Hail King James: NBA reigns for a night in China game

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The preseason Shanghai clash between the Lakers and the Nets shows it will be difficult to shake the NBA's huge following among passionate Chinese fans

MAIN DRAW. LeBron James mesmerizes Chinese fans even as the Lakers bow to the Nets. Photo by Hector Retamal/AFP

The exhibition game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets made clear that it will be difficult to shake the NBA's huge following among passionate Chinese fans raised on the exploits of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and former Rockets great Yao Ming. "I was really worried and couldn't fall asleep last night. I was afraid that the game would be canceled,” said Cai Zhicong, 27, an avowed James fanatic.James and the Lakers, though, bowed to the Nets, 114-111, as Spencer Dinwiddie led with 20 points an 7 assists.

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous Chinese territory and the ruling Communist Party considers democracy protesters there to be violent separatists.The quality of play in China's domestic league is far below the NBA, and its national team gives the country little to cheer about. "From a national standpoint, we should support our country's decisions. Even if the game was canceled, we wouldn't have any regrets,” he said.The dispute is likely to keep simmering.Outside the game venue, a pair of protesters held up red banners bearing profane curses of Morey and Silver.

 

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