Get ready for Linsanity 2.0: the remix.
The NBA brass are about to lace up their marketing sneakers and go global, scheduling 8 preseason games overseas. Kobe and Durant may be big, but there's a new guy who may steal most of the headlines.
NBA Commissioner David Stern stated continued his theme of making the NBA a truly global game.
"Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally. This fall, nearly a third of our teams will embark on a global tour that will celebrate the game of basketball, give our international fans a chance to connect with NBA teams and players, and leave a lasting impact in each of the communities we visit."
The Houston Rockets will highlight two games in Asia and the Pacific Rim as point guard Jeremy Lin will first travel to Manila, Philippines to take on the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 11. The NBA has a huge fan base in the Philippines and not only should Lin receive a huge welcoming, but they haven't had an NBA team visit since the Washington bullets took on the Philippine national team in an 1979 exhibition match.
The Rockets will again face the Pacers on Oct. 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. The location is specific (and probably not coincidental) as being where Lin's grandparents lived. The NBA was wise to constantly show footage of his grandparents and neighbors cheering him on during his memorable run last season with the New York Knicks dubbed "Linsanity".
If Dennis Rodman can become BFFs with the leader of North Korea, the Black Mamba may be able to get a treaty signed when he visits China. The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors in Beijing on Oct. 15 and again in Shanghai on Oct. 18. Kobe is wildly popular in China, travelling their annually as part of his deal with Nike.
Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Philadelphia 76ers after facing seperate regional opponents. The Thunder play in Istanbul on Oct. 5 taking on Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul. Philadelphia will battle Uxue Bilbao Basket in Bilbao, Spain on Oct. 6.
The two teams will jump on a plane and face each other in Manchester, England on Oct. 8.
Brazil will not only play host to the 2016 Olympics, but also feature an exhibition game between the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards as the teams face off in Rio de Janeiro. Expect Wizards star Nene to be the star attraction.
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