Former NBA Star Dwight Howard Arrives in Taiwan 前NBA球星魔獸霍華德抵台 球迷熱情接機

Former NBA star Dwight Howard has signed to play for the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League. He arrived in Taiwan last night and received a warm welcome from the fans. Tickets for Howard's first game went on sale at noon on the 10th. Nearly 60,000 tickets for the first four home games were sold out in just 10 minutes.

Dwight Howard, who is 208 cm tall, immediately attracted attention as soon as he stepped off the plane. Howard, known as the "Magic Beast", arrived in Taiwan on the evening of the 10th to join the Taoyuan Leopards of the Taiwan T1 League. More than 200 fans greeted him at the airport. When Howard saw the large number of fans waiting at the scene, he not only laughed, but also hugged the fans with open arms. He also stopped to sign autographs for the fans, while some people brought long-cherished framed jerseys for him to sign.

Mr. Lu, Fan: “( Reporter: “How does it feel to get your ball signed?”) Just wow, he finally signed it for me. (Reporter: “Did you cry just now?”) Soon. I think I will cry when I go back today and think about it. ”

Mr. Sun, Fan: “( Reporter: “Are you happy when you heard he's coming to play in Taiwan?”) I've probably been crazy all morning. I'm losing my breath. ”

This is the fifth time Howard is in Taiwan. He will join the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League. From top to bottom, the team is looking forward to be playing with formerly the best center in NBA history. The former 8-time NBA All-Star will be the most famous foreign player in Taiwan's basketball history.

Liu Chia-fa, Head Coach, Taoyuan Leopards: “A player with such a good NBA level, he was very clear about sharing the ball while playing in the NBA. This allows each team he played for to play team basketball.”

Cheng Wei, Point Guard, Taoyuan Leopards: “I would like to see him share his experiences with our defenders. Or in the process of playing together, learn some of his experiences so I can improve. ”

Tickets for Howard's debut in Taiwan started selling at 12 p.m. on the 10th. The first home game on the 19th was sold out in less than 5 minutes. Tickets for the first four home games were also sold out in 10 minutes. 
 

前美國職籃NBA知名球星，外號「魔獸」的霍華德（Dwight Howard），昨天晚間搭機抵台，受到球迷熱烈歡迎；第5度來台的魔獸，親切地跟球迷打招呼，還停下腳步簽名，有球迷直呼感動到快哭出來。霍身高208公分一走下機就立即吸引目光，前NBA球星「魔獸」霍華德（Dwight Howard），10日晚間搭機抵台，將要加盟台灣T1聯盟桃園雲豹，昨夜在桃園機場吸引超過200名球迷接機，讓長途跋涉的霍華德，一下機就感受到台灣球迷的熱情。霍華德一見到現場守候的大批球迷，不僅開懷大笑，也張開雙臂隔空擁抱球迷；魔獸還停下腳步，幫現場球迷簽名，還有人帶來珍藏已久的裱框球衣給他簽名。

球迷呂先生被問簽到球的感覺時表示：「哇，他終於拿了，他終於拿了！（剛剛有哭嗎？）快了，我覺得今天回去想到應該會哭。」

另一位球迷孫先生也說，聽到他要來台灣打球很開心：「我大概瘋了一整個早上，我就要缺氧了！」

過去4度來台的霍華德，這回第5度造訪寶島，將加入T1聯盟桃園雲豹，讓球團從上到下，都很期待能跟這位曾經是NBA最佳中鋒，且8度入選明星賽，台灣籃壇史上最大咖洋將合作。

桃園永豐雲豹總教練劉嘉發認為：「一個NBA等級這麼優秀的球員，他在NBA的時候，都是很清楚去分享球，去讓每個球隊都有一個團隊打法的作用。」

永豐雲豹後衛鄭瑋表示：「我也想看看(他)跟這些後衛交流，或是配合的過程中，可以吸取他一些這樣的經驗。」

魔獸在台初登場的門票，10日中午12點開賣，19日主場首秀不到5分鐘就全部賣光，前4場主場門票，也在10分鐘就完售，展現超級吸票機威力。