NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Twenty: After the Three-Peat

Los Angeles, July 1999.

The banners announcing their three-peat hung from the dome, one, two, three, like three red scars etched into the Clippers' once blank history. Arthur Thorne stood at the free-throw line in the training facility, shooting with his eyes closed. The ball swished through the net. He didn't open his eyes, reached out his hand, and a staff member handed him another ball. He shot again, and it swished through the net once more.

"What are you practicing?" Coach Fitch stood on the sidelines, holding a tactical board, but without drawing any tactics.

"Practice free throws with your eyes closed," Arthur said. "So that even if I get an eye injury someday, I can still score."

Fitch shook his head. He'd coached for over thirty years and had never encountered a player like this. After a three-peat, most players would relax, celebrate, and enjoy themselves. Arthur was practicing free throws with his eyes closed in the gym.

The new season's training camp brought many new faces. Barry was traded for a younger point guard. Rodgers is getting old, and his playing time will be reduced. Williams is still there, but his knees are starting to cause problems. The Clippers' roster is changing, but the core remains the same: Arthur Thorn, 23 years old, three-time champion, three-time MVP, and three-time Finals MVP.

The league is changing. Jordan retired, and the Bulls dynasty completely collapsed. Shaq and Kobe are rising on the Lakers, and Duncan on the Spurs is already an MVP-caliber player. The East has Allen Iverson and Vince Carter, and the West has Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. A new generation of challengers is sharpening their knives, and their only goal is to defeat Arthur Thorn.

On November 2, 1999, the Clippers hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening game of the new season.

This was the Lakers' first regular season game under new head coach Phil Jackson. Jackson brought the triangle offense, the championship mentality, and a clear goal: to overthrow the Clippers dynasty.

Before the game, O'Neal said something that was repeatedly broadcast by the media: "Three consecutive championships are amazing. But four? I won't let him get them."

Arthur was putting on his socks in the locker room when he heard this. He didn't look up, but simply said to Williams beside him, "Shaq is dreaming again."

After the game started, the Lakers showcased their new offensive system. Kobe Bryant held the ball on the wing, Shaquille O'Neal established position in the low post, and other players constantly moved off the ball and set screens. The triangle offense exposed many weaknesses in the Clippers' defense, and the Lakers scored 35 points in the first quarter.

But Arthur also racked up 18 points in the first quarter. He dunked three times over O'Neal and hit two three-pointers over Kobe. He single-handedly carried the Clippers' offense, preventing the score from widening.

In the second quarter, the Lakers began double-teaming Arthur. Every time he received the ball in the low post, O'Neal would guard him from behind, while Kobe or Glen Rice would double-team him from the wing. Arthur's response was simple and effective passing. He passed the ball to Williams cutting to the basket, to Rogers on the perimeter, and to the newly arrived point guard. The Clippers' role players didn't disappoint him, hitting consecutive shots to take the lead.

At halftime, the Clippers led 62-58.

In the second half, O'Neal began to dominate in the paint. He scored repeatedly over Williams, tying the game. Arthur switched onto O'Neal on defense, and the two engaged in a physical battle in the low post. O'Neal used his 300-pound frame to block Arthur, who remained unmoved; Arthur used his long arms to disrupt O'Neal's hook shots, causing O'Neal to miss consecutive shots.

With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 105. Arthur had the ball at the top of the key, and O'Neal came out to defend. Arthur dribbled to the right, and O'Neal moved sideways; Arthur then switched hands behind his back to the left, and O'Neal followed but was too slow. Arthur broke through O'Neal's left side, drove into the paint, and slammed a dunk over Kobe, who was trying to help defend.

107-105. Two minutes left. Lakers offense, Kobe goes one-on-one, fadeaway jumper misses. Arthur grabs the rebound and dribbles up the court. He stops abruptly two steps beyond the three-point line, O'Neal jumps to pounce, but Arthur has already released the ball. Goal. 110-105.

The Lakers called a timeout. After the timeout, O'Neal attacked hard in the low post and drew a foul. He made both free throws. 110-107. The Clippers attacked, and Arthur again had the ball at the top of the key. This time, the Lakers double-teamed him, and Arthur passed the ball to Rogers in the corner. Rogers hit a three-pointer. 113-107. Thirty seconds remained.

The Lakers' final possession saw Kobe's three-pointer miss. Arthur grabbed the rebound and tossed the ball into the air. Game over.

Arthur's stats: 47 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 blocks. O'Neal's stats: 32 points, 14 rebounds. Kobe's stats: 27 points, 6 rebounds.

After the game, O'Neal told reporters in the locker room, "I can't guard him. Nobody can guard him. Maybe we should consider changing the rules."

The reporter pressed further, "What rules do you suggest changing?"

O'Neal thought for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe draw a circle in the paint and don't let him in? Or cut his height by ten centimeters? Or put a blindfold on him?"

The reporters laughed, but O'Neal didn't. "I'm serious. If you don't limit him, he'll win ten championships."

