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NBA China Games 2007 Featured in Nine Cities

The National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States and its partners, through the China Games 2007, hosted a variety of fan-oriented events for the China Games 2007 that gave those who are unable to attend NBA games an opportunity to experience its sights and sounds in China. Cities on the schedule included Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, where NBA stars of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic; the NBA China Games Center, presented by addidas; and an NBA Jam Session, presented by Coca-Cola, HD Viewing Parties and an NBA Fan Day were featured.

Games between the Cavaliers and Magic and the China All Stars took place in Shanghai and Macao, China, from October 17ñ20. Tickets for the Cavaliers and Magic game in Macao were sold out in four hours.

“We will team up with our marketing partners to provide fans with more opportunities to experience the NBA via games or interactive fan festivals,” said Mark Fischer, managing director, NBA China. “We are thrilled by the support we have received from our fans in Macao, Hong Kong and Southern China, as evidenced by the rapid rate of ticket sales.”

NBA Legends including Rick Barry, George Gervin, Vlade Divac and Darryl Dawkins were in attendance in the various cities to meet and interact with fans, adding to the overall experience.

The NBA Jam Session presented by Coca-Cola, the NBA's premiere interactive touring programme for basketball fans, returned to China for the fourth-consecutive year. As part of the NBA China Games 2007, the NBA hosted a Jam Session in Beijing and in Guangzhou. NBA legend Rick Barry attended the NBA Jam Session at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on October 13 and 14.

The Jam Session provided free basketball activities for fans of all ages to play like the professionals, experience the game they love and to test their basketball skills. Programmes and activities included NBA-themed interactive games, including a slam dunk contest, a local basketball team dance show, bungee shooting, trampoline dunking and celebrity jams.

Wang Mingzhong, a Beijinger who attended the event with his son, a college school student, said, “It is a good experience for me, a good opportunity to have fun with my son, who has been a NBA fan for several years.”