"Hey, 'Dumb Snake,' don't hurt yourself."
In the Lakers' paint, after receiving a pass from Davis and facing a double-teaming Kobe, Zack turned and hit a bank shot, then taunted Kobe, who he almost knocked to the ground.
And Kobe?
Two possessions later, after dribbling past Artest's defense and assisting Odom for a basket in the paint, Kobe immediately flashed a disdainful smile at Zack, who he'd drawn in with his drive.
"You really are the 'Number One Simpleton,' do you think all I can do is score?"
As part of tonight's war, Zack and Kobe, now completely locked in a duel, would immediately fire off verbal jabs at each other whenever they found an opening.
After Zack missed a free throw, Kobe sneered, "Hey, 'Simpleton,' need me to teach you how to shoot free throws? Your free throw just now was as bad as that big lazy bum's."
Hearing this, Zack shot back, "Shut up! Don't compare me to that lazy bum resting on his laurels! His free throw percentage for this season, he couldn't even hit it in his next life!"
At this moment, feeling that Zack had actually spoken a fair point, Kobe uncharacteristically didn't argue but instead apologized to Zack, "I misspoke just now, I didn't expect you, 'Simpleton,' to actually speak like a human."
Then, after assisting Mihm for a score, Kobe shrugged on defense, "See that? That's 'God's' fifth assist tonight."
It's well known that Mr. Bryant has many unique labels.
Among these, his narcissistic personality and his refusal to be inferior to anyone are just two of the relatively famous ones.
Historically, after scoring 38 points against the Lakers and hitting a game-winner, Jeremy Lin once told Kobe, when he joined the Lakers, "You know I'm not afraid of you, I'm only afraid of God!"
Then, Kobe coldly replied to Lin, "I am God!"
And tonight, Kobe, who was already extremely annoyed by Zack's "Messiah" nickname, how could he possibly allow himself to seem shorter than Zack?
If you're the Messiah, then I'm God!
Yes, while in some interpretations, the Messiah is God, in others, God can also be the Messiah's father.
On the court, Zack did not tolerate Kobe openly taking advantage of him.
Warriors' possession, after cleanly draining a mid-range pull-up jumper for his 20th point of the night, Zack immediately responded to Kobe, "I-Know-You-Dog!"
"I-Know-You-Dog."
Given that Mr. Bryant dared to call himself God in front of him, Zack naturally responded with an American English equivalent of "who do you think you are?"
Although this was originally a classic line that Howard would use in the future to respond to Kobe's "Soft-Try-Me."
But compared to the future Howard, who would just blurt out expletives in a fit of pique, Zack's "I-Know-You-Dog" tonight was clearly more fitting.
Spoken by Zack at this moment, this phrase was destined to become a classic.
On this smoke-filled battlefield at Staples Center, Zack, who had already scored 20 points before the first quarter even ended, not only successfully struck down Mr. Bryant's arrogance with this American English equivalent of "who do you think you are?" but, more importantly, Zack's performance tonight made him far more qualified to say this than the future Howard, who would only be capable of impotent rage.
In the NBA, this is very important.
Because if you don't have the strength to match your classic lines, then everything you say is destined to become a joke.
The Duel Intensifies
About two minutes later, Kobe, who hit a difficult fadeaway three-pointer for the Lakers, sneered, "Do you dare to guard me? This standing comedian can't guard me!" (Note ①)
In that moment, Kobe completed a double kill, taking on two opponents at once.
He gave Artest a nickname while also provoking Zack.
Hearing this, and inwardly marveling that this was indeed the Kobe who would one day tell LeBron, "Shoot it yourself, don't pass," Zack sneered, "I dare to guard you, do you dare to guard me?"
Did Kobe dare to guard Zack?
This question actually had nothing to do with courage.
In fact, in today's league, there was no player Kobe didn't dare to guard.
But if Kobe really chose to primarily guard Zack in this game, Zack would definitely gladly accept this gift from nature.
