Ben Sladon and Pete Campbell exchanged a glance, excitement shining in their eyes. "?" Curry suddenly made a sharp crossover in front of his body, shifting Drew's weight, then pulled the ball back. He laid his left hand over it, looked up at the rim, and faked a three-pointer.
They wanted to see what this baby-faced kid could do with the second string. They wanted to see what this baby-faced kid could do with the second string.
After the starters scored on a mid-range jumper from Mike Green, it was the second unit's turn to attack. They hadn't practiced with Curry at all. No matter how clever the coach's plays were, they wouldn't be able to run them.
The team soon split into two groups. A few perennial benchwarmers sat on the sidelines; everyone else took the court.
The team soon split into two groups. A few perennial benchwarmers sat on the sidelines; everyone else took the court.
"Drew, step out and don't let him shoot..." On the other end of the court, the starters in yellow practice jerseys gathered around Stevens. Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
The second unit's center, Elliot, was only a freshman. He had no chance in the jump ball and lost it to Drew, who tipped the ball to Ben Sladon.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
"Beep—" The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Ben Sladon picked up the ball, bounced it hard once, stepped out of bounds, and passed to Mike Green as he fell back on defense. No one was within six feet of Mike. The big, powerful forward sprang straight up and slammed the ball through with both hands, putting his impressive physical gifts on full display.
Last season, Coach Rickert had nearly led this starting lineup to the NCAA tournament. They'd lost a close game to their archrivals, Indiana State, in the playoff semifinals and been eliminated.
Before the scrimmage began, there had been a minor change to the plan. By convention, the head coach would lead the starters and the top assistant would coach the second unit. But Zhang Yu had offered to coach the second unit himself. Stevens had been a little surprised, but hadn't objected, and the two had switched groups.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Terry Johnson: Fine, you got lucky. You banked one in.
Zhang Yu clapped hard from the sideline and called out loudly: Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
He didn't need to say much. These were the plays they practiced every day, and they knew them by heart.
Drew stood with his arms spread, ready to defend, and froze. He was still six feet from Curry. All he could do was watch the shot, unable to contest it.
The second unit was much weaker. Aside from Curry, small forward Julian Becko and shooting guard Willie Wesley, the rest weren't at NCAA level.
The second unit's center, Elliot, was only a freshman. He had no chance in the jump ball and lost it to Drew, who tipped the ball to Ben Sladon.
During practice, he could usually bother perimeter players' shots from there.
Before the scrimmage began, there had been a minor change to the plan. By convention, the head coach would lead the starters and the top assistant would coach the second unit. But Zhang Yu had offered to coach the second unit himself. Stevens had been a little surprised, but hadn't objected, and the two had switched groups.
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
He didn't need to say much. These were the plays they practiced every day, and they knew them by heart.
Zhang Yu gathered the second unit, all dressed in red practice jerseys, and looked around at them. "Do you think you've already lost?"
Curry set himself in a textbook defensive stance, ready for anything.
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
"Do you think you've already lost?" He suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "?"
On the way back, Ben shot Curry a sidelong glance. He didn't say anything, but his disdain was plain to see.
Drew reacted instinctively and jumped. Curry stopped short, swept his left hand over the ball, lowered his body, and darted past Drew.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
"...Just stick to the plays you know. Ben, handle the ball and run pick-and-rolls with Drew or Pete as the situation calls for. If their defense tightens, give the ball to Mike for an isolation. AJ, move without the ball. Got it?" Stevens finished laying out the plan in a few words.
"Do you think you've already lost?" No one answered. They exchanged glances.
The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Last season, Coach Rickert had nearly led this starting lineup to the NCAA tournament. They'd lost a close game to their archrivals, Indiana State, in the playoff semifinals and been eliminated.
Julian Becko wondered what was going on.
Curry crouched and dribbled slowly. Drew held his left hand high, ready in case Curry suddenly pulled up for a three.
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
"Coach, they're all used to playing together, but we haven't even played with Stephen yet. Can we really run any plays?" Julian Becko asked, scratching his head.
Zhang Yu clapped hard from the sideline and called out loudly: "Come on, let's see you blow me away, baby face!"
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
After the starters scored on a mid-range jumper from Mike Green, it was the second unit's turn to attack.
Curry suddenly made a sharp crossover in front of his body, shifting Drew's weight, then pulled the ball back. He laid his left hand over it, looked up at the rim, and faked a three-pointer.
Zhang Yu clapped hard from the sideline and called out loudly: "Come on, let's see you blow me away, baby face!"
The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
This shot was wild. If it went in, I'd stand on my head...
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Last season, Coach Rickert had nearly led this starting lineup to the NCAA tournament. They'd lost a close game to their archrivals, Indiana State, in the playoff semifinals and been eliminated.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
"Do you think you've already lost?" He suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine." Mike Green shrugged.
"Beep—"
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
Last season, Coach Rickert had nearly led this starting lineup to the NCAA tournament. They'd lost a close game to their archrivals, Indiana State, in the playoff semifinals and been eliminated.
