NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Tenth Crown

Los Angeles, July 2005.

Nine championship banners hung from the dome, like nine red clouds. Arthur Thorne stood outside the three-point line in the training facility, sinking two hundred consecutive three-pointers, then moved to center circle and sank a hundred more from beyond the arc. Security guard Kurt sat courtside, sipping his coffee, saying nothing. He no longer asked Arthur, "Are you tired?"

After throwing the last ball, Arthur walked over and sat down next to Kurt. "Kurt, do you remember the first time I came to the gym?"

"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've stolen nine."

"That's not enough," Arthur said. "I'll steal until they cancel basketball."

In October 2005, before training camp began, ESPN aired a special program titled "Is Arthur Thorne the Greatest of All Time?". The guests debated for two hours, ultimately concluding that if he won his tenth championship, he was. If he won his eleventh, he would be undisputed.

Arthur watched the replay of the episode in the training gym and shook his head. "I don't need them to define me."

November 1, 2005, the opening game of the new season. The Clippers hosted the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets acquired Earl Boykins and Ruben Patterson in the summer, but their core remains Carmelo Anthony. Before the game, Anthony said, "I'm going to prove myself this year." At the start of the game, Anthony scored 32 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. But Arthur tallied 48 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 7 blocks. The Clippers won decisively.

After the game, Anthony sat in the locker room and said to Martin something that would later be widely quoted: "He's not getting older. He's getting stronger. It doesn't make sense."

In November 2005, the Clippers started the season with a 15-0 record. Arthur's average stats were 39.1 points, 16.5 rebounds, 10.7 assists, and 6.3 blocks, a slight improvement from the previous year.

On November 20th, Arthur faced the Cavaliers for the first time in a regular season game against LeBron James' Cavaliers. Led by James, the Cavaliers had a 12-3 start, with James averaging 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and was considered a strong MVP contender. However, against Arthur, James still appeared too inexperienced.

Arthur scored 43 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks over James. James finished with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Clippers won by 18 points. After the game, James stopped Arthur in the player tunnel.

"I'll catch up with you," James said.

Arthur looked at him. "Did you make the playoffs this year?"

"It's in."

"Then we'll see you in the playoffs."

In December 2005, the Clippers suffered Arthur's third career losing streak, losing to both the Spurs and the Mavericks. In an interview after defeating the Clippers, Duncan made a significant comment: "He looked like a human today." Upon hearing this, Arthur scored 55 points, grabbed 24 rebounds, dished out 11 assists, and blocked 8 shots the following day against the Suns.

After the game, a reporter asked him if he was angered by Duncan's words. Arthur wiped the sweat from his face. "I wasn't angered. I was just reminding him that I'm not human."

In January 2006, the All-Star voting results were announced. Arthur was voted the leader again with 6.5 million votes, and was selected as an All-Star starter for the tenth consecutive year. In the All-Star Game, he scored 35 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks, and was named All-Star MVP for the tenth consecutive year.

But during All-Star Weekend, something big happened. The NBA officially announced that, in honor of Arthur Thorne's achievements, they would name the regular season MVP trophy the "Arthur Thorne Trophy" starting next season. Arthur heard the news while eating breakfast. He put down his fork and watched David Stern's press conference on TV.

Jerry, sitting opposite him, exclaimed excitedly, "This is a tremendous honor!"

Arthur shook his head. "They should wait until I retire before naming it. If they name it now, I'll have to keep trying, and then no one else will ever get it."

Jerry paused for a moment, then laughed. "You're right. But this is your problem, not mine."

In March 2006, 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 68 wins and 14 losses. Arthur Thorne averaged 38.7 points, 16.4 rebounds, 10.5 assists, and 6.2 blocks per game, winning his tenth consecutive regular season MVP award. This was his tenth time lifting that trophy; starting the following season, the trophy would be renamed the "Arthur Thorne Trophy."

During the awards ceremony, Arthur received the trophy from David Stern and raised it above his head. "The tenth," he said. "This is the last trophy called 'Regular Season MVP.' Starting next year, it will be called my name."

The crowd cheered.

In April 2006, in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the Sacramento Kings. The Kings had barely made the playoffs with a 44-win regular season. Their core consisted of Mike Bibby and Ron Artest, but the team was aging. The Clippers swept the Kings 3-0, with Arthur averaging 40 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game.

In May 2006, during the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers faced the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had eliminated the Lakers in the first round, with Steve Nash and Shawn Marion in excellent form. However, against Arthur, the Suns were no match. They were swept 4-0, with Arthur averaging 42 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks per game. After Game 4, Nash said, "He's a mountain we can never get over."

