After the All-Star break, the regular season resumed with full intensity.
Every playoff-contending team began carefully managing minutes, increasing rotations to give their stars some much-needed rest—everyone except Zhao Dong. True to form, he continued to go all out, treating every game as if it were Game 7 of the Finals. His relentless play had the Trail Blazers soaring, standing head and shoulders above the competition.
February passed in a blur of wins. The Trail Blazers went undefeated.
At month's end, Zhao Dong returned home from the team's training base. As he stepped through the front door, he was greeted with the warmest of sights.
"Honey, come quick!" Lindsay called out, her smile radiant.
"What's going on?" Zhao Dong walked over.
Their four sons sat together on the plush carpet, their faces lighting up when they saw him. Babbling and giggling, they reached for their father.
"Come on, baby. Say 'daddy.'" Lindsay coaxed the youngest with a loving grin.
Zhao Dong raised a brow, surprised. "Rongxing can talk now?"
The little boy looked up, his chubby hands reaching toward his father. "Ah!"
"Say 'daddy' and he'll pick you up," Lindsay encouraged, gently demonstrating.
"Ah… ah… Dad!" Rongxing finally blurted out in a soft but distinct voice.
Zhao Dong's heart surged with joy. "That's my boy!"
He lifted the child high in the air, laughing. Rongxing squealed with delight, completely unafraid.
Over the next few days, the other three boys also began speaking. The house was filled with baby talk and laughter, warming the hearts of both parents.
On March 1st, Zhao Dong was once again awarded Player of the Month—his third consecutive win this season. He remained at the top of the MVP ladder, unchallenged in dominance.
But March brought new challenges. Despite Zhao Dong's white-hot form, the Trail Blazers' reliance on bench rotations began to show cracks. They dropped back-to-back games against the Lakers and the Pacers.
Kobe Bryant was named March's Player of the Month, breaking Zhao Dong's streak. It was controversial—L.A. had lost three games that month, and Kobe's numbers were impressive but not historic. Still, his status as a superstar and media darling helped tip the scales.
Yet Zhao Dong was still first in MVP rankings. Averaging 40+ point triple-doubles, he not only led the league in scoring but was also the top assist man. Jason Kidd trailed far behind with 9.8 assists per game.
Zhao Dong was on the verge of doing the unthinkable—winning both the scoring and assist titles in a single season. Only two players in NBA history had accomplished such a feat: Nate "Tiny" Archibald in 1973, and Zhao Dong himself just last season.
In addition to points and assists, Zhao Dong ranked in the top three for both blocks and steals, and top five in rebounds. His all-around dominance had the league buzzing.
On March 8th, Michael Jordan gave an interview and joked to reporters:
"Zhao Dong's playing like he's possessed. At this rate, I don't think he even wants the playoffs—he's trying to win the league in the regular season alone."
Throughout the month, Zhao Dong stayed locked in. With only one loss—a back-to-back stumble against the young Bulls—the Trail Blazers rampaged through March like a freight train.
On April 1st, the league awarded Zhao Dong another Player of the Month, and his MVP campaign seemed all but sealed.
The regular season was scheduled to end on April 17th. Just over two weeks remained. The Blazers, powered by their Golden Tyrant, thundered toward the finish line with no sign of letting up.
---
With April arriving, Kobe Bryant found himself distracted—not by basketball, but by the fast-approaching date of his wedding.
April 18th was circled on the calendar.
On the 5th, the Lakers had a day off. Kobe sat with Vanessa, quietly sorting through guest lists and facing a cold reality:
No one from his side was coming.
His father had declined. His sisters had refused. None of his extended family planned to attend. Even his teammates, with whom he shared little rapport, weren't on the list.
The wedding would be a small affair—barely a dozen guests, all of them Vanessa's relatives.
Kobe wore a calm expression, but inside he was spiraling. He craved approval. He longed for just one person from his world to show up and say, "I support this."
And he knew exactly who that person could be.
Zhao Dong.
Vanessa was reviewing the invitation design when she paused and asked nervously, "Kobe, should we invite Mrs. Lin… Mrs. Lindsay?"
Her voice trembled slightly. The idea of inviting someone like Lindsay—one of the most powerful women on Wall Street, controller of trillions in assets—was overwhelming. She was untouchable, elite, and impossibly far removed from their world.
