“He’s still adjusting to the pace of the game. Let McCullen help him. Next, as soon as Griffin gets the ball, we’ll double-team him,” said Brian Whitman.

The Wildcats’ power forward, McCullen, resolutely carried out the coach’s instructions. When the Speedsters tried to launch an offense through Griffin, the double-team forced Griffin into a turnover.

“Damn it!” Griffin was having a terrible game. He had clearly used his strength to push past that big Chinese guy, but then got double-teamed in the paint. In a moment of panic, Blake Griffin failed to pass the ball in time. However, this time the Speedsters’ transition defense was very quick, not allowing the Wildcats to score on a fast break.

Stephen Curry wasn’t in a hurry either. Holding the ball at the top of the key, he called for a pick. Eric Bennett ran up, but there was no way Blake Griffin would fall for the same trick twice. He and David Pearson forcefully fought through the pick set by Eric Bennett and Curry.

“What a brute…” Eric Bennett’s height and weight at this point meant his screens weren’t solid enough yet. But in the NCAA, only someone as strong as Griffin could break through the pick-and-roll between him and Curry so forcefully.

But Curry and Eric Bennett were well prepared and didn’t panic. Curry didn’t choose to go one-on-one or call for another pick-and-roll. Instead, he passed the ball directly to Eric Bennett and signaled his teammates to spread out.

Huh? Griffin was a bit stunned.

Chapter 009: A Stunning Play

Is this isolation?

In basketball tactics, isolation is one of the most important strategies. You could even say that every tactical system includes isolation plays.

But at this moment, the Wildcats and the Speedsters hadn’t created a mismatch. It wasn’t a big-on-small or small-on-big situation. Did the Wildcats really think this big Chinese guy could go one-on-one against Blake Griffin?

And this wasn’t even in the paint—he had the ball outside the three-point line. Was he planning to use his height advantage to shoot a three directly?

Griffin wasn’t stupid. He stuck close to Eric Bennett, not giving Eric Bennett any chance to shoot a three.

“Blake is showing some really tough defense. Are the Wildcats serious?” Reggie Miller also didn’t believe this big Chinese guy could go one-on-one against Blake Griffin.

On the court, Eric Bennett put down the ball and started dribbling.

He’ll probably pass. Will he pass to Stephen Curry? As Griffin tried to anticipate Eric Bennett’s passing lane, suddenly Eric Bennett’s dribbling got faster and faster.

What’s this—?

On the sidelines, Durant and Westbrook both stood up.

Because they had already predicted what Eric Bennett was about to do!

Crossover!

Crossover!

It’s a crossover!

And his dribbling speed, rhythm, and lowered center of gravity—he’s a seven-footer!

Blake Griffin lost his balance. He wasn’t mentally prepared at all. He was defending too close, and when Eric Bennett saw him lose his balance, he blew right by him in one step!

That speed!

This was no slow, lumbering center!

Eric Bennett’s first step was fast enough that none of the Speedsters’ players even tried to help, because they simply didn’t believe that big Chinese guy could go one-on-one against Blake Griffin at the top of the key.

Eric Bennett drove to the basket and scored an easy layup.

Seven straight points. With four minutes left in the first half, the Wildcats had closed the gap to 36–37!

The Speedsters’ head coach, Jeff Capel, hurriedly called a timeout. Clearly, Brian Whitman had come prepared. That big Chinese guy absolutely couldn’t be underestimated.

Durant and Russell Westbrook looked at each other. “Kevin, I never thought there could be a player in the world taller than you who could pull off a move like that.”

Durant knew exactly what Westbrook meant, because back in his college days, he often went one-on-one against opposing big men like that.

But Eric Bennett was even taller than he was.

“Hmm, looks like we all underestimated this Chinese center named… Bennett. Not every Chinese center is Yao, but there are always one or two exceptions…” Reggie Miller struggled to pronounce Eric Bennett’s name. During the timeout, he turned off his headset and told his assistant to quickly look up information on Eric Bennett.

But just like all the scouts in attendance today, there was almost nothing on Eric Bennett except his height and weight.

All anyone knew was that he was seven feet tall, from China, and played center.

Javier now felt like he’d been tricked by Curry.

This guy was definitely not just Curry’s pick-and-roll partner. After all, today he was facing Blake Griffin—the NBA’s projected number one pick!

“Awesome, Bennett, looks like my careful coaching last night made all the difference. I’m really satisfied with your debut!” This was the first time in his college career that Stephen Curry felt like he had a real teammate. Scoring seven straight points in front of Blake Griffin, Curry thought it was all just too cool.

Anthony Beasley was also shocked. Even though his one-on-ones with Eric Bennett over the past while had erased his bias, that last move by Eric Bennett seemed even faster than in practice.