Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul considering China as the overseas option: NBA Update
New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul and New York Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony are on a promotional tour to China these days. And it has emerged now that both of these superstars are the latest addition to the list of the players, who are planning to take their talents to China.
According to sources, the duo is seriously considering to play basketball in China, if offers are made during the NBA lockout.
During an interview on the promotional tour, Anthony told that he will consider “China”, when asked where he is going to play during lockout. When the same question was asked from Paul, he replied, “Same no question.”
Explaining the reason to play in China, Anthony said, "it's a lot of history here, the fans are great; why not, why not try it out?"
China is not a new destination for NBA players. Ever since the lockout was forced, many big names in the league, including Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, have shown interest in playing in the Chinese Basketball League. Kobe has however also been exploring the European option with the Turkish club Besiktas. That deal however, is still shaky and there are reports that the two parties are far apart on the finances involved in the linkup.
If that does not go through, Kobe will most probably land in China, a country where he is idealized. Orlando Magic’s centre Dwight Howard also declared on Sunday, that there is a high probability that he will play in China.
"I'm not at liberty to talk about it, but there's a huge possibility about me going to China or me going overseas to play basketball."
With the talks between the players union and franchise owners landing in hot waters before the lockdown dawned on July 1, there is little hope of any positive outcome in the first post lockout talks scheduled on Monday. This means that the situation in the coming months will remain uncertain and now with the FIBA overseas go ahead, the NBA players are sure to pounce on every playing option, they can find abroad.
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