Frank Martin hadn't expected that UCLA's substitution of a sub-6'4" rookie would completely flip the game. Their eleven-point lead evaporated to just five in the blink of an eye.
Panic set in.
The assistant coach leaned in: "Based on prior games, Snoopy moves very slowly. He must stay in the paint. If Beasley goes one-on-one with him, he'll be at a total disadvantage."
Frank thought quickly, then devised a targeted strategy.
Beep!
The game resumed.
Kansas State subbed out center Haywood, leaving Beasley as the tallest player on the floor.
Were they planning to run a fast break?
Spectators guessed yes, but the NBA scouts and executives weren't convinced. Kansas State lacked a true point guard. Beasley was a ball-dominant forward, and Walker also needed touches. Efficiently running a fast break was impossible.
Beasley dropped into the paint, receiving the ball from Walker.
He faced Snoopy directly. With solid post moves, he knew better than to test Snoopy's strength recklessly. His footwork was refined, but Snoopy didn't overcommit defensively, aware that stretching out could allow Beasley to bypass him in a single step and throw down a dunk.
Better to let him shoot from the mid-range, a jump shot offered at least a tiny chance to grab a rebound.
Swish!
Beasley hit the jumper.
Snoopy remained calm, passing the ball to Westbrook.
"His footwork is clearly a major weakness," Hot Heat VP Leonard whispered to Pat Riley. "No need to waste effort on a player who fails NBA standards so badly."
Riley didn't respond. He was famously unyielding, iron-hearted and relentless.
Meanwhile, the high-level scouts who had been intrigued by Snoopy shook their heads. His skills were too specialized. His two strengths, when scaled to the NBA, didn't offer a decisive advantage.
Then, BANG!
Westbrook's three-pointer rattled off the rim. Beasley leapt for the rebound, but whoosh!
Snoopy soared ahead, snatching the ball before Beasley could react, then passed to Kevin Love at the free-throw line.
Love shot, clang!
Beasley jumped again, but Snoopy had boxed him out perfectly. He could only watch as Snoopy collected the rebound and passed to the corner… clank!
Bryant's shot missed.
This time, Snoopy took flight and slammed the ball in over the rim, BOOM!
Landing slightly unsteady, he grinned, glancing at his right hand.
The UCLA bench erupted. Jennifer Lawrence jumped up, cheering: "Snoopy!! You're my hero!!"
She didn't care about the crowd, she just wanted to announce proudly: this is my boyfriend!
Snoopy raised an eyebrow, blew her a flying kiss. Jennifer caught it, pressing it to her heart. The audience in front screamed, this sugar rush came out of nowhere.
"Did you see that, Nina?" Jennifer exclaimed, sitting down. "The whole arena cheered for Snoopy's dunk! He should dunk more often."
Nina forced herself to hold back explaining, though she knew the cheers weren't for the dunk itself, but for Snoopy grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds over Beasley.
"Incredible! Pure talent overload," Chatford shouted. "From vertical speed, positioning, rebound sense, to jump height, Snoopy utterly dominates our projected #1 pick. Remember, Beasley averages 14.6 boards per game!"
His voice trembled. Since the '80s, he'd scouted countless players, but never had he seen a rookie dominate the boards like this. His mental template? Dennis Rodman?
"Beasley's draft stock will drop," Chatford declared. "Snoopy is a litmus test. If Beasley can't beat him, teams relying on him for dominance inside and out must take notice."
Reggie Miller wanted to praise Snoopy, but held back. Instead, he threw a subtle jab at Beasley: "No, I can't agree with the hype. Beasley is still NCAA's top scorer. His offense is complete, capable of dropping 30+ any game. Remember Kevin Durant, runner-up in '07? If Durant could do it, why not Beasley now? There's no Greg Oden this year!"
Then, BANG!
Beasley's banked shot, a homage to Tim Duncan, missed completely.
Snoopy casually grabbed the defensive rebound.
Miller instinctively covered his mouth. Too good… praising him brings bad luck!