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NBA Chinese New Year Celebration features Irving, Davis, and Leonard

By Nir Regev

PHILADELPHIA,PA - JANUARY 27 : Here is an area shot prior to the game during Chinese New Year where the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - JANUARY 27 : Here is an area shot prior to the game during Chinese New Year where the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA is celebrating the Chinese New Year with in-arena activities, uniforms, player commercials, and special programming paying tribute to Chinese culture.

NBA superstars Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Kawhi Leonard will ring in the Chinese New Year with a special fireworks television spot featuring a viewpoint from the eyes of a child. The promo sees youth enjoying the fireworks of the celebration and noticing each respective player among the crowd dribbling a basketball. When the child catches up to the player, they pass them the basketball, making their day as they are awe struck. The three player promo spots will air on March 3 across all of NBA China’s television and digital platforms.

The NBA will see a record 12 teams hosting Chinese New Year themed celebrations in their home arenas this year with the Warriors and Rockets wearing symbolic Chinese uniforms. The NBA teams hosting Chinese New Year festivities include the 76ers, Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers, Kings, Knicks, Raptors, Rockets, Timberwolves, and the Washington Wizards.

The Nike City Edition uniforms with Chinese characters and symbolism will be worn by the Warriors and Rockets for 12 games. A special game presentation paying tribute to Chinese culture will also be aired by Tencent for February’s 76ers/Knicks game.

Key Chinese New Year NBA matchups broadcasting live in China by Tencent and CCTV include the Spurs/Warriors on Feb. 11 [Tencent], Cavs/Thunder on Feb. 19 [CCTV/Tencent], Thunder/Warriors on Feb. 25 [Tencent], and Rockets/Clippers [CCTV/Tencent]. Tencent will be interviewing both current and former NBA players and cover the Chinese New Year-themed halftime performance at the 76ers/Knicks game.

Jeremy Lin: Roots Documentary and Chinese New Year’s Dinner

This upcoming Feb. 6, the NBA’s Weibo account will feature a live stream with Brooklyn Nets star Jeremy Lin at a traditional Chinese New Year dinner and takes questions from fans.

A documentary short [10 minutes] called Jeremy Lin: Roots will be part of the NBA’s Chinese New Year special programming. The documentary will take an ‘all-access’ look at Lin’s recent visit to Pinghu, China, the home of his maternal grandmother. Jeremy Lin: Roots will air across NBA China’s television and digital platforms.

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Jason Williams to host Chinese New Year Celebrations

Iconic flashy playmaking legend Jason Williams, will travel to Shanghai to host two Chinese New Year celebrations and basketball clinics for a group of Special Olympics athletes at the NBA Playzone on Jan. 31 and at Shanghai Yumiao migrant school on Feb. 1.

Williams will be donating sports equipment and a music room to underprivileged students in Lijiang, Yunnan as part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving festivities presented by Dongfeng Nissan in China on Jan. 29.

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