But etiquette demanded it. If Zhao Dong was invited, how could they not invite his wife?
"I think… we have to, right?" Kobe asked, unsure of himself.
Vanessa nodded uncertainly.
Truth be told, Kobe also hoped Lindsay would attend. She and Vanessa had something in common—both were Catholic, and both were of mixed descent. One of the major reasons his parents disapproved of Vanessa was her Latina background. They believed she was chasing status, money, and celebrity.
But if someone like Lindsay—a half-Chinese, half-European billionaire and a devout Catholic—stood beside Vanessa at the altar, what could his parents possibly say?
Wouldn't that change everything?
Still, there were doubts.
Lindsay hadn't made a public appearance in months. Since returning to the U.S., she'd avoided media, social events, and even business circles. Would she attend such a low-key private wedding?
Probably not.
Yet omitting her name from the invitation would be a massive slight. Neither Kobe nor Vanessa could risk offending the Zhao family.
After hours of back-and-forth, they agreed to include her name. Just one extra name on the invitation—but one that carried the weight of empires.
Kobe sent out the final draft with a mix of nerves and hope.
Would Zhao Dong come?
Would Lindsay come?
The Trail Blazers didn't have a game scheduled for the afternoon of the 7th. Zhao Dong stayed behind at the team's training facility, grinding through a two-hour solo session before heading home.
With 77 games in the books, Portland stood at a jaw-dropping 70–7. Only five games remained in the regular season. Aside from a looming matchup with the Lakers, the rest of the schedule looked winnable. Breaking the Bulls' historic 72–10 record? It wasn't just a dream anymore—it was within reach.
The media had gone into a frenzy, dubbing the Trail Blazers as potentially the greatest regular-season team in NBA history.
But Zhao Dong knew better.
Their success wasn't just about depth or chemistry. It wasn't about coaching magic or locker room vibes. The brutal truth? Without him, this team would barely make it past the first round. They weren't contenders—they were just solid. It was his dominance, his absurd stat lines, and his willpower that lifted them to another tier entirely.
As he walked through the door of his home, Lindsay greeted him with a warm smile and an envelope in hand.
"Honey, this just came in the mail."
Zhao Dong took it and cracked a grin. "Let me guess—Kobe's wedding?"
He opened the invitation and scanned it. Sure enough, it was from Los Angeles. Kobe had invited them both.
"Looks like he wants you there too. You coming with me?"
Before she could respond, the pitter-patter of chaos exploded across the floor.
"Dad! Dad!!"
The sound of pattering limbs, laughter, and baby war cries flooded the living room. His four sons, nearly eight months old, came crawling out of nowhere like they were training for a speed competition. Behind them, a squad of exhausted nannies was in hot pursuit.
"Haha! There you are. I didn't even see where you hid. You little monsters fighting again? Who won this time?"
Zhao Dong scooped up two kids with ease, tossing them playfully onto the couch. Giggles echoed across the room.
The brothers had started learning to walk and had way more energy than any babysitter could handle. A single second of inattention and something—or someone—would be flipped upside down.
Lindsay laughed. "The third one beat the second. The first beat the third. The second beat the fourth. And the fourth... well, he challenged everyone at once. Got himself whooped by the whole squad."
Zhao Dong burst out laughing, looking from face to face. He still couldn't tell who was who, not without Lindsay's help. They were all strong, but one stood out.
Rongxing—the youngest—was different.
Despite being the last born, he was the sturdiest of the bunch, the first to speak, and clearly the boldest. Zhao Dong suspected it had something to do with early access to breast milk. There hadn't been enough for four, so the other three had to settle for formula. Rongxing grew faster, stronger... and cockier.
While bouncing the boys on his lap, Zhao Dong returned to the wedding invitation.
"Kobe's getting married, huh?" he said. "Should be a quick trip. You up for a day in L.A.?"
Lindsay smiled. "If you're going, I'm going. It's been a while since we took a break. Let's bring the whole family."
Zhao Dong nodded. "Sounds good to me."
---
One week later, history was made.
The Portland Trail Blazers finished the regular season with a staggering 73–7 record—surpassing the 1996 Bulls to set a new all-time mark.
