Smush Parker in the CBA finals
Tuesday, 21st April 2009 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (2)
If you're ever going to watch CBA basketball, now is the time to do it.
The Chinese Basketball Association finals start this Friday, featuring the matchup that's been expected all season. Xinjiang (44-6, regular season) will make its first finals appearance ever, facing Guangdong (45-5, regular season), the former team of New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlian and the winner of four out of the last five championships.
The two teams are unusual in that they are both led by non-Chinese point guards, unlike most CBA teams that use their two-foreigner allowance to pick up a big man and a shooting guard or swingman. Former Los Angeles Laker Smush Parker, the biggest name left in the league since Bonzi Wells' exit, runs the point for Guangdong, and Myron Allen steers Xinjiang. Also on Xinjiang's team is Mongolian center Mengke Bateer, the first Chinese player to start for an NBA team and the first to win an NBA championship (San Antonio Spurs, 2003).
Smush Parker image: Shanghai Daily
Tags: basketball, CBA, Guangdong Tigers, Mengke Bateer, Smush Parker, Xinjiang
Ugliness and Grumbling
Tuesday, 21st April 2009 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
The Chinese Football Association embarrassed itself yet again by sending professionals to play in the International School Sports Federation's World Schools Championship. A bunch of women who play in the CFA suited up for China's Chongqing Daping, beating the girls from Germany just 8-6 in the final. The CFA claims it had nothing to do with this, but given the amount of control that Chinese sports administrations and teams exercise over athletes, it is impossible that these women snuck off to Turkey to play in the tournament.
Tennis player speaks out against state system
Tennis player Li Na called for other athletes to enjoy the freedom that has recently been extended to China's tennis players. She and Zheng Jie have both improved their rankings since the Chinese Tennis Association has freed them to determine their training schedules and keep more of their winnings.
Tags: CFA, cheating, football, Li Na, soccer, state sports administration, tennis, Zheng Jie
Weekend Results: Volvo China Open and F1 Chinese Grand Prix
Tuesday, 21st April 2009 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
Scott Strange won the China Volvo Open (a European Tour event) at Beijing CBD International Golf Course, with a final-round score of 68. Liang Wenchong was the top Chinese player, shooting one over par and finishing in a five-way tie for 25th place (results from Sky Sports). Colin Montogomerie, next year's captain for Europe's Ryder Cup team, got frustrated and made a bit of a scene over some etiquette issues.
F1 Chinese Grand Prix
Red Bull won the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, but only 70 percent of tickets were sold for China's only Formula One race. F1 president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone said that selling sponsorships has been difficult, but he will continue to bring the event to China. F1's deal with the Shanghai government ends in 2010.
Scott Strange image: Volvo China Open
Tags: Beijing CBD International Golf Course, Chinese Grand Prix, F1, Formula One, golf, Shanghai