Superman’s latest flight took him halfway across the world. After an uncertain free agency, superstar former NBA center Dwight Howard finally and surprisingly settled on Taiwan’s T1 League, where the Taoyuan Leopards have welcomed him with open arms and plenty of photographs.
In the two weeks since the team announced their latest addition, Taiwanese media and fans have barely been able to contain their excitement. A livestreamed video of Howard visiting a Taoyuan night market and trying chicken butt on a stick (“This is some good-ass chicken!”) not only got thousands of views and extensive media coverage in Taiwan, but also the attention of US sports media such as Bleacher Report.
The Leopards — who are looking for a turnaround after finishing fifth out of six teams last season — sold out 60,000 tickets to four home games within 10 minutes of opening sales after the announcement, and are adding special courtside seats to meet surging demand.
More than 15,000 of those fans got what they hoped for on Saturday, when Howard in his debut contributed 38 points, 25 rebounds and nine assists in a dramatic come-from-behind win against the New Taipei CTBC DEA. Despite posting another impressive 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds on Sunday, Howard could not help the Leopards pull out another win, as fatigue began to show after a taxing 91 minutes on the court.
While Howard is by far the biggest star to be nabbed by a Taiwanese basketball franchise, the nation’s three leagues are no strangers to NBA talent. To keep play competitive for homegrown players, the T1 League, P.League+ and Super Basketball League cap the number of imported players allowed on each team, as well as salaries. The latter rule was lifted in this special case, raising the question of whether the same might be done for other marquee signings. The answer could come soon, as other franchises are reportedly trying to woo Enes Kanter Freedom, Isaiah Thomas and Carmelo Anthony.
Taiwan’s rising status as a destination for former NBA players is a benefit to all involved. Basketball fans in Taiwan get a chance to see their favorite players in action wearing their hometown colors. Players can take advantage of Taiwan’s famously safe and friendly way of life. Howard, when announcing his move, said he chose Taiwan for its enthusiastic fan base, which he got a chance to meet in his three previous promotional tours here.
Taiwan also provides the chance for players to make a statement with their semi-retirement. Many players jump around teams to pick up hefty paychecks in China, Turkey, Russia and elsewhere. Although the pay might not be as competitive, a stint in Taiwan sends a message that some things are more important than money, while also providing a better overall experience.
For Taiwanese basketball, the benefits are obvious. The P.League+ and T1 are both new, having been founded in 2020 and last year respectively. There is nothing better than a marquee signing to get butts in seats and hopefully lift the quality of play.
Perhaps the biggest winner is Taiwan, whose night markets and hot-pot joints are getting play on international sports news. Having a top player like Howard say repeatedly how much he loves Taiwan and its fans casts the nation in the kind of light that tourism promotions cannot, showing people abroad what it is really like here through the eyes of a sports star.
While hopefully other exciting players come in the near future, it is also crucial for the leagues to balance their signings. Salary races to the top have ruined small leagues when those holding the pocketbooks see just how much their passion project has cost them. Yet as long as their guardrails hold, Taiwan can look forward to some exciting basketball, as well as closer and more meaningful international ties.
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