Bryant May Steal Yao's China Spotlight

One of the first lessons I learned about China was that NBA star Yao Ming is the most famous person in the country.

Boys and young men wear his Houston Rockets jersey; he's on the cover of every magazine; and his face is plastered on ads throughout Beijing. Today he was chosen to be the country's flag bearer during the Olympics opening ceremony, and there are special security measures to keep his fans at a safe distance.

Naturally I assumed China would be rooting for him during the Games.

But I've met several Chinese people here who are backing the U.S. basketball team hands down. In fact, many of them are far more educated about the NBA than I am, and can spit off the names of our entire national team.

I met a 23-year-old Chinese man while checking out the Bird's Nest (the main Olympic stadium) the other day. As soon as he heard I was American, he couldn't stop talking about Kobe Bryant. I was surprised enough to hear that he knew Bryant played for the Lakers, but he was also up-to-speed on the NBA star's life. He told me about Bryant's "two girls" (it took me a minute to realize he was talking about daughters, not girlfriends) and career statistics.

He continued to name nearly all the teams in the NBA and discussed a few more big names, such as LeBron James and Dwight Howard.

There was no doubt in his mind the U.S. basketball team will win the gold despite their opener with China and, everyone's favorite, Ming.

I am, of course, also confident that the U.S. basketball team will succeed at the Games, but it's nice, and surprising, to know there's a fellow fan on this side of the world.

Comments

[tobiou]

Looking forward watching and reading about the games and atheletes rather than air pollution, secuity and protesters. China got off to a great start yesterday by delivering a perfectly spectacular opening ceromony.

[Liz4U2]

The NBA has truly gone international! I would never have guessed that Kobe is as popular as Yao Ming in China. However, during the opening ceremonies the commentator said Kobe's team jersey out sells Yao's in China. I am also looking forward to watching the Olympic basketball games. I wonder what the television coverage is like in China. BTW " the greatest opening ceremonies ever!

[JewishLeftist]

I don't follow basketball, but I hope the arrogant Chinese government pawns get put in their place by Kobe Bryant, just like Jessie Owens put the Nazis in their place.

[LatinaVoting4Obama]

the only way i can put is....kobe bryant is the "barack obama" of the NBA....he is simply BRILLIANT AND THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE WORLD

thanks for the "kobe report" from way out in China!

LAKERS BABY!!! :-)

[Nofuzzydreams]

Trying to control my tears now! We have been blessed with multiple messiahs!!