"How about a contest? We stand behind the basketball three-point line and shoot. How about that? Let's see who has better accuracy."
"No problem. But just that is too boring. There's no originality."
"Originality? What kind of originality can there be? I'm a basketball player, and you're a football player. These are two completely different sports. I can't play one-on-one with you."
"Why not? How about this: We still shoot three-pointers, but I'll use a basketball, and you'll use a football. We'll swap sports. How does that sound? Neither of us is good at the other's sport, so we can see who has better control."
"That... that won't work... a football is irregular, but a basketball is a perfect circle."
"I'm complaining about the basketball being a perfect circle! Challenging yourself with an unfamiliar object is what makes it fun. How about this: we each take ten three-pointers, and the one with more made shots wins. That's fair."
"Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
The photoshoot was still a long and arduous ordeal. As fatigue reached its peak, facial expressions gradually became stiff, and smiles looked worse than crying. An afternoon of shooting was more draining than an entire game, but since the work wasn't done, he had to grit his teeth and push through.
In a state of numbness, Lu Ke and Curry, working together, started to think of different ideas to break away from the pressure and rigidity of the photoshoot and re-energize the studio. Clearly, when it came to pranking, Lu Ke had the upper hand.
So, Lu Ke and Curry began a unique contest on the spot. Both players used the other's specialized ball to shoot three-pointers.
During the competition, the two young men laughed constantly. Curry, at first, was focused on figuring out the throwing motion for the football, but after five shots, he realized something was wrong. He quickly stopped Lu Ke, who was about to shoot.
"Wait, wait, this isn't right. The trajectory of a basketball is regular, so you can control it, but I have no idea how a football's spin works. I can't control it at all. When it comes to three-pointers, you have a much higher chance." Curry seemed to have figured out the truth. In the last five shots, Lu Ke had surprisingly made three three-pointers, while Curry still had a big fat zero.
Lu Ke spread his hands. "I think it's just your technique. How about I throw a football, and you can see?"
"Okay, you throw it," Curry immediately agreed.
Although passing accuracy was a quarterback's signature skill, the trajectory of a quarterback's pass and a basketball's shot were completely different. In football training, the net had to be at a forty-five-degree angle to the sky, while in basketball, the hoop was parallel to the ground.
The difference in angle led to a difference in trajectory, and the techniques were naturally different.
Lu Ke took the football, squeezed the leather surface, and got a feel for it with his fingertips. He then adjusted his body, and without hesitation, he gently threw it with his right hand. With a crisp "swoosh," the ball not only went in for a three-pointer but was also a swish.
In fact, the techniques for football and basketball were completely different, and the axis and rotation of the ball in the air were also different.
The reason Lu Ke was able to make three-pointers while Curry couldn't was simply because Lu Ke was more familiar with basketball. Once Curry got used to the football's trajectory, their success rates would probably be different, and the outcome would be unpredictable.
Right now, Lu Ke was three for five, but it was just for show. When it came to actual basketball skills, Lu Ke was just an amateur.
Simply put, from the very beginning of the bet, Curry had walked right into Lu Ke's trap. The reason for the ten shots was also to prevent Curry from having more chances to get a feel for the throws.
Watching Lu Ke throw the football into the hoop, Curry's eyes widened in disbelief. He felt like something was wrong, but Lu Ke didn't give him any time to think. He urged him on, "See? It must be your technique. You should practice more three-pointers. I think you have good potential and could become a three-point prince. Of course, you're still a little bit behind me."
In a panic, Curry could only get back to it and continue shooting.
In a flash, the ten shots were over. The final result was Curry with three made shots and Lu Ke with six. The latter won.
"The bet, what was our bet again? Dancing on the spot without music. Go!" Lu Ke immediately started to egg him on, raising his hands and calling for the staff to join in the fun. "Curry! Curry! Curry!"
Before he knew it, Curry found himself in a difficult situation. All the staff members were clapping and chanting, waiting for him to do an awkward dance. At this point, Curry finally came to his senses. He squinted his eyes and carefully looked at Lu Ke, grinding his teeth. "Wait, you played basketball before, didn't you? Am I right? You played basketball before and then switched to football?"
