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A few thoughts on the NBA Africa Game

By Ian Levy

May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon acknowledges the crowd during Los Angeles Clippers timeout in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon acknowledges the crowd during Los Angeles Clippers timeout in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon acknowledges the crowd during Los Angeles Clippers timeout in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon acknowledges the crowd during Los Angeles Clippers timeout in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Los Angeles Clippers won 117 to 101. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The NBA Africa Game took place this morning (or this afternoon, if you were in South Africa), pitting Team Africa against Team World in the first NBA game of any kind on the continent. It was the culmination of an excellent few days in South Africa for the NBA contingent as they continued their mission of trying to use basketball to improve the lives of others. Here are a few quick thoughts on the special event.

  • The players wearing their regular team jerseys was great. Creating a special jersey for this event would have seemed hokey. Just another thing to hawk on the NBA’s online shop. Also, I wish they would go back to this for the All-Star Game.
  • Dikembe Mutombo and Hakeem Olajuwon showing up was assumed, but them suiting up and checking in to the game was a shock. It felt like a when a wrestler shows up unannounced during a WWE PPV. Plus then they played for a few minutes! I thought it was going to be something where they checked in for the free throw, got their moment, then checked back out, but nope. Hakeem even got a bucket! For someone who never got to watch Olajuwon, that was a great, great basketball moment.
  • Our guy Giannis showed out for Team Africa, dropping 22 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He’s basically unstoppable in exhibition games like this where no one forces him to shoot a jumper, haha.
  • Sure it was an exhibition, but the game itself was actually really fun, especially in the fourth quarter. Both teams were cashing out from three and running extremely fun fast breaks, and you can’t ask for more as a basketball fan.
  • All in all, this was a spectacular few days for the NBA, and an excellent closing event. I hope they do this, or something similar again next year.
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