Smasheurs extraordinaire

I watched a video of the Slam Nation in action at the National Sports Grill in Makati yesterday and I couldn’t believe the high-wire tricks the Paris-based dunkers put on tape. They did things I’d never seen before.

Move over, Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter. These self-styled smasheurs aren’t just basketball players. They’re acrobats, gymnasts, contortionists and daredevils, too. They elevate like they’ve got springs on their legs. They soar like they’ve got wings on their feet. And they stay airborne for longer than humanly possible like they’re in suspended animation.

Nike brought in the dunkers to spice up the Battlegrounds Asia National Championships at the Festival Supermall in Alabang this Sunday. The tournament features the six survivors among 150 high school teams that figured in 3-on-3 eliminations in Cebu, Davao, Pampanga and Metro Manila. To make the Championships more exciting, the six teams enlisted four more players so the games will be 5-on-5. It’s the first time that full-court, 5-on-5 contests will be played in a mall here.

The Slam Nation will perform a 10-minute routine before the 6:30 p.m. title game at the Festival Supermall.

The dunkers will make their Manila debut in between games during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Samsung Invitational Championships semifinal knockout doubleheader at the Ynares Center tomorrow.

From what I saw on video, the show itself should be worth the price of admission at the Ynares Center.

Slam Nation manager Jeremy Medjana said the dunkers will perform unbelievable stunts never before seen by Filipino fans. He pointed out that the Nation’s routine consists of enhanced versions of the most spectacular National Basketball Association (NBA) dunks and creative stuff that will make fans shake their heads in disbelief.

Some of the Nation’s tricks include a 360-degree rider (passing the ball in between the legs in midair) over three persons crouched on bended knees side by side, a 360-degree slam off a cartwheel, the two-ball slam from a vertical leap, the double windmill and a 360-degree rider from a two-footed takeoff.

In the Netherlands once, a Nation dunker executed a 360-degree rider over a car.

Medjana said the Nation’s stunts are dangerous. In their Taiwan tour before flying to Manila, the dunkers suffered a casualty. Joachim Ekanga Ehawa split his finger when his hand banged against the rim and it took three stitches to sew up the cut, without anesthesia. He also damaged his knee. Ehawa won’t be able to perform here as a result. Another dunker Dejan Ristic of Serbia strained his back, also in Taiwan, and was treated by a Chinese chiropractor. Ristic said he’ll be fine for the Manila shows.

Both Ehawa and Ristic play in the French Second Division. Medjana said the Nation sometimes plays actual games but it’s not the reason why the team was formed. "We want to entertain by dunking," explained Medjana. "We want to show what our players, who aren’t tall by NBA standards, can do. We can play in actual games like Joachim and Dejan do in France but our mission is to perform the most spectacular dunks you’ll ever see."

The Nation is made up of dunkers from France, the Ivory Coast, Algeria, Serbia, Cameroon and Gabon and Guadeloupe. Medjana said dunkers of other nationalities are eager to join the troupe.

Medjana said Kevin Lescot, the youngest Nation dunker at 16, will probably follow in Frenchman Tony Parker’s footsteps and someday play in the NBA. Kadour Ziani, the shortest at 5-11, was described as an NBA prospect, too, if only he took up the game earlier–he’s now 29.

Medjana said the Nation has captivated audiences all over the world and some of its wide-eyed fans are NBA stars like Gary Payton, Malik Rose, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Mitch Richmond.

Jumping up to a height of 4-9 is not a big deal for the Nation, said Medjana, and that’s by a player who’s not even six feet tall.

Would the Nation agree to play a game against a PBA team. I asked. Medjana said he’d gladly oblige except his team is down to six players and he couldn’t risk any more injuries. "Maybe, not a 5-on-5 game, just 3-on-3," added Medjana.

The smasheurs rattled off the names of their favorite players and dunkers during yesterday’s press conference. Shawn Kemp–when he was still in shape, Latrell Sprewell, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kenny (Sky) Walker and Carter were among those mentioned. But Spud Webb–who at 5-8, once won the NBA’s Slam Dunk contest–and Wilkins had the most nods.

Medjana said he hopes the NBA will soon open its annual Slam Dunk contest to all comers. "Our dunkers would like to participate," he continued. "We can provide the creativity that some fans claim has been lacking in the contest." No doubt, the Nation will give the NBA stars a dunk for their money.

Nike Marketing Manager Colo Ventosa said from Manila, the Nation will go back to Paris then fly to Los Angeles to perform at halftime of Magic Johnson’s charity game. She said bringing the Nation to Manila was a coup since Filipino fans have never before seen smasheurs as spectacular.

"They’re great guys, easy to talk to," said Nike Sports Marketing Manager Auty Villarama, referring to the likeable visitors.

Nike Marketing Communications Manager Rely San Agustin, a former national goalkeeper, said he’s looking forward to seeing Ziani fly. Ziani, whose favorite is the free throw line dunk, plays soccer in France and his most incredible trick is kicking the ball, wedged against the ball and the rim, into the hoop.

This afternoon, the Nation will practice for two hours at an undisclosed gym.

Ventosa’s group is taking good care of the visitors who are being treated to meals at Italianni’s in Greenhills, California Pizza Kitchen at the Shangri-La Mall, Dencio’s at the Fort, TGI Friday’s at Glorietta, Tequila Joe’s at Ortigas Center, Mario’s at St. Francis Square, Gerry’s Grill on Jupiter Street, Dad’s at Glorietta, Starbucks at Festival Supermall, and the Palms Country Club in Alabang during their trip. That’s stuffing of a different kind. And the Nation is staying at the five-star New World Hotel, indicating Nike pulled no stops in rolling out the red carpet for the smasheurs.

The Nation is an act that will surely take your breath away.