LeBron James commends China's basketball skills in state-run newspaper
In a significant development, US basketball star LeBron James penned a rare article for China's state-run newspaper, "People's Daily," marking the end of his 15th tour of China. The publication of this piece could be a sign of efforts by the NBA to regain more viewers in the important Chinese market.
The article was published despite ongoing tensions between the governments in Washington and Beijing. This move comes after the NBA's situation in China remained tense following the 2019 incident when Daryl Morey, then manager of the Houston Rockets, expressed support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region.
The central government in Beijing stopped broadcasting NBA games until 2022, resulting in the NBA losing sponsorship deals worth hundreds of millions of US dollars. However, the league seems to be making a comeback, as they have agreed to hold preseason games in the Special Administrative Region of Macau, west of Hong Kong, starting this year.
The decision to hold games in Macau could be a strategic move to regain popularity in the Chinese market. It's important to note that basketball is one of the most popular sports in China, with many young players eager to learn from the NBA's stars.
James, in his article, expressed hope to contribute to the development of basketball in China. His article, published in the sports section under his name, could indicate an improvement in the NBA's situation in China.
The NBA resumed official game broadcasts in China in 2023 after suspending them in 2022. The league's continued interest in the Chinese market is evident through this decision, as well as the decision to hold preseason games in Macau.
"People's Daily," the mouthpiece of China's ruling Communist Party, is known for its political significance. By publishing James' article, it suggests a possible thaw in the frosty relations between the NBA and the Chinese government.
In conclusion, LeBron James' article in China's "People's Daily" marks a potential turning point in the NBA's relationship with China. As the league moves forward, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and whether they lead to a full reconciliation between the NBA and the Chinese market.
