NBA games will display level not seen before in India — Williams

Kolkata, Oct. 2 (IANS): When Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers play in the first ever NBA India Games in Mumbai, the level of basketball on display will leave fans in the country “shocked” as they will be in for a treat, feels NBA legend Jason Williams.

“I think the fans here are in for a treat when they see the Kings and the Pacers play,” Williams told IANS on Wednesday.

“The fans have never seen a brand of basketball that they are going to see here with these guys. The talent level is so high, they are so fast and the way they jump. Everything is like…maybe it will put you guys in shock. Just because you guys have never seen anything like this,” said Williams, a NBA champion with Miami Heat in 2006 and a Sacramento Kings legend.

Pacers and Kings will play two pre-season games at the DOME, NSCI, SVP Stadium in Mumbai on Friday and Saturday.

While the opening game on Friday is reserved for over 3,000 youth under a Reliance Foundation Junior Programme, the one to be played the next day at NSCI in Worli is open for the general public.

Talking about the players in Pacers’ and Kings’ rosters, Williams, who donned the Kings’ shirt between 1998-2001 as he started off, said it’s a big opportunity for them to impress the Indian audience and turn them into their fans and develop a liking for the sport.

“It’s huge for the Pacers and the Kings to come to India for the first time for the NBA in India, it’s a huge honour for those guys to come and play here. I mean basketball is such a great sport. It’s a beautiful game,” said the 43-year-old former point guard known for his passes, crossover dribble moves and alley-oop plays.

In Mumbai for the first time, Williams said: “This is just my second day here, its a beautiful city.”