The Nets were everywhere in Shanghai on Friday morning, with players shooting around at a fan appreciation day and taking part in a short practice. Billy King and Brett Yormark talked about the business of basketball at an American Chamber of Commerce breakfast and Brett Yormark spoke via satellite with Bloomberg News.
The Nets arrived in Shanghai a short 24 hours ago after a 14 and a half hour trip from New York. They play the first of two games vs. the Kings early Sunday morning, then head to Beijing.
NBA.com tweeted out images Friday morning of the Nets and Kings.
Plumlee, KG & Coach Hollins look on during @BrooklynNets skills challenge events in Shanghai. #NBAGlobalGamespic.twitter.com/p5TseB7muK
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2014All smiles from @DeronWilliams in front of the Shanghai fans at Fan Appreciation Day. @BrooklynNets#NBAGlobalGamespic.twitter.com/tcLE4F2etn
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2014Shanghai Citizens Sports League basketball champs presented trophies from @RealDwill7&Brook Lopez. #NBAGlobalGamespic.twitter.com/h3HTVl6yU7
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2014Alan Anderson once again did not participate in the practice, due to a sore abdominal muscle, the Nets announced.
In his interview with Bloomberg's Angie Lau, Yormark talked about how despite the long trip --and a comment from Kevin Garnett that hinted he wasn't looking forward to it-- the players are now enthused.
"The team is very happy to be here," said Yormark. "They talked about it en route here to Shanghai yesterday. Kevin obviously has the big relationship with Anta (a Chinese footwear company.) So while we are here, he will be doing quite a number of appearances with his partner, Anta. Its obviously a long trip but now that they're here, they're excited to be here. they know theyre embraced by the fans."
Team ownership and management will likely to dealing with other Chinese companies. Greenland Forest City Partners – the joint venture recently forged between the Chinese developer that bought into Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park and Bruce Ratner – will host an introductory event for Pacific Park in Shanghai this week, coinciding with the Nets’ trip, YIMBY, the real estate site reports. Among other things, the partnership will be marketing apartments in the next two buildings surrounding Barclays Center to Chinese investors.