As a veteran basketball commentator, A. Smith is absolutely convinced that the NBA is on the cusp of a seismic shift, the likes of which hasn't been seen in a decade.
Zack's performance since his comeback has been nothing short of earth-shattering.
To try and contain him, the league even worked with teams to create a playbook literally called The Zack Rulebook.
But even with that, in Smith's eyes, Zack's dominance on the court can only be described as unmatched.
And the Golden State Warriors, with Zack back in the lineup, have unleashed an even more ferocious offense that's reshaping the game today. Comparing the league's average pace and three-point attempts over recent years, Smith noticed that NBA games are getting faster every season, and players are chucking up more shots from beyond the arc.
Back in the 2005-06 season, teams averaged just 79 possessions per game and 16 three-point attempts.
This season? After November's games, Smith saw the league's average possessions climb to 89, with teams hoisting over 25 threes per game.
Sure, as the season wears on, those possession numbers might dip slightly due to fatigue or adjustments. But calling games every day, Smith is among the first to feel the NBA's tempo quietly speeding up.
These might just be some of the most exciting seasons in NBA history—Smith's certain of it after swapping thoughts with other analysts.
In their view, today's NBA isn't just about physical battles; it's a far cry from the grind-it-out, defense-first era. Even teams that prefer a slower, half-court style can still string together smooth, flowing offenses.
Smith knows the rules have shaped this new NBA.
But it's the Warriors' success that's been the real catalyst for teams league-wide to start evolving.
Will the game get even faster in the future? Smith's not sure.
What he does know is that until the league tweaks the rules again, 95 possessions per game is probably the ceiling for now. Because, even with David Stern's subtle approval, this era hasn't completely abandoned defense. Teams are just playing in an environment that tilts toward offense.
Except for Zack.
Having called multiple Warriors games this season, Smith knows better than anyone that since The Zack Rulebook came out, the league's best player is competing in a different reality every night.
But it's Zack's success that's made Smith, a diehard Knicks fan, realize what kind of roster New York has built heading into next summer's free-agency bonanza, which is being hyped as the biggest ever.
If the Warriors' success has sped up the league's transformation, Zack's dominance has shown Smith the dazzling future awaiting Kevin Durant.
Just like Zack remembers, after his first two seasons, 21-year-old Durant is already halfway to his prime.
In November, while Zack was racking up 34 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal per game to snag Western Conference Player of the Month, Durant was putting up 31 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, a block, and a steal to claim the Eastern Conference honors.
In Smith's eyes, aside from not being as physically imposing as 21-year-old Zack and lacking that jaw-dropping defensive flair, Durant's offensive game might actually be ahead of where Zack was at the same age.
After all, Zack was 21 for the first half of his rookie season but turned 22 by the second half. Durant? He just celebrated his 21st birthday in September, meaning he's got a full season to chase Zack's shadow before hitting 22.
No question, Durant has become the stuff of Knicks fans' wildest dreams.
And with Durant leading the charge, under Donnie Walsh's careful planning, the Knicks are poised to be the most attractive destination for next summer's big-name free agents.
In fact, since last season, Knicks fans—outside of cheering for a select few visiting stars—have visibly turned territorial.
Yup, that's how fast New York fans flipped the script once their dumpster-fire Knicks suddenly became a beacon of hope.
On December 4, as the league's best player led the Golden State Warriors into New York, Smith and every other Knicks fan couldn't help but buzz with excitement for the Knicks' home showdown against the Warriors.
Heading into the game, the Warriors were sitting pretty at 15-1, atop the league standings.
But unlike the last time Zack and the Warriors rolled into town, this time the Knicks, with an 11-5 start under Durant's leadership, were holding down fourth place in the East.
Three years can change a lot, and the Knicks deserve a fresh look.
Zack, facing a Knicks team boasting three future MVPs, never underestimated them.
Still…
"KD, you really love playing second fiddle, huh?"
Madison Square Garden.
Before the game, as Durant came over to chat, Zack dropped the line out of nowhere.
Caught off guard, Durant didn't know what to make of it.
But as the veteran, Zack leaned in with some advice: "Your big bro Shaq's sitting this one out again? Weren't you counting on him to lead you guys to a dark-horse run this season?"
