NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Road to Nine Crowns

Los Angeles, July 2004.

Eight championship banners hung from the dome, like eight indelible scars. Arthur Thorne sat at the free-throw line in the training facility, a basketball in his hand, gently dribbling. The sound of the ball hitting the floor echoed in the empty arena, thump, thump, thump, like some ancient pulse.

Security guard Kurt sat on the sidelines, sipping his coffee. "What are you training for this summer?"

"Practice passing," Arthur said. "The new young guys need the ball."

Kurt laughed. "When did you start caring about young people?"

"Start with them helping me win games."

In September 2004, before training camp began, a major rule change occurred in the NBA. The league officially introduced the "hand-checking" ban, giving perimeter players greater offensive freedom. This rule was referred to by the media as a continuation of the "Thorne Rule," with the league attempting to weaken Arthur's dominance in the paint by encouraging perimeter offense.

Arthur was eating breakfast when he saw the rule notice. He put down his fork, glanced at it, and then continued eating.

Jerry, sitting opposite him, asked, "Aren't you worried?"

"What are you worried about?" Arthur said. "They changed the rules to make it easier for perimeter players. It's not like I can't play on the perimeter."

October 2004, training camp. The Clippers' roster had undergone significant changes. Coach Dunleavy introduced a new tactical system, emphasizing ball movement and outside shooting. Arthur showcased his new skills in practice: he could receive the ball anywhere and score from anywhere. Three-pointers, mid-range shots, low posts, fast breaks—he was unstoppable.

The rookies watched Arthur train, their mouths agape. One young man named Sean Livingston said to his teammate, "He's not human."

His teammate nodded. "He's a god."

November 2, 2004, the opening game of the new season. The Clippers hosted the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets acquired Kenyon Martin in the summer, forming a young core with Carmelo Anthony. Before the game, Anthony said, "This year will be different." Anthony did indeed play well, scoring 28 points. However, Arthur tallied 46 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers won decisively.

After the game, Anthony sat in the locker room, tossing his towel on the floor. "He's still that monster," Martin said, walking over and patting him on the shoulder. "He's not a monster. He's an alien."

In November 2004, the Clippers started the season with a 14-1 record. Arthur's average stats were 38.5 points, 16.3 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 6.1 blocks, unchanged from the previous eight years.

November 19th, a day to remember. The Clippers faced the Detroit Pistons on the road. The Pistons were last season's runners-up, boasting the best defensive efficiency in the league. Ben Wallace said before the game, "We'll stop him this year." At the start of the game, Arthur scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the first quarter. Ben Wallace committed a flagrant foul on him in the second quarter and was ejected from the game.

Final score: 128-99. Arthur's stats: 51 points, 22 rebounds, 9 assists, 7 blocks. After the game, Ben Wallace told reporters in the locker room, "I was wrong. I couldn't guard him. Nobody can."

In December 2004, the Clippers suffered the longest losing streak of Arthur's career, losing to both the Spurs and the Suns. Arthur averaged 42 points and 18 rebounds in the two games, but the Clippers' perimeter defense was completely overwhelmed by their opponents.

Coach Dunleavy was furious in the locker room. Arthur didn't say anything, just sat there looking at the tactics board. After Dunleavy finished speaking, Arthur stood up.

"That's enough," Arthur said. "Two losses are enough. We won't lose anymore."

He kept his word. The Clippers went on a 15-game winning streak in the following month.

In January 2005, the All-Star voting results were announced. Arthur was voted the leader again with six million votes, and was selected as an All-Star starter for the ninth consecutive year. In the All-Star Game, he scored 32 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 blocks, and was named All-Star MVP for the ninth consecutive year.

But during All-Star Weekend, something big happened. LeBron James recorded 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the Rising Stars Challenge, earning him the MVP award. At the awards ceremony, he said, "This is my first MVP, but not my last. I'll catch up with Thorn."

The reporter relayed this to Arthur. Arthur, who was eating breakfast, glanced at the reporter.

"Catch up with me?" he said. "Catch up with a fraction of my catch first."

In March 2005, 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 66 wins and 16 losses. Arthur averaged 38.2 points, 16.1 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 6.0 blocks per game, winning his ninth 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.

"The ninth," he said. "I want my ninth championship."

