New Zealand has yet to win a game at the Basketball World Cup, but the team is undefeated in showmanship.
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."
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.
U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Associated Press the haka "was a really neat thing to do," adding that the team admired the tradition and planned "to shake hands with [New Zealand] afterwards."
The U.S. ultimately won the game, with a final score of 98-71.
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."
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.
U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Associated Press the haka "was a really neat thing to do," adding that the team admired the tradition and planned "to shake hands with [New Zealand] afterwards."
The U.S. ultimately won the game, with a final score of 98-71.