NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Eleven: Sprint

February 12, 1997, the first game after the All-Star Weekend.

The Clippers will host the Sacramento Kings.

Arthur didn't rest after returning from Cleveland, appearing at the training facility at four in the morning. Security guard Kurt was used to it; he even left a light on for Arthur beforehand.

"Aren't you tired, son?" Kurt asked.

"I'm tired," Arthur said, "but our opponent isn't."

Kurt shook his head, watching the 2.3-meter-tall figure walk onto the court.

All-Star Weekend is a time for relaxation and entertainment for most players, but for Arthur, it was just halftime. He knew the real competition was yet to come in the playoffs.

On the night of the game, Arthur proved with his actions that his form hadn't declined. Against the Kings, he played three quarters, scoring 34 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, dishing out 11 assists, and blocking 5 shots. The Clippers won 121-90.

After the game, the Kings' head coach made a blunt observation at the press conference: "I thought the All-Star Weekend would slow him down. He didn't. He got even faster."

In February 1997, the Clippers put on an amazing performance.

2月14日客场战胜勇士，亚瑟三十九分十五篮板八助攻。2月15日背靠背战胜小牛，亚瑟四十一分十八篮板十助攻。2月17日主场复仇爵士——上次输给爵士的遗憾，亚瑟用一场四十六分二十篮板十二助攻六盖帽的表现彻底洗刷。

"He's at least a level better than when we first played each other," said Karl Malone of the Jazz after the game. "He's improving, while we're getting old."

On February 20, the Clippers played the Lakers on the road.

This is the third Los Angeles derby of the season. The Clippers won the first two, but the Lakers made a small trade before the trade deadline to strengthen their outside shooting. O'Neal's performance has also improved significantly since the beginning of the season.

The game was incredibly intense. Shaquille O'Neal, determined to prove he was no worse than Arthur, relentlessly attacked the low post, racking up 38 points and 16 rebounds. Kobe Bryant also stepped up from the bench, contributing 20 points.

But Arthur was still the best player on the court. He scored eight points in the crucial moments, including two three-pointers, a dunk, and two free throws, to win the game.

Final score: 118-111. Arthur's stats: 44 points, 19 rebounds, 9 assists, 7 blocks.

After the game, O'Neal stopped Arthur in the player tunnel.

"What do you train for in the summer?" O'Neal asked.

"I'll practice everything," Arthur said.

"You don't need to practice anymore," O'Neal said with a wry smile. "You're already good enough."

"Not enough," said Arthur. "I need to be stronger."

As O'Neal watched Arthur's retreating figure, he said to Kobe beside him, "That kid's gone mad."

Kobe didn't laugh. "He's not crazy. He's paranoid. Just like someone else."

O'Neal glanced at Kobe but said nothing.

On February 28, 1997, the Clippers defeated the Trail Blazers 115-105, ending their February season.

Throughout February, the Clippers played thirteen games, winning eleven. Their only two losses were an away loss to the SuperSonics and a home loss to the Bulls. In the Bulls' game, Jordan scored forty-three points again, and Arthur added forty, but the Clippers' outside shooting was shut down by Pippen and Harper.

Their record stands at 38 wins and 12 losses, ranking first in the Western Conference.

The Seattle SuperSonics, with a record of 37 wins and 13 losses, follow closely behind. The Los Angeles Lakers, with a record of 35 wins and 15 losses, are in third place.

Los Angeles fans went wild. The Clippers, a team that had been a laughingstock for over a decade, were now the top team in the Western Conference. And all of this, all because of a 19-year-old rookie.

On March 1, 1997, the Los Angeles Times sports section headline read:

"The MVP suspense: Arthur Thorne or Michael Jordan?"

The article analyzed the two players' performances this season: Jordan averaged 30.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, leading the Bulls to the best record in the league. Arthur averaged 38.5 points, 16.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 6.2 blocks, propelling the Clippers from 25 wins to first place in the Western Conference.

"Statistically, Arthur Thorne completely outclasses Jordan. But the MVP award isn't just about stats; it's also about the story. Jordan's story is about defending his title, Thorne's story is about rising to prominence. How will the voters choose? Nobody knows."

Arthur was eating breakfast when he saw the article. He flipped to the sports section of the newspaper, glanced at it, and then turned the page.

Agent Jerry was puzzled. "You don't care about the MVP?"

"I do care," Arthur said, "but I care more about the playoffs."

"Don't you think you should try for MVP? That would improve your historical standing."

"Historical status isn't something I earned," Arthur interrupted him. "It was given to me by others. There's only one thing I need to do: win."

In March 1997, the Clippers entered playoff sprint mode.

Coach Fitch began resting the key players, but Arthur refused to rest. "I don't need to rest," he said. Fitch looked at his fitness stats—averaging 42 minutes per game, with his heart rate consistently within the normal range—and believed him.

On March 5th, the Clippers defeated the Suns at home, with Arthur scoring 37 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. On March 7th, they defeated the Nuggets on the road, with Arthur scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 12 assists. On March 9th, they defeated the Timberwolves at home, with Arthur recording his tenth triple-double of the season.

On March 12, the Clippers played against the Houston Rockets on the road.

This is the third meeting between the two teams this season. They each won one of the previous two encounters, making this a crucial match that will determine the outcome of the season.

