The Beijing Ducks have won the 2012 Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) championship led by fallen NBA star Stephon Marbury. Depending on who you ask, it is a story of redemption, unrealized potential or just oddity. Yet there is no doubt that the CBA reached unprecedented popularity this year due to a combination of factors, including an inflow of NBA players who signed during the brief lockout, the rise of a previously unheralded team, and yes, the compelling story of Stephon “Starbury” Marbury.
Jon Pastuszek, arguably the most knowledgeable foreigner on everything CBA, and author of the popular NiuBBall blog, comes on China Policy Pod to give his take on what took place this season and what it means for the future of basketball in China. You can follow Jon on Twitter @NiuBBall
Must Read NiuBBall Articles:
- Stephon Marbury Has Silenced His Critics This Year, Maybe For Good
- The Looming Question of CBA Finals MVP
- Shanxi: A four-year history of throwing things
Additional Relevant Articles:
- In China, Marbury Realizes Most American of Dreams: a Clean Slate (Sports Illustrated)
- Welcome to the Far Eastern Conference (GQ)
- The Lone Wolf Goes To China (Deadspin)
- NBA’s Marbury Takes his Game to China (WSJ)
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