The 2006-2007 NBA regular season is about to conclude.
The Lakers, who have a fierce rivalry with the Warriors, hoped to spoil the defending champions' celebratory mood at the Staples Center with an imperfect ending to their regular season.
Meanwhile, the defending champions aimed to carry their 64th regular season win into the upcoming playoffs.
However, compared to the two previous games between these teams at Oracle Arena, this regular season finale, both in terms of intensity and process, could only be described as unremarkable.
Monta Ellis, who was the most vocal on the Lakers' side before the game, only played 10 minutes in this match.
As the Lakers' Sixth Man of the Year, Ellis's stats, though far less flashy than Zack remembers, still averaged 13 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds.
Regarding Ellis's playing time in the regular season finale, Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw explained, "Considering Monta was out for two months with an injury, we need to ensure his health before the playoffs."
Lamar Odom, who had been smitten with Khloé Kardashian that one night and wished he could "grow" with her every day, also only played 19 minutes in this game.
"Lamar needs to focus his energy on the upcoming playoffs, not just a regular season game," "Zen Master" Phil Jackson stated at the post-game press conference, giving his reason for reducing Odom's playing time.
Due to the intensely competitive Western Conference this year, the Lakers, despite having 54 wins by the regular season finale, only ranked sixth in the West.
Since beating the Warriors wouldn't improve the Lakers' final ranking, they clearly needed to focus on how they could eliminate the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs, who had already secured the third seed in the West, led by Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.
This year's Western Conference...
It's not just the Warriors, who intend to defend their title, that need to play "three rounds of Finals."
Starting from the first round of the playoffs, any team aspiring to emerge from the West must be prepared to play "three rounds of Finals" consecutively.
This will undoubtedly be the most fiercely contested year in the history of the NBA's Western Conference.
And such ferocity, you can't even see its end.
---
## Regular Season Wrap-Up
On the evening of the 18th, Kobe Bryant wrapped up the Lakers' 2006-2007 regular season journey with a 41-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist scoring performance.
Although the Lakers' coaching staff hoped Kobe would approach this regular season finale with a more rational attitude, Kobe still maintained his uncompromising persona with his actions in the game.
In response, Zack, who put up 31 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal for the Warriors, leading them to conquer the Staples Center on the road once again, did not count this game, which the Lakers intentionally gave up, against his and Kobe's personal rivalry.
"This one doesn't count. We'll battle again next time."
After the game, Zack, who usually had a mutually disdainful relationship with Kobe, surprisingly initiated this sentiment.
Of course, after a pause, Zack didn't forget to add, "Consider this one me giving you a break."
Seeing this, Kobe sneered in response, "I admire your arrogance. I hope you don't fall short in the playoffs too early."
According to the schedule, if the sixth-seeded Lakers want to meet the Warriors in the playoffs, the two teams must face each other in the Western Conference Finals.
Therefore, at this moment, Zack felt that the "arrogant" one was clearly Kobe himself.
"Your innocence and romanticism truly make me envious," Zack looked at Kobe. "Come criticize my arrogance after you've won your own Finals MVP trophy."
"..."
Zack realized that ever since he unexpectedly won the championship last season, he had become almost unassailable against many superstar players in this era.
Facing Shaquille O'Neal, he could claim the moral high ground with his "single-handedly won championship" and that Finals sweep.
Facing Kobe, he could attack him for not having a Finals MVP.
Even facing his senior, Tim Duncan, he had a Defensive Player of the Year award that Duncan had never touched.
You see, with a little "customization," who can deny that Zack isn't the GOAT of this era?
---
## Warriors' Historic Season and Zack's Dominance
The regular season concluded perfectly.
The next day, the San Francisco Chronicle dedicated an entire section to the Warriors and summarized their regular season journey.
The Warriors' 64 wins in the 2006-2007 season successfully set a new franchise record for single-season regular season wins.
The Warriors' previous regular season win record dated back to the 1975-1976 season.
At that time, led by Rick Barry, Phil Smith, and Jamaal Wilkes, they achieved 59 wins.
"Undoubtedly, the Messiah is leading us to create a great era!"
Two years ago, if you had told Warriors fans on the streets of Oakland that they would not only win a championship but also achieve over 60 regular season wins, they would have thought you were insane.
But Zack's arrival has truly ushered in the happiest and most fulfilling period in the entire Bay Area's history.
In the regular season, Zack, who played all 82 regular season games for the Warriors, averaged 30.8 points (2527 points), 13.4 rebounds (1101 rebounds), 10.6 assists (870 assists), 3.9 blocks (320 blocks), and 1.4 steals (116 steals).
His overall season field goal percentage was 54.8%.
His three-point percentage was 37.4%.
His free throw percentage was 83.5%.
These statistics made Zack the second player in NBA history, after Oscar Robertson, to average a "30+" triple-double in the regular season.
It's also worth noting that both Zack and Robertson achieved this feat in their second professional season.