Hakeem Olajuwon was on fire, scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. But Arthur was even hotter—he had 48 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks, including the game-winning mid-range jumper over Olajuwon in the final moments.

The Clippers narrowly won 117-114.

After the game, Hakeem Olajuwon stood in the players' tunnel and watched Arthur walk past him.

"Young man," Hakeem Olajuwon called out to him, "Are you going to win the championship this year?"

Arthur stopped and turned to look at Olajuwon.

"Yes."

Hakeem Olajuwon nodded. "You might really be able to."

He paused.

"But Jordan is still there."

Arthur did not answer, and turned to walk into the away team's locker room.

On March 20, 1997, the Clippers hosted the Chicago Bulls.

This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Bulls won their last meeting in Los Angeles. This time, the Clippers are looking for revenge.

Before the game, the atmosphere outside the arena was like that of the NBA Finals. ESPN sent its top-notch commentary team, and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were sitting courtside watching the game.

Jordan glanced at Arthur during warm-up. Their eyes met in mid-air; there was no hostility, only a mutual understanding.

After the game started, Arthur and Jordan went head-to-head again. Jordan punished the Clippers' defense with fadeaway jumpers and mid-range shots, while Arthur responded with three-pointers and dunks.

In the first quarter, Arthur scored 14 points and Jordan scored 12. The Clippers led by two points.

In the second quarter, the Bulls intensified their double-teaming of Arthur, but his Clippers teammates stepped up. Barry and Rogers hit consecutive three-pointers, extending the Clippers' lead to eight points.

At halftime, the Clippers led 61-55.

In the second half, Jordan took over the game. He scored nineteen points in the third quarter alone, including three consecutive fadeaway jumpers over Arthur. Arthur's hand was already in his face, but Jordan's hang time and ability to adjust allowed him to always find space to shoot.

Arthur did something on the defensive end that he had never done before: he asked Jordan for advice.

"How did you do that?" Arthur asked Jordan during a dead ball situation.

Jordan glanced at him. "You can't learn that. It's experience."

"Then let me give it a try."

Jordan smiled. "Okay."

At the end of the third quarter, the Bulls had taken a two-point lead.

In the fourth quarter, Arthur started playing like Jordan. He backed down his defender in the low post, faked him out, and then turned and faded the ball in. He hit a mid-range pull-up jumper. He made a pull-up three-pointer.

He was copying Jordan's moves, and he copied them almost exactly.

Jordan witnessed this on the court, and his expression changed. It wasn't anger, nor surprise, but a complex emotion—like seeing a student get a perfect score on an exam, but instead of using their own answers, they copied them.

No, it wasn't copying. Arthur wasn't imitating; he was learning. He played Jordan the way Jordan played, and he played it very well.

With two minutes remaining, the Clippers led by three points. Jordan dribbled the ball and went one-on-one, guarded by Arthur. Jordan used a crossover dribble to change direction and pulled up for a jump shot. This time, Arthur didn't jump; he remembered his previous lesson and simply extended his arm to contest the shot.

The ball bounced off the rim. Arthur grabbed the rebound.

Thirty seconds remain. The Clippers are on offense. Arthur receives the ball at the high post, facing Jordan's defense. He doesn't call a pick-and-roll, but instead dribbles to run down the clock.

With eight seconds left, Arthur started his drive. He drove to the right, and Jordan moved sideways. Arthur switched hands behind his back to the left, and Jordan followed. Arthur then did a crossover dribble and stepped back to two steps beyond the three-point line.

Jump. Release the attack.

Jordan lunged at him, but Arthur's release point was too high. The ball flew over his fingertips, tracing an arc.

Swish.

hit.

The Clippers are leading by six points. There are three seconds left.

Jordan made a three-pointer in the final moments, but it was too late to decide the outcome.

Final score: 119-116, the Clippers successfully avenged their loss.

Arthur's stats: 46 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 blocks. Jordan's stats: 41 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.

After the game, Jordan and Arthur embraced at halftime. They didn't speak, but simply patted each other on the back.

Then Jordan whispered something in Arthur's ear.

See you in the playoffs.

Arthur nodded.

See you in the playoffs.

The regular season ended on April 20, 1997.

The Clippers are ranked first in the Western Conference with a record of 60 wins and 22 losses, and second in the league, only behind the Chicago Bulls with a record of 69 wins and 13 losses.

Arthur Thorne's season average stats are now:

37.8 points, 15.9 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 6.1 blocks, and 2.3 steals. Field goal percentage: 63.1%, three-point percentage: 52.7%, and free throw percentage: 90.3%.

He became the first center in NBA history to average a triple-double in a single season. No, he became the first player in NBA history to average 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single season.

The MVP voting results are in: Arthur Thorne was named the regular season MVP with a 93% approval rating. He beat out superstars such as Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

At 19 years and 10 months old, he became the youngest MVP in NBA history.

The awards ceremony was held the day before the playoffs began. Arthur received the trophy from David Stern and held it above his head.

The crowd cheered.

Arthur put down the trophy and walked to the microphone.

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me," he said, "but as I said, this isn't the trophy I wanted."

He looked at the camera with a determined gaze.

"The playoffs have only just begun."