In April 2005, in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had a 45-win regular season and boasted Pau Gasol and Mike Miller. But they were no match for Arthur. A 3-0 sweep, Arthur averaged 39 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game. Gasol said after Game 3, "He made me feel like a high school student."

In May 2005, the Western Conference Semifinals saw the Clippers face the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had a 62-win regular season, ranking second in the West. Their run-and-gun offense was led by Steve Nash, who was named the regular season MVP that season—no, the regular season MVP was Arthur, with Nash finishing second. Nash averaged 22 points and 11 assists per game in the series, but the Suns were still swept. 4-0. Arthur averaged 41 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks per game.

After Game 4, Nash sat in the locker room, a towel covering his face. Stoudemire walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "We did our best," Nash said, pulling the towel back down. "Doing our best isn't enough. We need to find someone who can guard him."

Stoudemire gave a wry smile. "There's no such person in this world."

In May 2005, the Western Conference Finals saw the Clippers face the San Antonio Spurs. This marked the fifth consecutive year the two teams had met in the playoffs. The Spurs were at their peak that year, with the trio of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili dubbed the "Big Three." They had eliminated the SuperSonics in the Western Conference Semifinals and were riding high on their success.

In the first game in Los Angeles, Duncan displayed a different form from his usual performance from the start. He repeatedly scored in the low post, netting twelve points in the first quarter. Arthur responded on the other end, hitting two three-pointers over Duncan. The two traded baskets throughout the game. Duncan finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Arthur had 43 points, 19 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers led 1-0.

In Game 2, the Spurs adjusted their defensive strategy, using multiple players to double-team Arthur. Arthur responded by passing the ball, dishing out 14 assists throughout the game, and seven Clippers players scored in double figures. 2-0.

Game 3 was held in San Antonio, the Spurs' home arena. Fueled by the home crowd, Duncan delivered his best performance of the Western Conference Finals: 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks. But Arthur finished with 46 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks. With 30 seconds remaining, Arthur hit a fadeaway jumper over Duncan to seal the victory.

Three to zero. The Spurs are on the verge of elimination.

In Game 4, the Spurs had their backs against the wall. Duncan gave it his all, scoring 32 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. But Arthur finished with 41 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 blocks. The Clippers won 115-109.

The Clippers swept the Spurs 4-0, advancing to the NBA Finals for the ninth consecutive year.

After the game, Duncan stopped Arthur in the player tunnel.

"I hate you," Duncan said.

Arthur looked at him. "What do you hate me for?"

"I hate you for preventing me from winning the championship."

Arthur was silent for two seconds. "It's not that you can't get it. It's that you've met me."

Duncan stared at Arthur for a long time, then nodded. "If you weren't in this era, I would be the greatest power forward of all time."

"But I am," Arthur said, "so you are not."

In June 2005, the NBA Finals took place. The Clippers faced the Detroit Pistons. This was the second consecutive year the two teams had met in the Finals. The Pistons retained their core roster from the previous season and added Antonio McDyess; their defense remained the best in the league.

But the result was no different. The Clippers swept the Pistons 4-0 to win their ninth consecutive championship.

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

During the awards ceremony, Arthur held up the trophy and said something to the camera.

"Nine. Two short of Russell."

Bill Russell stood beside Arthur, smiling. Eighty-five-year-old Russell, eleven championships. Looking at this young man, he seemed to see a younger version of himself—no, even his younger self wasn't this strong.

"Young man," Russell said, "you make me feel like I'm not good enough."

Arthur looked at Russell. "You're not good enough? You have eleven rings."

Russell laughed. "But you don't have a vote for the 75th anniversary team. I do."

Arthur's lips curled into a slight smile. "Once I get the twelfth ring, they'll give me the right to vote."

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

Arthur replied: "When are you going to make the playoffs?"

James replied instantly: "Next year."

Arthur typed a few words: "Then I'll sweep you aside next year."

He stood up, put the trophy in his bag, and walked out of the locker room. The Detroit night was cold, but Arthur's heart was warm.

He was twenty-nine years old. Nine championships. Nine regular season MVPs. Nine Finals MVPs.

He's two championships short of Bill Russell's eleven.

He is still three goals away from achieving them.

He won't stop here.