Behind the Scenes of Life in the Chinese Basketball Association

[SlyPokerDog]

Many more famous players have followed his path, but one of the first Americans to join the Chinese Basketball Association was a 6'8" rebounding machine named John Spencer, who signed a $20,000-per-month contract before the league's second season, in August 1996, to play for a team owned by a steel company. "I have no idea why I did it," he says now. "I don't know if you want to call me a pioneer or an idiot."

Each day of training camp with the Jiangsu Dragons began with a two-mile run at 5 a.m., followed by weightlifting using cinder blocks affixed to bamboo poles. In winter Spencer, then 30, wore gloves and a parka for practice at the arena, which lacked heat. He once requested electrical-stimulation treatment for his sore knee. The trainer returned with an acupuncture needle, a car battery and jumper cables...

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/06/27/c...=socialflow_twitter_si&utm_source=twitter.com

 

[Hoopguru]

and just think, many of those candidates last night say China is their greatest concern. Well, one guy called out Russia and one guy Trump as there greatest fear.

 

[riverman]

Many more famous players have followed his path, but one of the first Americans to join the Chinese Basketball Association was a 6'8" rebounding machine named John Spencer, who signed a $20,000-per-month contract before the league's second season, in August 1996, to play for a team owned by a steel company. "I have no idea why I did it," he says now. "I don't know if you want to call me a pioneer or an idiot."

Each day of training camp with the Jiangsu Dragons began with a two-mile run at 5 a.m., followed by weightlifting using cinder blocks affixed to bamboo poles. In winter Spencer, then 30, wore gloves and a parka for practice at the arena, which lacked heat. He once requested electrical-stimulation treatment for his sore knee. The trainer returned with an acupuncture needle, a car battery and jumper cables...

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/06/27/c...=socialflow_twitter_si&utm_source=twitter.com

All I can say is this....China in 1996 was a hell of a lot different than in 2019....so is Oregon....the Ducks old Mac Court arena was one of the worst basketball gyms I've ever been in for college level competition...it was a cold tin can. Phil Knight made tennis shoes in a toaster oven....over time folks figure it out...I played baseball over there (Taiwan)and they take practice really seriously...it's a hell of a workout...got me in the best shape of my life.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Read the rest of the story. It's interesting.

 

[riverman]

Good read....one thing I read I wouldn't agree with is that the lack of western food beyond fast food is an issue....if you're into food, China is a mecca...only an idiot would complain about food over there...I never thought of eating a PBJ over there once.....