In May 2006, the Western Conference Finals saw the Clippers face the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks had eliminated the Spurs in a Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, with Nowitzki scoring 42 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in Game 7. This was Nowitzki's first appearance in the Western Conference Finals, where he faced Arthur Thorn.

In the first game in Los Angeles, Nowitzki displayed amazing form from the start. He hit two fadeaway jumpers despite Arthur's help defense, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Arthur responded on the other end, hitting three three-pointers over Nowitzki. The two traded baskets throughout the game. Nowitzki finished with 38 points and 13 rebounds, while Arthur had 45 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers led 1-0.

In Game 2, the Mavericks adjusted their defensive strategy, using Josh Howard and Devin Harris to double-team Arthur. Arthur responded by passing the ball, dishing out 15 assists throughout the game, and eight Clippers players scored in double figures. 2-0.

Game 3 was in Dallas, the Mavericks' home arena. Nowitzki, buoyed by the home crowd, delivered his best performance of the Western Conference Finals: 41 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks. But Arthur finished with 49 points, 22 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks. With 10 seconds left, Arthur hit a fadeaway jumper over Nowitzki to seal the victory.

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

In Game 4, the Mavericks had their backs against the wall. Nowitzki gave it his all, scoring 36 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. But Arthur finished with 43 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 blocks. The Clippers won 119-111.

The Clippers swept the Mavericks 4-0, advancing to the Finals for the tenth consecutive year.

After the game, Nowitzki cried in the locker room. Nash went over and hugged him. "You played very well." Nowitzki shook his head. "Not enough. Never enough."

In June 2006, the NBA Finals took place. The Clippers faced the Miami Heat. The Heat had eliminated the Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the combination of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal was dubbed the "new OK combination." Wade averaged 31 points and 7 assists per game in the Eastern Conference Finals and was considered the next superstar.

This was Shaquille O'Neal's first return to the NBA Finals since leaving the Lakers, and his opponent was once again Arthur Thorn. Before the game, O'Neal told his teammates in the locker room, "I know I can't beat him. But you can. You have to score against him, rebound against him, and draw fouls against him."

Game 1, Los Angeles. Wade displayed amazing form from the start. He repeatedly drove to the basket, scored layups, and drew fouls against the Clippers' defenders, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. Arthur responded on the other end, dunking twice over O'Neal. Wade finished with 35 points and 7 assists, while Arthur had 46 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers led 1-0.

In Game 2, O'Neal dominated in the paint, scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, Arthur tallied 41 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks. The Clippers led 2-0.

Game 3 was in Miami, the Heat's home arena. Wade, buoyed by the home crowd, delivered his best Finals performance of 42 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. But Arthur tallied 48 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. With 20 seconds remaining, Arthur hit a fadeaway jumper over O'Neal to seal the victory.

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

In Game 4, the Heat had their backs against the wall. Wade gave it his all, scoring 38 points and dishing out 7 assists. O'Neal added 22 points and 10 rebounds. But Arthur had 44 points, 19 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 blocks. The Clippers won 117-109.

The Clippers swept the Heat 4-0 to win their tenth consecutive championship.

Arthur received the Finals MVP trophy from Bill Russell, winning the honor for the tenth consecutive year.

During the awards ceremony, Arthur held up the trophy and said to the camera, "Ten. I'm one short of Russell."

Bill Russell stood beside Arthur, smiling. Eighty-six-year-old Russell, eleven NBA champions. He looked at the young man as if he saw something beyond basketball.

"Young man," Russell said, "you'll catch up with me next year. The year after that, you'll surpass me."

Arthur looked at Russell. "No need for the year after next. I'll surpass you next year."

Russell laughed. "How can you surpass me? If you get eleventh next year, you'll tie me, not surpass me."

Arthur's lips curled into a slight smile. "Then I'll take the twelfth one next year."

That night, Arthur sat in the visiting team's locker room in Miami. The championship trophy sat beside him, the Finals MVP trophy on the other. His phone vibrated. It was a message from LeBron James: "Ten. Next year it's my turn."

Arthur replied: "Your turn? You can talk to us after you've entered the finals."

James replied instantly: "I'll be in the Finals next year."

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

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

He's thirty years old. Ten NBA championships. Ten regular season MVPs. Ten Finals MVPs.

He's one championship away from Bill Russell's eleven.

He is still two goals away from achieving them.

He won't stop here.