"Yesterday, the Orlando Training Camp held its most prominent rookie scrimmage since opening. The three top projected picks all took the floor, each leading a team into battle. In the end, the Red Team led by Derrick Rose secured back-to-back victories."
"However, according to written reports sent back by on-site journalists, the standout player of the game wasn't Derrick Rose, nor Michael Beasley, nor O.J. Mayo. Instead, it was Final Four Most Outstanding Player Snoopy Snoopy. Despite several players boasting before the game that they would dunk on him, none succeeded. O.J. Mayo, Anthony Randolph, and even high-flyer James White were all hit with his fiery blocks!"
"Next, please watch the exclusive footage."
To everyone's surprise, Time Warner Sports broadcast a secretly-filmed clip. In the video, James White descended from the sky, seemingly about to complete a monstrous dunk, but then…
Under the rim, Snoopy suddenly spun away from JaVale McGee, launched upward, and delivered a thunderous smack that sent James White flying to the floor.
Immediately afterward, Snoopy, holding the ball in one hand, bent down toward James White as if issuing a warning, and then bang!
A loud sound blasted through the speakers.
The viewers were stunned. None expected Snoopy to show such a hard-nosed, intimidating side.
The clip lasted a full 16 seconds , from White's takeoff, to Snoopy's spin and block, to White hitting the ground, and the follow-up moment. The footage was clear and continuous.
It was easy to predict what would come next: with this video released, Snoopy's name recognition would soar quickly. No matter how you viewed the play, it was unquestionably an NBA Top-10-Plays-of-the-Month level highlight.
But sitting in front of the TV, Snoopy frowned. The angle of the footage was clearly from directly under the basket, meaning they captured everything. Who could it be? A journalist? A staff member?
"Looks like Pat Riley has his hands full next," Daphne said with a smile as she sat beside Snoopy. "He doesn't want to pay too high a price to draft you. Just look at today's newspaper, Pat Riley claims Snoopy is completely unfit for the NBA and should focus on music instead! He's deliberately lowering your draft stock."
Snoopy chuckled without replying.
Last night, on the way to Orlando Airport, Snoopy had received a call from Pat Riley. Riley told him he would draft him no matter the cost, but in the meantime, he might release some negative statements publicly, and hoped Snoopy wouldn't mind.
Why would I mind? Snoopy thought.
Riley then asked him not to attend workouts for other teams.
This aligned perfectly with the Dallas Mavericks, both teams were clearly trying to keep him hidden.
Snoopy then asked: "And what exactly does 'no matter the cost' mean?"
"Lottery at minimum. That's my promise," Riley said over the phone.
In American sports, promises are taken seriously, especially from veteran coaches. A verbal commitment carries weight nearly equal to a written contract.
So Snoopy didn't argue further, nor did he mention that the Dallas Mavericks had already promised him a top-10 guarantee.
To Snoopy, whether he landed in Miami or Dallas didn't matter much. He was prepared to start from the bench anyway.
Both teams already had solid frontcourt rotations, especially Miami, so the opportunity would be similar either way.
Snoopy was simply waiting for draft night. Whichever team called his name first, he would pack his bags and head to that city.
"Orlando's camp is definitely going to investigate whoever recorded that video," Snoopy suddenly said. "It violated the no-filming agreement."
Before the scrimmage, all parties had agreed that no one, including journalists, could record video. But someone still had, and it made its way to Time Warner.
It wasn't a huge incident, but not a small one either. If someone wanted to stir things up, the league could end up facing a credibility crisis. But if everyone stayed quiet, it would probably be ignored, after all, James White wasn't a star, and few would care about him being embarrassed.
"The ones who must be the most nervous right now are O.J. Mayo's people," Daphne laughed. "They must be terrified that the footage of you blocking him got captured too. If it spreads, it'll be trouble. He's in a fierce battle with Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love for the No. 3 pick. Any negative buzz could knock this former high-school prodigy out of the top five."
Snoopy waved his hand dismissively. He didn't care about Mayo's draft position. He didn't have a positive impression of the former No.1 high-school recruit, but he wasn't petty enough to laugh at his misfortune either.
Snoopy considered himself someone with standards. He wouldn't do something lacking class , otherwise, what would make him any different from O.J. Mayo?
"Let's talk about the Billboard Awards," Snoopy said, sitting up straighter on the sofa. "What's your opinion?"
"Of course you should attend," Daphne said. "Your single already hit No.1 on the Billboard weekly chart, why wouldn't you go? It's huge exposure, and we can land more endorsements. Don't forget, you still owe the bank money."
"Oh, and the Facebook shares are finalized. Your twenty million dollars became 0.26% equity."
Snoopy nodded.
From a business perspective, attending the Billboard Awards was indeed great exposure , a strong push for his public profile.
But it also meant he'd have to see Miley Cyrus again, someone he'd been deliberately avoiding.
Just thinking about the Disney princess made Snoopy's head ache. Who knew whether she would cause more trouble?
Even though their past encounters had helped him in some odd way internally… he preferred avoiding unpredictable scenes.
He subconsciously touched his lower lip, then sighed. After thinking it through, he nodded.
"All right. Tell Disney I'm willing to perform with Miley Cyrus. But please ask her to avoid excessive physical gestures this time."
Daphne burst into laughter.
"Do you know that your serious face makes women even more competitive? Teen girls love that cold, self-controlled type now."
She was clearly teasing.
Snoopy raised an eyebrow at her and asked,
"Then what about you? How do you stay so composed?"
Under Snoopy's direct gaze, Daphne was a little startled. She quickly waved her hand.
"I don't like guys younger than me. Anyone too 'small' in general doesn't work for me."
After saying it, she immediately blushed. So much for trying a joke she picked up online, it really didn't land the way she intended.
Snoopy paused, realized what she meant, and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
Daphne pressed her palm to her face in embarrassment.
Immediately, he raised his chin proudly and thought: Mine is not small.