Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: LeBron James Calls China’s Love For Basketball ‘Overwhelming’ And ‘Special’
Lakers News

Lakers News: LeBron James Calls China’s Love For Basketball ‘Overwhelming’ And ‘Special’

Corey Hansford
Published: 10/08/2019
3 Min Read
LeBron James, Lakers
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The NBA has long been a staple in China as it was especially brought to light when Yao Ming was selected in the 2002 NBA Draft and the league has continued to expand overseas.

The Los Angeles Lakers have seen it first hand as both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are absolute megastars there and garner a massive following any time they touch down in China.

The Lakers are set to make another trip there in the 2019 NBA preseason with a pair of games set against the Brooklyn Nets. After a successful preseason debut against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers are looking to build on that performance as well as their chemistry as a whole.

As someone who has been there plenty of times, James is excited to make the trip once again and following the preseason debut, he spoke about the respect and love that exists for the NBA in China, via Lakers:

“Just the level of respect that they have for us as basketball players and how much they open up their culture and their arms for us. I’ve been there so many times and the level of excitement that they have for the game of basketball and us in general is very overwhelming and it’s special. So I think for some of the guys who haven’t been there I think they should take it in full swing.”

Of course, since this time, there has been some developments regarding China and whether or not the games will actually take place. Following a tweet from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and NBA commissioner Adam Silver supporting his right to free speech, China has chosen to not air the games between the Lakers and Nets on TV or the internet.

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, there is some concern about the games being outright cancelled:

There is concern the two games between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers will be cancelled, a person in China with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the sensitive situation.

Whether or not the games ultimately take place, James’ appreciation for China and their love for the game surely remains.

Experiencing new places and cultures is something not everyone gets the chance to do, so James wanting his teammates to truly take everything in makes sense.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?