The 2024-25 NBA season began on Wednesday, October 23, Japan time. This season is full of highlights, including the success of Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the challenge of Yuki Kawamura, who signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies just before the start of the season, and has the ability to do so. becoming the fourth Japanese player in the NBA. On the 20th (Sunday), just before the start of the season, WOWOW released “BE: FIRST MANATO’s first appearance! Special just before the start of the 2024-25 NBA season!” on WOWOW’s official YouTube and WOWOW On Demand (archived release available).
MANATO from the 7-member dance and vocal group BE:FIRST will appear on WOWOW for the first time as a special guest. We spoke with basketball analyst Chris Sasaki, So!
After the broadcast, MANATO, who is no stranger to his love and passion for the NBA, will talk about how he came to like the Lakers, what he expected of Hachimura, and the things he is similar to Kawamura, who is from the same Fukuoka prefecture and is a classmate. speak
[Gu h-ìosal tha agallamh MANATO]
Q. Please tell us your thoughts on your first look at WOWOW NBA.
It was the most fun. There weren’t many people around me that I could talk to about the NBA, so I was just happy to have this opportunity to talk about what I love. Also, I learned a lot. Personally, I was happy that I had the prediction to win with Sotaro Nagasawa and Chris Sasaki. I was happy to think that we were able to see things from the same perspective.
From left: Misaki Miyawaki, Sotaro Nagasawa, MANATO, Chris SasakiQ. I understand you are a big Lakers fan. Please tell us how and why you started liking the Lakers.
I started watching the NBA around the time Hachimura was drafted (in 2019). When you think of watching the NBA, the first name that comes to mind is LeBron James. That made me want to pay attention to the Lakers. I also like the taste of the players in the Lakers draft, and the excitement of the audience. I love that even though I’m seeing it live, I can feel the excitement as if I were there at the venue.
Q. Please tell us what you expect from Hachimura, who plays an active role in the Lakers.
I think he is a very competitive player. Last season, he was active in the competition in the season (renamed the NBA Cup starting this season) and the playoffs. I think he can be a key player for the Lakers, regardless of his inclination to be a fan. The Lakers have players like LeBron and D’Angelo Russell who can create plays, so I think it’s important to see how we can make three points using the passes that these players make. ‘ take over. I think outside shooting can be counted as an option for the Lakers, so I have high hopes for that.
Q. Yuki Kawamura, who is the same age as me, is struggling to play in the NBA. How do you feel about Kawamura’s challenge?
I am so happy. Even before I signed the two-way contract, I was excited about the opportunity to try abroad. When the two-way deal was announced, it was late in Japan (early morning on the 20th), but miraculously I was awake and very surprised when the news broke. I was so happy to be able to feel the joy with people from all over the world. Kawamura is from the same Japan, Fukuoka prefecture, the same generation, and he is working hard on the world stage. I’ve been watching Kawamura-kun’s interview videos in English, and I’m also inspired by his attitude of trying to adapt to the team quickly and learn English as quickly as possible. I think it’s because of this attitude that everyone on the team loves him.
Q. Do you keep in touch with Kawamura?
I first contacted him when he played in the Grizzlies preseason for the first time. When I called him and said, “I watched the game. When I was there to cover the match between the Japanese national teams and South Korea (before the Olympics in Paris), I was able met him and I encouraged him, “Do your best!” Since we are the same age, I think we have a real sense of passion and camaraderie in the sense that we compete at a high level – the world stage. I will continue to support them both as a fan and as a classmate.
Q. I think Kawamura and Keio Tominaga have something in common with MANATO, which is active globally, because they aim to be successful abroad
I think that jumping into an unknown world and taking on challenges can be scary and worrying. BE:FIRST members also try to answer interviews with foreign media in English as much as possible. We have big dreams, and I think Kawamura and Tominaga have big dreams about playing in the NBA, so I hope we can do our best together.
As a BE:FIRST, I had the opportunity to go abroad this year. I felt that the local people were very interested in it. That’s why I thought it was so important to show just as much interest and love to the other person by asking them what they wanted to know right away.
Q. You mentioned in your broadcast that you should pay attention to the New Orleans Pelicans, but what specifically are the points to watch this season?
I think that the main parts and the roles that each person will play will remain the same as they were from last season. I also think that there are good supporters and role players around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who will leave results like two aces. Also, the line-up is amazing, so I just want Sion to do whatever he wants.
Q. What is the NBA’s attraction to MANATO?
The first time I watched the NBA was a collection of highlight plays. (The NBA) is a world of physical prowess, so you’ll see (in the highlights collection) things like incredible passes and dunks from incredible leaping power. If this is your first time watching the NBA, I recommend starting with the highlights.
Q. On November 7th (Thursday Japan time), the Lakers, who belong to Hachimura, and the Grizzlies, who belong to Kawamura, will face off. If you were both on the court, which one would you support?
That’s hard… Is there an option not to watch it? (Laughs) But I would like to see them on the same court. I’m rooting for the Lakers, so I hope they win, but the opportunity to see those two at this stage is great, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m happy just to be able to see it.
WOWOW will broadcast the 2024-25 NBA season daily. Two Lakers games, owned by Rui Hachimura, will be broadcast live each week. In addition, “Rui Hachimura scheduled to appear Suns vs. Lakers” on Saturday, October 26th will be broadcast and distributed for free.
Free streaming and free distribution of “Suns vs. Lakers” on Saturday, October 26th!
more! !
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Critical archive distribution decision! Will Yuki Kawamura become the fourth Japanese player to make his NBA debut?
First game to watch: Yuki Kawamura’s Memphis Crizzles vs Utah Jazz
10/24 (Thursday) 3:00 p.m
Full game archive distribution started on WOWOW On Demand
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■ October WOWOW NBA broadcast/distribution schedule
10/25 (Friday) 8:30 a.m. “Spurs vs. Mavericks”[WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/26 (Saturday) 8:30 a.m. “Pacers vs. Knicks”[WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/26 (Saturday) 10:50am “Rui Hachimura to Reveal Suns vs. Lakers”
[WOWOWプライム][WOWOWオンデマンド]* Free broadcast / free distribution
10/27 (Sunday) 8:00am “Celtics vs. pistons”[WOWOWライブ][WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/28 (Monday) 9:30 a.m. “Clippers vs. “Warriors”[WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/29 (Tuesday) 11:00 a.m. “Rui Hachimura to Reveal Lakers vs. Suns”[WOWOWライブ][WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/30 (Wednesday) 8:30 a.m. “Mavericks vs. Timberwolves”[WOWOWオンデマンド]
10/31 (Thursday) 8:00 a.m. “Celtics vs. pacers”[WOWOWオンデマンド]
[làrach-lìn oifigeil prògram WOWOW NBA]
https://www.wowow.co.jp/sports/nba/
[WOWOW air iarrtas]
https://wod.wowow.co.jp/genre/nba
【WOWOW NBA 公式X】
