NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Thirteen: Semifinals

October 2, 1997, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers faced off against the Seattle SuperSonics.

The SuperSonics are the second-best team in the Western Conference this season, with 59 wins, while the Clippers, the top team in the West, have 60 wins. It's a closely matched contest.

The SuperSonics boast a formidable duo: Gary Payton, "The Glove," and Shawn Kemp, "The Rain Man." Payton, the Defensive Player of the Year, suffocates countless guards with his relentless perimeter defense. Kemp is the epitome of the power forward's raw power, his dunks as devastating as thunderstorms.

Before the game, Payton told the media, "They won the regular season, but the playoffs are a different world. That rookie hasn't experienced real playoff intensity yet."

Arthur heard this while Coach Fitch was giving him tactical instructions in the locker room. He didn't look up, but simply clenched his fists.

Game start.

During the jump ball, Arthur easily passed the ball to Barry, facing SuperSonics center Alvin Jensen. On the first possession, Arthur called for the ball in the low post. The SuperSonics' defensive strategy of not double-teaming Payton was clear: have Jensen guard Arthur one-on-one, and lock down the Clippers' shooters on the perimeter.

Arthur dribbled with his back to the goal, and Jason took a half step back. Arthur turned and hooked the ball into the net.

SuperSonics offense. Payton dribbles past half-court, Kemp sets a screen at the high post. Payton uses the screen to drive, Arthur switches onto Payton and tries to outmaneuver him with a crossover, but Arthur's lateral movement is too quick, and Payton doesn't get a shot off.

Payton passed the ball to Kemp, who slammed it over Williams. 2-2.

In the first quarter, the two teams were evenly matched. The SuperSonics' defensive intensity was indeed a level above the Suns'. Payton's pressure on the perimeter made it difficult for the Clippers' guards to pass the ball comfortably, and Arthur received the ball much less often.

But Arthur was effective every time he received the ball. He went 6-for-8 in the quarter, scoring 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. The Clippers led 26-25 by one point.

In the second quarter, the SuperSonics started using Payton to defend Arthur.

This is no joke. Although Payton is only 1.93 meters tall, his strength and defensive skills allow him to guard players who are 20 centimeters taller than him. His strategy is simple: go in front of him and prevent Arthur from receiving the ball.

Payton chested down Arthur's waist and used his arm to disrupt passing lanes. His trash talk never stopped: "You can't get the ball, rookie. Your teammates can't get it in."

Arthur indeed struggled to receive the ball in the first half of the second quarter. The Clippers' guards repeatedly committed turnovers under pressure from Payton.

Fitch called a timeout. He looked at Arthur. "You move to the high post to receive the ball. The defender passes you the ball, you organize the offense."

After the timeout, Arthur moved to the high post. Payton didn't dare follow him there; if he left the low post, the SuperSonics' paint would be wide open. Arthur received the ball at the high post, facing Jensen's defense, where he could either shoot directly or drive to the basket.

He chose to break through. With a crossover step, he got past Jensen and entered the paint. Kemp came over to help defend, and Arthur clashed with Kemp in the air. The two bodies collided with a dull thud.

Kemp was bounced away. Arthur dunked the ball into the basket.

The crowd erupted. Kemp sat on the ground, watching Arthur's retreating figure, his eyes filled with disbelief. He was one of the most powerful dunkers in the NBA, but in this contest, he had lost.

At halftime, the Clippers led 54-49 by five points.

In the second half, Payton changed his strategy. He started harassing Arthur after he received the ball, not with proper defense, but by wrapping his arm around Arthur's arm and kneeing his leg. These dirty tricks wouldn't be called in the playoffs.

For the first time, Arthur experienced the "intensity of the playoffs." It wasn't about the skill gap, but rather a contest of physical strength and willpower.

He was enraged by Payton's dirty tricks. During one offensive play, Arthur received the ball in the low post, and Payton grabbed him from behind around the waist. Arthur struggled free, shook Payton off, and turned to dunk.

The referee called an offensive foul on Arthur.

Arthur turned to the referee, opened his arms, and said nothing. But his eyes said it all.

Fitch quickly called a pause. He pulled Arthur aside.

"Calm down. They're deliberately trying to provoke you. The angrier you get, the happier they are."

Arthur took a deep breath and nodded.

Back on the field, Arthur became even more focused. He ignored Payton's trash talk and didn't respond to his dirty tricks, simply concentrating on each round.

He scored ten consecutive points in the second half of the third quarter, extending the lead to twelve points.

In the fourth quarter, the SuperSonics attempted a comeback. Kemp and Payton combined for a 10-2 run, narrowing the gap to four points. In the crucial moment, Arthur held the ball at the top of the arc, facing Payton's defense. Payton smiled, knowing Arthur wouldn't shoot over him because his defense was too tight.

