台灣電子報

(央廣) 江昭倫
  

NBA球隊登陸台灣進行熱身賽，10月8日，丹佛金塊隊跟印地安納步行者隊，將現身台北市進行對決。

主辦單位今天下午在台北市舉行記者會，臺北市長郝龍斌（見圖左三）、行政院體育委員會主任委員戴遐齡（中）都出席記者會，同時獲贈兩隊的球衣。

（圖．文／李天助）

NBA美國職業籃球今天(19日)宣布，10月8日將首次在台北市舉辦一場規模盛大的海外熱身賽，由丹佛金塊隊(Denver Nuggets, DEN)對上印地安納步行者隊(Indiana Pacers, IND)，而台北市也是第七個舉辦美國國家籃球協會（National Basketball Association, NBA）賽事的亞洲城市，屆時台灣球迷將可親眼目睹原汁原味的NBA精彩賽事。

台灣籃球迷引領期盼了好久，終於有機會在台北市親眼目睹正宗的NBA精采賽事！

NBA美國職業籃球19日宣布，10月8日將首度在台北市舉辦一場海外熱身賽，由丹佛金塊隊(Denver Nuggets, DEN)對上印地安納步行者隊(Indiana Pacers, IND)，這也是NBA自1946年成立以來，第一次有兩支NBA球隊到台灣比賽，估計動員的球員和工作人員將超過百位以上。

這次來台北市的兩支球隊中，丹佛金塊隊今年曾打入西區決賽，這次隨隊來台的球員包括拿過兩屆NBA全明星球員的Carmelo Anthony和2004年NBA總冠軍賽最有價值球員Chauncey Billups；而印地安納步行者隊則由NBA全明星球員Danny Granger和後衛T.J. Ford領軍。

NBA大中華區首席執行長陳永正表示，為了呈現最原汁原味的NBA賽事，包括工作人員和啦啦隊都將從美國飛抵台灣。陳永正說：『(原音)為了保證是原汁原味，所以我們這次來的，除了是兩個球隊以外，球隊的工作人員、啦啦隊，我們表演的節目，包括球賽的地板，都是從美國一起過來的。我們有兩架包機747，從兩個城市飛過來，我想最主要就是希望在台灣許多球迷，能夠不用離開台灣，就可以看到這樣的比賽。』

陳永正表示，去年在台北市舉辦的NBA傳奇明星友誼賽，在台灣掀起轟動，加上台灣球迷一直以來對NBA的支持，才促成這次「破冰之旅」。在10月8日活動之前，也會有一系列暖身活動，讓台灣球迷充分感受NBA的魅力，也希望對提升台灣籃球運動有正面助益。

這場NBA台北市賽事規劃在台北小巨蛋舉行，估計可容納1萬2000多名觀眾，門票售價最低新台幣800元、最高7500元。凡是持有國泰世華銀行信用卡的人6月22日可以率先購票，6月25日則正式全面對外售票。

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THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

PACERS TO PLAY IN FIRST-EVER NBA PRESEASON GAME IN TAIWAN

News Release | June 19, 2009
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced Friday the Indiana Pacers will participate in the first-ever NBA game played in Taipei, the Pacers first overseas trip since 1996. The announcement took place earlier today in Taipei with NBA Greater China CEO Tim Chen, Mayor of Taipei Hau Lung-bin, Minister of the Sports Affairs Council Tai Hsia Ling, and President of the ROC Taiwan Basketball Association, Wang Ren-Da.

On Oct. 8, the Pacers will play the Denver Nuggets at Taipei Arena in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. The game in Taipei is the fourth preseason game the NBA has announced that will be played outside the United States and Canada this October. To date, the NBA has staged a total of 93 games outside of the U.S. and Canada in 31 cities in 16 countries and territories.

"I think this is a great opportunity for our franchise and hopefully recognition from the NBA of the team we are building, the way we play and the effort that our players put forth," said Pacers President of Basketball Larry Bird. "Having been to Europe as a player with the Celtics and later as part of the U.S. Olympic Team, it's a great opportunity to promote our game and create new fans of the Pacers. The Far East loves the NBA and for us to be a part of this trip is an important milestone for the Pacers."

