The National Basketball Association (NBA) and China may have encountered turbulence in their relations over the years but retired great Yao Ming told Reuters the league is still "first class" in his home country. Yao, the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, soared to stardom in the United States as the eight-time All-Star for the Houston Rockets, an affable, 7-foot, 6-inch NBA big man who dominated the league before retiring in 2011.

Yao propelled the league's popularity in his home country but relations between China and the NBA have not always been smooth. Chinese broadcasters stopped airing Rockets games in 2019 after general manager Daryl Morey posted a message in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong and, earlier this year, former NBA player Dwight Howard appeared in a promotional video in which he referred to Taiwan as a country, prompting backlash.

"I have to say, the NBA is in the first class...(because) you know the players being exposed in China for so long," Yao said when asked about the past issues between China and the NBA. "The players, the teams (are) all still very well welcome in China and (we had) a couple of players with (in) China just this past summer."

Yao travelled to New York this week for the first time in nearly four years as part of a roughly 30-person Chinese delegation and met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a time when international participation in the league is at an all-time high.

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"Everything looks (like it is) running very, very well (under) his management," he said of Silver, who took the reins in 2014.

Separately, Yao said France's Victor Wembanyama possesses a talent that defies comparison, as the seven-foot, four-inch rookie makes his highly anticipated NBA regular-season debut on Wednesday.

Not since LeBron James 20 years ago has a prospect generated excitement on the level seen for the San Antonio Spurs' first overall pick, who will kick off at home against Texan rivals Dallas Mavericks after a remarkable preseason. "I never see a big guy like, you know, (who) can do such a thing like he does," said Yao, an eight-times NBA All-Star who stands two inches taller than Wembanyama.

"In a scout report where we say 'This guy is - how old he is, you know, his height, his wingspan and his capabilities'... and 'He looks like, let's say, a former somebody', you know. For him, it's like, I don't know who shall I put up... no comparing."

The Hall of Famer was reluctant to offer advice to the Frenchman Wembanyama, who enters the NBA at a time of unprecedented international participation in the league. "He has his own expedition to go (on)," said Yao, who was travelling to New York as part of a some 30-person Chinese delegation this week.

"And my experience probably from 20 years ago, I'm not sure is still fit for today. So I just wish him all good luck."

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and China may have encountered turbulence in their relations over the years but retired great Yao Ming told Reuters the league is still "first class" in his home country.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and China may have encountered turbulence in their relations over the years but retired great Yao Ming told Reuters the league is still "first class" in his home country. Yao, the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, soared to stardom in the United States as the eight-time All-Star for the Houston Rockets, an affable, 7-foot, 6-inch NBA big man who dominated the league before retiring in 2011. Yao propelled the league's popularity in his home country but relations between China and the NBA have not always been smooth. Chinese broadcasters stopped airing Rockets games in 2019 after general manager Daryl Morey posted a message in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong and, earlier this year, former NBA player Dwight Howard appeared in a promotional video in which he referred to Taiwan as a country, prompting backlash. "I have to say, the NBA is in the first class...(because) you know the players being exposed in China for so long," Yao said when asked about the past issues between China and the NBA. "The players, the teams (are) all still very well welcome in China and (we had) a couple of players with (in) China just this past summer." Yao travelled to New York this week for the first time in nearly four years as part of a roughly 30-person Chinese delegation and met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a time when international participation in the league is at an all-time high. Also Read: Serie A: Juventus go top after dramatic 2-1 win at Monza; Federico Gatti scores 94th minute winner "Everything looks (like it is) running very, very well (under) his management," he said of Silver, who took the reins in 2014. Separately, Yao said France's Victor Wembanyama possesses a talent that defies comparison, as the seven-foot, four-inch rookie makes his highly anticipated NBA regular-season debut on Wednesday. Not since LeBron James 20 years ago has a prospect generated excitement on the level seen for the San Antonio Spurs' first overall pick, who will kick off at home against Texan rivals Dallas Mavericks after a remarkable preseason. "I never see a big guy like, you know, (who) can do such a thing like he does," said Yao, an eight-times NBA All-Star who stands two inches taller than Wembanyama. "In a scout report where we say 'This guy is - how old he is, you know, his height, his wingspan and his capabilities'... and 'He looks like, let's say, a former somebody', you know. For him, it's like, I don't know who shall I put up... no comparing." The Hall of Famer was reluctant to offer advice to the Frenchman Wembanyama, who enters the NBA at a time of unprecedented international participation in the league. "He has his own expedition to go (on)," said Yao, who was travelling to New York as part of a some 30-person Chinese delegation this week. "And my experience probably from 20 years ago, I'm not sure is still fit for today. So I just wish him all good luck."

Basketball: NBA remains 'first class' in China despite recent turbulences, says Yao Ming

Two teams were disqualified from the ongoing&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;Basketball&nbsp;Association season on Monday after suspicions of match-fixing, with Yao Ming bemoaning a "sorrowful weekend".&nbsp;

The Shanghai Sharks overtook the Jiangsu Dragons in the last two minutes of a CBA playoff game on Friday after the Dragons lost possession of the ball multiple times.

The Sharks -- where CBA president and NBA all-star Yao began his professional career -- won the game 108-104, advancing to the quarter-finals.

The match sparked fury among&nbsp;basketball&nbsp;fans&nbsp;on&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;social media and allegations of match-fixing. The CBA said on Saturday that it would investigate the game.

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The CBA did not use the phrase "match-fixing" on Monday and instead accused them of "passive playing" during two recent games involving the teams, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

In addition to being disqualified from this season, both teams had their budgets slashed by five million yuan ($730,000).

Their head coaches and general managers have been slapped with suspensions of three to five years, CCTV said.

"Both clubs have a long history... and both teams have produced milestone figures," Yao said in video footage published by the state-run China News Service.

"The more we talk about it, the more pain we feel," said the 42-year-old, who starred for the Houston Rockets in the NBA between 2002 and 2011.

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Two teams were disqualified from the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association season on Monday after suspicions of match-fixing, with Yao Ming bemoaning a "sorrowful weekend".

Two teams were disqualified from the ongoing Chinese Basketball Association season on Monday after suspicions of match-fixing, with Yao Ming bemoaning a "sorrowful weekend". The Shanghai Sharks overtook the Jiangsu Dragons in the last two minutes of a CBA playoff game on Friday after the Dragons lost possession of the ball multiple times. The Sharks -- where CBA president and NBA all-star Yao began his professional career -- won the game 108-104, advancing to the quarter-finals. The match sparked fury among basketball fans on Chinese social media and allegations of match-fixing. The CBA said on Saturday that it would investigate the game. Also Read: Mikel Arteta confident of Arsenal not losing track in title race after successive draw in Premier League The CBA did not use the phrase "match-fixing" on Monday and instead accused them of "passive playing" during two recent games involving the teams, state broadcaster CCTV reported. In addition to being disqualified from this season, both teams had their budgets slashed by five million yuan ($730,000). Their head coaches and general managers have been slapped with suspensions of three to five years, CCTV said. "Both clubs have a long history... and both teams have produced milestone figures," Yao said in video footage published by the state-run China News Service. "The more we talk about it, the more pain we feel," said the 42-year-old, who starred for the Houston Rockets in the NBA between 2002 and 2011. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese Basketball Association disqualifies two teams over fixing suspicions

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Basketball: NBA remains 'first class' in China despite recent turbulences, says Yao Ming

Chinese Basketball Association disqualifies two teams over fixing suspicions