BEIJING — When the NBA’s nuclear winter ended, Wilson Chandler was sitting in his bed, playing video games by himself. He opened his Twitter account and saw someone tweeting “the lockout ended!” But he didn’t believe it at first, “because there were rumors every day about it, I thought it just another one.” A phone call from his agent Chris Luchey came in later, Luchey told Chandler, “This time it’s true, the lockout ended. The NBA season will begin on Christmas day.” Chandler
Weijia Column: Marbury saved J.R. Smith
BEIJING — Who is the brightest star after the first week of play in the Chinese Basketball Association? Of course it is Wilson Chandler, who had 43 points and 22 rebounds in his first game. But the one who attracted the most attention was J.R. Smith. You may have known that, because the news and video of Smith’s injury traveled fast. Smith left the court with his teammates’ help. The next day, he went to Beijing alone for physical examination without the permission
Video: J.R. Smith injures his knee
Jon Pastuszek reported on Twitter than Smith was carried by teammates to an ambulance. For more on this developing story, check out Jon’s Chinese basketball Website www.niubball.com.
Weijia Column: J.R. Smith adjusting slowly to China
BEIJING — Two years ago, when J.R. Smith and the Denver Nuggets came to Beijing to participate in the NBA China Games, he did not know he would spend part of his career in this ancient and mysterious country. But now, in October 2011, he has come to China and become a member of the Zhejiang Chouzhou team. “The lockout upsets me, basketball is my job, my love and my life. The lockout robbed it all. But because of the lockout, I can come
Basketbrawl Video from China
Hat tip to loyal reader Lan Qiufan for sending me this video of a fight between the Guangdong Foshan Dralions of the Chinese Basketball Association and team from Melbourne, Australian. It is not the greatest fight video of all time, but it is part of a growing trend. With fights having been all but eliminated from the NBA, the best stuff is coming in from China, like the big brawl two months ago between Georgetown and the Bayi Rockets. [Read more…]