Basketball in Taiwan

Recreation Sports
1

I used to hoop 4-5 days a week during my younger days. Due to knee pain, my days of running full are over and I’m limited to only 3on3 halfcourt games now. Back in the day, I used to love hooping at Da’an Park. Competition is better these days, or maybe I’m just older, slower, and out of shape. These days, playing ball just isn’t what it used to be anymore. Playing out here, with their dubious rules and lack of respect for the game have really sucked the enjoyment out of playing. It continues to amaze me how they have no respect for the game. If the ball goes out of bounds but it wasn’t completely obvious, it didn’t go out (or it went off you). Game point and you slap down hard and get nothing but ball–foul. And we all know about the “Taiwan travel”. I dunno about you guys, but picking up your pivot and taking 2 steps before dribbling the ball is a walk–except in Taiwan apparently.

I was playing at Adidas 101 last night. I’m a bout 5’11, 180 lbs. I get matched up with some dude about 6’2-6’3, and he probably had maybe a good 20 pounds on me. We’re battling for position down in the paint for a rebound when the guy just drops to the ground like he got shot. He starts spitting f-bombs and giving me the death stare as if I was the one who put him there. All I could do is laugh and smile because I’m not even going to waste the time trying to ask what I did. Next thing I know Taiwan Kendrick Perkins is throwing bows at my head like hes Mutumbo. Dude is grabbing, holding and hes got 2 hands on my back and I’m dodging his elbows in the paint. On the flipside, dude is calling bitch fouls and phantom fouls like no other. I can’t stand how its always the same shit every night. Why does the biggest muufuggah out here always end up being the biggest pussy? I try to keep my cool because I don’t want to act like I’m this ABC trying to show up the locals, but with some of the shit these guys do, you just cant help but laugh…

Just venting, guys. Wondering if any of you guys have experienced the same thing. I know the locals won’t understand because they could care less if some dude is out there cheating and lying his ass off just to stay on the court a little bit longer. You try to do that shit back home, and you’ll get clowned on all night. Not here though. They could care less. But at the same time, can you blame them? That is how they grew up playing the game. Flops, travels, phantom fouls, bitch fouls, and an utter lack of respect for the game is all they know out here. Obviously, I’m not describing every local out here, but I’m pretty sure ya’ll know what I’m talking about.

2

Maybe it’s because the world cup is just over and they’ve picked up a few things… j/k.

I always felt that’s exactly what goes on when I play with Taiwanese guys really really frigging into basketball. That’s why I grew up hating playing basketball…

3

[quote=“hansioux”]Maybe it’s because the world cup is just over and they’ve picked up a few things… j/k.

I always felt that’s exactly what goes on when I play with Taiwanese guys really really frigging into basketball. That’s why I grew up hating playing basketball…[/quote]

The flops are ridiculous. Sometimes they don’t even hide the fact that they’re flopping! Sadly, I don’t know how to say “Have some focking self-respect” in Chinese… All I can do is stand there in disbelief and ask “zhen de ma???”

4

[quote=“Leftywang81”][quote=“hansioux”]Maybe it’s because the world cup is just over and they’ve picked up a few things… j/k.

I always felt that’s exactly what goes on when I play with Taiwanese guys really really frigging into basketball. That’s why I grew up hating playing basketball…[/quote]

The flops are ridiculous. Sometimes they don’t even hide the fact that they’re flopping! Sadly, I don’t know how to say “Have some focking self-respect” in Chinese… All I can do is stand there in disbelief and ask “zhen de ma???”[/quote]

Jiashuai Chi Hongpai (flop gets you a red card)

5

[quote=“Leftywang81”]I used to hoop 4-5 days a week during my younger days. Due to knee pain, my days of running full are over and I’m limited to only 3on3 halfcourt games now. Back in the day, I used to love hooping at Da’an Park. Competition is better these days, or maybe I’m just older, slower, and out of shape. These days, playing ball just isn’t what it used to be anymore. Playing out here, with their dubious rules and lack of respect for the game have really sucked the enjoyment out of playing. It continues to amaze me how they have no respect for the game. If the ball goes out of bounds but it wasn’t completely obvious, it didn’t go out (or it went off you). Game point and you slap down hard and get nothing but ball–foul. And we all know about the “Taiwan travel”. I dunno about you guys, but picking up your pivot and taking 2 steps before dribbling the ball is a walk–except in Taiwan apparently.

