In this game, Snoopy was undeniably one of the three players who stole the spotlight. At 1.95 meters tall, he blocked projected top pick Michael Beasley and the explosive forward Bill Walker, while also dominating the rebounding battle against Beasley.
"This is bad for me! We underestimated that kid. If I ever face him again, I'll make sure to kick his ass," Beasley muttered in the locker room, frustrated.
Even in defeat, the top prospect faced a swarm of reporters. When asked about Snoopy's block, he looked genuinely downcast:
"That was an unplanned moment. He shouldn't have had that opportunity. I underestimated him, exposed the ball too early, and didn't jump properly. I hope he makes it to the NBA, only then can I exact my revenge."
Beasley couldn't let go of that block. Losing the game didn't affect his draft stock, but being directly blocked made him a laughingstock. That moment might even make ESPN's Top 5 plays: he had been denied by a rookie.
...
If Westbrook hadn't received a full UCLA scholarship two years ago, he would have chosen a math scholarship at Stanford.
No joke. Though Stanford wanted him primarily for their basketball team, there was no denying his mathematical talent.
Back in the locker room, Westbrook sighed:
"If I grabbed 4 more rebounds and 3 more assists, I'd have had a triple-double. Why can't games last longer?"
He seemed obsessed with triple-doubles, a concept Snoopy could hardly understand.
"Snoopy, if you give me 4 boards and 3 assists, I'll get a triple-double. Your stats are pretty clean too: 4 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks," Westbrook said earnestly.
"If you want, I can give you all my stats," Snoopy replied generously. He had no interest in stats; he played to win.
Coach Holland praised him on leaving the locker room:
"You played brilliantly today, Snoopy. You're the most talented defensive player I've seen and the key to our victory!"
Snoopy laughed heartily. "Thanks, Coach. Compliments later, I have a date with my girlfriend now."
"But basketball… it's really fun. I think I might be falling for it," he said, waving to Holland as he headed for the underground parking.
He looked forward to what was next.
Meanwhile, Jennifer remained calm. They shared a passionate kiss for three minutes in the garage. Snoopy's hand, clumsy and hesitant, slipped along her waist, prompting her to stop the kiss.
They got into the car and headed to a Michelin-starred steakhouse near Sartre Gate. Snoopy's palate barely distinguished the quality of the food, he was eager to be with Jennifer. At 19, he had absorbed lessons from both East and West, from childhood to adolescence.
Jennifer fed him a piece of steak: "You worked hard today, eat up and replenish your energy."
He swallowed eagerly. Afterwards, she ordered dessert, their intentions obvious to the attentive staff.
They then went to a cinema to watch Keith, a coming-of-age romance about a 17-year-old girl meticulously planning her future but falling in love with someone completely different from her.
Exiting the theater, Snoopy's adrenaline finally calmed.
He realized he needed clarity about his life. Until now, he had drifted, guided by his parents' plans. He didn't even know what he wanted.
He sat on a park bench, holding Jennifer's hand, and shared all his worries and uncertainties.
Jennifer listened intently, sensing for the first time the deep connection with the man in front of her: he was willing to think about their future and confide in her, even about family matters.
She hugged him tightly.
"Then tell me, what do you love doing most right now?" she asked softly.
Snoopy answered seriously:
"I don't know. Sometimes singing makes me happy. Sometimes playing piano and discovering a melody brings joy. Writing a good part in a paper excites me. And recently, basketball. When I block or assist, I feel thrilled, from my body to my mind. I also look forward to every game, like I did tonight, anticipating what would happen."
Jennifer gazed into his eyes. "Maybe, you've fallen in love with basketball."
And in that moment, it seemed true.