surpass Yao Ming." "Does playing in the NCAA really test your English skills?"
What kind of questions were these? At this moment, even though he was mentally prepared for the questions from these reporters who had come all the way from, Zack was still greatly shocked.
"How did you win over your coach in your sophomore year after not getting playing time as a freshman?" Then, when he encountered a slightly more normal question, Zack laughed, "I usually like to smile, and Coach Skip Prosser also really likes my smile. So... you could say that I smiled slightly, and successfully earned the head coach's trust." Through this night's interview with Zack, these visiting reporters discovered that Zack and the Zack they usually knew were clearly two different people.
"Your American counterparts say you've already locked up this year's number one draft pick. What's your take on that?" "I think I deserve it." "Aren't you worried... that there might be an upset at the draft?" "Upset? Many big shots have said that anyone who doesn't pick me with the number one pick this year is an idiot. I don't think the NBA has that many idiots, do they?"
On the sidelines, just as Zack was about to lose his cool, luckily Ira Berkow, who had specially come tonight, rescued him. As soon as they heard it was a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, these domestic reporters who had nearly broken Zack immediately left the stage for Berkow.
"You always seemed unshakeable in college basketball... this is the first time I've seen you so flustered," Berkow joked, patting Zack's solid back. Then, after a pause, Berkow said, "Do you know that Sports Illustrated has already named you as their cover subject for March Madness?"
Hearing this, Zack shook his head. Berkow then said, "This is inside information... Last year, Sports Illustrated put Jameer Nelson on their March Madness cover, which led to a lot of mockery. So this year, they decided to pre-select an undeniable player to be their cover subject." After saying this, Berkow immediately hinted at Zack with his eyes. At this moment, Zack knew very well that Berkow was implying that he had practically secured this year's NCAA Player of the Year, the Naismith Award, and the Wooden Award. Because generally, players who are on the Sports Illustrated March Madness cover usually win these three highest awards in American college basketball. In the NCAA, it's a tradition, a standard practice.
However, after hinting to Zack, Berkow immediately reminded him, "You've undoubtedly become the highest mountain in college basketball now... But you still need to stay focused, because in the upcoming March Madness, countless players eager to gain fame by challenging you will come at you." Zack understood Berkow's reminder. After all, just like everyone wanted to beat Jordan back in the day, as the highest mountain in American college basketball, Zack is an idol in many people's hearts, and even more, an opponent they long to defeat. Simply put, in the upcoming March Madness, almost all of Zack's opponents will come with a "buff," ready to give their all like Shohoku facing Sannoh.
The System's Bounty
The ACC Tournament concluded. While waiting for the Selection Committee to announce this year's March Madness bracket live on television, Zack also received numerous titles:
04/05 ACC Conference Scoring Champion, Rebounding Champion. 04/05 ACC Conference Player of the Year. 04/05 ACC Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Member of the 04/05 ACC Conference All-Conference Team and All-Defensive Team.
Of course, compared to these titles that didn't excite Zack in the slightest, the most thrilling thing for Zack, at the moment the ACC Tournament successfully concluded, was the reward from the [Pinnacle] System. In the 04/05 season, Zack, who averaged 28.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 3.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals for Wake Forest, successfully completed the [That Unforgettable Love] mission. He not only successfully lit up the [Airborne] badge but also received two legendary random potential gift packages.
Although Zack really wanted to run to the basketball court to feel what kind of hang time boost the [Airborne] badge could give him, he forcefully suppressed the joy and excitement in his heart and first opened the two legendary random potential gift packages.
"Congratulations to the host! Speed and Agility potential each increase by two." "Congratulations to the host! Dribbling and Dribble Shooting potential each increase by three."
Then, because Zack's overall field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage in the 04/05 season were 58.5%, 39.8%, and 78.4% respectively, after completing condition one of the hidden mission [Bet on Zack], Zack also received a legendary random skill potential gift package.
However, before opening this package, Zack felt a little bad for Barkley. Because by indirectly helping Jordan win that bet he had with Barkley, Barkley would not be able to call himself Jordan's successor in front of Jordan for the rest of his long life. But, in Zack's opinion, Barkley losing the bet wasn't entirely his fault. After all, why did Barkley look down on him so much, setting a bet where Jordan wins if his three main shooting percentages combined exceeded 165?
With sympathy for Barkley, Zack silently opened the legendary random skill potential gift package in the next second.
"Congratulations to the host! Dribbling and Three-Point potential each increase by two."
Dribbling potential again? "A boy who smiles often really has such good luck." Zack couldn't help but exclaim as he opened the [Pinnacle] System's visual data. After today's two boosts, Zack's dribbling potential value has now reached 81.
To continue playing as a primary ball-handler in the NBA, Zack knows he still needs to refine his dribbling skills. So, in Zack's eyes, the higher his dribbling potential, the better. After all, without dribbling talent, he can't just stand at the top of the arc and just butt out in the NBA. Zack doesn't want to be called the "Supreme Draymond Green" in the future.
That day, Zack, having reaped a rich harvest, suddenly felt a beautiful future beckoning him.
And on March 13th of this year, through a live TV broadcast, the NCAA Selection Committee officially announced the participating teams, seeding, and the final bracket for the 04/05 March Madness.
Note ①: Dee Brown, historically a player selected by the Jazz in the second round, 16th pick, in 2006. He played two seasons in the NBA, and in college, he formed the famous Illinois backcourt trio with Head and Deron.
James Augustine, historically a player selected by the Magic in the second round, 11th pick, in 2006. When playing for Illinois in college, the 6'10" center was known for his remarkably accurate mid-range shot, with a career field goal percentage of 61.7% in college.