While the Warriors, riding an unstoppable wave in the regular season, stole the spotlight from every other team, the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, with a payroll topping $90 million, were also a championship favorite.
Before the first round of the playoffs kicked off, no one doubted that LeBron James—second only to one man in the league—would lead the Cavs to an easy sweep over the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that had been spiraling since the Dallas labor dispute and barely clung to a playoff spot.
But then, with the series tied 2-2, this matchup took a dramatic 180-degree turn.
The Bobcats' morale, fueled by the hope the Cavs had unwittingly given them, was through the roof.
Before Game 5, Ron Artest rallied his teammates: "I know we all despise that owner who treats us like garbage, but right now, we're fighting for ourselves and for the fans!"
With their priorities straight, the Bobcats marched into Cleveland with unshakable resolve. This team, already talented enough to compete in the East's upper tier, quickly made the optimistic Cleveland faithful realize just how costly it was to let Charlotte hang around.
In Game 5 at Quicken Loans Arena, problem child Zach Randolph dominated.
The agile big man completely outplayed Antoine Jamison, one of LeBron's key sidekicks.
Jamison and Randolph were about the same height with shoes on, but their weight classes? Not even close.
Commentator Stephen A. Smith painted the picture vividly: "Antoine's just a light cruiser under 10,000 tons, but Zach? He's a dreadnought pushing 20,000!"
In past matchups, Jamison's versatile offense allowed him to kite Randolph with nimble footwork. But in Cleveland's system, Jamison spent most of his time parked in the corner, puffing on an imaginary cigarette. Even when he got a chance to isolate Randolph, he was often forced to attack with the shot clock winding down.
The Cavs' usage of Jamison ensured the former star forward couldn't play to his strengths. Instead of trading blows with Randolph, Jamison got hammered all night long.
Meanwhile, the Cavs' backcourt was shredded by Brandon Roy and Raymond Felton.
Before the trade deadline, Cleveland sent Brendan Haywood to Dallas for former Bobcat 3-and-D sharpshooter Matt Carroll and Greg Buckner. In this pivotal Game 5, that move backfired spectacularly.
The "Prime LeBron" system had already proven in Oakland that a ball-dominant star needed shooters to maximize impact. The Cavs' front office traded Haywood, who clogged LeBron's driving lanes, to surround him with more shooting.
But in Game 5, they learned the hard way that once Mike Brown's zone defense broke down, neither Zydrunas Ilgauskas nor Jamison could protect the rim.
With Haywood, the Cavs at least had a big who could anchor the paint. Without him, they watched helplessly as Roy tore through Cleveland like a one-man army.
The Bobcats played their most efficient offensive game in months.
That night, with Mo Williams struggling and Delonte West isolated on the court, the Cavs' only hope was LeBron flipping the "God Mode" switch.
Having watched the entire Charlotte-Cleveland showdown, Zack could only say: LeBron tried his hardest.
Facing a paint guarded by Emeka Okafor, Andrew Biedrins, and Artest, LeBron earned 26 free throws that night—more than the entire Bobcats team combined.
But in a game where free throws could've swung the tide, LeBron went a dismal 14-for-26 from the line.
Harsh as it sounds, "You had your chance, and you blew it" summed up LeBron's night.
Final score: 112-104.
The Bobcats stole a road win, grabbing the series lead.
LeBron, who poured in 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, gave it his all.
"Will the Cavs get upset by the Bobcats?" Stephen A. Smith asked post-game. "Charlotte's got the series lead now. One more win, and they'll be the first team in NBA history to pull off a first-round black eight in a seven-game series."
The NBA's two previous black-eight upsets happened under the old five-game format.
With history within reach, the Bobcats' momentum was unstoppable.
This series, plagued by the "Delonte West mom" scandal, blindsided LeBron. Who could've imagined his top-seeded Cavs might become the first No. 1 seed to fall in a seven-game first round?
Panic swept through Cleveland.
As the Bobcats' owner, Michael Jordan thought he'd stroll into the practice facility to praise the "great job, boys." Instead, he got a harsh dose of reality in Charlotte.
"Get out!" Artest bellowed at Jordan on the practice court. "We don't need you, capitalist, telling us what to do!"
Jordan, reading the room, quietly left.
The next day, Game 6 shifted to Time Warner Cable Arena.
The fired-up Bobcats controlled the game from start to finish.
Even though they only got 18 free throws at home—compared to LeBron's 24—James went a measly 12-for-24 from the line, squandering another chance to turn the tide.
When the final buzzer sounded, Time Warner Cable Arena erupted.
"The Bobcats made history!" the announcer roared. "With a 4-2 series win, they've pulled off the first black-eight upset in NBA history under the seven-game first-round format!"
LeBron, who'd been on a "one man above all" trajectory in the regular season, was devastated. He never imagined the Cavs' playoff run would end so abruptly—or that his team would be the backdrop for someone else's historic moment.
LeBron couldn't accept being upset by the Bobcats.
But this was peak Cleveland.
Post-game, reporters swarmed LeBron, zeroing in on the "Delonte West mom" rumors he'd repeatedly denied.
"I told you, it's all fake. It's just rumors!" he snapped.
"Will this early playoff exit affect your contract talks with the Cavs this summer?"
"I don't know. I just need some time alone."
Time alone? If he could, LeBron probably wanted to hit a nuke button and wipe this miserable world off the map.
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The Bobcats' black-eight miracle became the talk of the basketball world.
In the West, with the Sonics, Lakers, and Mavericks cruising past their first-round foes, the Warriors—rested for a week—prepared to face their Western Conference semifinal opponent.
But before their series against the Dallas Mavericks began, the new GOAT—whose return from injury only amplified his dominance, forcing the league to create the "Zack Rule"—had a coronation to attend.
