NBA’s global spotlight firmly focused on China
Chinese basketball fans around the globe will have plenty to crow about heading into the Year of the Rooster.
The NBA Chinese New Year Celebration, running from Jan 27 to Feb 12 and presented by Dongfeng Nissan, will feature the league’s biggest stars, a record number of live game telecasts, the debut of a new TV promotion and specially designed uniforms to mark the holiday.
The TV spot, entitled Secret Envelope, stars Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, Houston Rockets’ James Harden and Brooklyn Nets’ Jeremy Lin.
Another highlight of the celebration will see Hall of Fame center Yao Ming have his No 11 jersey retired by the Rockets during halftime of Houston’s Feb 4 game against the Chicago Bulls.
Fans will be able to watch a record 60 games and all 30 teams over the 17 days, with broadcasts across Greater China on CCTV, Tencent, BesTV, Guangdong TV, GreatSports, Videoland, Fox Sports, ELTA, Eleven Sports and LeSports (HK).
Four NBA teams — the Warriors, Rockets, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards — will wear special Chinese New Year uniforms, and nine teams will host Chinese New Year Celebration activities in their home arenas.
“The NBA Chinese New Year Celebration has become a wonderful occasion for the league to celebrate and connect with Chinese fans around the world,” said NBA China CEO David Shoemaker.
“We are delighted our teams and players have the opportunity to bring joy and excitement to our fans as they celebrate the holiday with their families.”
The uniforms:
The Raptors Warriors, Rockets, and Wizards will wear Chinese New Year uniforms to pay tribute to Chinese culture. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Nets, Warriors, Wizards, Raptors and Rockets will celebrate the holiday by hosting Chinese New Year-themedactivitiesintheir home arenas.
The matchups:
• Jan 28, Rockets vs Sixers: On the first day of Chinese New Year, James Harden and the Rockets will wear their Chinese New Year jerseys against rookie sensation Joel Embiid and the 76ers (CCTV).
• Jan 28, Nets vs Cavaliers: Jeremy Lin will take on Kyrie Irving and LeBron James as the Nets play the defending champion Cavaliers (Tencent).
•Jan29&Feb3,Warriorsvs Clippers: Pacific Division rivals, the Warriors and LA Clippers, will play twice in the span of six days in a homeand-home matchup (CCTV and Tencent).
• Feb 4, Rockets vs Bulls: Hall of Fame center Yao Ming will have his No 11 Houston Rockets jersey retired during halftime of the Feb 3 matchup between Houston and Chicago (CCTV and Tencent).
• Feb 12, Thunder vs Warriors: Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Warriors as Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City for the first time since joining Golden State (CCTV and Tencent).
Fan engagement:
Dongfeng Nissan, the presenting partner of NBA Chinese New Year Celebration 2017, is teaming up with Vivo, American Airlines and Treasury Wineto to engage fans through various marketing initiatives and social media promotions. Fans will be able to participate through the NBA App, NBA.com/China, the Chinese New Year Celebration’s microsite, and the NBA’s official WeChat and Sina Weibo accounts to follow all the action and win prizes.