NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Eleven Crowns

Los Angeles, July 2006.

Ten championship banners hung from the dome, like ten red declarations. Arthur Thorne stood at the free-throw line in the training facility, eyes closed, and sank two hundred free throws in a row. Then he went to the three-point line and sank three hundred three-pointers in a row. Then he went to the center circle and sank one hundred deep three-pointers in a row.

Security guard Kurt sat on the sidelines, sipping his coffee. He had stopped counting how many pitches Arthur had thrown, because it was pointless; Arthur would keep throwing until he was satisfied.

After Arthur threw the last ball, he walked over and sat down next to Kurt.

"Kurt, do you remember the first time I came to the training 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 ten."

"Not enough," Arthur said. "I'll keep stealing basketballs until they're forgotten."

In September 2006, before training camp began, a major event occurred in the NBA: LeBron James led Team USA to victory in the World Championship, averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, and was named the World Championship MVP. At the awards ceremony, James said, "This trophy is great, but I want the one Arthur Thorne has."

The reporter relayed this to Arthur. He was training in the gym, pushing a 150-kilogram barbell fifty times without flinching.

"He wants the trophy in my hand?" Arthur said. "Then he'll have to beat me first."

On October 31, 2006, the Clippers hosted the Phoenix Suns in the opening game of the new season.

The Suns acquired Raja Bell and Boris Diaw in the summer, making their run-and-gun offense more refined. However, they still had no answer against Arthur. Arthur finished with 45 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks, leading the Clippers to a decisive victory.

After the game, Nash said something at the press conference that silenced everyone: "He's thirty years old. He should be starting to decline. But he's not. He's still improving. It doesn't make sense."

In November 2006, the Clippers had the best start in franchise history with a 16-0 record. Arthur's average stats were career highs: 39.5 points, 16.8 rebounds, 10.9 assists, and 6.4 blocks.

On November 15th, Arthur and James faced off in their first regular season matchup against the Cavaliers. James, who had worked hard on his three-point shot and post-up game over the summer, delivered a stunning performance with 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. However, Arthur tallied 50 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 blocks. The Clippers won by 25 points.

After the game, James sat in the locker room for a long time. His teammates were silent. Finally, James stood up and said, "I'm not at that level yet. But I will be."

In December 2006, the Clippers suffered Arthur's fourth career losing streak, a two-game losing streak. They lost to the Jazz and the Rockets. Coach Dunleavy was furious in the locker room, but Arthur remained silent. He simply sat there, looking at the stat sheet.

Then he stood up. "I won't lose again."

He kept his word. Over the next two months, the Clippers achieved a 32-game winning streak, the longest in NBA history.

In January 2007, the All-Star voting results were announced. Arthur was voted the leader again with seven million votes, and was selected as an All-Star starter for the eleventh consecutive year. In the All-Star Game, he scored 36 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks, and was named All-Star MVP for the eleventh consecutive year.

But during All-Star Weekend, a major event occurred. The NBA officially announced that, in honor of Arthur Thorne's achievements, they will name the championship trophy the "Arthur Thorne Trophy" starting next season. This means that the Larry O'Brien Trophy will become history, replaced by the Arthur Thorne Trophy.

Arthur was changing in the All-Star locker room when he heard the news. His teammates excitedly gathered around to congratulate him, but he just nodded.

"They should have waited until I retired before naming it," Arthur said. "If they name it now, no one will ever know who they lost to."

In March 2007, the Clippers secured a playoff berth. At the end of the regular season, the Clippers finished with a league-best record of 72 wins and 10 losses, breaking the Bulls' all-time record of 72 wins. Arthur Thorne averaged 39.2 points, 16.6 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 6.3 blocks per game, winning his eleventh consecutive regular season MVP award. This was his eleventh time lifting that trophy. Starting the following season, the trophy would be officially renamed the "Arthur Thorne Trophy."

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

"The eleventh," Arthur said. "I've tied Bill Russell."

Bill Russell, sitting in the audience, stood up and applauded for Arthur. The entire audience followed suit and stood up to applaud.

Russell walked onto the stage and shook Arthur's hand. "Young man, I took thirteen years to win eleven championships. You took eleven."

Arthur looked at Russell. "I'll surpass you next year."

Russell smiled. "I believe you."

In April 2007, in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors had barely made the playoffs with a 42-win regular season. Their core players were Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson, but no one on the team could pose a threat to Arthur. The Clippers swept the series 3-0, with Arthur averaging 41 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game.

