BE:FIRST MANATO makes its first appearance on WOWOW NBA! ``I feel like Kawamura (Yuki) and I are like comrades.''

■“BE:FIRST members also try to answer in English as much as possible when interviewed by foreign media.” (MANATO)

BE:FIRST・MANATO will appear on WOWOW “BE:FIRST MANATO for the first time!” Special just before the start of the NBA 2024-25 season! ” appeared on the show.

The NBA 2024-25 season begins on October 23, Japan time. This season is full of highlights, including the success of Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the challenge of Yuki Kawamura, who signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies just before the season started, and has the potential to become the fourth Japanese player in the NBA. is.

On October 20th, just before the start of the season, “BE:FIRST MANATO debut! Special just before the start of the NBA 2024-25 season! ‘ was distributed on WOWOW official YouTube and WOWOW On Demand (archive distribution available).

BE:FIRST’s MANATO appeared on WOWOW for the first time as a special guest. Basketball analyst Chris Sasaki, “So! Sports NBA” chief editor Sotaro Nagasawa, and announcer Misaki Miyawaki talked all about this season’s notable players and their charms.

After the broadcast, MANATO, whose love and passion for the NBA knows no bounds, talked a lot about how he came to love the Lakers, his expectations for Hachimura, and the similarities he has with Kawamura, who is from the same Fukuoka prefecture and classmate. Ta.

■MANATO interview
Q. Please tell us your impressions of your first appearance on WOWOW NBA.
MANATO:It was the most fun. There weren’t many people around me that I could talk to about the NBA, so I was simply happy to have this opportunity to talk about what I love. Also, I learned a lot. Personally, I was happy that my prediction for winning was with Sotaro Nagasawa and Chris Sasaki. I was happy to think that we were able to see things from the same perspective.
Q. I understand that you are a big Lakers fan. Please tell us how and why you started liking the Lakers.
MANATO:I started watching the NBA around the time Hachimura was drafted (in 2019). When you think of watching the NBA, the first name that pops up is LeBron James. In that case, I wanted to pay attention to the Lakers. I also like the taste of the players the Lakers draft, and the excitement of the audience. I love that even though I’m watching it live, I can feel the excitement as if I were actually there at the venue.
Q. Please tell us your expectations for Hachimura, who plays an active role with the Lakers.
MANATO：I think he is a very competitive player. Last season, he was active in the in-season tournament (renamed NBA Cup starting this season) and the playoffs. I think he can be a key player for the Lakers, regardless of the bias of being a fan. The Lakers have players like LeBron and D’Angelo Russell who can create games, so I think it’s important to see how we can score three-pointers using the passes that are intercepted by those players. I think shooting from the outside can be calculated as an option for the Lakers, so I have high hopes for that.
Q. Yuki Kawamura, who is the same age as me, is striving to play in the NBA. How do you feel about Kawamura’s challenge?
MANATO: I’m glad. Even before signing the two-way contract, I felt happy about the opportunity to take on the challenge of going overseas. When the two-way contract was announced, it was late in Japan (early morning on the 20th), but miraculously I was awake, and I was very surprised when the news broke. I was so happy to be able to feel the joy with people from all over the world. Kawamura is from the same Japan, Fukuoka prefecture, same generation, and is working hard on the global stage. Kawamura-kun is a basketball player, but I get a lot of inspiration from people who are not involved in sports or professions. I’ve been watching Kawamura-kun’s interview videos in English, and I’m inspired by his attitude of trying to adapt to the team quickly and learning English as quickly as possible. I think it’s because of this attitude that everyone on the team loves him.
Q. Do you keep in touch with Kawamura?
MANATO:The first time I contacted him was when he made his first appearance in the Grizzlies preseason. When I contacted him and said, “I watched the game. I look forward to every game,” he replied, “Thank you. I’ll do my best,” even though he was busy. When I was there to cover the match between the Japan and South Korean national teams (before the Paris Olympics), I was able to meet him and encouraged him, “Do your best!” As we are the same age, I think we have a great sense of passion and comradeship in the sense that we are competing on the world stage. I will continue to support you both as a fan and as a classmate.
Q. I think players like Kawamura and Keio Tominaga have something in common with MANATO, which is active globally, in that they aim to succeed overseas, but what do you think is important in order to compete overseas? mosquito.
MANATO：I think there is fear and anxiety when jumping into an unknown world and taking on challenges. BE:FIRST members also try to answer in English as much as possible when interviewed by overseas media. We have big dreams, and I think Kawamura and Tominaga also have big dreams of playing in the NBA, so I hope we can do our best together. As BE:FIRST, I had the opportunity to go overseas this year. I felt that the local people were very interested in it. That’s why I thought it was so important to show the other person just as much interest and love for them by asking them what they wanted to know right away.
Q. You mentioned in your broadcast that you should pay attention to the New Orleans Pelicans, but what specifically are the points to watch this season?
MANATO:I think the core parts and the roles each person has will remain the same from last season. I also think there are good supporters and role players around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who will leave results as two aces. Also, the lineup is amazing, so I just want Zion to do whatever he wants.
Q. What is the appeal of the NBA to MANATO?
MANATO:The first time I watched the NBA was a collection of highlights of super plays. (The NBA) is a world of physical ability, so you can see (in the highlight collection) things like amazing passes and dunks from incredible jumping power. If this is your first time watching the NBA, I recommend starting with the highlights.
Q. On November 7th Japan time, Hachimura’s Lakers and Kawamura’s Grizzlies will clash. If the two of you were on the court, which one would you support?
MANATO:That’s difficult… Is there an option not to watch it? (Laughs) But I would like to see them both on the same court. I’m rooting for the Lakers, so I hope they win, but just the possibility of seeing those two at this point is really great, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m happy just to be able to see it.