Raymond has done a good job of reporting in the forum the activities of some NBA players playing in the China Basketball Association this season. Here’s a summary of some of the recent highlights.

Kenyon Martin has been a disappointment, averaging “only” 14 points and 9.7 rebounds. Since each CBA team can only sign 2 ex-pat players, it’s expected that they at least average 20 points per game. There has been some speculation that his team, Xinjiang, could be releasing him. Martin is earning $2.65 million this season, and Xinjiang has gotten off to one of their worst starts in the past 5 seasons with a 7-4 record.

Bob Donewald, the American coach of Xinjiang who used to coach Yao’s Shanghai MAXXIS Sharks, has been forced to step down. Donewald, who left the Sharks before this season and signed a bigger contract with Xinjiang for 5 times more money, had talked trash about the Sharks before the season started.

Earlier this week, Aaron Brooks had his third consecutive double-double for his Guangdong team, scoring 27 points and dishing out 10 assists. Brooks has vowed to stay with the team through the playoffs, even if the American players are allowed to leave the CBA sooner than what their contracts require.

Click here for more photos of Brooks in action.

The most surprising success for an American player is Stephon Marbury, who has helped lead his Beijing team to a 12-0 record. Earlier this week Marbury scored 28 points on 10-of-16 shots, grabbed 5 boards, and had 7 assists.

Marbury has stated he has no desire to return to the NBA after starting a new life and finding inner peace in China. Ultimately, he would like the opportunity to coach the Chinese National Team. Here’s an interesting N.Y. Times article about Marbury’s new life in China.

Below is a video from the Wall Street Journal about Marbury’s new life in China.

Marbury is living a normal life compared to NBA standards. Below is a photo of him taking the Beijing subway to go to practice:

And below is a photo of Marbury visiting a sick girl who asked him to come visit her in the hospital, showing he is sincere about integrating himself in Chinese culture.

For more photos and stories of Marbury’s fascinating life in China, click here for Raymond’s updates in the forum.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 at 7:55 pm and is filed under China. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.