New Zealand haka mesmerises USA’s NBA stars at Basketball World Cup

• 6 HOURS AGO SEPTEMBER 03, 2014 11:20AM

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Tall Blacks haka stuns Team USA at Basketball World Cup

THE look on their faces was priceless.

America’s NBA superstars paused from their warm-ups to stand and face their New Zealand opponents as they performed the haka at the Basketball World Cup overnight.

And judging by their reactions, the USA team had never seen anything like it.

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was stunned.

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose appeared dazed. Source: YouTube

James Harden, the Houston Rockets star who recently ridiculously claimed he’s the best player in the game, looked lost.

It’s not the first time James Harden has been confused in recent weeks. Source: YouTube

And Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth “The Manimal” Faried’s little “What on Earth is going on?” glance from left to right said it all, without saying anything at all.

The Manimal had no idea. Source: YouTube

Watch the US reaction to the haka in the video at the top of the page

Unfortunately for the Tall Blacks, the haka did little to halt the Americans’ power on the court, as the US outmuscled its overmatched opponent 98-71.

Anthony Davis had 21 points and nine rebounds, Faried added 15 points and 11 boards and the US remained unbeaten at the tournament by beating the winless New Zealand.

“It was pretty awesome getting to play against these guys. These are guys that we watch on TV all the time,” veteran forward Casey Frank said. “To be able to get out there on the court against them and have a little bit of success offensively, obviously the result didn’t go our way, was pretty awesome.”

MORE: Australia stuns Lithuania

New Zealand's team performs the haka. Source: AFP

USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said his players were aware the haka would be part of the pre game and they lined up to face midcourt as the New Zealand players got into their formation.

“We actually were going to shake hands with them afterwards because we knew that was a really neat thing to do and it’s part of their tradition, and we admire that,” Krzyzewski said.

Fans enjoyed it, then were largely quiet throughout the first half as the bigger US team imposed its will, not needing the kind of highlight plays fans expect of the NBA stars.