Preview: A Tall Task In First-Ever NBA Africa Game
By Kevin Scheitrum, NBA Global
Whenever anyone associated with the first-ever NBA Africa Game starts talking about it, a few words keep popping up. History. Growth. Global. Future.
“I think this game will be great,” said Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. “The NBA is getting more global year by year, and it would be great if the NBA continued to expand the game.”
So when the league makes history on Saturday, it’ll do so with eyes fixed on the future.
TEAM AFRICA
Whenever anyone associated with the first-ever NBA Africa Game starts talking about it, a few words keep popping up. History. Growth. Global. Future.
“I think this game will be great,” said Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. “The NBA is getting more global year by year, and it would be great if the NBA continued to expand the game.”
So when the league makes history on Saturday, it’ll do so with eyes fixed on the future.
TEAM AFRICA
But on the court, there are some more pressing concerns. Like, for instance, on a Team Africa squad where every single player stands 6-foot-8 or taller…who’s playing point guard?
When the game tips off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday (9 am New York, 15:00 Johannesburg - ESPN in US, NBA LEAGUE PASS Internationally), it’ll see Chris Paul’s Team World take on Luol Deng’s Team Africa in an event that features 4 All-Stars and 3 players from last year’s Rising Stars Challenge.
When the game tips off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday (9 am New York, 15:00 Johannesburg - ESPN in US, NBA LEAGUE PASS Internationally), it’ll see Chris Paul’s Team World take on Luol Deng’s Team Africa in an event that features 4 All-Stars and 3 players from last year’s Rising Stars Challenge.
The game caps off the 13th edition of Basketball Without Borders, Africa – the longest-running of the BWB camps. And it marks the league’s very first official game on a continent that’s produced more than 35 players – a place the league and its players have been visiting for more than 60 years.
The NBA Africa Game will celebrate the game of basketball's history on the African continent, including more than 35 NBA players -- none of them bigger than Legends Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Manute Bol.
“It means a lot for the NBA, but first of all it means a lot for the African people,” Antetokounmpo said. “I can see how excited all these people in South Africa are for this game. I heard it was sold out in nine minutes, and it means a lot moving forward for people out here to see how the NBA works and for a lot of kids here to be here.”
But in the middle of all of that, there’s still a game to play. Which means that Team Africa – a club made up of first- and second-generation African players – really does need somebody to play point guard.
And it might just be Bucks head coach Jason Kidd’s dream come true.
For a year, Kidd’s threatened to deploy the 6-foot, 11-inch Antetokounmpo as the floor leader in Milwaukee. Giannis – who’s represent Nigeria, his country of heritage – hasn’t hurt matters by showing that just needs two steps from the 3-point line to dunk.
If Team Africa coach Gregg Popovich does go with The Greek Freak at the point, the third-year swingman will get to direct a lineup packed with some of the NBA’s best athletes. He’ll have team captain Deng and Nic Batum on the wings, with recent NBA champion Festus Ezeli defending the rim. If Pop protects his own, Boris Diaw adds versatility to the 4. If he wants to throw a wall at Team World, Gorgui Dieng would make a full-on defensive fortress with Ezeli.
Team Africa also sports Al-Farouq Aminu and Bismack Biyombo, two elite defenders who just signed new free agent deals, along with veterans Nazr Mohammed and Luc Mbah a Moute. Serge Ibaka’s on the roster, but won’t play because of injury.
Whatever Pop chooses, Giannis said, he’ll be ready.
“Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches ever,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m gonna try to listen to every word he says to try to get a little bit better.”
The NBA Africa Game will celebrate the game of basketball's history on the African continent, including more than 35 NBA players -- none of them bigger than Legends Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Manute Bol.
“It means a lot for the NBA, but first of all it means a lot for the African people,” Antetokounmpo said. “I can see how excited all these people in South Africa are for this game. I heard it was sold out in nine minutes, and it means a lot moving forward for people out here to see how the NBA works and for a lot of kids here to be here.”
But in the middle of all of that, there’s still a game to play. Which means that Team Africa – a club made up of first- and second-generation African players – really does need somebody to play point guard.
And it might just be Bucks head coach Jason Kidd’s dream come true.
For a year, Kidd’s threatened to deploy the 6-foot, 11-inch Antetokounmpo as the floor leader in Milwaukee. Giannis – who’s represent Nigeria, his country of heritage – hasn’t hurt matters by showing that just needs two steps from the 3-point line to dunk.
If Team Africa coach Gregg Popovich does go with The Greek Freak at the point, the third-year swingman will get to direct a lineup packed with some of the NBA’s best athletes. He’ll have team captain Deng and Nic Batum on the wings, with recent NBA champion Festus Ezeli defending the rim. If Pop protects his own, Boris Diaw adds versatility to the 4. If he wants to throw a wall at Team World, Gorgui Dieng would make a full-on defensive fortress with Ezeli.
Team Africa also sports Al-Farouq Aminu and Bismack Biyombo, two elite defenders who just signed new free agent deals, along with veterans Nazr Mohammed and Luc Mbah a Moute. Serge Ibaka’s on the roster, but won’t play because of injury.