"Beep—"
That kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
Zhang Yu clapped with a smile. This was the play he'd designed for the second unit: Curry would run the pick-and-roll, then decide whether to finish or pass.
"Coach, they're all used to playing together, but we haven't even played with Stephen yet. Can we really run any plays?" Julian Becko asked, scratching his head.
On the other end of the court, the starters in yellow practice jerseys gathered around Stevens.
Zhang Yu gathered the second unit, all dressed in red practice jerseys, and looked around at them. "Do you think you've already lost?"
Curry set himself in a textbook defensive stance, ready for anything.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Drew nodded. Ben wanted to shut Curry down himself, but there was no stopping Elliot from setting a solid screen. All Drew could do was nod and show he understood.
The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
This kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "?"
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
Curry brought the ball up. Ben Sladon stood in front of him, a challenge in his eyes. "Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
Curry moved the ball up the court, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Terry Johnson: "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
He clapped hard from the sideline and called out loudly: Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
"Do you think you've already lost?" He suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine." Mike Green shrugged.
"Beep—"
The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Drew nodded. Ben wanted to shut Curry down himself, but there was no stopping Elliot from setting a solid screen. All Drew could do was nod and show he understood.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
On the other end of the court, the starters in yellow practice jerseys gathered around Stevens.
Curry suddenly made a sharp crossover in front of his body, shifting Drew's weight, then pulled the ball back. He laid his left hand over it, looked up at the rim, and faked a three-pointer.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Curry reacted instinctively and jumped. He stopped short, swept his left hand over the ball, lowered his body, and darted past Drew.
This kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
Ben Sladon watched the ball fall and silently swallowed the rest of what he'd been about to say.
The second unit's center, Elliot, was only a freshman. He had no chance in the jump ball and lost it to Drew, who tipped the ball to Ben Sladon.
Before the scrimmage began, there had been a minor change to the plan. By convention, the head coach would lead the starters and the top assistant would coach the second unit. But Zhang Yu had offered to coach the second unit himself. Stevens had been a little surprised, but hadn't objected, and the two had switched groups.
Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
"Drew, step out and don't let him shoot..."
The ball bounced off the rim, and the long rebound fell right to Curry. He pushed the ball ahead and burst past Ben Sladon on the right. Ben hurried back, but Curry got half a step ahead and used his body to keep Ben behind him. He drove to the basket, shook Ben off, and laid the ball in easily.
Ben Sladon dribbled across half court. The others spread out, leaving him and Curry at the top of the arc.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Drew nodded. Ben wanted to shut Curry down himself, but there was no stopping Elliot from setting a solid screen. All Drew could do was nod and show he understood.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
Curry set himself in a textbook defensive stance, ready for anything.
This play was simple—something you could call "Curry and His Screeners"—but it worked.
Curry dribbled across half court, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
Stevens's eyes widened. He was about to scold Curry, but changed his mind and stayed quiet.
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
Zhang Yu clapped with a smile. This was the play he'd designed for the second unit: Curry would run the pick-and-roll, then decide whether to finish or pass.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
Ben Sladon didn't do anything fancy. He lowered his center of gravity, moved the ball from between his legs to his right hand, put his left shoulder into Curry, and drove forward.
Curry didn't pay him any attention. He motioned Elliot up to the top of the key to set a screen. Drew didn't dare take his eyes off Curry—he knew how good Curry's shot was—but he only stepped up to the free-throw line.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
Stevens shook his head. Drew looked utterly confused and spread his hands.
Curry called Elliot over, and Elliot cut toward the basket, drawing Ben Sladon with him. The rest of the second unit spread out too, leaving the top of the key open for Curry and Drew.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
Stevens shook his head. Drew looked utterly confused and spread his hands.
After the starters scored on a mid-range jumper from Mike Green, it was the second unit's turn to attack.
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
"Beep—" The starters kept last season's lineup: Ben Sladon at point guard, Pete Campbell at power forward, Mike Green at small forward, AJ Graves at shooting guard, and Drew Streicher at center.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Drew reacted instinctively and jumped. Curry stopped short, swept his left hand over the ball, lowered his body, and darted past Drew.
This kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
Ben Sladon watched the ball fall and silently swallowed the rest of what he'd been about to say.
Zhang Yu gathered the second unit, all dressed in red practice jerseys, and looked around at them. "Do you think you've already lost?"
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
Curry took Julian Becko's inbound pass and nodded calmly.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
Stevens shook his head. Drew looked utterly confused and spread his hands.
Curry set himself in a textbook defensive stance, ready for anything.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
Curry had done his best to hold his ground, but he was simply too slight. Ben Sladon outweighed him by five kilograms and got past him on size and explosiveness alone, leaning into him and scoring off the contact.
"Don't forget, Stephen is your teammate now—the team's starting point guard!" Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Run my plays, and we'll win later."
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
"Curry's got some experience..." Stevens stroked his chin and chuckled.
"...Just stick to the plays you know. Ben, handle the ball and run pick-and-rolls with Drew or Pete as the situation calls for. If their defense tightens, give the ball to Mike for an isolation. AJ, move without the ball. Got it?" Stevens finished laying out the plan in a few words.