Arthur dribbled once, stepped back, and shot from two meters beyond the three-point line.

Payton lunged forward, but the ball had already flown away.

Swish. Hollowed out and into the net.

The score difference was back to seven points. Payton's smile vanished.

With two minutes remaining, the SuperSonics resorted to fouling. Arthur stepped to the free-throw line, and the entire arena chanted "MVP." He made all four free throws.

Final score: 111-102, Clippers lead 1-0.

Arthur's stats: 44 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks.

After the game, Payton was surrounded by reporters in the locker room. One asked him, "Do you still think he hasn't experienced the intensity of the playoffs?"

Payton remained silent for a long time.

"He went through it," Payton said. "He passed."

May 4, 1997, Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

The SuperSonics made a major adjustment in this game, using Kemp to defend Arthur.

Kemp is faster and stronger than Jensen, and his athleticism is top-tier in the league. Using Kemp to guard Arthur sacrifices the SuperSonics' help defense ability, but in return, it provides a one-on-one containment of Arthur.

This strategy worked in the first quarter. Although Kemp was 20 centimeters shorter than Arthur, his strength and speed made it difficult for Arthur to post up. Arthur only scored eight points in the first quarter, and the Clippers trailed 22-24.

In the second quarter, Arthur adjusted his playing style. He stopped backing down the ball and started attacking face-up. He received the ball beyond the three-point line, and Kemp had to defend him. Arthur then used a crossover to get past Kemp, drove into the paint, and dunked over the help defender.

Kemp was already fast, but Arthur's first step was even faster.

Arthur scored 16 points in the second quarter, and the Clippers took the lead.

In the second half, the SuperSonics began double-teaming Arthur. Arthur responded by passing the ball, dishing out four consecutive assists, and the Clippers' shooters extended the lead to fifteen points.

Final score: 119 to 105, Clippers lead 2-0.

Arthur's stats: 41 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 blocks.

May 7, 1997, Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Seattle, KeyArena.

The SuperSonics returned to their home arena, and the fans' frenzy rivaled that of Phoenix. KeyArena, known as the "Noise Factory," is famous for its incredibly loud crowds.

When Arthur played his first game at KeyArena, he was overwhelmed by the deafening pressure. Every time he touched the ball, the entire arena booed; every time he took a free throw, the crowd waved colorful bats.

But Arthur actually plays better on the road. He likes playing on the enemy's turf because it makes him more focused.

In the first quarter, he scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Clippers led 28-25.

In the second quarter, the home-court advantage for the SuperSonics began to show. Arthur was called for two offensive fouls and one defensive three-second violation. He sat on the bench, watching the SuperSonics take the lead.

Fitch walked over to him. "Control the fouls, we need you on the court."

Arthur nodded. After returning to the court in the third quarter, he adjusted his defensive intensity, no longer trying to block every shot, but instead using positioning and wingspan to disrupt the play.

This adjustment was effective. The SuperSonics' shooting percentage began to drop, and the Clippers went on a 12-2 run to take the lead.

In the fourth quarter, Payton and Kemp combined for 20 points, dragging the game into the final moments. With 15 seconds remaining, the Clippers led 107-106 by one point. The SuperSonics had possession of the ball.

Payton dribbles, Kemp sets a screen. Arthur switches to defend Payton, who tries to break through Arthur's long arm and poks the ball away. The ball rolls towards midcourt, Barry lunges to grab it, and time expires.

The Clippers are leading 3-0.

Arthur's stats: 39 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 blocks.

May 9, 1997, Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

The SuperSonics, facing elimination, delivered their best performance of the season. Payton scored 31 points and dished out 11 assists, while Kemp added 27 points and 14 rebounds. The SuperSonics defeated the Clippers 113-109 at home, bringing the series to 1-3.

Arthur finished with 46 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 blocks, but the rest of the Clippers players collectively struggled on the road; Barry went 2-for-9 and Rogers went 3-for-10.

After the game, Arthur didn't blame anyone in the locker room. He walked up to Barry and patted him on the shoulder.

"You'll make it in the next game."

Barry looked up, his eyes slightly red. "I let you down."

"You didn't let me down," Arthur said. "You just missed today. Try again tomorrow."

May 11, 1997, Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Clippers returned to their home court and gave the SuperSonics no chance. Arthur took over the game from the first quarter, scoring 20 points in the quarter, 34 points at halftime, and 43 points in three quarters.

The Clippers defeated the SuperSonics 128-101, advancing to the Western Conference Finals with a 4-1 series victory.

Arthur's stats: 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, 7 blocks.

After the match, Payton walked up to Arthur and extended his hand.

"You won, Rookie," Payton said. "Don't lose the Western Conference Finals."

Arthur grasped Payton's hand. "No, it won't."

The Clippers have reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in their history.

Arthur Thorne is eight wins away from his goal.