I was playing at Adidas 101 last night. I’m a bout 5’11, 180 lbs. I get matched up with some dude about 6’2-6’3, and he probably had maybe a good 20 pounds on me. We’re battling for position down in the paint for a rebound when the guy just drops to the ground like he got shot. He starts spitting f-bombs and giving me the death stare as if I was the one who put him there. All I could do is laugh and smile because I’m not even going to waste the time trying to ask what I did. Next thing I know Taiwan Kendrick Perkins is throwing bows at my head like hes Mutumbo. Dude is grabbing, holding and hes got 2 hands on my back and I’m dodging his elbows in the paint. On the flipside, dude is calling bitch fouls and phantom fouls like no other. I can’t stand how its always the same shit every night. Why does the biggest muufuggah out here always end up being the biggest pussy? I try to keep my cool because I don’t want to act like I’m this ABC trying to show up the locals, but with some of the shit these guys do, you just cant help but laugh…

Just venting, guys. Wondering if any of you guys have experienced the same thing. I know the locals won’t understand because they could care less if some dude is out there cheating and lying his ass off just to stay on the court a little bit longer. You try to do that shit back home, and you’ll get clowned on all night. Not here though. They could care less. But at the same time, can you blame them? That is how they grew up playing the game. Flops, travels, phantom fouls, bitch fouls, and an utter lack of respect for the game is all they know out here. Obviously, I’m not describing every local out here, but I’m pretty sure ya’ll know what I’m talking about.[/quote]

Oh I know what you’re talking about.

So, did you win?

6

In Taiwan, there is no such thing as bitch foul. If someone calls foul then it’s a foul. If it’s nothing but ball but you still make contact in the play(for example your hand touches his hand after the ball’s been knocked off) it’s still a foul. Because there’s nobody officiating, and he couldn’t have known how the ball is knocked off every time.

Also, you don’t battle for a position for rebound. Either you’re there first or he’s there first.
If both of you rush to an empty spot at the same time then you collide with each other. Whatever happens happens.

I grew up playing ball and I think these are unspoken rules.

7

[quote=“Leftywang81”]I used to hoop 4-5 days a week during my younger days. Due to knee pain, my days of running full are over and I’m limited to only 3on3 halfcourt games now. Back in the day, I used to love hooping at Da’an Park. Competition is better these days, or maybe I’m just older, slower, and out of shape. These days, playing ball just isn’t what it used to be anymore. Playing out here, with their dubious rules and lack of respect for the game have really sucked the enjoyment out of playing. It continues to amaze me how they have no respect for the game. If the ball goes out of bounds but it wasn’t completely obvious, it didn’t go out (or it went off you). Game point and you slap down hard and get nothing but ball–foul. And we all know about the “Taiwan travel”. I dunno about you guys, but picking up your pivot and taking 2 steps before dribbling the ball is a walk–except in Taiwan apparently.

I was playing at Adidas 101 last night. I’m a bout 5’11, 180 lbs. I get matched up with some dude about 6’2-6’3, and he probably had maybe a good 20 pounds on me. We’re battling for position down in the paint for a rebound when the guy just drops to the ground like he got shot. He starts spitting f-bombs and giving me the death stare as if I was the one who put him there. All I could do is laugh and smile because I’m not even going to waste the time trying to ask what I did. Next thing I know Taiwan Kendrick Perkins is throwing bows at my head like hes Mutumbo. Dude is grabbing, holding and hes got 2 hands on my back and I’m dodging his elbows in the paint. On the flipside, dude is calling bitch fouls and phantom fouls like no other. I can’t stand how its always the same shit every night. Why does the biggest muufuggah out here always end up being the biggest pussy? I try to keep my cool because I don’t want to act like I’m this ABC trying to show up the locals, but with some of the shit these guys do, you just cant help but laugh…

Just venting, guys. Wondering if any of you guys have experienced the same thing. I know the locals won’t understand because they could care less if some dude is out there cheating and lying his ass off just to stay on the court a little bit longer. You try to do that shit back home, and you’ll get clowned on all night. Not here though. They could care less. But at the same time, can you blame them? That is how they grew up playing the game. Flops, travels, phantom fouls, bitch fouls, and an utter lack of respect for the game is all they know out here. Obviously, I’m not describing every local out here, but I’m pretty sure ya’ll know what I’m talking about.[/quote]

I used to play at Xindian 4-5 nights a week. You are right that it is always the biggest guy who ends up being the pussy. I was about your size, when I lived in Taiwan 5’10, 180 pounds. I always took the guy who was 6 feet plus. Often, the guy would just try to run over me when he had the ball. I like playing with the aboriginals from the Wuli area. They like to get a little physical.

The other ridiculous thing is when they call a foul when the ball has not been turned over to the other team. Just keep playing instead of calling a foul and having to take it back out and check it.