Everyone knows that ever since Zack's Warriors swept Shaq in the Finals years ago, O'Neal's gone out of his way to avoid sharing the court with him.
So, with Shaq already planning to retire after this season, why would he let Zack ruin his farewell tour vibes? Can't beat him? Fine—Shaq's smart enough to dodge him.
Not long after the Warriors arrived in New York, Zack got word that Shaq would miss the game with a "foot injury flare-up."
Zack didn't have much to say about it.
Sure, he had zero interest in a Shaq averaging a measly 11 points and 7 rebounds this season. But since Shaq was polite enough to duck him, why would Zack pick a fight with a guy who, in his prime, at least got the benefit of some superstar calls?
Still, as someone who's been there, Zack couldn't wrap his head around why Durant would publicly call this Knicks team "Shaq's Knicks."
In the NBA, even the title of team leader isn't something you just hand over.
Because in a league where the "alpha" culture runs deep, giving up that spot is like handing someone a free pass to take over.
Maybe Shaq doesn't care about being the Knicks' top dog anymore.
But Zack? He had to school Durant.
"Next summer, you guys are definitely bringing in one or two superstars," Zack said, dropping wisdom on Durant. "You really want to play second fiddle your whole career?"
Durant, who's been treated like the Knicks' savior every day, shook his head hard. "I've never thought about being anyone's second option."
Seeing potential in him, Zack offered a game plan: "Then listen to me. Next year, no matter who joins the Knicks, you need to make it crystal clear in public—they're coming to back you up, not the other way around."
Durant hesitated. "But what if the Knicks land someone like LeBron James? Wouldn't saying that come off wrong?"
Zack didn't deny the possibility, but he wasn't thrilled with Durant's waffling. "Then get ready to be LeBron's sidekick forever. The eternal second!"
During pregame warmups, after giving Durant his lesson, Zack also noticed Westbrook on the other side of the court, showing off a dunk clinic.
Under Mike D'Antoni's coaching, Westbrook's role on this Knicks team is more like a pure fast-break wrecking ball.
The real playmaking? That's someone else's job.
Yup, even though James Harden wasn't D'Antoni's top pick in the draft, the coach quickly became one of Harden's biggest fans after getting to work with him early.
Did Harden only learn to run an offense when he got to the Rockets? Nope.
Back at Arizona State, Harden already showed he could handle the ball and make plays. It was just in Houston, with more touches, that he fully unlocked his playmaking gifts.
Having that talent is what separates the real playmakers from the rest.
Because in the NBA, even with a ton of touches, not every player can grow into a true floor general.
Under D'Antoni's guidance, Harden—starting at point guard as a rookie and running the show—has become a legit contender for Rookie of the Year. So far, he's averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, outpacing his real-world stats from the same period.
In short, even in a different environment, the Thunder's big three from Zack's memory are thriving in the fertile ground provided by Knicks GM Donnie Walsh.
You've got to admit, luck plays a part.
In Zack's view, without a bit of fortune, how else could the Thunder trio—reunited on the Knicks—land in the exact window where a rebuilding team like New York could give young players the perfect chance to grow?
On the court, after warmups, both teams lined up.
With Shaq sidelined, the Knicks paired David Lee with Jared Jeffries in the frontcourt.
At 6'11" and 240 pounds, Jeffries is hailed by many American analysts as the "ultimate defensive specialist." Why? His defensive efficiency ranks top-10 this season, and he's a wizard at drawing offensive fouls.
But from Zack's past matchups with Jeffries, he knows the guy's neither fast enough to keep up nor strong enough to bang with true bigs—a solid role player, nothing more.
Still, compared to a Shaq who'd run himself ragged trying to chase Zack, Jeffries is the better matchup.
Especially since neither Lee nor Durant wanted to guard Zack.
At center court, after the tip-off, the Warriors got the ball.
Following his usual opening play, Zack took a three against Jeffries' sagging defense.
Clank!
At the sideline, watching Zack brick another lightly contested three, Steph Curry couldn't help but smirk.
Why "another"?
Since The Zack Rulebook dropped, teams have turned the three-point line into their shield against him, giving Zack shooting space like never before.
