The Day of Destiny.
While David Stern always believed that so-called "fatalism" was just a marketing tactic, when May 25, 2005 arrived, the headline ESPN chose for this year's draft lottery could only be described as perfectly fitting in Stern's eyes.
Because whether in his previous life or this one, 2005 was a crucial turning point for the NBA. After Jordan's second retirement, the NBA had gradually emerged from the shadow of the post-Jordan era. And with one talented youngster after another stepping into the league, the outline of a new era was already appearing before the world's eyes.
Kobe, emerging from the Eagle County incident, eager to lead the Lakers' resurgence.
LeBron James, bringing light to Cleveland.
Shaquille O'Neal, escaping to the East to team up with Dwyane Wade.
Yao Ming, turning Houston's "Space City" into the sole home team in the hearts of all fans.
Tim Duncan, low-key and pragmatic, already with two great helpers in Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Dirk Nowitzki, on the verge of mastering his craft in Dallas.
Kevin Garnett, weathered and worn in Minnesota.
Stern knew very well that as a commercial league, the NBA's most valuable asset was its individual superstars. Having stars meant having traffic and ticket sales.
If Zack's name hadn't been on this year's draft board, Stern felt he could have allowed the upcoming draft lottery to proceed fairly, openly, and justly. After all, at the 2005 juncture, too many teams needed the No. 1 pick for salvation, and Stern couldn't cater to every team.
But, since Zack's name was on this year's draft board, it meant that as the NBA Commissioner, he stood at a crossroads of destiny.
Under Nike's year-long operation, there wasn't a single team in the NBA right now that could ignore Zack's demonstrated ability and commercial value. Zack, this "Overlord" , though not yet in the league, had already subtly influenced the NBA's original trajectory.
Before the lottery ceremony began, Stern had considered letting an Eastern Conference team get the No. 1 pick, as was the most widely circulated rumor. But...
"David, the East already has LeBron and Shaq. Why don't we consider a Western Conference team getting the No. 1 pick? That way, next season, fans alone could watch four ' Derby' games."
That day, the suggestion from Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver reminded Stern. Then, Mark, another of Stern's deputies, added, "David, this year, besides the Bobcats, the East indeed has two teams that didn't reach 20 wins. But to get the No. 1 pick, the West also has two teams with fewer than 20 wins this year."
Hearing this, Stern fell into contemplation. Because the NBA's situation this year was similar to 1997, even if there were other options among teams with slightly better records that Stern could choose from, considering the emotions of these four teams that had completely gone "tank-crazy" for Zack, Stern knew he absolutely couldn't risk public outrage by expanding his No. 1 pick selection range. Choosing an answer from these four "Dragon-Phoenix" level bad teams might not be the optimal solution, but at the very least, this answer wouldn't provoke widespread anger.
However, at this moment, looking at these four teams, which could be described as "sleeping dragons and crouching phoenixes" of futility, Stern was immediately in a dilemma. They were:
The Milwaukee Bucks with 17 wins. The Atlanta Hawks with 11 wins. The Golden State Warriors with 13 wins. The Utah Jazz with 16 wins.
After composing himself, Stern first eliminated the Bucks and Jazz from these four options. This year's Zack, in Stern's eyes, wasn't someone Milwaukee could handle. Stern admitted that Milwaukee had been quite unfortunate in recent years. But in Milwaukee, the NBA clearly couldn't maximize Zack's commercial value. The same logic applied to the Jazz. Although Stern also believed that under the tutelage of veteran coach Jerry Sloan, Zack would certainly have a legendary career, in Stern's opinion, putting a treasure like Zack in Salt Lake City... he might as well try to have Zack save Milwaukee.
But, after eliminating the Bucks and Jazz, scrutinizing the remaining two teams, Stern was once again at a loss. Atlanta was a typical big city, small market. And the Warriors? Located in Oakland, a "crime capital," they didn't have to worry about attendance or fans, but...
"They haven't made the playoffs in 11 years, have they?" Stern asked Silver and Mark in his office.
"However, David, the slogan they've been using to tank is quite interesting."
"You mean 'Operation Overlord'?"
