Impressed by how China and Chinese people fight against virus, says Marbury

BEIJING -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese professional basketball league CBA was suspended, and all the teams have no games for months.

Stephon Marbury, head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters, has been working hard on the team's daily training. "Right now, no one knows when the season is going to restart exactly," the former NBA All-Star guard said to Xinhua.

"The current situation is getting better and better, and we all are looking forward to being able to play again," he said.

The Royal Fighters performed well before the pandemic, ranking eighth in the 20-team league after 30 games. It's not a bad job for a team which totaled only eight wins in the last season.

"Before the virus outbreak, everything was pretty good in our team," said Marbury.

"We have been playing really good basketball. After the virus outbreak, we have to stop and reschedule everything. That is the challenge for not only our team but also the whole league."

Marbury, who has spent almost a decade in China, made his own contribution to China's fight against COVID-19.

He and his players all donated money to the frontline workers along with the Beikong Group. He also used his social network account to encourage local people to keep faith and get together.

"This is the least we can do to offer the help and support to the frontline workers, and I feel proud of the league and my team." He said.

Showing his respect to the frontline workers, Marbury changed his social network background with a picture of Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a renowned respiratory specialist and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

"I was impressed by how China and Chinese people fight against the virus during the past couple of months," said Marbury.

"The solidarity between the people, the medical professions and all of the frontline workers was amazing."

Marbury started playing in CBA in 2010. He joined the Beijing Ducks from the 2011/12 season, helping the team to win three CBA titles in four years. In 2019, he became head coach of the Royal Fighters.

Marbury came back to China in March from a vacation in the United States and finished his 14-day quarantine before going back to work. He expressed his thanks to all the virus fighters in many cases.

"People stayed together, helped each other, showed great energy and built the common goal, which was beating the virus." he said.

"Many medical professions, who came from other provinces, decided to go to the frontline when the situation was terrible. Meanwhile, the people at Wuhan showed strong belief and courage by obeying the rules and staying at home for over two months. All of the sacrifices and contributions lead the country to move toward the final victory against the virus."

"Those medical professionals go from everywhere in China to save lives and halt the virus outbreaking by facing an extremely dangerous situation. They are the real heroes in our life."

The Royal Fighters team is ready for the restart of the season, and Marbury's goal doesn't change.

"Our goal for this season will not be changed no matter what, which is the playoffs ticket," he said.

"I believe that we will be 100 percent prepared." He added.