NBA's Monster Rookie

Chapter Nine: Prelude to All-Stars

On December 10, 1996, the NBA officially announced the results of the first round of voting for the All-Star Game.

In the Western Conference center position, Arthur Thorn's name is ranked first. His vote count exceeds the combined total of Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Shaquille O'Neal.

This is an astonishing number. A rookie, playing less than twenty games, has become the frontrunner in All-Star voting. But if you've ever watched the Clippers play, you won't be surprised that Arthur Thorne has become a phenomenon.

His jersey sales ranked second in the league, second only to Michael Jordan. His game highlights were repeatedly broadcast on the evening news. His famous quote, "I am the MVP, I am the champion, I am the future of this league," was made into various posters and T-shirts.

Some people love him, some people hate him, but no one can ignore him.

Arthur was eating breakfast when he saw the voting results. He put his phone on the table, glanced at the screen, and then continued eating his fried eggs.

Agent Jerry, sitting across from him, couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you excited?"

"Voting isn't a competition," Arthur said. "Who fans want to see doesn't determine who's the best."

Jerry shook his head. "You know, sometimes you really don't act like a nineteen-year-old."

"I know." Arthur stuffed the last piece of fried egg into his mouth. "Nineteen-year-olds don't train like I do."

On December 12, 1996, the Clippers hosted the Houston Rockets.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this season. A month ago, the Rockets defeated the Clippers at home, and the matchup between Arthur and Olajuwon became the focus of that game. Olajuwon used his Dream Shake to shake off Arthur twice, while Arthur overpowered Olajuwon with his height and strength.

The individual matchups were even, but the Rockets won the game.

This time, Arthur didn't want to lose again.

Arthur's stats: 47 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 blocks.

After the game, Ewing sat in the locker room, covering his face with a towel. Reporters waited a long time before he finally spoke.

"I thought I could teach him a lesson," Ewing's voice came from behind the towel. "But he taught me."

Nine consecutive wins.

The Clippers' record improved to 12 wins and 5 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference, only behind the Seattle SuperSonics.

Los Angeles media outlets have begun describing the Clippers as "championship contenders." This was unimaginable just two months ago for a team that won only 25 games last season; how could they become championship contenders in December?

But the data doesn't lie. During their nine-game winning streak, the Clippers averaged a 15-point margin of victory, boasting the league's best offensive efficiency and third-best defensive efficiency. And at the heart of all this is a 19-year-old rookie.

On December 20, 1996, the cover story of Sports Illustrated was titled:

"He doesn't wait for the future; he creates it."

The cover features a photo of Arthur, the moment after he dunks at Madison Square Garden, his body leaning in the air, his arms high above his head, his huge hands gripping the rim, with 20,000 stunned New York fans in the background.

The last paragraph of the article reads as follows:

"Arthur Thorne wasn't a normal rookie. He wasn't a normal basketball player. He wasn't even a normal human being. He was something this league had never seen before—a giant with all the skills, a player who didn't need time to develop, a young man who refused to wait. He came into the league on his first day and told everyone: I am the MVP, I am the champion, I am the future. Now it seems he wasn't quite right. He is not the future. He is the present. And the present belongs to him."

That evening, Arthur placed the magazine article on his bedside table, pasting it together with the clipping.

He stared at it for a long time, then turned off the light and lay down.

In the darkness, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

It's not pride, it's not satisfaction.

Just confirming.

What he is doing is the right thing.