The T'Wolves and the NBA in general have their "eye on China," even as China and Asia appear to be "headed here to the NBA," according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Shanghai sports marketer Lizhang “John” Jiang "became the first Chinese investor in an NBA team" when he bought a 5% stake in the T'Wolves from Owner Glen Taylor in June '16. Last week, the T'Wolves "announced another affiliation: an agreement with a Shanghai-based organization that will bring Chinese youth players and coaches to Minneapolis to attend games and participate in camps." The effort is "intended to grow the game -- and the Wolves' brand -- in China." The T'Wolves also played the Warriors in "two preseason games in China last month" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/5).
BEAN SPROUTING: In Boston, Fluto Shinzawa noted Bruins President Cam Neely "sees similar growth opportunities in China, where the Bruins have been one of the most aggressive NHL teams in planting seeds." Bruins RW David Pastrnak has "visited China as part of a good-will tour the last two summers." The Bruins "have a partnership" with China’s ORG Packaging. Neely: "I’m excited about China. Us going over there and setting a little bit of a footprint of the Boston Bruins, being in China to say, ‘If you’re going to cheer for an NHL team, have it be us.’ It’s helping them build the game from the grassroots up. To have that presence over there, have players go and do some youth hockey clinics, I think builds some loyalty with that country and our team" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/5).