"A bet is a bet. You can't cheat now," Lu Ke said, changing the subject and trying to evade the question.
But this time, Curry refused to fall for it again. The young man threw the football on the ground, intentionally looking angry. But the smile at the corners of his mouth couldn't be hidden. He tried to hold it in, but he couldn't, and he broke into a chuckle. "Let's do it again. I don't care, let's do it again. Or, I'll pay up and dance, and then you have to play another round with me. I'll shoot a basketball, you'll throw a football. Ten shots from the three-point line, and the bet is the same."
"Are you sure?" Lu Ke's simple question made Curry choke.
Thinking back, Lu Ke had thrown a football for a three-pointer and made it in one shot. He was definitely not a pushover. Now, Curry was in a dilemma.
Looking at the bewildered and innocent-looking Curry, Lu Ke burst out laughing. He walked over and gave Curry a hug, apologizing. "How about this? I'll dance with you, with no music. How does that sound?" Before he could finish, the staff members all started cheering and whistling, encouraging Lu Ke's bravery.
Curry rolled his eyes, shook his head helplessly, and then, without another word, started his awkward dance.
With no music, Curry and Lu Ke danced as if they were at a club, letting loose and dancing with all their might. It was as if they had swept away the fatigue and exhaustion of the afternoon and were truly having fun. The atmosphere in the studio became truly lively.
Throughout the entire process, the photographer held his camera, constantly shooting and documenting without a break. Fortunately, the chemistry and spark between Lu Ke and Curry made the shoot simple and smooth, producing unexpected results that were far better than the original plan.
The shoot, which was originally thought to take at least another hour to complete, was finished in less than twenty minutes. The unpredictability of artistic creation was once again demonstrated.
Finally, the photographer announced "OK," finally signing the declaration of freedom for Lu Ke and Curry, ending the long and tedious shoot. Lu Ke's first commercial shoot was finally over.
Panting on the spot, Lu Ke and Curry exchanged a glance, and both burst into laughter. They both raised their right hands in a high-five to celebrate, then exhaled, letting go of the pressure and burdens. They walked side by side towards the rest area.
"Is this how you are on your team? With you around, the locker room atmosphere must be great," Curry said with a chuckle, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
For professional athletes, photoshoots are always tough and tedious, and today was no exception. But at least, today's shoot was filled with a pleasant atmosphere, making it enjoyable.
Lu Ke shrugged. "Did you forget? This is only my first year. If I were so cocky in the locker room, I'd probably be in trouble on the training field."
Curry was a junior, and the lessons from the locker room in his rookie season were still fresh in his mind. After Lu Ke's reminder, he immediately understood and chuckled. "I forgot. The first year is always tough."
"Back then, after every training session, we had to stay behind to clean up the towels and jerseys. Some of the older players would intentionally soak the towels in dirty water and leave them in the locker room for us to clean up. God, those memories are still so vivid." When it came to rookie seasons, Curry was no different. Team pranks were an unavoidable part of it. "Are there any new tricks in football?"
"To be honest, these pranks have been passed down since high school and college. I don't think there's much difference between football and basketball. Although I always feel like their pranks are too old-fashioned." Lu Ke also added a jab, which made Curry laugh cheerfully.
With a flash of inspiration, Curry realized, "And, you're the first Chinese-American player in the NFL, right? If it were in the NBA, your situation would probably be a little better. After all, Yao Ming of the Rockets has already proven himself. But you still have to face a lot of doubts and challenges, let alone in football."
"I'm not the first," Lu Ke said with a smile, shaking his head. "But I'm the first at the quarterback position."
Curry spread his hands. "I can't imagine the pressure you're under."
"I can't either." Lu Ke's answer stunned Curry, who didn't understand what Lu Ke meant. Lu Ke then explained, "The best way to deal with pressure is to have the right mindset and ignore it."
"If even I start to have doubts about whether I can handle the starting position or do my job as a quarterback, and I put pressure on myself, then who else in this world can believe in me?" As he spoke, Lu Ke pursed his lips and changed the subject. "Maybe my parents are the exception. But what I mean is, you need enough confidence to face it calmly."
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