The increasingly popular CBA is about to make another major leap forward, Sun Xiaochen writes.

The 2012-2013 Chinese Basketball Association season tips off this Saturday and will feature the most-even competition in its 18-year history and probably the brightest cast of local stars mixed with NBA big names.

A stream of US talent, who didn't much care for making a quick buck as some of their compatriots did during the NBA lockout last year, has flown in with their focus on extending their professional basketball careers. They are set to reshape the league and make the title race much more fierce.

The signings of ex-Houston Rocket Von Wafer, seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady and a last-minute deal with "Agent Zero", Gilbert Arenas, are expected to lift their clubs to next level over the next three months. The deals also managed to steal the spotlight from the defending champion Beijing Ducks and the perennially dominant Guangdong Southern Tigers.

The 17 teams have hired 24 foreign coaches and trainers while drafting 36 overseas players, including 28 ex-NBAers as they attempt to finish high enough in the standings during the 11-week regular season to make the top eight and qualify for the playoffs, which will start next March.

"The NBA is the most influential league in the world. Importing some of its pieces will bring in advanced methods, which will help our own players to grow — especially the youngsters," said Bai Xilin, head of CBA's competition department.

No longer a tale of two cities

The main storyline this season should revolve around Beijing's tough title defense and Guangdong's desperation for revenge, but there will be plenty of other dramatic scenarios to enthrall the fans.

The first stop will be in Qingdao, where T-Mac's influence has rocked the success-starved city and boosted the Eagles' confidence to make the postseason for the first time.

McGrady, the highest-profile NBA import to come to these shores, proved he's healthy again (at least for the CBA level) after knee surgery in the summer with elite performances in three preseason warm-ups, where he ended up with 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game facing a US team this week.

"I am in great shape. I worked very hard to get to this point. My body responded well and I am ready to play again," the 33-year-old said after his debut exhibition match.

"This team has never tasted the playoffs. For me to be here and lead it to the playoffs will be a huge accomplishment for the city. We definitely look forward to that."

Qingdao has already benefited from "McCraze" as CCTV will broadcast more of the team's games and ticket sales at the 12,000-seat Guoxin Stadium, its new home court, will also be boosted.

Another sharp-rising team could be Yao Ming's Shanghai Sharks, who just nailed down a contract with Arenas on Monday.

With "Agent Zero's" prolific scoring as a shooting guard, veteran playmaker Liu Wei will be freed up to run the team while national center Zhang Zhaoxu will see more room in the paint to attack the rim, along with US import D.J. White.

"I think we have a stronger roster than last year, so we have to fight for a better performance," said team owner Yao.

Also, don't forget the legitimate power of last season's other semifinalists, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and Shanxi Brave Dragons.

After experiencing a chaotic season with disappointing import Kenyon Martin, three-time league runner-up Xinjiang brought in practical swingman Wafer while re-signing former player James Singleton in a bid for a return to the Finals.

By retaining its foreign tandem of Marcus Williams and Charles Gaines, at higher salaries, Shanxi has kept its semifinal hopes alive, but obviously wants to go even further this season. The team will also have learnt lessons from its semi loss to Beijing and will try to surprise its fans in a small city on the national hoops map.

Meanwhile, seven-time league champion Guangdong will remain a title favorite after welcoming its former cornerstone Yi Jianlian back from the NBA.

Unlike other clubs which have thin Chinese rosters, Guangdong routinely counts on its local core, which includes national forwards Zhu Fangyu, Wang Shipeng and Zhou Peng. They won't need to adjust too much to gel with Yi.

"I hope we can reunite as a one and make it (to win an eighth championship) with the whole team's effort," said Yi, who spent five years in the NBA with four different teams.

For the Beijing Ducks, they know that staying on top is much harder than just getting there once. So they brought in last season's All-Star MVP Li Gen from Qingdao while retaining last year's winning roster.

"The championship brought a lot to us, but has also made us the target of every team," said Beijing's head coach, Min Lulei. "Every opponent will get extra motivation to beat us, so we need to be ready for a tougher situation."

Contact the writer at sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn.