On December 6, WOWOW released a report on the "Real Chat 2024-25 Season" talk event, which was held on the 1st as part of the popular streaming project "NBA Chat." The event took place at LOFT9 Shibuya (Shibuya, Tokyo), and featured special guest Hara Shuta of the Chiba Jets Funabashi of the professional basketball league "B League," attracting many NBA fans.
This year's "Real Idobata Kaigi" was held as a hybrid with a live stream on the distribution platform "ZAIKO", and featured light-hearted conversations on various NBA topics with composer Taisei Iwasaki, comedian and university lecturer Sankyuu Tatsuo, twin rappers Suzuki Kamisizu brothers, and NBA Japan senior editor Onishi Reo. During the event, B.League commentator Nagata Minoru and Washington Wizards "official super fan" and graphic designer MQ also took to the stage.
Currently, the Emirates NBA Cup 2024 is underway in the NBA, and the group pre-qualifying round, in which 5 teams are divided into 6 groups, ended on the 4th (local time 3rd). The knockout round with the top 8 teams will begin on the 11th (local time 10th).
Regarding the Emirates NBA Cup, Sankyuu Tatsuo is focusing on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are making great strides with the league's best winning percentage (18 wins, 3 losses), and the Boston Celtics, last season's NBA champions and second in the East (16 wins, 4 losses). Looking back on the match between the two teams on November 20th (19th in the US), in which the Celtics won a close game 120-117, he said, "It was really worth watching. Boston won. They're really amazing."
He continued, "So, even if they go to the playoffs (and face the Cavaliers), I think it will be Boston in terms of strength," but pointed out, "(But) Cleveland also has strong players like (Evan) Mobley and Jarrett Allen."
Regarding Kawamura Yuki (Memphis Grizzlies), who became the fourth Japanese player in history to play in the NBA this season, Onishi was amazed that he was able to reach his current position in one leap, even if he had gained experience in the United States for a longer period of time. Sankyuu Tatsuo commented, "It's amazing that he made the opening roster," while Takahiro, the older of the Suzuki brothers, responded, "He's loved by the locals."
About an hour after the start of the game, Hara appeared. Hara will represent Japan in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and has experience playing against NBA players. When asked by Takahiro, "Who was the toughest player you played against?", he chose Luka Doncic, a superstar for the Dallas Mavericks and a member of the Slovenian national team, who the Japanese national team played against in a warm-up match in Tokyo before the World Cup.
Hara revealed the episode, saying, "I think (Doncic) was just playing around, and when I thought I was desperately getting in the way to defend, he was like, 'Well, I'll do it like this (attack in a different way)'. So I immediately committed about three fouls. Once I flew off with a shot fake, and (Doncic, who was hit by me) looked hurt. Then, I don't know why, but maybe he's a Mavs fan, I got a DM from him saying, 'Don't hurt him' (laughs)."
In response to the question "Which NBA player would you like to see join the B.League in the future?" Hara recommended Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Utah Jazz), who is 198 cm tall but weighs 125 kg, while Iwasaki, who has "treated" Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) to breakfast in Japan, emphasized, "If you're a Japan lover, it's Eric Gordon (Philadelphia 76ers)."
The conversation continued with Hara, following a wide range of topics requested by the attendees, from serious topics such as "Predictions for this season's MIP," "Trade predictions," and "About head coach JJ Redick (Lakers)," to more light-hearted topics such as "Should the head coach wear a jersey or a suit?" and "What NBA gossip story made you laugh recently?"
The archived broadcast of "Real Idobata Kaigi ★ 2024-25 Season" can be viewed on "ZAIKO" until 11:59 pm on December 7th. Streaming tickets are on sale until 6 pm on the 7th. There are two types of ticket prices: a ticket with a special beer mug (4,700 yen plus 135 yen handling fee) and a regular ticket (2,000 yen plus 135 yen handling fee).
