The Nets will play two exhibition video games towards the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 12 at The Venetian Area in Macao, the NBA introduced on Thursday.
“I think it’s lit; I love the culture. I can’t wait to go,” ahead Day’Ron Sharpe mentioned.
Seventeen NBA groups performed in China from 2004-2019 as a part of the NBA China Video games. Nonetheless, there had been friction between China and the league after former Houston Rockets common supervisor Daryl Morey — now with the Philadelphia 76ers — tweeted a picture that supported protests in Hong Kong in October 2019. It led to the elimination of NBA video games from Chinese language broadcast tv and the lack of profitable sponsorships.
The Nets beforehand performed video games in China in 2010 and 2019, so this would be the franchise’s third journey to the nation. Brooklyn has additionally performed video games in Japan, France, England, Mexico, Italy and Israel in yr’s previous.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity to do it,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “As you guys know, basketball has taken me all over the world, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit different countries, culture, fans all over the place, players. So, it’s another opportunity for me, myself, to do it in a place I’ve never been before, and I’m excited to go.”
Nets common supervisor Sean Marks is keen to see his crew return to the worldwide stage. Final yr, the NBA estimated that Brooklyn had greater than 50 million followers worldwide. The Nets are owned by Joe Tsai, appearing chairman of Chinese language tech big Alibaba.
“The Brooklyn Nets have an incredible fanbase around the globe and we can’t wait to bring our love of the game directly to our fans while giving our players and coaches the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture,” Marks mentioned in a press launch shared by the NBA.
Based on a league announcement, the NBA’s return to China will characteristic a celeb recreation headlined by Corridor of Famers Tony Parker, Ray Allen and Tracy McGrady. Stephon Marbury, DeMarcus Cousins and Cuttino Mobley may also reportedly play. There may also be interactive fan actions, NBA Cares group outreach and way of life occasions for followers in Macao.
The final time the NBA performed a preseason recreation in Macao was 2007, when the Orlando Magic confronted the Cleveland Cavaliers. USA Basketball performed exhibition video games in Macao forward of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
“It means a lot and it’s just a lot of excitement to get to do it and bring our group, obviously another NBA team, then to be able to play two games there, and do every event there from community to fans to basketball,” Fernandez mentioned. “I think basketball is an excuse to get all these things and get lifetime experiences, so I think it’s going to be great.”