After all, Kobe, a shooting guard, and Zack, a power forward, had a difference of tens of centimeters in standing reach alone.
However, despite this, Kobe still chose to accept the challenge.
Though it was only for one defensive possession.
But Kobe, having already thrown down the gauntlet, clearly didn't want to go back on his word.
Under the Lakers' basket, Zack successfully seized this opportunity. Facing Kobe's blocking iron elbow, he forcefully rose up and responded to Kobe with a powerful one-handed dunk.
Immediately after, Zack quickly made a "Too-Small" gesture to Kobe.
Seeing this, Kobe snorted coldly, then immediately planned in his mind how he would retort when it was Zack's turn to guard him later.
But how could Zack give Kobe that chance?
On the court, seeing Kobe about to dribble past his defensive area, Zack simply fouled him, sending him to the free-throw line.
"You bitch! That's not fair!"
"Don't free throws count as points?"
"Bitch! Damn bitch! You're cheating, I can't accept this!"
"Can't accept it? Then try guarding me for another possession if you dare."
Beside them, Brown was utterly shaken, watching Zack gradually gain the upper hand in this "verbal duel" with Kobe.
But in reality, once this "verbal duel" began, Zack was guaranteed to win, because he came from the future, with twenty years of trash talk and schemes stored in his mind. This made Kobe, a mere high schooler, completely defenseless.
Staples Center, at the end of the first quarter, amidst the arguments and the adrenaline-pumping offensive and defensive possessions, the scoreboard read 35-33.
Zack scored 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the Warriors in the first quarter, achieving the "20+ in a single quarter" milestone for the second time in his career.
Under Artest's dependable defense, Kobe only managed 11 points in the first quarter, but his stat line included a horrifying 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
For the first 6 minutes of the second quarter, both Zack and Kobe shrewdly rested.
As this game had escalated from a regular season match to a war between the Warriors and the Lakers, both Zack and Kobe needed more time to recuperate than usual.
The battlefield for this quarter gradually shifted from the court to off-court.
Online, Warriors fans and Lakers fans were locked in fierce, bloody battles.
Lakers fans called Zack an arrogant lunatic and a psycho, while Warriors fans retorted that the Lakers were a fallen dynasty, only living in past glory, no different from the hated Shaquille O'Neal to Lakers fans now.
It wasn't until midway through the second quarter that fans of both teams turned their attention back to tonight's battlefield.
In the first half of the second quarter, the Lakers' bench unit went toe-to-toe with the Warriors. To defend the honor of Los Angeles and Staples Center, these Lakers reserves, often criticized as "rotten fish and shrimp," played with a desperate intensity.
Such Lakers reserves were undoubtedly respectable.
Perhaps they had long been labeled as mediocre and incompetent, but when Kobe returned to the court, they had successfully kept the Lakers' score at 47-45.
Brown, who returned to the court with Zack, noticed that in the latter half of the second quarter, both Kobe and Zack reduced the frequency of their verbal attacks on each other.
This was certainly not because Kobe and Zack had run out of verbal ammunition in this "verbal duel," but simply because both of them, by unspoken agreement, shifted their focus to the court, concentrating on their direct confrontation.
Clearly, tonight's war was no longer about winning or losing, but about a decisive battle to the death.
Bynum's Nightmare
Immediately upon returning to the court, Kobe used a jump-step, behind-the-back pass while dribbling to find Odom cutting to the basket.
Although Odom's left-handed layup was mercilessly blocked by Zack, Kobe, who had followed up quickly, secured the second rebound and put the ball in.
Warriors' offensive possession, Zack's favorite, Chris Mihm, was once again forced to switch onto him.
So, this slowest-moving starting center in Lakers history, in Zack's eyes, could only resort to fouling Zack and sending him to the free-throw line after Zack once again broke through his defense.
At this moment, "Zen Master" Phil Jackson on the sidelines faced a dilemma.
Since Mihm had accumulated three fouls after this defensive possession, the Lakers had to substitute him out.
