“Just walking around the city, seeing different things, eating at different restaurants and the interacting with people.
“Then the game experience was incredible, so was the practice facility, so only positive things – it was a great experience.”
When asked if he could see a regular season game in Australia, Green said he could see it happening due to the growing reach of the NBA.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado after injuring his knee.Credit: Getty Images
The only downside for the Pelicans was an injury to Jose Alvarado who went down after hyperextending his right knee.
The team flew out of Melbourne soon after the game. Alvarado will be re-evaluated back home.
Pelicans guard Jordan Poole put his Australian experience in simpler terms.
“Man, we went to go see some kangaroos and koalas. That’s all I cared about,” Poole said.
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“I was pretty much good after that.”
The Phoenix struggled with their shooting and with their nerves on Sunday but big man Akech Aliir, brother of AFL star Aliir Aliir, had his best game for the club with 16 points off the bench.
Getting to see an NBA team in Australia was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Richard Hurst, who attended the game with his son Tristan.
“I’ve got friends and family living interstate and they are very jealous of me living in Melbourne,” Hurst said.
As a Phoenix member Hurst was hoping for a competitive game but admitted the skills and athleticism of the Pelicans stood out on the court.
“Playing against the top calibre of the league is different.”
Hurst and thousands of other fans will hope this experience will happen again.
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