Nanjing, China never looked so good.

 

Nearly two months later the Jiangsu Dragons returned home to Nanjing on Monday night as 2009 CBA Summer League champions.

 

A grueling 45 day tour of northern China which featured a 15 hour train ride, 31 days of "two a day" practice sessions, a walk on the Great Wall, a solar eclipse and the usual "daily trips into the unknown" that IS Chinese dining...ended on Saturday night in Changzhi, China where the Dragons won their 7th game in 8 days to lay claim as the CBA's very best for the summer of 2009.

 

August, December, April or June...championships are always special.

 

And to the victor go the spoils?

 

Hardly.

 

How about an 8th game in 9 days?

 

On Sunday night, the Dragons squared off with a team of American all stars featuring former Duke star and Chicago Bull draftee (#2 overall behind Yao Ming), Jay Williams. The Americans roster was dotted with several veteran players which had all pulled tours of duty in the NBA, NBDL and Europe...the United States contingent was coached by Bryan Gates (the outstanding head coach of Idaho's entry in the NBDL) who was recently named as an assistant coach on Paul Westphal's staff with the Sacramento Kings.

 

The Dragons wearily marched out 7 healthy bodies (fatigue, injuries and exhaustion starts to mount after our schedule) on Sunday and battled the Americans to a 92-92 tie...a fitting end, as even the most devout Chinese basketball fan had seen enough hoops for one week.

 

We now begin our final push and preparation for the 11th Games of the People's Republic of China set to tip off on October 20th in Shandong, China. Two final months of practice, preparation and exhibition games before the Dragons "duke" it out with the very best that China has to offer over the course of 8 games and 10 days of competition in Shandong.

 

The Dragons will have their work cut out at the National Games.

 

Guandong, the CBA's reigning 3 time defending champion will be on hand WITH 6'9 Yi Jilan of the NBA's New Jersey Nets. The fact that Yi Jilan will be competing for Guandog in China's National Games gives you a sense of just how passionate the Chinese are about their "All China Games" as Jilan will miss training camp and the first week of the NBA season to compete for Guandong. Guandong will be the HEAVY favorite in Shandong.

 

Bayi, the Red Army team, will also be a strong contender to medal in Shandong. Any team that has a 3 million person army behind them is ALWAYS a threat.

 

Minus an NBA star and the backing of the Chinese military...the Dragons will show up too.

 

After all...8 games in 10 days...

 

A walk in the park:-)

 

Until next time.

 

From China with Love... 

 

Jason Rabedeaux
Head Basketball Coach
Jiangsu Nanjing Dragons
Chinese Basketball Association