Furthermore, Zack also won the NBA's rebounding leader and block leader for two consecutive years, and earned his first career NBA scoring title.
Kobe, who Zack remembered as having been the back-to-back scoring champion this season, saw his season scoring average drop to 28.1 points due to Pau Gasol's early arrival to the team.
And Carmelo Anthony, who originally had a chance to threaten Zack, under Chauncey Billups's guidance, turned into a more reasonable and sweet "Melo," averaging only 26.4 points per game this season.
In this year's scoring title race, only Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards' star player, remained in close pursuit.
However, as Arenas's shot attempts increased, leading to the Wizards' continuous decline in record, to ensure the Wizards made the playoffs, Arenas's season scoring average ultimately settled at 29.1 points.
---
## Accolades and System Rewards
Regarding Zack's report card this season, whether it was the "30+" triple-double average or the scoring title, his sponsors believed it needed to be heavily promoted.
Oscar Robertson, who had always held Zack in high regard, immediately offered his congratulations to this outstanding junior, saying, "How incredible. He's only 23, but he's already one of the greatest players in NBA history.
I don't know how many years we'll have to wait for someone to surpass him. Maybe ten, twenty years? Maybe even after fifty years, we won't see another Messiah."
This season, Zack recorded a total of 42 triple-doubles, making him the player with the most triple-doubles in a single season in NBA history. (Note: Generally, when referring to single-season or career records, it refers to the regular season. The NBA playoffs have their own statistical system.)
As of now, Zack has accumulated 55 career triple-doubles.
He's only 4 away from catching Larry Bird, who was renowned for his all-around play throughout his career.
However, despite Zack appreciating Robertson's praise, he knew very well that the NBA wouldn't need to wait fifty years to see another "30+" triple-double average.
In Zack's opinion, as Mike Malone (likely a typo, perhaps Nikola Jokic or a future big-man passer from the "Slam Dunk Universe" being alluded to) has shown the world the power of a ball-handling big man, as soon as those talented youngsters enter the league, future NBA triple-double records will undoubtedly be continuously broken.
It's just that in this life, Zack was fortunate enough to be the first to achieve this after Robertson.
As for the scoring title, perhaps because he's from the future, Zack clearly doesn't value this honor highly enough.
"What are you thinking? This is the scoring title!"
"Do you know what an amazing honor this is?" Kwame Brown, who was always by Zack's side, suddenly became anxious, looking at Zack's nonchalant attitude toward the scoring title.
Is the scoring title an important honor or not?
The answer to this question is both yes and no.
The reason for "yes"—this honor fully reflects the award winner's scoring ability. Historically, for this, who knows how many famous "iron-mongers" have fought tooth and nail for it?
The reason for "no"—compared to other honors, the scoring title is indeed not that important.
Moreover, if in Zack's memory, the player who dominated the NBA for twenty years had few of these honors, wouldn't it be embarrassing if it was considered too important?
In any case, in the current era, the value of the scoring title is beyond doubt.
Because Michael Jordan's ten scoring titles have long been regarded by people of this era as a manifestation of his on-court dominance.
Zack, from the future, cannot understand the importance of this honor.
But online, fueled by Zack's sponsors, fans from all over the world offered him praise.
ESPN commented, "Given the scoring ability the Messiah has shown this season, we have every reason to believe this will not be his only scoring title in his career."
And The New York Times was even more direct: "Compared to Shaquille O'Neal, who worked his tail off for his entire career to get only two scoring titles, the Messiah will surely use his great scoring performances in the future to define what true dominance really means."
Unlike traditional big men, since Zack can even personally bring the ball up the court when necessary, after he first became scoring champion, many people believed he would, like Michael Jordan back in the day, prove how effortless scoring is for great players on the court by repeatedly winning scoring titles.
Additionally, with the regular season concluded, the San Francisco Chronicle did not forget to remind the incompetent league: "This year, in terms of record, the Warriors are first in the league.
In terms of stats, the Messiah is a three-time stat leader. NBA, what are you waiting for?
Hurry up and send that damn Regular Season MVP to the Messiah!"
What is the NBA waiting for?
Of course, they have to wait until the first round of the playoffs is over.
Although LeBron James, who led the Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference this year, also had an excellent performance averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, under the current public opinion, the league dared not even hype him as a hot candidate for the Regular Season MVP.
This will be the most uncontroversial Regular Season MVP award ceremony in NBA history.
If you ask what suspense remains for this year's Regular Season MVP, perhaps it's only whether Zack can be elected MVP by a unanimous vote.
...
"Congratulations to the host for completing the legendary mission [Triple-Double King].
The [Triple-Double King] badge has been automatically sent to the host's badge wall."
"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission [Spoiled and Fearless].
[The.Zone] badge fragment and legendary random technical attribute gift package have been sent to the host's warehouse.
The [Road to the Peak] mission will automatically trigger after the 2007-2008 season begins."
