The Olympics were the thing to watch this summer, and an enormous number of people tuned in to watch the Opening Ceremony. At the ceremony, viewers saw Yao Ming, China’s towering basketball star, enter the stadium with 9-year-old Lin Hao. This unknown boy was introduced as a survivor and hero of the earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province, which killed nearly 15,000 civilians.
His story brought attention to the severity of the tragedy and its relief efforts, with which many people and organizations are still actively trying to help. NBA Cares is the National Basketball Association’s program to give back to the community and raise money for charities. Through NBA Cares and the American Red Cross, the Milwaukee Bucks traveled to China to take part in the 2008 NBA China Games and to raise money for the relief efforts stemming from the earthquake earlier this year, according to a Bucks press release.
The Bucks played two preseason games against the Golden State Warriors while in China. The Bucks beat the Warriors 98-94 in their first game in Guangzhou Province, the first win of the preseason for the Bucks. The Warriors defeated the Bucks 109-108 in their Oct. 18 game in Beijing.
NBA Cares will be sponsoring numerous activities and events to support the rebuilding of Sichuan Province, to honor those affected and to recognize the heroics of those who helped.
The Bucks’ decision to help is something that students, both from the area and from out of state, can appreciate.
“It’s a good idea,” said Alex Heaton, sophomore in the College of Education. “During the Olympics, Deron Williams (Utah Jazz guard) said something about the Chinese fans knowing his name. If you’re a sports organization, you want fans of your organization, regardless of where they’re from.”
Heaton is a Milwaukee-area native and long-time Bucks fan, but other out-of-state students also said they were excited to see the Bucks help Chinese civilians affected by the earthquake.
“Even though I’m not a fan of the Bucks, I approve of their attempt to foster international humanitarian efforts,” said Kevin Nieves, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Students’ image of the NBA didn’t affect their opinions on the Bucks’ trip to China.
“I really don’t like the NBA, but the fact that they are helping out those in need is really commendable,” said Nick Leak, a sophomore in the College of Business Administration.
“I love the NBA, and while I’m a Timberwolves fan at heart, I think what the Bucks are doing to help fund the disaster relief is respectable,” said Ellie Hawkinson, a sophomore in the College of Engineering.
These were the first NBA games ever played in China. It is also the first time the Bucks have played outside of the continental United States or Canada since 1972, when they played an exhibition game in San Juan, Puerto Rico against the Phoenix Suns.
The 2008 NBA China Games are put on by the NBA, the Chinese Basketball Association, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Guangzhou Sports Bureau.