Even so, Zack's still hitting 39% from deep in November. But in Curry's eyes, those lightly contested looks? If teams dared give him that much room, he's confident he'd be splashing closer to 50%.
And Curry's not exaggerating.
Historically, rookie Curry shot nearly 44% from three—plenty of those being tough, contested heaves.
In the Knicks' paint, David Lee hustled to grab the defensive board.
As the Knicks' current second-in-command—though he's likely to be shopped next summer—Lee's double-double machine status has him playing with extra fire.
This Knicks team's future is bright.
Next summer, with several high-salary contracts coming off the books, they'll have the cap space to chase a superstar and the assets to pull off a sign-and-trade with Lee as the centerpiece.
Back on offense, wanting to test Durant's growth himself, Zack picked up the assignment.
Off the court, Durant might lack that killer vibe.
But the second he gets the ball, Zack saw it—he's a different animal.
Did the "Slim Reaper" become a killer overnight? Nah.
Watch Durant's 2009-10 season or his 2010 World Championship performance, and you'll see he's had that assassin's edge for a while. It's just his stamina that's held back his ability to deliver consistent damage.
On the right wing, Durant faked Zack with a hesitation dribble, then rose for his signature pull-up.
It's Durant's go-to move—and one Zack knows well.
But even as the defender, Zack realized that Durant's quick, fluid pull-up, blending ball-handling and shooting, is nearly impossible to stop every time.
Swish!
Durant drained a long two early in the game, a shot that felt like a statement.
On ESPN, A. Smith went wild: "Ladies and gentlemen, we might be witnessing the start of an epic rivalry! The savior 'KD' just showed he can score on the Bay Area's Messiah!"
Ever since Zack's sponsors started building his legend, he's become the NBA's Jordan-esque figure—the guy every young star dreams of catching.
And the one running fastest? That's Durant.
In the Warriors' next possession, Zack called for the ball repeatedly, using a 3-4 pick-and-roll to get Durant switched onto him.
He's thrilled with Durant's growth, no doubt.
But Zack, who never backs down, wasn't about to let anyone even graze his throne.
Facing Durant's sagging defense, Zack used a quick crossover to close the gap, then spun past a stunned Durant, soaring to the rim for a thunderous dunk.
On the next play, Zack made sure to lean into Durant with heavy physicality off the ball.
He knows Durant's pull-up is tough to guard.
But he also knows how to throw off its rhythm.
This time, with Harden—whose late-night New York lifestyle has already given him sleepy eyes—looking for Durant, Zack read the play. Anticipating Durant would drive to counter the physicality, Zack let him go right, trailing close behind.
When Durant thought the lane was clear for a one-man dunk show, Zack was waiting. He soared, swatting Durant's shot clean out of the air.
A lesson taught.
But Westbrook, sniffing out the loose ball, scooped it up and charged into the Warriors' paint, banking in a layup for two.
Westbrook's nose for rebounds and second-chance points is a gift. If Zack recalls right, rookie Westbrook averaged over two offensive boards a game.
Just two possessions in, the Knicks' talent was on full display.
Zack didn't try to play hero ball against the young guns.
In the next Warriors possession, he called for Steve Nash, and the two put on a show—the NBA's greatest two-man game.
With Nash's range pulling the defense out, Draymond set a screen at the free-throw line. Zack, striding toward the Knicks' paint, caught a perfect alley-oop pass from Nash.
He soared, unfurling his body for a smooth, tomahawk slam that rocked the Knicks' rim.
The crowd, even some Knicks fans, roared at the highlight.
Thanks to the hope brought by the Knicks' young trio, New York fans are getting cockier.
But Zack? He's always felt at home in Madison Square Garden.
On the Knicks' next possession, Westbrook, as straightforward as ever, used his raw athleticism to blow by Bell on the perimeter.
But facing the Warriors' twin towers, Westbrook showed little respect for Zack (wielding Anthony Davis-level defense) or Draymond (locked and loaded like Legolas).
In the Warriors' paint, Zack and Draymond rose together, shutting Westbrook down. The block went to Zack, who swatted the ball out of bounds first.
As they landed, Draymond, fired up, got in Westbrook's face as he lay on the floor: "Who gave you the guts to challenge a paint guarded by the league's second-best center?"