VIDEO: Team USA stares blankly at New Zealand's Haka dance
Sergio Perez / REUTERS
The Haka dance is an ancestral war cry, originating from the Māori people indigenous to New Zealand.
The performance has been used by New Zealand national teams at the opening of sporting events as a show of unity, focus, and intimidation against their opponents.
New Zealand's FIBA World Cup basketball team performed their rendition of the dance ahead of their group stage matchup against the United States.
[Courtesy: FIBA]
Are the team USA players intimidated? By the looks of things they are equal parts confused, enchanted, and/or completely unaware of what is going on. But intimidated? Unlikely.
Despite the dance, New Zealand fell to 0-3 at the tournament with a 98-71 loss.