But who to replace him with?
In previous matchups with the Warriors, Ronnie Turiaf was practically a toy in front of Zack, at his mercy.
But with the Warriors constantly using tactics to create mismatches for Zack's one-on-one plays, Odom couldn't possibly keep up with Zack for the entire game.
Fortunately, a young player volunteering relieved Jackson of his struggle.
"Coach, please give him to me. I'm also a 2005 lottery pick. I'm not afraid of him at all."
Andrew Bynum.
This young man, only 17 when he was drafted by the Lakers, decided to take the initiative tonight, grasping that rope of destiny that could give him a chance to prove himself and perform.
Bynum, who was 7 feet (213 cm) tall with shoes on and had a wingspan of 7 feet 6 inches (about 229 cm) at the draft, possessed an enviable physique.
Before gaining weight, he had good off-ball coordination and agility, so even though he was very young, the Lakers unhesitatingly gambled on his still-developing and untapped talent.
Tonight, Bynum, sitting on the bench, had been waiting for an opportunity, waiting for the Lakers coaching staff to look his way.
Because in his eyes, this was his chance to become famous overnight.
After all, young people... who doesn't have a dream?
On the court, Zack made both free throws, and the Lakers substituted Bynum for Mihm.
Then, as soon as he stepped onto the court, Bynum showed Zack his fearless rookie spirit, "I won't be afraid of you like Chris. In my eyes, you're just as much a rookie as I am."
Seeing this, this was definitely the most impressed Kobe had ever been with Bynum. For a moment, Kobe even felt that the "Little Shaq" who usually slacked off in practice had grown, improved, and matured overnight.
So, after actively having Bynum come over to set a screen for him, even though Bynum's screen was neither solid nor standard, Kobe, noticing his early roll, still passed the ball to Bynum with a no-look pass that would make Magic Johnson weep.
This was Kobe, the undisputed leader of the Lakers, awarding this young man.
But at the moment Bynum swung his arm to dunk the ball into the basket, Kwame Brown and Zack, who had simultaneously gotten back on defense, jointly delivered a memorable moment.
Due to their impeccable chemistry, Zack and Brown almost simultaneously blocked Bynum's dunk.
This was clearly a "two-person block" that would make stat-keepers go crazy afterward!
"Boom—!"
Then, as Bynum's heavy body fell to the floor, Zack, who had bigger hands and secured the second rebound, didn't even spare a glance for this "Little Shaq."
Because, Bynum, without the strength to match what he had just said, was clearly a joke at this moment.
But this was only the beginning of Bynum's nightmare night.
On the court, after switching Bynum onto himself in an offensive possession, Zack, lowering his dribble, first faked a move to the left, then quickly pulled the ball back and drove to the right.
This "killer crossover," made famous by former Warriors legend Tim Hardaway, almost instantly robbed Bynum of his balance and his imagined defensive success.
Clang—!
Then, Zack, dribbling straight into the Lakers' paint, didn't look back at Bynum, who was left sprawled on the floor, until after he landed from his dunk.
Because if this was a battlefield, why would the Lakers dare to send an inexperienced kid to guard him?
"This dunk isn't a reminder, it's a warning! If you really want to see me score 100 points in this game, then I don't mind completely destroying his confidence to keep playing basketball tonight."
On defense, as he passed the Lakers' bench, Zack said to "Zen Master" Phil Jackson.
Hearing this, even the usually calm and composed Jackson immediately called a timeout at the scorer's table and prepared to make a substitution.
Meanwhile, on the Warriors' bench, Biedrins said with a worshipful expression, "The Lakers obeyed his warning! He only needed one offensive and defensive possession to make the Lakers pull that wet-behind-the-ears kid off the court!"
Wet-behind-the-ears kid?
Actually, in Brown's eyes, Biedrins was also a wet-behind-the-ears kid.
And even though he himself had contributed in that offensive and defensive possession, why did this pretty boy (Biedrins) give all the credit to Zack?
