Jeremy Lin, James Harden, Stephen Curry Star In NBA Chinese New Year Ad
As the Chinese New Year draws closer, the NBA joined the foray of the celebration as it released a TV ad featuring three of its biggest stars - Jeremy Lin from the Charlotte Hornets, James Harden from the Houston Rockets and Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors.
The TV ad is called "Dining Table." It showed the three NBA superstars sharing a New Year's meal with a Chinese family. The TV ad will run until Feb. 22. It will broadcast on all NBA China channels as well as selected digital partners' platforms.
As part of the league's effort to reach out to Chinese fans, NBA champion Shawn Marion went to Chengdu and hosted a basketball clinic. The four-time NBA All-Star also distributed gifts to needy students who are part of the NBA Hope School project.
"We are grateful to our Chinese fans for welcoming all 30 NBA teams into their homes as they celebrate the Chinese New Year with family and loved ones," NBA China chief executive officer David Shoemaker said in a statement, as shared by Slam Online.
"This holiday is about joyful family reunions and we are thankful that our teams and players are part of the excitement and festivities," he added.
The NBA Chinese New Year celebration is also making history as it marks the first time that two competing teams will wear basketball jerseys bearing Chinese characters. The game will be between the Washington Wizards and the Golden State Warriors and will take place on Feb. 3.
Also, the NBA will broadcast and stream for the first time 51 games through various TV partners and online streaming platforms, according to ESPN.
These games will involve all the current NBA teams. On top of that, all NBA teams are also expected to pay tribute to the Chinese culture once the celebration kicks off.