As one of the crucial turning points of World War II, the codename for the Normandy landings was "Overlord." Undoubtedly, the Warriors used the same codename to name their tanking effort this year precisely because the Warriors' front office, led by Chris Mullin, hoped to draft Zack by obtaining the No. 1 pick, thereby achieving a heaven-defying transformation for the Warriors.
In this moment, Stern fell into contemplation once again. The Warriors needed an Operation Overlord. Didn't the current NBA also need an Operation Overlord?
Stern knew very well that the current NBA was at a major historical turning point. And as a nationally renowned "crime capital," Oakland certainly had many drawbacks, but once you crossed that Bay Bridge...
That day, Stern, feeling perhaps that there was a divine will at play, conveyed his decision to Silver and Mark. Then, Stern told the two, "Everyone knows that we have always been a fair, open, and just league."
Hearing this, Silver and Mark, who always had a good understanding with Stern, immediately echoed, "David, we will absolutely ensure the lottery results are fair, open, and just."
Yes, the NBA draft lottery has never been subject to conspiracy theories, nor could there be any shady dealings. After all, it's the 21st century; who still doesn't believe in the NBA's lottery and the Champions League knockout draw results?
May 25th, the Day of Destiny.
When Chris Mullin, dressed in a suit, walked onto the main stage to represent the Warriors, a sense of nervousness, even greater than he felt during his playing days, immediately surged through Mullin's chest. Could "God's Left Hand" pull off this miraculous draw?
Although the Warriors' determination to contend for Zack was firm throughout the 2004-05 season, even the local media and fans in Oakland weren't confident about actually securing the No. 1 pick. Because rumors had long circulated that due to Yao Ming being on the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference, the NBA was highly likely to allocate the No. 1 pick to an Eastern Conference team this year.
So, on the night of the lottery, when "God's Left Hand" drew that destined piece of paper for the Golden State Warriors with approximately a 20% chance, accompanied by Charles Barkley's booming voice, the news of the Warriors hitting the 2005 jackpot instantly spread to thousands of American households.
The Golden State Warriors had won the 2005 NBA No. 1 overall pick!
Meanwhile, in front of the TV, although Zack had a premonition that he might change history, when history was actually changed by him, he immediately fell into thought.
"The Golden State Warriors got the No. 1 pick? How is this different from the rumors? Did the NBA not rig it this year?" Evans said, surprised, beside Zack.
Rachel also found it incredible, because before today's draft lottery began, over 80% of people believed that Atlanta would be the ultimate lucky team.
Of course, since Evans and Rachel were both surprised by the Warriors getting the No. 1 pick, similarly, online, Atlanta fans were already venting their anger.
"Fixed! Fixed! Fixed!"
"David Stern stole our No. 1 pick!"
At this moment, whether Stern actually stole the No. 1 pick that originally belonged to the Hawks, Zack didn't know. But in his opinion, he was highly likely to snatch away the team that originally belonged to Stephen Curry in this life.
Yes. Since the Warriors acquired the No. 1 pick in 2005, how badly would he have to fare in the NBA four years later for the Warriors to still draft Stephen Curry? He had even thought, just now while contemplating, that once the Warriors drafted him, he would choose the Warriors' No. 30 jersey as his number for his NBA career.
As for the reason? It's well known that Zack's college jersey number was 10. "I believe I wasn't diligent enough in college, so after entering the NBA, I plan to triple my efforts to improve myself, and 3 multiplied by 10 is exactly 30, so I will choose the Warriors' No. 30 jersey."
Of course, as LeBron James' good brother, Zack was still somewhat perplexed about being "exiled" to Golden State right after entering the league. Additionally, based on Zack's understanding of the NBA, the Warriors at this time genuinely seemed to be a truly terrible team. The only good news was that, compared to previous years, with Chris Mullin joining the Warriors' front office last summer, the Warriors were about to see a glimmer of hope.
In short, although the Warriors weren't the team that satisfied Zack the most, Zack himself wasn't resistant to the idea of the Warriors getting his "first blood."
At the lottery site, after returning to the Warriors' designated area, Chris Mullin's emotions still hadn't settled. "Did you hear that?" Mullin asked his assistant, looking at him.
Hearing this, the assistant looked puzzled. "Hear what?"
"The drums," Mullin said.
The assistant was still confused. "What drums? I... I think I only heard your heartbeat."