Of course, Brown would never question Zack's absolutely magnificent performance just now.
But...
Just seeing Biedrins fawning over Zack, bringing him water and towels, made Brown feel furious.
Brown made up his mind that after this game, he would definitely find a beautiful woman from Latvia to vent his frustration on.
The Push for 70
After the timeout, the Lakers made a substitution.
Turiaf in, Bynum out.
On the sidelines, Bynum, whose eyes were already glazed over as he was subbed out, became the focus of the live broadcast cameras.
On TNT, Barkley sighed deeply and said, "Tonight, in this kind of situation, opportunity only goes to those who are prepared... Andrew Bynum, do you know that a war is happening at Staples Center right now?"
On the court, clearing his path with an iron elbow, even as Artest instinctively turned to complain to the referee, Kobe forcefully hit a two-point jump shot while dribbling for the Lakers.
The referees would not acknowledge Artest at such a time.
Artest, in response, slapped himself twice hard on the face and muttered, "Damn it, that old habit of complaining is back."
That's right, complaining was useless tonight, because as long as you didn't intentionally throw punches or commit flagrant fouls, the referees would not interfere with this game.
In the latter half of the second quarter, the difficulty of each of Zack's scores increased.
To counter his drives and pick-and-roll cuts, Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw constantly directed the Lakers players on the court to switch between zone defense and man-to-man to stop Zack.
To win the game, Kobe, who had been focused on passing for the entire first half, gradually caused Artest to lose his grip on him.
Because in Artest's database, most of the time, he was better at dealing with the reckless, shoot-first Kobe.
In addition, Lamar Odom's perfect drive early in the game was certainly no accident. This Lakers player had indeed activated "Magic Johnson" mode in this game.
At halftime, the score was 62-59.
Facing Zack, who had already scored 39 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 assist in the first half, the Lakers did not let the deficit widen.
Kobe contributed 20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals in the first half, while Odom had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block.
Even the unnoticed Fisher and Vujacic each hit 3 three-pointers in the first half.
In the locker room, looking at the heavily expended Zack from the first half, Brown greatly doubted whether Zack could still achieve his ambitious pre-game goal.
It was true that Zack's performance was getting better and better as the game went on, and it was also true that the Lakers' weak interior couldn't guard him. But, boss, if you keep playing like this, can you really last until the fourth quarter?
"Listen, this is your night, and we absolutely cannot let anyone snatch it away. So, in the second half, give me that damn ball, and I'll create easy scoring opportunities for you."
After walking up to Zack, Baron Davis spoke righteously.
Mr. First-Generation Beard was ready to unleash hell, because he knew very well that only with everyone united could Zack achieve the great plan he had set before the game.
Hearing this, Artest and Richardson chimed in, "Since we promised you before the game, we must help you achieve this goal."
Beside them, this was definitely a scene Mike Montgomery had never witnessed before.
Because could you believe that the entire Warriors team was united at this moment, and their purpose...
Was just to help their absolute core player pad his stats on the court?
Legend is Forged
After halftime, in the second half, Zack found more and more easy scoring opportunities on the court.
After all, as the Lakers' primary threat, once he attracted all the defensive attention, how could the Lakers, already at a disadvantage in overall strength compared to the Warriors, have the energy and effort to guard other Warriors players?
Moreover, the Lakers couldn't use double-team tactics on Zack when he was off-ball.
On the court, Warriors' offensive possession, Davis drove past Fisher and forced a pass to Zack, who then banked the ball in while leaning on Odom.
Then, the next possession, a retaliating Artest swung his iron elbows while driving, and after advancing into the Lakers' paint, he smoothly found Zack through Brown's pass.
Zack's first 10 points in the second half tonight were almost all obtained this way.
The entire Warriors team became his most solid backing, helping him gradually approach his ultimate goal.
On TNT, Barkley, who had long seen through the strategy, commented, "This is absolutely the most team-oriented team basketball I've ever seen."
