Cao Yan of the South team drives for a layup during the 2012 CBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge on Saturday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The North team won 105-88. Cui Meng / China Daily

Absence of star US duo won't detract from All-Star Game

GUANGZHOU - You won't see J.R. Smith or Wilson Chandler at the All-Star Game but the gala show will still dazzle, said Stephon Marbury.

Keen to return to the NBA, J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler, two of the CBA's biggest foreign imports this year, flew back to the US straight after the regular season ended earlier this week, much to the anguish of their local fans.

However, the Beijing Ducks' former NBA guard, a three-time CBA All-Star, has shrugged off the impact of their withdrawals.

"No, I don't think so," Marbury said after landing in Guangzhou on Friday when asked whether his compatriots' non-appearance would affect the game's quality.

"I don't think it will have a negative affect. The two guys were definitely the best foreigners playing this year. Not having them playing the game is a pity as they would have made it more fun," Marbury said.

"I understand their mission is to go back to America to play in the NBA. These guys are younger so their missions are a little different (compared with mine). I am happy they came to China to entertain the fans and stay for a whole year (regular season)."

Marbury stressed the remaining foreign contingent would still provide plenty of thrills for the fans.

"I think the guys who have been selected, (Lester) Hudson, (Zaid) Abbaas and (William) Mcdonald, those guys are really talented and they know how to play so it will be a great show."

Marbury, who made his CBA All-Star Weekend debut in 2010 at Beijing's MasterCard Arena (formerly Wukesong Arena) and claimed the MVP last year, hailed the event as a fan-appreciation activity.

"I don't know who can win (the MVP), it doesn't matter. The key is to put on a show for the fans, and allow them to enjoy themselves and to see something different," he said.

Marbury named Aaron Brooks, who plays for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, as a prime candidate for the MVP trophy but the former Houston Rockets' guard says he is just out to have a fun weekend.

"I am excited. It will be a great experience and I am happy the people voted for me," Brooks said after arriving in the southern China city on Friday.

"I am going to stay healthy and have fun but not get hurt. We will have a good time and hopefully we can win. This is a good event and we are just here to have fun. I don't mind the competition (against Marbury)."

Keen to coach the national squad after he retires, Marbury, who turns 35 on Monday, coached the North rookie team to a 105-88 win over the South on Saturday night.

Asked who would be his starting five if he was made the national head coach, Marbury drafted the current four of Wang Zhizhi, Yi Jianlian, Zhu Fangyu and Wang Shipeng, and picked red-hot Jeremy Lin as the point guard.

"Jeremy Lin will be good. But I don't think that is going to happen. So I will pick up Liu Wei. He is the most experienced guard in China. That's really the five," he said. "They've been playing together for a while. They understand each other. They have a foundation and system. I think Team China can definitely win games at the Olympics. You never know how far they can go, it depends on how hard they play."

Having enjoyed the love of New York City during his heyday, Marbury also pointed out the city has a dark side that Lin should be made aware of.

"There's definitely a lot of pressure playing in New York. The sad thing is if you are not playing well, you will be criticized fiercely, that's the tough part and how New York is," said Marbury, a New York native.

The former NBA All-Star said it's too soon to hype up Lin as the city's new hero.

"I am not surprised (by his performance). But I think it's very early, I don't think you can judge a guy by only several games, because it's such a long season. The success he had in the last seven games shows he can play the game of basketball in the NBA. After he plays 40-50 games, you can really make the judgment," Marbury said.

"It's exciting to see what he went through and end up where he has. It's good for the New York Knicks. It's good for the city of New York because it seems revitalized."

China Daily

(China Daily 02/19/2012 page7)