Including today, even though the home crowd’s atmosphere had already been fired up by his poster dunk and putback, Stephen Curry could still quiet the home fans with a string of three-pointers.

Is this kind of evasive basketball even worthy of being called basketball?

While Blake Griffin was still lost in thought, Eric Bennett left his spot and ran up to the high post.

Tch! Knew it was going to be a pick-and-roll. Blake Griffin took a step forward, trying to cut off Curry’s driving lane. Maybe it was a habit from playing against the Wildcats—everyone would try to block Stephen Curry’s path. In that instant, Eric Bennett quietly slipped out of Griffin’s line of sight.

Curry didn’t get a chance to drive; he was double-teamed by Griffin and the Speedsters’ point guard David Pearson. But Stephen Curry wasn’t in a hurry. He swung the ball behind his back with his right hand—whoosh, a behind-the-back pass!

Eric Bennett smiled. Am I playing the Klay role today? Looks like Curry’s love for behind-the-back passes started young. Actually, most of Curry’s career turnovers are related to his fondness for flashy passes, but that’s just part of his rhythm. If you force him to play by the book, he actually won’t play as well.

Eric Bennett was already ready to catch the ball, standing at the top of the three-point arc. His screen hadn’t fully blocked the defender, because Griffin had jumped the route, so he slipped out early.

Eric Bennett caught Curry’s behind-the-back pass cleanly. It was a textbook high pick-and-pop play. Eric Bennett took a deep breath, then raised the ball above his head. His form was textbook, and his release was lightning quick.

Great touch—this one’s in!

Swish!

Nothing but net!

On the sidelines, Brian Whitman applauded Eric Bennett’s first shot. Before Eric Bennett checked in, he’d been worried that Eric Bennett would be too nervous to play well—after all, it was his debut. But Brian Whitman now felt his worries were unnecessary, because Eric Bennett’s ability to read the game was excellent.

The Speedsters’ home fans were a bit stunned. Was this a big man shooter?

But everyone quickly caught on—after all, big men who can shoot aren’t rare these days.

“He can shoot threes!” David Pearson reminded Griffin.

“I know. I love these bigs who float outside. Give me the ball!” Blake Griffin nodded. These perimeter bigs usually have weak post skills, especially in terms of physicality, and at seven feet tall, he probably isn’t quick on his feet either.

The Speedsters’ offense: David Pearson decisively passed the ball to Blake Griffin at the high post. Griffin didn’t post up down low because he was afraid of being double-teamed.

Griffin’s face-up game from the high post was nearly unstoppable in the NCAA—none of his matchups were as tall, as fast, or as strong as him. Seeing that Eric Bennett wasn’t guarding his right hand, Griffin immediately drove inside. To be fair, Griffin’s first step was explosive. He was sure he’d left Eric Bennett behind. To save energy, he chose a layup instead of a dunk.

Suddenly, a gasp came from the crowd.

What are these fans cheering for? The ball hasn’t even gone in yet, Griffin thought to himself.

But the fans weren’t cheering for Griffin’s shot. Instead, a huge hand suddenly appeared behind Griffin.

It was like blocking out the sun!

Eric Bennett’s incredible wingspan came into play at that moment. Of course he’d kept up with Griffin’s steps, and this was exactly what Eric Bennett had been waiting for. His jump wasn’t that high, but it was more than enough to block the shot.

Smack!

A chasedown block off the backboard!

The unstoppable Blake Griffin just got stuffed!

And it was a chasedown block, too.

Eric Bennett grabbed his own rebound off the block. He’d wanted to dribble and start a fast break, but after a moment’s hesitation, he handed the ball to Stephen Curry and followed up the court.

The Speedsters’ players didn’t all get back on defense. David Pearson’s attention was drawn to Stephen Curry, since Stephen Curry was very likely to pull up for a transition three.

A smile appeared on Curry’s baby face. He lobbed the ball toward the rim. Eric Bennett, following up, didn’t get a full jump—clearly, he was still adjusting to the intensity of this level—but his wingspan made up for it.

Bang!

Alley-oop dunk! Since checking in, Eric Bennett had scored five straight points and added a block, instantly shifting the momentum for the Wildcats.

“Nice job! But why didn’t you push the fast break yourself?” After high-fiving Eric Bennett in celebration, Stephen Curry asked curiously, since Eric Bennett could’ve gotten an even better result if he’d led the break himself.

“Saving a move. If the next pick-and-roll doesn’t create a direct scoring chance, hit me at the high post and I’ll try to go one-on-one with the projected top pick.” Eric Bennett said, ruffling Curry’s hair.

Ever since he’d gotten taller, Eric Bennett had developed a habit of ruffling other people’s hair.

Griffin was a bit angry—he hadn’t expected to get shut down twice in a row by this unknown Chinese kid.

“Incredible. And this is just his debut.” Coach Jennings said with amazement.