Smith said, "Now, the Messiah of the Warriors is only 1 point away from the 50-point mark."
Staples Center, the fans screamed themselves hoarse every defensive possession, trying to interfere with Zack with boos... But Zack's scoring showed no signs of stopping.
Even Kobe was at a loss against Zack's scoring surge.
Because at his actual height of about 196 cm (6'5"), he couldn't magically add 10 cm to his height to guard Zack.
Zack was simply too tall, and he also possessed that despair-inducing wingspan and soft touch for finishing at the basket.
For this Lakers team, "no great generals in LA, Mihm leads the charge," they couldn't even find a second player who could even barely guard Zack.
Therefore, Kobe knew better than anyone that the Lakers could only turn Zack's "career night" into a "tragic night" like his own previously, by winning this game.
Even at this moment, Kobe still hated Zack.
But in Kobe's view, given Zack's personality, he would definitely not dare to flaunt the high score he achieved at Staples Center if he lost the game.
With 6 minutes and 15 seconds left in the third quarter, Zack successfully broke through the 50-point mark.
It was a three-point jump shot, passed to Zack via Brown, not exactly wide open, but providing Zack with ample shooting space.
Golden State Warriors, No. 30, Zack, under Odom's strong interference, forcefully hit this beautiful three-point jump shot and successfully achieved his first "50+" of his professional career!
Immediately after, the Lakers fans at Staples Center then gave this three-pointer, which almost drove them to a mental breakdown, the classic... torrent of boos!
On the sidelines, Nicholson angrily threw his coffee cup to the ground, on the Lakers' bench, Ellis gritted his teeth in hatred, and the previously dazed Bynum was still drifting off.
On TNT, Barkley and Smith successively spread the news of Zack scoring "50+" against the Lakers across the entire United States.
And in the Bay Area, Warriors fans were celebrating wildly in bars and on streets.
At the end of the third quarter, Zack had a total of 58 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 assist.
Now, people no longer cared if he could break the 60-point barrier, but rather debated how many points he could possibly score in this game.
However, despite his own scoring numbers still climbing, during the quarter break, looking at the 91-87 score... Zack was uncharacteristically nervous.
This nervousness was a little bit exciting, and a little bit respectful of this Lakers team.
This feeling was like riding a roller coaster, and like watching your favorite football team in a penalty shootout, and even a little like every guy's first time experiencing that thing in life...
The 70-Point Milestone
In the final quarter, Montgomery, who decided to give Zack 4 minutes of rest, gripped Zack's hands firmly before the start of the fourth quarter: "Zack, you know what, I know better than anyone that after this season, I definitely won't be able to continue coaching these Warriors.
So, before I leave these Warriors... can you let me witness with my own eyes what your scoring limit is?
This is not only the highlight of your career so far, but it will also likely be the most memorable moment of my coaching career.
After all, even ten or twenty years from now, whenever people recall this night, they will remember that the head coach of these Warriors was Mike Montgomery from Stanford University."
To make history, to gain fame and fortune.
Four minutes later, Zack returned to the court.
Taking a deep breath, in the next Warriors' offensive possession, Zack successfully broke through the 60-point mark, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 60 points in a single game as a rookie.
It was a two-point jump shot from the free-throw line, characteristic of Zack, created for him by the Warriors using the Flex offense.
In Zack's college career, Coach Skip Prosser and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons gained fame from this offense, and at this moment, this offense successfully etched Zack's name permanently onto the NBA's milestones!
In this instant, he was the chosen one, and the only one!
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's great to witness history with you tonight! Just now, the Messiah from scored his first 60 points in his professional career!" On TNT, Barkley, smiling brighter and brighter, even found time to send a text message to Michael Jordan.
"Quick, Michael, turn on the TV! Your favorite Larry Bird successor has already scored 60 points against the Lakers, and there's still 7 minutes and 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter!"
Unfortunately, Barkley's text message was destined to fall on deaf ears.