Whatever Pop chooses, Giannis said, he’ll be ready.
“Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches ever,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m gonna try to listen to every word he says to try to get a little bit better.”
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TEAM WORLD
Meanwhile, Team World has no such issues with its personnel, with head coach Lionel Hollins and captain Chris Paul and leading a squad that can slot in at their natural positions.
CP3 at point, Washington’s Bradley Beal at 2.
Throw both the Grizzlies’ Marc and the Bulls’ Pau Gasol down on the block and let them go rock-paper-scissors to see who plays the 4.
Drop in Memphis’ Jeff Green at the 3 and bam, lineup.
But what about Orlando’s Nik Vucevic, who’s basically etched 20-10 next to his name in the Orlando Magic scorebooks for three seasons now? Or Denver’s Kenneth Faried, who seems like he’s been practicing his entire career for the moment when Chris Paul throws him an alley-oop?
But what about Orlando’s Nik Vucevic, who’s basically etched 20-10 next to his name in the Orlando Magic scorebooks for three seasons now? Or Denver’s Kenneth Faried, who seems like he’s been practicing his entire career for the moment when Chris Paul throws him an alley-oop?
Or Evan Turner, who finished third in the NBA in triple-doubles (3) in 2014-15?
And when the blink-quick Trey Burke comes off the bench for Paul, does Team Africa have an answer?
“I’m not sure what to expect,” Antetokounmpo said. “But I want to win. I pick our team to win because we are the better team, and I just want both teams to compete.”
Top Matchups
Giannis vs. CP3 (POINT GUARDS)
Paul routinely ranks among the league’s top defenders, shutting down NBA players half a foot taller than he is for the better part of a decade. But Giannis is nearly a full foot taller. Seeing how Antetokounmpo can handle Paul’s peskiness – and how Paul can handle Giannis’ first step – could give us an early glimpse into the Bucks’ plans for 2015-16.
If you ask Antetokounmpo, though, Paul’s already put him in his place at BWB camp.
“For the players, I think the most they recognize is Chris Paul,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just a guy next to Chris Paul.”
“I’m not sure what to expect,” Antetokounmpo said. “But I want to win. I pick our team to win because we are the better team, and I just want both teams to compete.”
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Here’s what we’ll be watching: Top Matchups
Giannis vs. CP3 (POINT GUARDS)
Paul routinely ranks among the league’s top defenders, shutting down NBA players half a foot taller than he is for the better part of a decade. But Giannis is nearly a full foot taller. Seeing how Antetokounmpo can handle Paul’s peskiness – and how Paul can handle Giannis’ first step – could give us an early glimpse into the Bucks’ plans for 2015-16.
If you ask Antetokounmpo, though, Paul’s already put him in his place at BWB camp.
“For the players, I think the most they recognize is Chris Paul,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just a guy next to Chris Paul.”
Gasols vs. Ezeli & Dieng
In February, the Gasols made history when they became the first pair of brothers to start an NBA All-Star Game. On Saturday, they’ll share the same side of the floor, making for one of the day’s top showdowns. The other half? Brand-new NBA champion Festus Ezeli and rising star Gorgui Dieng for Team Africa. Few big men in NBA history have had the grace of the Gasols. Just as few have had the pure bounce that Ezeli and Dieng have. Dieng’s well on his way toward elite-big-man status, and if Ezeli can stay healthy, he’s shown signs that he’ll join him.
Watch them go to work against two guys who’ve been in that club for a long time now.
Kenneth Faried vs. The Forces Of Nature
It wouldn’t be an exhibition without some spectacle. And while both teams have their share of leapers – don’t sleep on Al-Farouq Aminu – nobody does it quite like Kenneth Faried. With Paul throwing him alley-oops, look for Faried to make his campaign to become an honorary, 1-day member of Lob City.
And when we say he’s been working his whole life for the chance to catch an alley-oop from Chris Paul, check out this story he told during a chat with fans in China last January.
“I was 12 years old. I went to the basket and I was trying to lay it up, and somebody came from behind me, so I jumped real high. I actually hit my head on the backboard,” Faried said. “I don't really remember a lot, but my teammates were like oohhhh you hit your head on the backboard!”
So, just a heads-up.
Beal vs. Batum
Two of the best 3-point shooters in the game match up in a game that should give them plenty of space to operate. Extra incentive? Whoever hits the most 3’s has a new Africa Game record.
Beal vs. Batum
Two of the best 3-point shooters in the game match up in a game that should give them plenty of space to operate. Extra incentive? Whoever hits the most 3’s has a new Africa Game record.
Popovich, Budenholzer & Williams vs. Hollins & Stevens
Some of the best minds in the NBA will sit on the benches in Johannesburg. And while the game’s officially listed as an exhibition, expect Lionel Hollins and Gregg Popovich (or their cast of assistants, including Monty Williams and Brad Stevens – who led their teams to improbable Playoff runs in 2014-15 – and a guy named Mike Budenholzer, 2014-15 NBA Coach of the Year) to try some tricks.
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