May 2
The NBA officially announced the 2009-10 season award winners.
Zack, who won his third scoring title, fourth rebounding title, fourth blocks title, and first assist title, was unanimously voted MVP.
The Warriors' 75-win regular season was the main reason for Zack's landslide victory.
"He led the league in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, while guiding the Warriors to 75 wins. Even in the NBA's storied history, his achievements this season are unmatched!" —ESPN headline
The day Zack won his third MVP, Nike's hype machine kicked into overdrive, flooding the airwaves with praise.
Thanks to the Dallas labor dispute, Jordan's clout among younger players had faded. So when Nike crowned Zack the GOAT, it resonated with players and fans alike.
Still, in his acceptance speech, Zack stood up for the NBA's championship ring hierarchy.
"I have no doubt I'll be the greatest ever," he said. "But not yet—I've only got two rings."
Stephen Curry, averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench, won Sixth Man of the Year.
But despite his stellar play, Curry missed out on Rookie of the Year. As in Zack's memory, Tyreke Evans posted a star-caliber 20-5-5 in his debut season.
Though Curry's team had the better record, voters favored Evans' star-level production, knowing the Warriors could still win without Curry.
Zack also took home Defensive Player of the Year—his most deserved DPOY yet. Averaging 4.4 blocks and 1.6 steals, he made anyone who challenged him under the "Zack Rule" regret it.
Thanks to the Warriors' stellar record, Mike Malone won Coach of the Year for the first time.
"What's my secret to winning Coach of the Year?" Malone grinned cockily. "Coach the best player, and anyone can be the best coach!"
Kevin Love, who'd relegated Yi Jianlian to the bench in Minnesota, won Most Improved Player.
The 2009-10 All-NBA and All-Defensive teams were as follows:
All-NBA First Team: Dwight Howard, Zack, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade
All-NBA Second Team: Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Chris Paul
All-NBA Third Team: Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams
All-Defensive First Team: Dwight Howard, Zack, Gerald Wallace, Kobe Bryant, Rajon Rondo
All-Defensive Second Team: Kwame Brown, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul
The biggest controversy was Chris Paul edging out Deron Williams for Second Team. Williams' Hawks were fourth in the East, while Paul's Jazz were seventh in the West. Williams averaged 19 points and 9 assists; Paul, 18 and 9.
Zack wouldn't say Paul stole Williams' spot—but the numbers spoke for themselves.
Warriors teammates Gerald Wallace and Kwame Brown earned All-Defensive honors for their stellar play, especially critical with defensive sieves Nash and Curry at guard.
Still, Brown was livid about landing on the Second Team. In his mind, his defense outshone Howard's. And why was Pau Gasol, a power forward, voted Third Team center when his brother Marc was the Lakers' true center?
"I should've been First Team center!" Brown fumed. "The incompetent league stole the honor that belongs to the second-best center in history!"
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May 3
Fresh off a haul of awards, the Warriors hosted the Mavericks.
Before tip-off, Dirk Nowitzki approached Zack with respect. "Congrats on the unanimous MVP. You earned it."
On the court, seeing Dirk's genuine awe, Zack realized true crowns aren't won through marketing—they're earned by winning hearts.
Nike's hype gave Zack an aura of dominance, but without the skills to back it up, it'd just be the emperor's new clothes.
At center court, after warm-ups, the starting lineups took their places.
Mavericks: Ian Mahinmi, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Caron Butler, Jason Kidd
Warriors: Kwame Brown, Zack, Gerald Wallace, Raja Bell, Steve Nash
During warm-ups, Zack noticed Nash was locked in.
Everyone knew Mark Cuban once chose to give Dampier a massive extension over keeping Nash. Since then, Nash brought unmatched fire every time he faced Dallas.
On the opening play, Zack set a high screen for Nash. Kidd got caught on the pick, forcing Marion to step up and hedge.
Zack slipped to the basket, drawing both Kidd and Marion's attention. Without looking, he whipped a no-look pass back to Nash, who didn't hesitate.
Normally patient, Nash fired a lightning-fast three that carved a chunk out of Dallas' defense.
Swish!
"Steve, you've got the green light this series," Zack said, patting Nash's back on the way back.
Nash nodded. "I'm not holding back."
Holding back? Against most teams, Nash stayed cool. But against the Mavericks, who once dismissed him, he was like a scorned hero ready to settle a score.
Dallas' possession. Nowitzki, using two screens, got Wallace switched onto him.
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's game plan was simple: keep Nowitzki away from Zack, and the offense was halfway there.
Facing All-Defensive First Teamer Wallace, Dirk used his rhythm to fake, then drained a slow-motion pull-up.
3-3.
Next, Nash, eyes locked on the rim, used Zack's screen to blow into the paint.
Seeing Nash so aggressive was rare, and Zack couldn't fathom how deep his grudge against Dallas ran.
At the rim, Nash hit a soft layup despite Mahinmi's solid contest. In his late career, Nash's 70%-plus finishing rate over three seasons (2009-12) taught the league's reckless young guns a lesson in finesse.
"Watch and learn," Malone said, turning to Curry on the bench. "Steph, if you want to be a true superstar guard, you can't just be a three-point shooter."
Curry nodded, soaking it in.
On Dallas' next play, Butler underestimated Zack's defensive reach during a cross-court pass. Zack tipped it to Nash, then sprinted to the rim.
Normally, Nash would've hit Zack in stride. But this time, he stopped near the three-point line.
With Dallas' defenders drawn to Zack, no one noticed Nash, hell-bent on torching Cuban, lining up another shot.
He fired a chase-down three—and drained it.
Spotting Cuban in the sea of Warriors fans, Nash's fierce glare said it all:
You overlooked me then, but look at me now.
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