[WATCH] American Basketball Team's Priceless Reaction To The Kiwis' 'Haka'
Was the dance enough to scare the Americans?
By Darian Goh — 04 Sep 2014, 01:44 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
On Sep 2 2014, Team USA faced off against the "Tall Blacks", the nickname given to the New Zealand basketball team in the FIBA World Cup
On Sep 2 2014, Team USA faced off against the "Tall Blacks", the nickname given to the New Zealand basketball team in the FIBA World Cup.
Image via whas11.comThe "Tall Blacks" started the game with its traditional 'Haka' dance, a performance borrowed from the ancient Maori tribe to symbolise strength, unity and pride
A haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. The New Zealand rugby team's practice of performing a haka before their matches has made the dance more widely known around the world. The New Zealand basketball team also perform a haka before each game.
This, after the "Tall Blacks" launched into Tuesday's match against the United States with a pre-game haka dance, an ancient performance borrowed from the island's Māori people, meant to fiercely display the group's "pride, strength and unity."
During the dance, some of the camera close-ups revealed shocked reactions from American stars such as Derrick Rose. We wonder what is going through their head.
In a pre-match ritual, the "Tall Blacks" faced their opponents and performed the haka, a traditional Māori war cry and dance, causing an interesting reaction from the Americans. It is quite difficult to tell whether U.S. players Derrick Rose and James Harden, whose mouths hang open during the spectacle, are extremely confused or scared senseless. Either way, it is a beautiful moment.
mashable.com
U.S. players turned to watch the spectacle, with camera close-ups showing Derrick Rose and James Harden looking on, open-mouthed. It's unclear whether Rose and Harden were slack-jawed in amazement, confusion or fear.
The performance did not affect the Americans as they went on to win the game 98-71
The performance did not affect the Americans as they went on to win the game 98-71.
Image via theepochtimes.comAfter the dance concluded, the United States players clapped, then focused on the ensuing game, winning 98-71.
go.comDuring the game, the Americans answered the pregame challenge by simply pounding the ball inside and overpowering the overmatched foe. Team USA is 3-0 during the group phase.
nydailynews.comThe U.S. won the game 98-71, which means we should be due for a Colin Cowherd rant about how real winners never dance in public.
deadspin.com