Their first visit to Taiwan may be short, but four former NBA stars will be left with beautiful memories of the country, LA Lakers shooter Glen Rice said yesterday.
“It’s all about the people — we love them and they love us,” Rice said.
Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, however, was more interested in Taipei’s “karaoke” culture, saying that he had already tried singing at a KTV twice while in Taipei and “drank a lot.”
The four basketball players held their first press conference in Taipei yesterday morning — following their arrival earlier this week — though not on a basketball court; it was held at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club instead.
Pippen, a former Chicago Bulls forward, jokingly told reporters that his level of golf was probably the same as that of world No. 1 player Tiger Woods, or “maybe better.”
He did not say how good he was, opting to keep his handicap a secret. There was no telling when the four players finished their 18 holes under the scorching sun, as no official scores were kept.
Pippen and Rice said they were having a great time on their first visit to Taiwan, and that they were overwhelmed by the hospitality and enthusiasm of the people.
Pippen and Rice, along with Clyde Drexler of the Rockets and B.J. Armstrong of the Bulls, are in Taipei on the 2008 NBA Madness Taiwan Tour, which will feature two exhibition matches in Taipei and Hsinchu County today and tomorrow respectively.
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