In May 2007, during the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers faced the Houston Rockets. The Rockets had eliminated the Jazz in the first round, and the combination of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady was known as the "MM duo." This was Yao Ming's first time facing Arthur in the playoffs.

In Game 1, Yao Ming repeatedly scored in the low post, netting 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. However, Arthur dominated on the other end, racking up 42 points, 19 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers won decisively.

In Game 2, McGrady exploded, scoring 38 points and dishing out 7 assists. But Arthur finished with 46 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks. 2-0.

Game 3 was in Houston, the Rockets' home arena. Yao Ming, buoyed by the home crowd, delivered his best playoff performance—29 points and 15 rebounds. But Arthur finished with 45 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. Three-nil.

In Game 4, the Rockets had their backs against the wall. McGrady gave it his all, scoring 35 points and dishing out 7 assists. Yao Ming added 23 points and 12 rebounds. But Arthur finished with 43 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 blocks. The Clippers won 115-107.

The Clippers swept the Rockets 4-0 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. After Game 4, Yao Ming said to Arthur, "You're the only center of this era." Arthur looked at Yao Ming. "I'm not a center. I'm a closer."

In May 2007, the Western Conference Finals saw the Clippers face the San Antonio Spurs. This marked the sixth consecutive year the two teams had met in the playoffs. The Spurs eliminated the Mavericks in a Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, with Duncan scoring 36 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in Game 7.

But the Spurs were still no match for Arthur. A 4-0 sweep followed, with Arthur averaging 44 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game. After Game 4, Duncan sat in the locker room, and Popovich walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"You did your best," Popovich said.

Duncan looked up. "I've tried my best for eleven years. He's still there. I'm still in the same place."

Popovich sighed. "Because he's not standing still. He's moving forward. We can't catch up."

In June 2007, the NBA Finals took place. The Clippers faced the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers had eliminated the Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, with LeBron James scoring 48 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 5, including all of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime with a final 25-point run.

This was James' first time reaching the NBA Finals, and his opponent was Arthur Thorne.

Before the game, James said something to his teammates in the locker room: "Nobody believes we can win. But I don't care. I'll fight to the last drop when I'm on the court."

Game 1, Los Angeles. LeBron James went into killer mode from the start. He repeatedly drove to the basket, scored layups, and dunked over the Clippers' defenders, scoring sixteen points in the first quarter. Arthur responded on the other end, hitting two three-pointers over James.

The two engaged in an epic duel throughout the game. James finished with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Arthur tallied 47 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers led 1-0.

In Game 2, James again scored 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. However, Arthur tallied 44 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 blocks. The Clippers led 2-0.

Game 3 was held in Cleveland, the Cavaliers' home arena. James, buoyed by the home crowd, delivered his best Finals performance of 45 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, Arthur tallied 50 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists, and 6 blocks. With ten seconds remaining, Arthur hit a fadeaway jumper over James to seal the victory.

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

In Game 4, the Cavaliers had their backs against the wall. James gave it his all, scoring 40 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists. But Arthur finished with 46 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists, and 5 blocks. The Clippers won 121-111.

The Clippers swept the Cavaliers 4-0 to win their eleventh consecutive championship.

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

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

"Eleven. I've tied Bill Russell."

Bill Russell stood beside Arthur, smiling. Eighty-seven-year-old Russell, eleven championships. He looked at the young man as if he saw something eternal.

"Young man," Russell said, "you've caught up with me. But you're still one run away from surpassing me."

Arthur looked at Russell. "Next year, I will surpass you."

Russell smiled. "I believe you."

James walked over and stood in front of Arthur. His eyes were red, but he didn't cry.

"I lost to you," James said, "but I won't lose forever."

Arthur looked at James. "You'll never beat me."

James shook his head. "You wait."

Arthur's lips curled into a slight smile. "I'll be waiting."

That night, Arthur sat in the visiting team's locker room in Cleveland. The championship trophy sat beside him, the Finals MVP trophy on the other. His phone vibrated. It was a message from Michael Jordan: "Eleven. You've tied Russell. But when will your era end?"

Arthur replied: "My time will not end. It will last forever."

Jordan did not reply.

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

He was thirty-one years old. Eleven NBA championships. Eleven regular season MVPs. Eleven Finals MVPs.

He tied Bill Russell's record.

But he won't stop here.

Because he is still one step away from becoming the greatest of all time.