NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Thirty Eternity

Los Angeles, July 2007.

Eleven championship banners hung in the dome, like eleven eternal stars. Arthur Thorne stood at the free-throw line in the training facility, eyes closed, and sank three hundred free throws in a row. Then he went to the three-point line and sank four hundred three-pointers in a row. Then he went to the center circle and sank two hundred deep three-pointers in a row.

Security guard Kurt sat on the sidelines, sipping his coffee. He was old, his hair completely white, but he still came to the arena at four in the morning every day to open the door for Arthur.

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 eleven."

"One more to go," Arthur said. "I'll stop after I steal the last one."

Kurt looked at Arthur. "Are you really going to stop?"

Arthur remained silent for a long time. "I don't know."

In September 2007, before training camp began, a major event occurred in the NBA: David Stern announced his retirement, and Adam Silver took office as the new commissioner. At his first press conference, Silver said, "My mission is to ensure the league continues to exist after the era of Arthur Thorne."

The reporter pressed further, "When do you think his era will end?"

Xiao Hua thought for a moment. "When he decided to end it."

On October 30, 2007, the Clippers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers in the opening game of the new season.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden as the number one overall pick in the summer, a center dubbed "the next Arthur Thorne" by the media. Oden is 2.3 meters tall, weighs 120 kilograms, and has a wingspan of 2.24 meters. He is considered the most talented interior player since Arthur Thorne.

Before the game, Oden walked up to Arthur during warm-up. He was bigger than expected, but next to Arthur, he looked like a smaller copy.

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

Arthur looked down at him. "Then you should know that you can never be me."

After the game started, Arthur dunked five times over Oden, blocked four shots, and stole the ball from Oden three times. Oden only scored six points and grabbed four rebounds before fouling out. Arthur finished with forty-five points, twenty rebounds, eleven assists, and seven blocks.

After the game, Oden cried in the locker room. His teammates were too afraid to speak. Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan walked in and patted Oden on the shoulder.

"He is Arthur Thorne," McMillan said. "You are not. Nobody is."

In November 2007, the Clippers started the season with a 17-0 record, setting a new franchise record. Arthur's average stats were 39.8 points, 17.0 rebounds, 11.2 assists, and 6.5 blocks, all career highs.

On November 15th, the Clippers will face the Boston Celtics on the road, playing against the Celtics' Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. The Celtics assembled a super team in the summer and are considered the only team that could potentially challenge the Clippers' dynasty.

Garnett said before the game, "We're here to finish him off."

At the start of the game, the Celtics used Garnett, Perkins, and Pierce to take turns guarding Arthur. Arthur only scored eight points in the first quarter, his lowest first-quarter score in nearly five years. However, he adjusted his playing style in the second quarter, hitting four consecutive three-pointers and scoring twenty points in the quarter.

At halftime, the Clippers led 61-55.

In the second half, the Celtics began double-teaming Arthur, with two or even three players swarming him every time he received the ball at the high post. Arthur responded by passing the ball, racking up 14 assists in total, and seven Clippers players scored in double figures.

Final score: 125-109. Arthur's stats: 41 points, 19 rebounds, 14 assists, 6 blocks. Garnett's stats: 18 points, 11 rebounds.

After the game, Garnett said something to Pierce in the locker room: "He's not human. He's a god."

In December 2007, the Clippers finished the year with a 30-1 record. Their only loss was against the Spurs, a game in which Duncan scored 34 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, delivering the best performance of his career against Arthur. But everyone knew that was just an upset.

In January 2008, the All-Star voting results were announced. Arthur was voted the leader again with 7.5 million votes, and was selected as an All-Star starter for the twelfth consecutive year. In the All-Star Game, he scored 38 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks, and was named All-Star MVP for the twelfth consecutive year.

But during All-Star Weekend, Arthur did something that shocked everyone. He announced at a press conference, "This is my last All-Star game."

The audience erupted in uproar. A reporter pressed, "Are you retiring?"

Arthur shook his head. "It's not retirement. It's just that I'm no longer participating in the All-Star game. I've already won twelve MVPs, that's enough. Let the younger generation have their fun."

In March 2008, the Clippers secured a playoff spot early. At the end of the regular season, the Clippers finished with a league-best record of 73 wins and 9 losses, breaking their own record set the previous year. Arthur Thorne averaged 39.5 points, 16.9 rebounds, 11.1 assists, and 6.4 blocks per game, winning his twelfth consecutive regular season MVP award. This was his twelfth Arthur Thorne Trophy.

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

"The twelfth," Arthur said. "This trophy is named after me, but I'm tired of it. I won't take it next year."

Silence fell over the entire room. Silver looked at Arthur. "You're not participating in the MVP voting?"

"I'm not participating," Arthur said. "Let someone else have it. I only want the championship."

In April 2008, in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers swept the Nuggets 3-0, with Arthur averaging 40 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game.

