Headed to a professional basketball game. It's the final game of the regular season for the Zhejiang Dongguang Pharmacuetical Golden Lions (yeah, that's the team name). They're playing the Qingdao Guoxin Aquatic Products Eagles.
The teams have similar winning records. Each team has a handful of American players, but they have rules limiting how many can be on the squad. Perusing rosters it looks like a max of two foreign players. Cost for the game is 280RMB (about $40USD).
Going to meet another teacher there that has been wanting to hit a game. His name is Tim and he teaches in the lower school. Don't know him well, but we connected via our school WeChat thread. I think he might be a a bringing a handful of kids to the game as well. Could be a bit of a late night. Game doesn't start until 7:30pm on a Sunday night, but I don't have to be up super early for school on Monday. My day is well planned and I'm ready to just show up and go.
With about 6:00 left in the fourth quarter it was still a tight game, but the two bigs for the home team took over and the Lions pulled away. The game was surprisingly similar to an NBA game. Lots of on ball screens and two man game. Many deep three point shots attempted. Game was physical with a lot of fouls. The key and three point line looked like a NBA court as well. I was expecting the wider tapered paint, but it wasn't so. You can see it hear in some of those pics.
Tim and his kids (Jonty and Bryony) ended up leaving after the third quarter. Jonty wasn't feeling well. Thinking he ate something that upset his system. Been there. Their family is from New Zealand. They all have that cool kiwi accent.
The general vibe felt like an NBA game. The loud thumping music. The cheer leaders and dance team. It wasn't a full crowd, but they made a lot of noise. Playoffs start next weekend. If they advance I could see myself taking in another game. Glad I got to experience a professional game here in China. Odd rule: each team appeared to be able to have one foreign player on the court at any given time. It was obvious how each would sub for the other. Talent-wise I was impressed. Guards could handle the ball and shoot well. Bigs used their size well and played disciplined. It felt like #21 from the Lions had NBA potential. The major difference between this and an NBA game was quickness. This game just didn't move as fast. Players were a step slower.
In other news mom continues to do well. Wendy sent me this yesterday morning.
Final note. Happy birthday Pnut! Love you bunches. 🥰