The regular season concluded perfectly. Before heading into the playoffs with the Warriors, Zack opened the [Peak] system.
After receiving the attribute bonus from the [Triple-Double King] badge, with this badge (which is legendary by default), Zack's current in-game rating has risen to 95-97.
And with the second [The.Zone] badge fragment in hand, Zack now only needs one more fragment to obtain this badge that he has always longed for.
As for the legendary random technical attribute gift package obtained by completing the [Spoiled and Fearless] mission?
"Congratulations to the host, dribbling potential +3, mid-range shot potential +2."
Speechless!
At this moment, Zack was completely speechless!
Because ever since he increased his dribbling potential to 91 by completing a mission last time, Zack still hasn't fully utilized that portion of dribbling potential.
"94 dribbling potential... Is this really forcing me to become a 211 cm Kyrie Irving?"
Based on Tim Grover's objective evaluation, Zack estimated that if utilizing 91 dribbling potential was enough to make him a proficient ball-handler, then if he could fully utilize his current 94 dribbling potential, "I will become a master-level ball-handler!"
As is well known, Kyrie Irving, who is just over 190 cm tall with shoes on, possesses an unmatched ability to break down defenses thanks to his exquisite dribbling skills, setting him apart from other perimeter superstars.
Therefore, in this era where Zack can always create mismatches on the court, once Zack fully utilizes his dribbling potential, you can fully understand it as Zack's "poison" of perimeter finesse is destined to become even more unanswerable.
In Zack's opinion, the only slight drawback is that the volume of his perimeter finesse will inevitably be limited by his height.
That is a law of the basketball world that he cannot defy.
---
## Playoff Preview
"The regular season is over. This year, who will be the first to emerge from the wild Western Conference first round of the playoffs?
According to the bracket, the Golden State Warriors, who secured the best record in the league, will face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
In the regular season, the Warriors and Nuggets each won two games.
Carmelo Anthony, who fulfilled his promise to bring the Nuggets back to the playoffs, will have a head-on collision with the Messiah in the playoffs.
The Phoenix Suns, who unfortunately finished second in the West, will face the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
Can the Jazz, who were stopped by the Suns at the Western Conference Finals last year, achieve revenge this year? We are very much looking forward to young Chris Paul taking over the mantle of the league's best point guard from Steve Nash.
Composure and meticulousness have become the hallmarks of the Seattle SuperSonics this year.
Led by 'Big-Yao,' Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, they will face a strong showdown with the aspiring Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers, with 54 regular season wins, could only settle for sixth in the West. It has to be said that this year's Western Conference is indeed wild enough.
Of course, in the Western Conference first-round playoff matchups, we must not forget the Texas showdown between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Can Dirk Nowitzki redeem himself in this year's playoffs? And can the Spurs retain Tim Duncan, who will have a player option this summer, with a championship trophy?
All viewers, please look forward to the 'Wild West Melee' kicking off on the 22nd of this month." — ESPN Western Conference Playoff First Round Preview
"Although they were schooled by the Western Conference powerhouses this year in the regular season, we still have to commend LeBron James for leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference with 58 wins.
Perhaps his growth rate isn't as rapid as the Messiah's, but at least, the Cavaliers are the most hopeful team to break out of the East this year.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers will face their old rivals, the Washington Wizards.
Before the game, Wizards' star player Gilbert Arenas brought up LeBron James's controversial game-winner from last year.
We are all looking forward to the 'Chosen One' proving with a convincing series that the Wizards were merely trying to affect his performance with such pre-game tactics.
Last summer, the Detroit Pistons, who traded Chauncey Billups, don't seem to have been significantly affected.
Andre Miller, who quickly integrated into the team, and his teammates will face the Orlando Magic, led by Dwight Howard, in the first round of the playoffs with the second-best record in the East.
And 'D-Wade,' who has great chemistry with Jermaine O'Neal, finally welcomed back his good partner, who had been out for nearly three months, in the second half of the regular season.
Having traded Shaquille O'Neal and quietly undergoing a roster overhaul, the Miami Heat, as the third seed in the East facing a challenge from Chicago in the first round of the playoffs, are definitely one of the most anticipated teams in the East this year.
Of course, this year's Eastern Conference also has two teams that surprised all experts.
The Toronto Raptors, ranked fourth in the East, will face the Atlanta Hawks, who constantly complain about foul play, in the first round of the playoffs.
Ever since the Warriors successfully won the championship last season, the resentment of Atlanta residents towards the league has reached an unbearable level.
However, many Hawks players have stated that Hawks fans should focus more on their own players rather than the Messiah, who still remains unforgettable to Atlanta residents.
According to the schedule, the Eastern Conference first round of the playoffs will officially tip off on the 21st of this month.
As an appetizer for this year's 'Wild West Melee,' which game will you choose to follow?
All viewers are welcome to leave us a comment and join the discussion." — ESPN Eastern Conference Playoff First Round Preview
---