April 14, 2001.
The team boarded a plane to Los Angeles. The next morning, at 9:00 AM, Lindsay received a call directly from China—none other than President Zhu.
She stepped out of the hotel room and took the call in private.
China would be rolling out its long-awaited Anti-Monopoly Law in just two weeks. It was a game-changer—designed to safeguard domestic industries and keep essential sectors from falling into the hands of unchecked capital. Strategic, protective, and overdue.
Later that evening, the Blazers took the floor at Staples Center—and lost to the Lakers.
That marked the fourth meeting between the two juggernauts this season. They'd split the series 2–2.
Thanks to their superior record, the Blazers would hold home-court advantage should they meet again in the playoffs. Still, the loss stung. And it raised the biggest question heading into the postseason: Could they survive the Lakers' frontline?
Elsewhere, the Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets—another title favorite—had also split their season series. But both would hold home-court advantage in their respective conferences.
---
After the loss, TNT's Inside the NBA lit up.
Charles Barkley took center stage during the postgame analysis.
"At the start of the season," Barkley said, "we were looking at four legit championship teams. Now? Only three. The Blazers, the Lakers, and the Nets."
He shook his head and leaned back in his chair.
"The Philly 76ers—led by Karl Malone and Ratliff—have lost that first-tier status. Yeah, their defense is rock solid. But offense? Nah. Malone can hit mid-range shots, no doubt. But low-post scoring? That's not his bag anymore. And Ratliff? All defense, zero touch inside. That kind of imbalance won't cut it in the playoffs."
He paused, then continued.
"So let's talk West—Lakers versus Blazers. We've seen it all season. They're tied up, but it's not that simple."
"Zhao Dong has had a phenomenal season. Broke the Bulls' record. Led this team like a man possessed. And Portland's deep. Real deep. Their bench can keep them afloat."
"But come playoff time, rotations tighten. Minutes go up for stars, and advantages get exposed."
He looked dead into the camera.
"Shaq and David Robinson? That combo is a nightmare. They tore through Portland's paint tonight. No one on that roster can body up with them in a seven-game series."
"And I'm just gonna say it: Even if Zhao Dong drops 100, it might still not be enough to stop the Lakers from bouncing them out of the playoffs."
---
Back at the post-game press conference, a reporter tossed Barkley's comments at Zhao Dong.
The superstar took a moment to gather his thoughts.
He nodded slowly, acknowledging the point.
"There's no doubt Shaq and the Admiral dominated the paint tonight," Zhao Dong admitted. "Shaq dropped 43 on us, and Robinson added 21. We couldn't stop them. That kind of inside presence definitely affected my drives, slowed my rhythm."
He paused, then leaned forward.
"But this is still the regular season. Playoffs are a whole different animal. The pace changes. The matchups get tighter. You can't judge what's coming based on what you've seen in these 48-minute samples."
Zhao Dong didn't say much in the postgame presser. With the regular season drawing to a close and the playoffs right around the corner, now wasn't the time for talk. It was time to reveal the real tricks, the playoff cards yet to be played. Saying too much might expose a few of those secrets.
After their battle with the Lakers, the Trail Blazers flew back to Portland and closed out their regular season schedule on April 17th with a strong home win over the San Antonio Spurs.
And with that, the historic 2000–01 regular season came to an end.
Zhao Dong had played in all 82 games, logging an average of 46.8 minutes per night—the most in the league by a wide margin. If there was a new definition for Iron Man, he wore it on his jersey.
His final season averages were surreal:
45.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 2.3 steals, 3.2 blocks, 2.1 turnovers, and 3.5 fouls.
He shot 60.5% from the field.
Though his shooting percentage dipped slightly from last season, the reason was obvious—he'd taken on point guard duties, resulting in more jump shots and fewer explosive drives to the basket. Still, the efficiency remained elite.
He secured the scoring title in dominant fashion, and surprisingly, he also locked up the assist title—becoming just the second player in league history to achieve both in the same season, and the first to do it two years in a row.
The steals title went to Allen Iverson, who averaged 2.5 per game.
The blocks title was claimed by Theo Ratliff with 3.7 per game.
And the rebounding crown went to Dikembe Mutombo with 13.5 boards a night.
