Happy Chinese New Year!
With this event in mind, let’s take a look at how NBA teams are connected to China. The NBA may have influenced China… but in some ways, China also influenced the NBA! There are too many to mention so let’s stick with one item per team. Here we go!
ATLANTA HAWKS
Jordan Crawford was flying for the Hawks of Atlanta (2010) before playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers (2014). One of Crawford’s claims to fame was dunking on LeBron James during a pickup game.
BOSTON CELTICS
Stephon Marbury‘s last NBA team was the Celtics. Marbury would go on to have a successful career in China by winning multiple titles and becoming a coach.
BROOKLYN NETS
Yi Jianlian played two seasons for the Nets. Everyone kept asking “How old is Yi?” because of the controversy regarding his age.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
The Hornets played a preseason game in Shenzhen and in Shanghai back in 2015. Fans will remember this game because of Jeremy Lin‘s mohawk-styled hair. Lin played for the Hornets back then.
CHICAGO BULLS
Ron Artest, who was drafted by the Bulls, played for the Sichuan Blue Whales in 2014.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers played a preseason game in Macao and in Shanghai back in 2007. They lost both games against the Orlando Magic.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
Wang Zhizhi became the first Chinese player to play in the NBA.
DENVER NUGGETS
Mengke Bateer became the second Chinese player to play in the NBA.
DETROIT PISTONS
Will Bynum spent most of his NBA career with the Pistons. He joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers and had two stints with them.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Klay Thompson left Nike to join Anta. Klay has a shoe deal with the Chinese brand until 2026.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Yao Ming. Enough said.
INDIANA PACERS
Former Indiana draft pick, Tyler Hansbrough, plays for the Sichuan Blue Whales.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Clippers played two exhibition games in China (Shanghai and Beijing) back in 2012.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Fan-favorite Lance Stephenson played for the Liaoning Flying Leopards after his stint with the Lakers.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
MarShon Brooks, who was once mistaken for Dillon Brooks in a trade deal, played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers after his time with the Grizzlies.
MIAMI HEAT
Dorell Wright, who won a title with the Heat back in 2006, played for the Beikong Fly Dragons.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Former Milwaukee draft pick Brandon Jennings played for the Shanxi Brave Dragons.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Shenzhen Aviators signed Shabazz Muhammad back in 2019.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
The Pelicans played preseason games in Shanghai and Beijing back in 2016.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Jimmer Fredette once scored 73 points, in a losing effort, for the Shanghai Sharks.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Dakari Johnson plays for the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles.
ORLANDO MAGIC
Gilbert Arenas played for the Shanghai Sharks who missed the playoffs during his time there.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
The Sixers played preseason games against the Mavericks in Shanghai and Shenzhen back in 2018. Fans were rooting for the Mavericks who had a Chinese player named Ding Yanyuhang in their roster.
PHOENIX SUNS
Stromile Swift, one of the most explosive dunkers, played for the Shandong Lions after his NBA career.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
CJ McCollum has a shoe deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Malcolm Thomas, teammate of Kawhi Leonard in college and with the Spurs, joined the Jilin Northeast Tigers.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings played the Rockets for preseason games in Shanghai and Beijing back in 2004. Homecourt advantage went to the Rockets for having Yao Ming.
TORONTO RAPTORS
Tracy McGrady‘s jersey was retired by the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles.
UTAH JAZZ
Ian Clark joined the Xinjiang Flying Tigers two years after winning a title with the Warriors.
WASHINGTON BULLETS/WIZARDS
The first NBA team to play games in China back in 1979.
If you’re planning on celebrating the Chinese New Year, remember to stay safe.
Celebrations shouldn’t be on everyone’s mind right now due to the current situation of the planet. Even NBA players don’t feel like celebrating. Just look at their reactions regarding All-Star Weekend. Some NBA superstars want the All-Star Game plans to be scrapped. But that’s another topic for another day.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