Because Michael Jordan, who hadn't missed a single second of this game, was already in tears.
Looking at Zack, who dared to initiate a war in Los Angeles and then, with a graceful three-pointer and a smooth jump shot, successively broke through the 50-point and 60-point barriers...
You're going to tell Jordan this isn't Bird reincarnated?
If you were to ask Mr. Michael Jordan what his biggest regret and most unforgettable moment of his entire career was, he would tell you that in his early years...
That trophy, named "Michael Jordan's Virginity," was permanently enshrined by Larry Bird in the Museum of Swagger Kings.
It was a trophy Jordan never reclaimed, even after retirement.
Because as he strode towards his peak, Larry Bird had already faded from the scene, not even giving him a chance for revenge.
Staples Center, Jordan's "heroic sweat" was surely flowing tonight.
On the court, with assists so outstanding from his teammates that even Zack felt a little embarrassed... 62 points, 64 points, 66 points, 68 points... poured in.
It took the entire Warriors team a total of 5 minutes and 35 seconds to push Zack to the verge of the 70-point mark.
Don't blame the Warriors players for taking too long.
After all, with his physical condition rapidly declining, Zack couldn't possibly make every shot.
And what's more, even if the Lakers' interior was weak, they were still wearing Lakers jerseys, weren't they?
Again, if a basketball game isn't played to win, then what's the point?
But now, Zack had to hurry, because there were only 2 minutes and 10 seconds left in the game, and the score was already 117-104.
A thirteen-point difference, two minutes, just four three-pointers.
But in this era, it was not an easy score to catch up to.
On the court, after Kobe's three-pointer, which failed to save the Lakers, bounced off the rim, "Zen Master" Phil Jackson on the Lakers' bench immediately called for five substitutes.
Tonight, the Lakers players had already defended their glory quite heroically.
Jackson had every reason to let this Lakers team exit gracefully.
As someone who had been there before, Jackson knew very well that Kobe, who had already scored 41 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists, and 3 steals for the Lakers before being subbed out, could not have done any better in this game.
However, due to Zack's presence, the Warriors were clearly the Lakers' top nemesis this season.
There always had to be a loser in a game, and perhaps tonight's loser was the Lakers, but tomorrow's loser could also be the Warriors.
This Lakers team was far from being ready to contend with the Warriors; in Jackson's view, it was wise to secretly build up their strength and wait for the future.
Of course, at this moment, Jackson calling for five substitutes was also a way to spite the Warriors and Zack.
Jackson didn't want Zack to get his 70th point in front of the Lakers' starters, so, the moment Davis dribbled past half-court, he had already signaled to Fisher with his eyes.
However, what Jackson never expected was that Fisher's action was ultimately a beat too slow.
Because at that very moment, Zack, standing on the Lakers' logo, received a pass from Davis and incredibly completed a "Logo Shot!" (Note ②)
Golden State Warriors, wearing jersey No. 30, ending this career night with a "Logo Shot"—in Zack's eyes, this was the most perfect script!
Although for the current Zack, this was a task that required luck to complete, as the ball flew towards the rim with an elegant arc, Zack's brilliant and radiant smile the next second...
Already revealed the answer to the world!
Swish!
The three-pointer went in, and the door to the 70-point mark was simultaneously broken open by Zack!
In this moment, Zack, pushed to the peak by the entire Warriors team, officially raised the NBA rookie single-game scoring record to an unprecedented and perhaps never-to-be-repeated 71 points!
And in Los Angeles, amidst the silence of nearly twenty thousand fans at Staples Center, Zack, with his hands clasped together and lowered slightly to his ear, once again offered his most beautiful blessing to the City of Angels:
"Goodnight, Los Angeles!"
Note ①: In the original historical timeline, Kobe also complained that Artest was a standing comedian. This line is a classic in the NBA. Note ②: A "Logo Shot" is an extra-long three-pointer shot from the center court logo. Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard are representative figures of this type of long-range three-pointer.
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