Fordson, once thought to have a shot at the rebounding title, finished the season averaging just 6.4 rebounds. Injuries had limited his availability, and Portland's deep frontcourt rotation had cut into his minutes—he only averaged 25 per game.
The Blazers had no fixed starters at the four or five. O'Neal, Fordson, Grant, and Antonio Davis rotated heavily, while Mike Miller and an aging German veteran filled in as backups. That made Fordson's per-minute rebounding quite impressive, and opposing GMs noticed.
Before the All-Star break, Portland received multiple trade inquiries for Fordson. Every offer was shot down.
Zhao Dong wasn't letting him go.
Not yet.
If Fordson wanted to leave, he'd have to wait until the dynasty was built. Zhao Dong wasn't chasing a one-and-done championship—he was building something lasting. And Fordson, with his toughness and grit, was part of that plan.
Zhao Dong's regular season drew widespread praise from the media—borderline reverence, in fact. Articles flooded in, calling his season one of the greatest ever seen.
In NBA history, only one player had averaged a triple-double for an entire season: Oscar Robertson, the "Big O."
Like Zhao Dong, Oscar had the rare ability to play all five positions on the floor. That positional mastery allowed him to pile up stats in every category.
In the 1961–62 season, Big O averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists—a stat line that shook the league to its core.
Zhao Dong's 45.5-point triple-double eclipsed Big O's in scoring, though he trailed slightly in rebounds and assists. Still, many analysts now believed Zhao Dong's version was more impactful.
Magic Johnson, another legendary player known for playing all five positions, gave his take during a televised interview.
"There's no question Zhao Dong has the edge in raw numbers," Magic said. "We also gotta remember, there were no three-pointers in Big O's era. Dong's knocking down over two threes a night—that adds up fast.
"But even with that modern advantage, you can't deny what he's doing. This is the first time anyone's put up a 40+ triple-double for an entire season. That's insane. He's rewriting the game. Right now, he's the best we've ever seen."
Back in Charlotte, reporters caught up with Oscar Robertson himself.
When asked to compare Zhao Dong's season to his own, Big O simply smiled and shook his head.
"We played in different eras. Different rules, different pace, different physicality. I don't think it's fair to compare."
Later, Zhao Dong was asked the same question.
"There's no need to compare," he said. "Big O had an incredible season, and I think I had one too. That's all there is to it."
He meant every word.
To him, a 40+ triple-double wasn't enough to claim supremacy. Not yet. If he was going to surpass Big O, he'd have to lead in all three categories—points, rebounds, and assists. Until then, comparisons were just noise.
---
April 18, 2001 – A Wedding in Silence
At noon on the 18th, in a quiet Roman-style church in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant prepared to take the biggest step of his personal life.
His wedding was intimate—almost shockingly so.
Only a small handful of Vanessa's family members were invited. As for Kobe? He stood alone. No friends. No teammates. No coaches. Not even his agent Rob Pelinka or Coach Phil Jackson made the guest list. The media had no clue it was even happening.
Red rose petals were carefully scattered across a heart-shaped arch at the altar. A pastor stood waiting, smiling as Vanessa arrived in a floor-length white gown. Kobe wore a sleek black suit, refusing the traditional tux in favor of something simple and elegant.
Kobe had extended a last-minute olive branch to his parents and sisters the night before. They declined. Coldly. Firmly.
He hadn't been surprised. Hurt, yes—but not surprised.
He'd made his choice: to break ties with them completely.
That decision would generate a wave of negative press in the coming weeks. But it was who Kobe was. Decisive. Headstrong. Focused. He was marrying the woman he loved, with or without the world's blessing.
The wedding was supposed to start at noon sharp, but Kobe had waited half an hour.
Zhao Dong, the only guest he'd personally invited, still hadn't shown up.
He glanced at the doors once more, then looked at Vanessa.
He wasn't angry. Just… resigned.
No one else needed to approve. No one else needed to be there.
He reached out and gently took Vanessa's hand.
They smiled at each other, ready to begin. The pastor raised his Bible.
But before he could speak, he paused—eyes fixed on the open church door.
"Kobe," the pastor said, voice rising slightly, "there's a distinguished guest arriving. I believe… this is the person you were waiting for."
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