NBA: The 'Big Smooth' Sam Perkins lands in Manila to promote preseason game

With only 100 days to go until the NBA Global Games match between the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers in October, NBA veteran Sam "Big Smooth" Perkins graced the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday to enjoin fans to support the historic event.

Together with Perkins were NBA country director Carlo Singson, MOA business unit head Arnel Gonzales and marketing and sponsorship head Nicole Deato.

"On behalf of the NBA and myself, we're privileged to be here for the NBA Global Games," said Perkins, who arrived in Manila just last night. "I'm excited to be here – even though I don't look like it – and I'm thrilled to be here as part of the process that the NBA has worked on to make the game special here in the Philippines."

Perkins' arrival marks the beginning of the 100 Day Countdown event towards the highly anticipated preseason match between the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. He will also be present for mall visits and programs conducted by the NBA and the SM Group.

"We want to make sure that it's special enough that we'll have enough support in October. With your support it'll be a lot of fun and excitement for the players themselves and the fans," he added.

Perkins also lauded how much the league's efforts to internationalize the game have grown since his time in the league from 1984 to 2001. "When I started, the NBA concentrated itself in Europe, [until] all of a sudden [it] become noticed in other countries," he said. "With all the things happening in the world, the NBA was able to bring its brand to all over."

Perkins was a 6'9" pivotman who made his name as a versatile big with range. Throughout his 18-year pro career, Perkins normed 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds.

The North Carolina Tar Heel was drafted one slot behind teammate Michael Jordan by the Dallas Mavericks with the fourth overall pick in 1984. He then moved on to play vital roles with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle Supersonics, reaching the NBA Finals in 1991 and 1996, respectively, bowing out each time to Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Perkins then played out his last three seasons with the Indiana Pacers, getting to the Finals once more in 2000, before retiring in 2001.

Perkins was also on the last amateur United States basketball team to win an Olympic Gold Medal, during the 1984 Los Angeles Games, together with Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin.

All roads lead to the MOA Arena

Singson revealed that the NBA had planned activities in the months leading up to the match in October. The NBA 3X event will take place from July 26-28, featuring the New Orleans Pelicans' Eric Gordon, James Harden from the Houston Rockets, the Pacers dance team and the Memphis Grizzlies mascot. In addition, he said they're looking to continue the NBA Fit program as well, though not necessarily with Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra as in previous years.

Barring serious injuries, Singson confirmed that all players present on both rosters will visit Manila in October. He's also hoping that NBA legend Larry Bird, who was recently rehired by the Pacers to head their basketball operations, will be in attendance.

But the line-up of events is far from set, said Singson, and they're looking to bring other NBA stars to the Philippines to promote the games. "Sam won't be the last legend to come here to the Philippines, we're trying to bring one or two more before the game."

Singson added that regular season games in the Philippines were being discussed, but are a remote possibility for now.

Perkins chimed in on a more optimistic note, saying a lot would hinge on the turnout this October. "I don't think players were really opposed to having a regular season game [abroad]. Now that it's part of the game now, their attitude is now better prepared. Now that there's a foreman in place, it may become a regular thing.

"I think the preseason is more viable because it's an experiment. It all depends on the support. And if there's enough support here...I think you'll have it more and more. If you really support it well here, you'll see NBA teams more often," he said.

Tickets still available

Fans can still be part of the NBA experience this October, said Deato, confirming that around "71 percent" of tickets have been sold for the Rockets-Pacers showdown. She estimated that around 700 tickets per section were still up for grabs.

"The passion of Filipinos for basketball cannot be denied. We will make sure this will be unforgettable not because this will be the first, but because it will be great."

Besides Manila, the NBA Global Games will visit Brazil for the first time, and the cities of Bilbao, Spain and Manchester, England. Eight teams, namely the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards, will participate in games held in six different countries, including games in Beijing, Istanbul, Shanghai and Taipei.

Since 1978, the league has held 138 preseason and regular season games in 19 countries and regions around the world. - AMD, GMA News