Superstars show their caring side
The NBA China Games 2017 was about much more than the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves entertaining the fans in Shenzhen and Shanghai last week.
For the league and the players it was an opportunity to encourage children in their basketball pursuits — from those kids who dream of one day making it in the world’s greatest league to those with more humble ambitions.
On Saturday in Shanghai, the Warriors participated in a charity event at the landmark Oriental Pearl Tower, where the reigning NBA champions took time to coach 40 Special Olympics athletes, most of them children, as part of the NBA Cares program.
“Basketball can be so much fun,” Warriors superstar Stephen Curry told China Daily in Shanghai ahead of his team’s rematch with the Wolves.
“You learn things about yourself, about life and about
No matter where we come from, we all enjoy playing basketball. We hope the message is passed on to the next generations.”
Stephen Curry, Warriors star challenges. At the end of the day, though, it’s just about having fun. No matter where we come from, we all enjoy playing basketball. We hope the message is passed on to the next generations.”
Curry's ‘Splash Brother’, Klay Thompson was also delighted to lend a hand.
“For those kids, especially those who are in unfortunate circumstances, it’s important just to have fun, ” said Thompson. “You can learn a lot through basketball. You can learn how to work with your friends toward a common goal. But just don’t take it too seriously, especially kids.
“Basketball should be about fun and exercise. Don’t worry about becoming the next Kobe Bryant or Stephen Curry.
“That does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of work.”
Unlike Curry and Thompson, who are both sons of former NBA players, Warriors forward Draymond Green did not grow up with such privileged access to the league. And he had some sound advice for those kids dreaming of making it big.
“The NBA is dreamland for me,” said Green. “Even for me, who was brought up in America. I always dreamed of playing in the NBA. But if you put the work and time in, it can become a reality.”
NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA’s mission of addressing important social issues.
The program has provided more than 4.1 million hours of hands-on services and created over 1,115 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in communities around the world. The NBA also engages over 18 million young people annually, inspiring them to play and teaching them the values of the game. Contact the writer at shifutian@chinadaily.com.cn