In November 1999, the Clippers started the season with a 12-1 record. Arthur's average stats were 38.1 points, 16.2 rebounds, 10.5 assists, and 6.3 blocks, almost identical to the previous season. His consistency had become a phenomenon: regardless of the opponent, the tight schedule, or the condition of his teammates, he consistently delivered 38 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists every night.

The matchup between Arthur and Duncan against the Spurs on November 21st once again became the focus. Duncan had worked hard on his mid-range shooting and low-post footwork during the summer, and his performance in this game was amazing: 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks. But Arthur's performance was even more disheartening: 45 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 blocks.

After the game, Duncan sat in the locker room with a towel over his head. Robinson walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"You've improved again," Robinson said.

"He's improving faster than me," Duncan's muffled voice came from under the towel. "It's not fair. I practice eight hours a day, and he practices eight hours a day. I've improved by 10%, and he's improved by 5%. But 5% is a much larger starting point than my improvement."

Robinson sighed. "So he's a monster, and you're not."

Duncan pulled back the towel and looked at Robinson. "I'm not a monster. But I will become one."

Robinson laughed. "Then go practice. You've already wasted ten minutes getting frustrated here."

Duncan stood up, put on his training clothes, and headed to the gym. Less than half an hour after the game ended, he went to do extra practice.

In December 1999, the Clippers faced their biggest test of the season with five consecutive away games against the Jazz, Rockets, Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns. The five games were played in seven days, including two back-to-back games.

Arthur averaged 44 minutes per game in these five games, with average stats of 41.4 points, 17.6 rebounds, 11.2 assists, and 6.5 blocks. The Clippers won all five games.

After Game 5 against the Suns, Arthur sat in the visiting team's locker room, ice packs on his knees. His knees were fine; he'd never been injured before, but he knew his teammates needed rest. He was using ice packs to make his teammates feel that "their leader needs to recover too," so they could rest with peace of mind.

Williams came over and sat down next to him.

"Are you tired?" Williams asked.

"I'm not tired," Arthur said.

"Aren't you ever tired?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "Tired. But not physically tired. Mentally tired."

Williams paused for a moment. "What are you so tired of? You score forty points every game, win, win championships, the whole world loves you. What are you so tired of?"

Arthur remained silent for a long time. "Because it was too easy."

Williams opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

"I've been in the league for three years," Arthur said. "I have no rivals. Nobody can really challenge me. Jordan is retired, Shaq is old, Duncan is too young. Every night I walk onto the court, I know I'm going to win. You know what that feels like?"

"I don't know," Williams said, "because I've been playing alongside you for three years, and every night I've worried that I'll lose."

Arthur glanced at Williams, a slight smile playing on his lips. "That's your problem. Not mine."

Williams laughed and shook his head. "You're a real bastard."

"I know," Arthur stood up and threw the ice pack into the trash can, "but I'm a winning bastard."

January 1, 2000, the first day of the new millennium.

The Clippers hosted the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have undergone a complete rebuild and are at the bottom of the league. The game was a foregone conclusion; the Clippers finished in three quarters. Arthur's 32 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks were, for him, relatively modest stats.

After the game, Arthur sat in the locker room, looking at his phone. The whole world was celebrating the arrival of the new millennium; some were watching the crystal ball drop in Times Square, some were watching fireworks in Sydney Harbour, and some were embracing and kissing on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Arthur sat alone in the locker room of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Coach Fitch walked in and sat down next to him.

Happy New Year, Arthur.

Happy New Year, Coach.

What are your New Year's wishes?

Arthur thought for a moment. "The fifth championship."

Fitch laughed. "You've only taken three. You haven't taken the fourth yet."

"I'll get the fourth one this June," Arthur said. "So my New Year's wish is for the fifth one."

Fitch stared at Arthur's profile in silence for a long time. This young man was unlike any player he had ever seen. Not because he could score, rebound, or block shots—but because he was never satisfied. The three-peat wasn't the end for him, not even a milestone, just a stop along the way.

"Do you know what your problem is?" Fitch said.

"What?"

You will never be happy.

Arthur turned to look at Fitch. "I don't need happiness. I need a championship."

Fitch opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He patted Arthur on the shoulder and walked out of the locker room.

Arthur sat alone. The locker room lights went out one by one, and security guard Kurt waited at the door.

"Arthur, it's time to go," Kurt said.

Arthur stood up, picked up his bag, and headed for the door. He stopped as he passed Kurt.

"Kurt, do you remember the first time I came to the training gym?"

Kurt laughed. "I remember. Four in the morning. I thought you were a thief."

"I'm not a thief," Arthur said. "I'm here to steal. To steal victories, to steal championships, to steal history."

Kot nodded. "You stole a lot."

"That's not enough," Arthur said. "The dome of this arena is still empty. I'm going to fill it in."

He walked into the corridor, his footsteps echoing in the empty passageway.

Kurt watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and turned off the last light.

In the darkness, only Arthur Thorne's footsteps echoed.

Then, all fell silent.