In May 2008, during the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers swept the Dallas Mavericks 4-0. Arthur averaged 42 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 blocks per game. After Game 4, Nowitzki said, "He finally said he wasn't going to win MVP. But what's the point? He still won the championship."

In May 2008, the Western Conference Finals saw the Clippers face the San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers swept the Spurs 4-0, with Arthur averaging 43 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks per game. Duncan approached Arthur after Game 4.

"This is the last time," Duncan said.

Arthur looked at him. "What, the last time?"

"This is the last time I'll lose to you in the playoffs," Duncan said. "I'm retiring next year."

Arthur was silent for a few seconds. "You are the best opponent."

Duncan gave a wry smile. "The best opponent? I'm the only opponent you've ever really fought."

Arthur did not deny it.

June 2008, NBA Finals. The Clippers' opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers eliminated the Celtics in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, with LeBron James delivering the greatest series performance of his career, averaging 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game.

This is the second time LeBron James has faced Arthur in the Finals. He's no longer the greenhorn he was two years ago. He's the MVP—no, this year's MVP is Arthur, James came in second. But everyone knows that James is the only one who can come close to Arthur.

Before the game, James said something to his teammates in the locker room: "I know I can't beat him. But I won't give up. Because giving up is worse than losing."

Game 1, Los Angeles. LeBron James displayed amazing form from the start. He repeatedly drove to the basket, dunked, and hit three-pointers over the Clippers' defenders, scoring 18 points in the first quarter. Arthur responded on the other end, sinking three three-pointers over James.

The two engaged in an epic duel throughout the game. James finished with 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Arthur tallied 49 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 blocks. The Clippers led 1-0.

In Game 2, James again scored 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. However, Arthur tallied 46 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 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 47 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. But Arthur finished with 52 points, 23 rebounds, 13 assists, and 8 blocks. With five 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. LeBron James gave it his all, scoring 45 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists. But Arthur Williams finished with 48 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and 6 blocks. The Clippers won 123-113.

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

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

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

"Twelve. I've surpassed Bill Russell."

Bill Russell stood beside Arthur, smiling. Eighty-eight-year-old Russell, eleven championships. He looked at the young man with no envy, only pride.

"Young man," Russell said, "you are the greatest of all time."

Arthur looked at Russell. "I know."

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

"I lost to you again," James said. "But I'll be back next year."

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."

Then Arthur did something that shocked everyone. He walked to the center of the court and picked up the microphone.

The entire room fell silent.

"Twelve years," Arthur said. "Twelve championships. Twelve MVPs. Twelve Finals MVPs. Twelve All-Star appearances. I've had enough."

He paused.

"I've decided to retire."

The entire arena erupted in uproar. Fans stood up; some cried, some shouted "Don't go," and some held up signs that read "Play another year." LeBron James stood to the side, mouth agape. Tim Duncan sat at home watching TV, his beer can falling to the floor. Kobe Bryant stopped tying his shoelaces in the locker room. Shaquille O'Neal remained silent for a long time in the studio.

Arthur didn't cry. He just stood there, looking at the fans in the stadium.

"Thank you," he said. "Thank you Los Angeles. Thank you Clippers. Thank you to my teammates. Thank you to my opponents."

He looked at James. "Thank you, LeBron. You're the only one who makes me feel like I need to play seriously."

James rubbed his eyes.

Arthur put down the microphone and walked toward the players' tunnel. His footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, thump, thump, thump.

Security guard Kurt stood at the end of the corridor, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Are you really leaving?"

Arthur stopped and looked at Kurt.

"I've stolen enough," Arthur said. "Twelve championships. Twelve MVPs. Twelve Finals MVPs. That's enough."

Kotie nodded. "So what will you be doing at four in the morning from now on?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "Go to sleep."

Kurt laughed. Arthur laughed too.

Then Arthur Thorne went into the dressing room and closed the door.

February 20, 2008, Los Angeles.

Twelve championship banners hung from the dome, like twelve stars. Arthur Thorne sat in the empty arena; the lights were off, with only the emergency lights emitting a faint green glow.

He sat in the center of the court, wearing the Clippers' number 32 jersey. Twelve championship trophies surrounded him like a ring of golden guards.

He looked up at the flags.

He remembered draft night. June 26, 1996, Madison Square Garden, New York. Second round, 6nd pick. Everyone doubted him. Nobody believed in him.

He recalled something he had once told himself: "Data doesn't lie. People lie."

He stood up and put the championship trophies back into the boxes one by one. Then he walked to the entrance of the players' tunnel, stopped, and looked back at the dome.

Twelve flags hung silently in the dim light.

"That's enough," he said softly.

Then he turned and walked into the darkness.

Behind me, all the lights in the stadium went out.

But the name of Arthur Thorne will never be forgotten.

End of the book