NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Eighth Crown

Los Angeles, July 2003.

Seven championship banners hung from the dome, like seven indelible marks. Arthur Thorne sat on the training facility floor, leaning against the basketball hoop, a book of "Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans" in his hand. He was reading the section on Alexander the Great, who conquered the known world before the age of thirty and then wept because there were no more battles to fight.

Security guard Kurt walked in and sat down next to him. "What are you looking at?"

"Alexander," Arthur said, "conquered the world, and then...who knows what he did next."

"Can you?"

"No," Arthur said, closing the book. "The world is vast, and I haven't finished conquering it yet."

In October 2003, before training camp began, a major event occurred in the NBA: LeBron James entered the league as the number one draft pick. The eighteen-year-old James was dubbed "The Chosen One" by the media; his high school games were broadcast nationally, and his shoe contract set a rookie record. Everyone was asking the same question: Could he challenge Arthur Thorne?

On the first day of training camp, a reporter asked Arthur for his opinion on James. Arthur was tying his shoelaces and didn't even look up.

"He's very talented," Arthur said, "but let him win a playoff game first."

On October 28, 2003, the Clippers hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers in the season opener. This was LeBron James' NBA debut, and also Arthur's first time facing this young man dubbed "the next face of the team."

Before the game, James walked up to Arthur during warm-ups. He was almost 20 centimeters shorter than Arthur, but he looked Arthur in the eye without fear.

"I grew up watching you play," James said.

Arthur's lips curled into a slight smile. "Then you should have learned how I win."

James nodded. "I've learned it. I'll use it on you."

After the game started, James showcased his all-around abilities in driving, passing, rebounding, and defense. He scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out three assists in the first quarter, helping the Cavaliers stay close. However, Arthur tallied fifteen points, six rebounds, and four assists in the first quarter, including a dunk over James.

In his debut game, James had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, Arthur contributed 41 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers won decisively, 119-99.

After the game, James was asked at the press conference what he thought of Arthur.

"He's the best player I've ever seen," James said. "I won't get discouraged by one game. I'll keep working hard until I can beat him."

The reporter pressed further, "Do you think you'll be able to beat him someday?"

James paused for two seconds. "I'll try."

In November 2003, the Clippers started the season with a 13-2 record. Arthur's average stats remained at 38 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. His consistency had become a natural law, as unquestionable as gravity.

The matchup between Arthur and Duncan against the Spurs on November 15th was once again in the spotlight. Duncan, who had worked hard on his three-point shooting and face-up offense over the summer, tallied 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists in this game. However, Arthur contributed 46 points, 19 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks. The Spurs lost by 12 points.

After the game, Duncan said something to Popovich in the locker room: "Coach, I don't think he'll ever get old."

Popovich sighed. "He won't grow old. He's a monster."

In December 2003, the Clippers faced their biggest crisis of the season. Coach Fitch announced his retirement due to health reasons. The 12-year-old Fitch had coached the Clippers for eight seasons, winning seven championships. His departure was a huge blow to the team.

Arthur sat in the front row at Fitch's retirement press conference. When Fitch said, "The best player I've ever coached," he glanced at Arthur. Arthur wasn't crying, but his eyes were red.

After the press conference, Arthur walked up to Fitch.

"Thank you, Coach."

Fitch patted him on the shoulder. "Keep winning. Don't stop."

"I won't."

"I know," Fitch laughed. "You never listen to me."

In January 2004, the Clippers appointed Mike Dunleavy as their new head coach. Dunleavy was an experienced coach, but he had never coached a player like Arthur before. In his first game, Arthur scored 43 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out 12 assists, and blocked 6 shots against him. After the game, Dunleavy said something to Arthur in the locker room.

"I don't need to teach you anything. You can teach me."

Arthur glanced at him. "Then you at least need to learn one thing: give me the ball."

In February 2004, the All-Star Weekend was held in Los Angeles. Arthur was voted the leader in the polls again with 5.5 million votes, and started in the All-Star Game for the eighth consecutive year. In the All-Star Game, he scored 31 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 blocks, and was named All-Star MVP for the eighth consecutive year.

But a small, noteworthy incident occurred during All-Star Weekend. Courtside at the Rising Stars Challenge, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony sat together, watching Arthur dominate the game. Anthony remarked, "One day, we'll replace him." James shook his head. "Not 'one day.' Every day. We'll work hard every single day until we replace him."

In March 2004, the Clippers secured a playoff spot early. At the end of the regular season, the Clippers finished first in the league with a record of 64 wins and 18 losses. Arthur averaged 38.1 points, 16.0 rebounds, 10.3 assists, and 6.0 blocks per game, winning his eighth consecutive regular season MVP award. His vote share was once again 100%.

During the awards ceremony, Arthur received the trophy from David Stern and held it above his head.

"Thank you," he said. "This is my eighth MVP. But I'd love an eighth championship."

In April 2004, in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets had barely made the playoffs with a 43-win regular season. Their core player was Carmelo Anthony, a rookie dubbed an "offensive kaleidoscope." Anthony averaged 22 points per game in the series, but the Nuggets were swept. After Game 3, Anthony told Arthur, "I'll be back." Arthur glanced at him. "Back to keep losing?"

In May 2004, during the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers faced the San Antonio Spurs. This was the fourth consecutive year the two teams had met in the playoffs. The Spurs had eliminated the Grizzlies in the first round, and Duncan was in excellent form, while Parker and Ginobili were also developing. However, against Arthur, the Spurs were still no match. They swept the series 4-0, with Arthur averaging 40 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. After Game 4, Duncan sat in the locker room, and Parker walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "We did our best," Duncan said, looking up. "Doing our best isn't enough. We need to go beyond just doing our best."

In May 2004, the Western Conference Finals saw the Clippers face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves had eliminated the Kings in a Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, with Kevin Garnett delivering his best playoff performance of the season, averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists. However, in the Western Conference Finals, Garnett was completely outmatched by Arthur. After a 4-0 sweep, Garnett said one thing to Arthur after Game 4: "You're the best." Arthur looked at Garnett. "I know."

In June 2004, the NBA Finals took place. The Clippers faced the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers had eliminated the Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest forming one of the league's best defensive duos on the wing. But against Arthur, their defense was practically nonexistent. They were swept 4-0, with Arthur averaging 41 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks per game.

The Clippers swept the Pacers 4-0 to win their eighth consecutive championship.

Arthur accepted the Finals MVP trophy from Bill Russell, winning the honor for the eighth consecutive year.

During the awards ceremony, Arthur held up the trophy and said to the camera, "Eight. I'll keep going."

That night, Arthur sat in the visiting team's locker room in Indiana. The championship trophy sat beside him, the Finals MVP trophy on the other. His phone vibrated. It was a message from LeBron James: "Congratulations. I'll stop you next year."

Arthur replied: "You're not strong enough."

James replied instantly: "I will get better."

Arthur typed a few words: "Come find me again when you've become stronger."

He stood up, put the trophy in his bag, and walked out of the locker room. The Indiana night was cold, but Arthur's heart was warm. He was twenty-eight years old. Eight championships. Eight regular season MVPs. Eight Finals MVPs. He had surpassed all his predecessors.

But he won't stop here.

Because Alexander would weep after conquering the world, while Arthur Thorne's world was not yet fully conquered.