NBA in the PRC

15 June 2005

Other than my family, what I miss most from the US of A is my recliner that sits in front of the TV, tuned into ESPN. I will admit that the TV in my room is set to CCTV 5, the sports channel here in China (CCTV is the state’s central television station, with multiple channels based on content — news, movies, an English language version, and other types of channels; they compete for viewership with other municipal and provincial television stations.) This morning, I stayed in to watch game 3 of the NBA finals (which Detroit won, as you can see from the picture). I’ve been able to follow the series on CCTV 5, watching the recaps of the games (and other sports) on CCTV 5, but have yet to hear the Chinese broadcasters say “as cool as the other side of the pillow” (I don’t think any of them are UNC alumni). I’ve been fascinated by the commercials that I see on CCTV 5 (not surprisingly, beer, cars, other beverages, and male clothing), but it’s also indicative of how much has changed. In 1993, I remember entering China before finding out about the end of the NHL or NBA season (if memory serves me write, the NY Rangers were in a series with Vancouver, and the Knicks were in the playoffs — and the change that I’m referring to is not the absence of hockey in 2005), and then hearing about what happened when I got back to Hong Kong. You can still find singing and dancing soldiers on TV, but it’s a lot harder to find them now. I could always find scores in the newspaper or on the internet, but it’s more fun to see the games on TV. Plus, I got a chance to see Laker Luke Walton say “Ni Hao” during halftime while the Chinese broadcasters grilled him about the game, Manu Ginobli, and how he feels about playing (again!) for the former Knick Zen master Phil Jackson. Plus, Walton urged the Chinese to keep working hard and make it to the NBA, but not to take his job. But CCTV 5 is not ESPN — this evening, they were showing a Chinese University Basketball Association game, Taiyuan Polytechnic vs. Huaqiao University. After being down by many points in the first quarter, coming back and losing a fourth quarter lead, Huaqiao just tied the game as the buzzer ended — and then CCTV 5 showed commercials before continuing with their version of Sportscenter. It’s like the “Heidi” incident all over again — the fallout from which is why sporting events that go into overtime on American television today stay with the game — and I still don’t know who won the game.