Brandon Miller blew the whistle. The scrimmage began.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Curry reacted instinctively and jumped. He stopped short, swept his left hand over the ball, lowered his body, and darted past Drew.
This kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
Ben Sladon watched the ball fall and silently swallowed the rest of what he'd been about to say.
The second unit's center, Elliot, was only a freshman. He had no chance in the jump ball and lost it to Drew, who tipped the ball to Ben Sladon.
Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
Ben Sladon had been watching Stevens closely. When he saw Stevens say nothing, he knew he had tacitly approved. Reassured, Ben started isolating Curry.
The ball spun rapidly through the air, tracing a beautiful arc before dropping straight through the net.
This play was simple—something you could call "Curry and His Screeners"—but it worked.
Zhang Yu clapped hard from the sideline and called out loudly: Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
The ball bounced off the rim, and the long rebound fell right to Curry. He pushed the ball ahead and burst past Ben Sladon on the right. Ben hurried back, but Curry got half a step ahead and used his body to keep Ben behind him. He drove to the basket, shook Ben off, and laid the ball in easily.
Ben Sladon had been watching Stevens closely. When he saw Stevens say nothing, he knew he had tacitly approved. Reassured, Ben started isolating Curry.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "?"
Curry nodded calmly after taking Julian Becko's inbound pass.
"Drew, make sure you step out. Don't give up the three. If you have to, switch with Ben." Stevens warned him.
Curry took Julian Becko's inbound pass and nodded calmly.
This play was simple—something you could call "Curry and His Screeners"—but it worked.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
Stevens shook his head. Drew looked utterly confused and spread his hands.
Curry's hand flashed. Elliot cut toward the basket, drawing Ben Sladon with him. The rest of the second unit spread out too, leaving the top of the key open for Curry and Drew.
The ball bounced off the rim, and the long rebound fell right to Curry. He pushed the ball ahead and burst past Ben Sladon on the right. Ben hurried back, but Curry got half a step ahead and used his body to keep Ben behind him. He drove to the basket, shook Ben off, and laid the ball in easily.
Zhang Yu gathered the second unit, all dressed in red practice jerseys, and looked around at them. "Do you think you've already lost?"
Curry took Julian Becko's inbound pass and nodded calmly.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
Curry set himself in a textbook defensive stance, ready for anything.
This play was simple—something you could call "Curry and His Screeners"—but it worked.
Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
Stevens's eyes widened. He was about to scold Curry, but changed his mind and stayed quiet.
Ben Sladon was completely blocked by Elliot. Curry took one dribble to the right and shot a three from half a step beyond the arc!
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Drew nodded. Ben wanted to shut Curry down himself, but there was no stopping Elliot from setting a solid screen. All Drew could do was nod and show he understood.
"Do you think you've already lost?" Zhang Yu suddenly turned to Terry Johnson. "Fine."
"Do you think you've already lost?" Terry Johnson said, "What kind of question is that, Coach? You've got us stumped. Of course we can't win. Otherwise, why would they be starting instead of us?"
On the other end of the court, the starters in yellow practice jerseys gathered around Stevens.
Curry suddenly made a sharp crossover in front of his body, shifting Drew's weight, then pulled the ball back. He laid his left hand over it, looked up at the rim, and faked a three-pointer.
"But Coach Stevens didn't tell us to do that..." Mike Green said hesitantly.
Curry reacted instinctively and jumped. He stopped short, swept his left hand over the ball, lowered his body, and darted past Drew.
This kind of thing had happened to him plenty of times. In nearly every game, opponents picked on him. He was used to being targeted as a weakness.
Ben Sladon watched the ball fall and silently swallowed the rest of what he'd been about to say.
The second unit's center, Elliot, was only a freshman. He had no chance in the jump ball and lost it to Drew, who tipped the ball to Ben Sladon.
Before the scrimmage began, there had been a minor change to the plan. By convention, the head coach would lead the starters and the top assistant would coach the second unit. But Zhang Yu had offered to coach the second unit himself. Stevens had been a little surprised, but hadn't objected, and the two had switched groups.
Curry brought the ball up, then called Elliot over to set a screen. Elliot blocked Ben Sladon completely, and Drew stepped up to the free-throw line to stop Curry from driving.
"Drew, step out and don't let him shoot..."
The ball bounced off the rim, and the long rebound fell right to Curry. He pushed the ball ahead and burst past Ben Sladon on the right. Ben hurried back, but Curry got half a step ahead and used his body to keep Ben behind him. He drove to the basket, shook Ben off, and laid the ball in easily.
Ben Sladon dribbled across half court. The others spread out, leaving him and Curry at the top of the arc.
"Ben isn't much of a shooter. You can just guard the drive and let him shoot..." Curry watched Ben Sladon charge toward him, recalled Zhang Yu's instructions, and backed off a couple of steps, giving Ben a challenging look.
A few rebounds later, Curry had loosened up, jogging back with a swagger. Zhang Yu watched him and felt something was missing.
Drew nodded. Ben wanted to shut Curry down himself, but there was no stopping Elliot from setting a solid screen. All Drew could do was nod and show he understood.
Before you continue