8

[quote=“steelersman”]
The other ridiculous thing is when they call a foul when the ball has not been turned over to the other team. Just keep playing instead of calling a foul and having to take it back out and check it.[/quote]
Oh yes yes this is true. This rule has been there since I was little.
I think this way everyone would know you committed a foul, and hopefully you won’t do it persistently. Just a harmless inconvenience for everyone, thanks to you.

So the team that was fouled would gain a psychological upper-hand. The team would be able to relaunch an offence.

9

I loved this! I could write a small novel on the subject, been playin in Taipei for 6 years in leagues and tournaments and just funsies.

Bottom line is this, most players are not trained properly because there are no youth teams or camps. Ppl just watch and emulate. Depending courts it can be very dofferent too.

Ever play in the league? If you are not taiwanese it is everyone vs you! The players foul flop abd do anything to win for mother and country, and the refs are too happy to help those poor Taiwanese boys defeat to foreign menace! Damn shame too because there are some awesome ballers in Taipei

10

[quote=“locdogjr”]I loved this! I could write a small novel on the subject, been playin in Taipei for 6 years in leagues and tournaments and just funsies.

Bottom line is this, most players are not trained properly because there are no youth teams or camps. people just watch and emulate. Depending courts it can be very dofferent too.

Ever play in the league? If you are not taiwanese it is everyone vs you! The players foul flop abd do anything to win for mother and country, and the refs are too happy to help those poor Taiwanese boys defeat to foreign menace! Damn shame too because there are some awesome ballers in Taipei[/quote]

There wasn’t any basketball camp when we grew up. There was really no need. Like a lot of tw guys I played an insane amount of basketball during junior and senior high during breaks and after school. Never had any problem with the rules. They are varsity teams in every school, so again there’s no need for youth camps.

Baseball camps yes. And baseball is a really civilized and technical sports. Basketball, no.

11

[quote=“locdogjr”]
Bottom line is this, most players are not trained properly because there are no youth teams or camps. people just watch and emulate. Depending courts it can be very dofferent too.[/quote]

I have been playing 3 on 3 pick-up games in Taipei parks for about 12 years now. Coming from soccer, I started from scratch, never played basketball when I was younger. Now I play decent, I guess, being 6 foot helps. I agree that most people playing in the park never had formal training. They just try to copy what they see from others in the park and on TV. Lot of Kobe-wannabees out there who are only interested in the signature moves minus the hard work that the real Kobe puts in in practice. Players who have played on school teams are different, at least they get the concept of team play, passing, rebounding, traveling, etc. I drifted from park to park over the years and finally decided on one playground where I felt most comfortable and now I am playing there regularly. I play with the older and slower guys who I know well by now and am very careful when playing with young guns who I don’t know and who play extra hard when seeing a foreigner. If you play with the same people regularly, you soon know their go-to moves (lot of one-trick ponies out there) and you soon know who is going to bite on your pump fakes. The older I get the less I care about winning. I want to have a good time and improve my game. Always try some new moves and try to complete difficult passes. My advice to anyone coming from the US to play in Taiwan. Relax! I sometimes meet people, ABCs or English teachers who just arrived and they play uber competitive and physical. Probably the way the game is played in the US, I don’t know. If you start off playing like that, it will set the tone for the whole game and confrontations of one kind or another are going to happen. I would always start off relaxed and easy, make friends first, goof around a bit, and if you want to play hard later on, do it with people who know you already.

12

[quote=“sofun”]

Oh I know what you’re talking about.

So, did you win?[/quote]

Unfortunately we lost. I got tired of the big man bitching and moaning about me playing physical back with him in the paint. Haha you know, usually its just “good sportsmanship” to say “good game” when you win or lose. All I could do was flip the ball at them and laugh. No respect for guys who play like that. Playing physical is one thing. Playing dirty is also one thing if you can take it on the end. But to play dirty and then come back with 1902789768972323 bitch fouls? No respect…

13

[quote=“sofun”]In Taiwan, there is no such thing as bitch foul. If someone calls foul then it’s a foul. If it’s nothing but ball but you still make contact in the play(for example your hand touches his hand after the ball’s been knocked off) it’s still a foul. Because there’s nobody officiating, and he couldn’t have known how the ball is knocked off every time.

Also, you don’t battle for a position for rebound. Either you’re there first or he’s there first.
If both of you rush to an empty spot at the same time then you collide with each other. Whatever happens happens.

I grew up playing ball and I think these are unspoken rules.[/quote]

This is true. Most do not understand the concept of a “box out”. I’ll seal my man down low and box him out for rebounds and they think I’m holding and pushing and call fouls (of give me the crazy eye like I’m the one who doesn’t know how to play).

