They gave us a workout there, but we hung in and got the win. That makes China the second-oldest basketball playing nation after only the United States. It's also, by many accounts, nearly as fanatical. The coolest gear to Chinese kids is unquestionably NBA sportswear, preferably with the logo of the Los Angeles Lakers, the world champions. Posters for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal are plastered over the windows of innumerable Nike boutiques.
China is a top priority, and a huge success story.
China has a basketball playing population of 210 million that's playing, coaching or involved in activities related to the sport. The Chinese love basketball. Indeed, in one recent mainland survey, former NBA star Jordan slam-dunked even Chairman Mao in popularity. However, promotional activities really picked up steam in the 1990s, under the direction of Commissioner David Stern, who has built the NBA into what is arguably the world's best-promoted sports brand. The timing was perfect.