Seeing this, Mullin shook his head. "No, not a heartbeat, it was drums... The Drum of Liberation, beaten by the 'Overlord' himself, has just resonated throughout North America, throughout the world... The Warriors have welcomed their savior tonight!"
After drawing the No. 1 pick, Mullin's mental state was now somewhat delirious. (Note ①)
However, about ten minutes later, as Mullin's assistant relayed Mullin's remarks to the media, the group of reporters from Oakland believed that the Golden State Warriors, who had been in decline for twelve years, indeed needed Zack, this "Overlord," to personally beat the Drum of Liberation.
The Warriors needed a savior. Oakland needed to be liberated by this savior.
The next day, Anthony Lester, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, personally penned an article titled "The Drum of Liberation Resonates on the West Coast."
"I know that for a long time, we've hoped for a star player to lead the Warriors out of their predicament. In the past, we thought it was Tim Hardaway, then Latrell Sprewell, and we hoped it was Joe Smith. Later, we firmly believed it was Antawn Jamison and Jason Richardson. But every time, our expectations were met with endless disappointment.
Thank you, Chris Mullin. Because on this night, "God's Left Hand," this legend in Warriors history, personally drew the 2005 No. 1 pick for the Warriors.
Although we always say, 'A thousand people see a thousand Hamlets,' my dear Warriors fans, this year, we don't need to deceive ourselves. Because we all know who we will choose with this No. 1 pick.
Just last night, Chris Mullin said he personally heard the Drum of Liberation beaten by the 'Overlord.' Frankly, the moment Chris Mullin drew the No. 1 pick, my colleagues and I felt the same way.
Now, at this moment, please patiently wait one more month, with respect for the fairness, openness, and justice of the NBA lottery results. In one month, the entire West Coast of America will surely hear that Drum of Liberation!"
One day after the draft lottery concluded, on the 27th, Zack officially accepted the Warriors' tryout invitation through his agent, Schwartz. On the day of Zack's tryout, all members of the Warriors' front office and coaching staff were present. In that moment, looking at the row of Warriors' front office and coaching staff standing on the sideline, Zack even suspected that he wasn't a rookie, but rather the owner of the Warriors coming to inspect their work.
Before Zack began his physical tests, Mullin proactively came over and said, "Don't be nervous, it's just a formality. Just make sure you don't get injured."
However, despite saying they weren't concerned, when Zack's physical test results came out, the Warriors' staff were very honestly... shocked by his report.
Name: Zack Date of Birth: December 21, 1983 Height (without shoes): 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) Height (with shoes): 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) Weight: 266.5 pounds (121 kg) Body Fat Percentage: 8.8% Wingspan: 7 feet 6 inches (228 cm) Standing Reach: 9 feet 5 inches (288 cm) Vertical Leap (standing): 33.5 inches (85 cm) Vertical Leap (approach): 37 inches (94 cm) Max Vertical Touch (approach): 12 feet 6.4 inches (382 cm) (Note ②) 3-Quarter Court Sprint: 3.27 seconds 185 lbs (84 kg) Bench Press (max reps): 17 reps
How to describe Zack's physical test data? Simply put, aside from his maximum bench press reps being affected by his wingspan, which prevented him from perfectly showcasing his strength, this physical test data was monstrous in any era. Through Grover's activation last summer and Zack's self-improvement last season, Zack proved on the day of his tryout with his physical test data why he was worth NBA teams tanking for him for a year.
As for the subsequent one-on-one drills, Adonal Foyle, specially called in by the Warriors' coaching staff to be Zack's opponent, was completely subdued by Zack in less than three possessions. Foyle, at 6 feet 10 inches and over 250 pounds, not only couldn't gain an advantage in physical confrontation with Zack, but he was even nearly faked out by Zack's double crossover while defending him.
After this one-on-one, Foyle, who was also an 8th overall pick in the 1997 draft, glumly told head coach Mike Montgomery, "It's not that I wasn't defending seriously... I just couldn't guard him!"
Seeing this, Mullin and Montgomery immediately moved Zack to the next stage: the interview.
However, unlike typical interviews, this interview, to be precise, was actually Zack interviewing the Warriors' coaching staff and front office. This was the biggest difference between Zack and other rookies. After all, who else was the NBA's most undisputed and only choice after Tim Duncan?