I feel sad for the kids here growing up learning these unspoken rules because its the wrong way to play. I don’t blame them. They watch the SBL guys do the same shit and they think thats how the game is supposed to play. And they wonder why the only people who watch the SBL are little school girls holding up signs of their favorite models/players.

PS. you forgot about the “Taiwan travel”. Apparently its okay to catch the ball, take two steps or a jump stop, and then dribble. I dunno about you guys, but thats a travel. I’ve given up these days on trying to explain what they’re doing because we’re in agreement in what they’re doing. They just don’t know that its a travel. If I was able to take 2 steps and then dribble, I’d still be blowing past guys, even in my advanced age and bad knees. But I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I had to resort to cheating BS tactics to stay on the court…

14

[quote=“locdogjr”]I loved this! I could write a small novel on the subject, been playin in Taipei for 6 years in leagues and tournaments and just funsies.

Bottom line is this, most players are not trained properly because there are no youth teams or camps. people just watch and emulate. Depending courts it can be very dofferent too.

Ever play in the league? If you are not taiwanese it is everyone vs you! The players foul flop abd do anything to win for mother and country, and the refs are too happy to help those poor Taiwanese boys defeat to foreign menace! Damn shame too because there are some awesome ballers in Taipei[/quote]

Haha but doesnt Jason and his band of lao wai Monstars always win GDB though? :slight_smile:

15

[quote=“hannes”][quote=“locdogjr”]
Bottom line is this, most players are not trained properly because there are no youth teams or camps. people just watch and emulate. Depending courts it can be very dofferent too.[/quote]

I have been playing 3 on 3 pick-up games in Taipei parks for about 12 years now. Coming from soccer, I started from scratch, never played basketball when I was younger. Now I play decent, I guess, being 6 foot helps. I agree that most people playing in the park never had formal training. They just try to copy what they see from others in the park and on TV. Lot of Kobe-wannabees out there who are only interested in the signature moves minus the hard work that the real Kobe puts in in practice. Players who have played on school teams are different, at least they get the concept of team play, passing, rebounding, traveling, etc. I drifted from park to park over the years and finally decided on one playground where I felt most comfortable and now I am playing there regularly. I play with the older and slower guys who I know well by now and am very careful when playing with young guns who I don’t know and who play extra hard when seeing a foreigner. If you play with the same people regularly, you soon know their go-to moves (lot of one-trick ponies out there) and you soon know who is going to bite on your pump fakes. The older I get the less I care about winning. I want to have a good time and improve my game. Always try some new moves and try to complete difficult passes. My advice to anyone coming from the US to play in Taiwan. Relax! I sometimes meet people, ABCs or English teachers who just arrived and they play uber competitive and physical. Probably the way the game is played in the US, I don’t know. If you start off playing like that, it will set the tone for the whole game and confrontations of one kind or another are going to happen. I would always start off relaxed and easy, make friends first, goof around a bit, and if you want to play hard later on, do it with people who know you already.[/quote]

This is true. I’m not saying all locals hate ABCs or foreigners and play extra hard to try to beat us. Although there are those that are trying to prove a point, as if beating us will make a name for themselves or something. I play with local friends, so I don’t usually run into these kinds of problems. If anything, I enjoy playing against the “ignorant” foreigners and ABCs that step on the courts thinking they’re just going to dominate the local competition.

16

Exactly my point though, kids learn from playing 3 on 3 for fun but do not really learn the technical side of the game or all the rules.

17

Where do you guys play at?
I used to play at Da’an park, but competition out there has gotten pretty bad.
Xinsheng bridge (next to the Guanghua electronic market) has some good competition, but the ground is slanted.
Adidas 101 has has courts, is new, and well lit. But the lights turn off at 11 and they have random tournaments.

18

[quote=“Leftywang81”]
PS. you forgot about the “Taiwan travel”. Apparently its okay to catch the ball, take two steps or a jump stop, and then dribble. [/quote]

If he’s a baller than he should know better than anyone if he travels. Otherwise he’s a cheater or a baller-wannabe.

I grew up playing bball so my body wouldn’t allow itself to commit a travelling. I’d probably pull up a jumper in desperation or throw the ball away to nobody. It’ be almost like a reflex not to do it.

In recreational basketball it’s largely based on honour system, but I understand your frustration though.

19

Well, not exactly. We have PE at school you know. They teach bball every year.
Bad players are just bad players. And they hang out with bad players.

20

[quote=“Leftywang81”]
PS. you forgot about the “Taiwan travel”. Apparently its okay to catch the ball, take two steps or a jump stop…[/quote]
wait. I think I know what you mean.
Catch and two slow steps in an isolation play, right?