March Maddness

Saigon has been infected with basketball fever.  Just recently, a new South East Asia professional basketball league formed.  Vietnam decided to participate in the league and the Saigon Heat basketball team was formed.  This team consists of local players from the country as well as a few American players who kept their dreams of playing "professional basketball" alive by moving across the world and playing for fans who have never handled a basketball themselves, let alone watched a game.

Last night, we rallied our friends and took the long taxi to Tan Binh district to root for the Heat.  We had purchased tickets the night before at a restaurant in the city for a rocking "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" deal.  The tickets were only 60,000 VND each but this deal dropped the price to a mere 40,000 ($2 US) per ticket.  That means all 10 of us purchased tickets to the game for about the same price of 2 beers at a basketball game in the states!!  What was even better ... yesterday morning on our weekly shopping trip to the Vietnamese grocery store, we saw a player there purchasing his own Gatorade like beverage so we wished him luck and told him we would be at the game.  (How did we know he played for the heat?  Not many near 7 foot tall African Americans live in this country nor do they rock "Heat" gear).

The game was unlike any other professional sporting event we had ever encountered.  First, the stadium held approximately 1,000 fans (we have seen high school gyms bigger).  Second, the players seemed to have a hard time playing a controlled game where baskets were actually made (we have seen high school games played better).  Third, the cheerleaders looked like they had learned to "cheer" from a combination of Youtube videos and a kindergarten ballet class (yes, high school cheer squads are WAY better).  All of these things (along with 50 cent beers, great friends, and fun rallies at the end to nearly win the game) made for an extremely enjoyable and memorable night.  We are already planning for our next game where for $20 USD you get court side seats (in big comfy chairs covered in satin, obviously), free snack bags, and a Saigon Heat T-Shirt.  Until then we will chant, "Defense, Saigon, defense!"

Our group in good spirits, ready to root on the Heat.

Seats were not assigned but on a 1st come basis.  We managed to get 10 grouped together but right next to the loudest speaker we may have ever heard.  Our ears still ring.

Saigon heat vs the Indonesian Warriors.  This is the view from our $2 seats.

The cheer team.  Some of their moves we have seen being practiced during "Sexy Dance Class" at our gym!

Getting excited about something during the game.  Feel free to yell but just don't stand up to do so!

Adam and Jimmy saw the "hype man/announcer" after the game.  He acted too cool to have his picture taken prior to jumping on his moped and driving away.

This was the highlight for Adam and Jimmy.  They ran into the ESPN Asia basketball reporter.  I proposed a photo.  Jimmy proposed marriage.