Tanzanian (East African) brothers enjoy first NBA experience in Indy
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Brothers James and Penda Kopwe, natives of Tanzania, East Africa, followed the NBA for years but never attended a game.
When they finally decided to go, they chose basketball country.
They chose Indiana.
The two attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference playoff series between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, and it was an unforgettable experience for both.
James, a Miami Heat fan, lives in Birmingham, Ala. Penda, a Los Angeles Lakers fan, lived in Huntsville, Ala. but has moved to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The brothers have spent most holidays over the years sitting in front of a television among their family members, arguing about whether the Heat or Lakers were better. One of those teams usually plays on Thanksgiving or Christmas, so there always has been fodder for conversation.
With Penda visiting the U.S., they took advantage of the opportunity to finally see the NBA live.
Penda, who wore a purple Kobe Bryant jersey to the game, adopted the Pacers.
“For the most part, I had to explain to people that I do not like the Miami Heat, I was there to cheer for the Pacers, and I became everybody else’s friends,” he said.
The score was tied at halftime, but Indiana took control in the second half of a 94-75 victory. The real thing was everything Penda had hoped it would be.
“It was surreal,” he said. “It was a real playoff experience. The crowd was super loud, and I don’t know how the players could even hear each other or even the calls from the refs.”
Penda playfully enjoyed watching his big brother suffer in the second half.
“It was fun, it was fun, it was heck of fun,” he said. “It was fun seeing him looking dejected and looking depressed and LeBron missing shots and getting pickpocketed and things like that. It was fun watching the Heat get destroyed.”
Penda believes in the Pacers.
“They are for real,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they go deep in the Finals, not just the Eastern finals. They’ve got it all. They play halfcourt, they’ve got the bigs, they’ve got the guards. They have a good coaching staff. My man Brian Shaw’s in there from the Lakers. I look forward to them going far. I’m really looking forward to them getting rid of Miami.”
Indiana leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 on Sunday in Indianapolis. James admits his Heat are reeling and he’s worried about the relationship between Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and guard Dwyane Wade after their disagreement, but he insists the series isn’t over.
“We’re going to get this Game 4 and take it back down,” he said.
James said the experience was much different than what he has come to know.
“What surprised me most was how real it appears compared to T.V., and how much you miss when you’re watching on T.V., especially with the hype and the home fans and how loud it can be,” he said.
James couldn’t help notice the sign at Bankers Life that reads: In 49 states, it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana. He now understands.
“It was fun all around,” he said. “The crowd was phenomenal. That crowd was just ready to enjoy and celebrate and really sucked the juice out of the Miami bench. It was great. I wish I could do this quite often.”
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