In 1996, the Pacers played Seattle in Berlin, Germany, and Seville, Spain.

Additionally, the Pacers are pleased to announce that the Indiana Pacemates have been chosen by the NBA to participate in the NBA Jam Van China Tour. As part of the Jam Van China Tour, the Pacemates will travel to China and tour the country with the NBA Jam Van and the OPPO University Challenge. While in China, the Pacemates will perform dance routines, interact with fans and make appearance at various partner hospitality functions and media events.

The Pacemates will leave Indianapolis June 23 to travel to Ji'Nan, followed by stops in Qing'Dao and Beijing. They will return to Indiana on July 6. Fans can follow their journey by checking Pacers com for photos and a blog by Pacemates Coordinator/Choreographer Michelle Duggan.

"It's an honor for the Pacers to have the NBA choose our franchise for these opportunities in this important part of the world," said Jim Morris, President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. "We are extremely excited to introduce the Pacers' brand of basketball to the fans in Taiwan and the Pacemates to the fans in China."

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THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE DENVER NUGGETS

Nuggets to Face Pacers in Taipei this October
The October 8th game will be the first-ever NBA game played in Taipei

TAIPEI, Jun. 19, 2009 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced it will play its first-ever game in Taipei when the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers tip off at the Taipei Arena on October 8, 2009. The announcement took place today in Taipei with NBA Greater China CEO Tim Chen, Mayor of Taipei Hau Lung-bin, Minister of the Sports Affairs Council Tai Hsia Ling, and President of the ROC Taiwan Basketball Association Wang Ren-Da. Taipei will become the seventh Asian city to host an NBA game, following Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Tokyo and Yokohama.

"October 8th will be an historic day for the NBA and for the millions of basketball fans in Taiwan," said NBA Greater China CEO Tim Chen. "Taiwan fans are very passionate about the game and we are honored to be able to present a matchup of these two great teams for them." 

The game at the Taipei Arena, capacity 12,874, will showcase two talented teams and some of the NBA's best players. The Nuggets made it to the Western Conference Finals this season and are led by two-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony and the 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. The Pacers are led by NBA All-Star Danny Granger who was the winner of the NBA's 2008-09 Most Improved Player award presented by Kia Motors and the fifth leading scorer in the league this season. The dance teams and mascots from both teams will be onsite to further provide an authentic NBA experience for fans.

As part of the league's commitment to social responsibility, NBA Cares will conduct community events in Taipei designed to positively impact the city and its youth. Since it began in 2005, NBA Cares has created 418 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in 20 countries across five continents.

"NBA fans in Taipei have been waiting a long time to see an NBA game in person and we are very excited to be hosting these two great teams in October," said Taipei Mayor, Mr. Hau Lung-bin. "Working together with the NBA, we plan to host an unforgettable event that will benefit our citizens and raise Taipei's profile as a premier destination for sporting events."

The game in Taipei is the fourth preseason game the NBA has announced that will be played outside the United States and Canada this October. NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS will feature the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz in London on Oct. 6 and the Jazz against the Euroleague's Real Madrid in Madrid on Oct. 8. NBA Mexico Game 2009 will feature the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers in Monterrey, Mexico on Oct. 18. To date, the NBA has staged a total of 93 games outside of the U.S. and Canada in 31 cities in 16 countries and territories.

The NBA, which opened its office in Taipei in 1997, continues to demonstrate its commitment to growing the game. During the 2008-09 season, three broadcast partners aired up to ten live games per week. In August 2008, former NBA Champions, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Glen Rice and B.J. Armstrong teamed up with players from Taiwan's Super Basketball League to play two exhibition games as part of the NBA Legends Challenge. The league has organized dozens of other interactive fan events including NBA Madness, NBA Jam session and NBA 2-ball.