The Golden State Warriors kicked off their trip to China this past week, visiting fans and monuments throughout the country while also playing in two exhibition games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team lost their first game but dominated in the most recent, taking a 36-point win which featured Stephen Curry scoring 40 in three quarters.
The popularity of basketball has steadily grown over the years, particularly in countries overseas. Fans in China, known for adoring stars such as Kobe Bryant when he played, lined up in bunches to meet and greet superstars such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant this week. It’s no secret that the country’s fans love the franchise.
“We want to be China’s team in the NBA,” Warriors President Rick Welts said, according to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. “We think we have all of the right factors in play.”
The Warriors have made three straight trips to the NBA Finals and signed superstar forward Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016. Never before has the franchise been this popular.
“Entering this trip, the brand of the Warriors definitely could not be higher,” David Shoemaker, NBA China’s CEO, said before the trip. “I expect the reaction of our fans and partners to be as great as we’ve ever seen for a team traveling to China.”
The reaction from fans was indeed significant, and this likely won’t be the final time we see the Warriors head overseas. But for now, the club is focused on ending its preseason on a high note with eyes set on October 17 — their regular season opener.
