Major NBA events in China

2004

NBA games make their debut in China with a two-game matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings at the Shanghai Gymnasium and the Beijing Capital Gymnasium on Oct 14 and 17. Attendance for both games was high and fans could be seen lined around the Shanghai Gymnasium waiting overnight for tickets. A photo of Yao Ming and Houston teammate Tracy McGrady at Tian'anmen Square was another memorable event.

2005

Basketball without Borders, the NBA's global basketball development and community outreach program, is held in China for the first time in Beijing. San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker joined Yao Ming and American trainers as camp coaches for youngsters to teach them not only about basketball but about life skills that focused on HIV/AIDS prevention.

2006

In partnership with UNICEF China, the Chinese Ministry of Education and Spalding, the NBA distributed 93 HIV prevention education kits (called NBA Cares "Skills for Life in a Box") to schools in seven different provinces in China as part of the "Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDs" global campaign.

2007

The league holds their second batch of preseason games in China, with a matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic that were held in Shanghai and Macao.

China hosts the Motorola NBA 2v2 Basketball Challenge. More than 35,000 boys and girls participated in the touring event that visited 112 cities and covered all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the Chinese mainland.

2008

The third NBA preseason games in China, featuring matchups between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors, are played in Shanghai and Beijing.

2009

NBA preseason games between the Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets are held in Taipei and Beijing.

NBA launches a joint coaching program with the Chinese Basketball Association, to provide training to nearly 600 Chinese coaches at all levels.

2010

NBA preseason games between the Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets are held in Beijing and Guangzhou.

2011

The CBA Dongguan Basketball School, an NBA training center, opens in Dongguan, Guangdong province, in November. In cooperation with the CBA, the academy provides training for youth and provides them with advanced coaching methods, fitness programs and sports nutrition from the NBA.

2012

In May, NBA China hosts the first-ever NBA Presents: Jam Live, a comprehensive event that combines basketball, music and a host of celebrities into one evening of entertainment, at the Guangzhou International Sports Arena.

In June, NBA Nation, a touring interactive event, is launched. The initiative, which comprises various basketball and entertainment activities, visits 20 cities in five months with NBA stars and entertainers.

In July, NBA announces a partnership with Yao Ming to further the game's participation in China, develop young players, promote cultural exchanges and conduct social responsibility programs in the country.

In October, NBA announces it will design and build the first-of-its-kind NBA Center in Tianjin's Wuqing district. The four-floor, 12,000-square-meter building will feature an NBA-style indoor basketball court, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a restaurant. It is expected to open by 2015.

In October, NBA preseason games between the defending champion Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are held in Beijing and Shanghai.

(China Daily 04/19/2013 page5)