If you are Chinese and a basketball fan, chances are you already know the that CCTV, China’s state-run national television network, as well as many regional television stations, have suspended broadcasts of NBA playoff games. The cessation of broadcasts supposedly falls in line with the suspension of all entertainment-related television programs, excluding those dealing directly with the earthquakes that ravaged China earlier this month, leaving a death count of over 68,000 as of today. 

Except that…

the ban on entertainment programming supposedly ended this week (anyone with CCTV on their cable who can confirm this?), yet NBA games continue to be suspended. What gives?  (Do you think they would have pulled the games if Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets were still in it?)

And check this out: Today a rumor is floating that CCTV will resume NBA broadcasts on June 6, just in time for the Finals. This coming the day after the NBA announced a $2 million dollar donation to China’s earthquake relief efforts. Coincidence?

What to make of all this?  Let us know.  And if you feel the least bit bad about watching Kobe crossover on Manu Ginobli tonight while millions of Chinese are left to deal with the aftermath of a national disaster, perhaps you might want to take Yao Ming’s cue from this video and act accordingly:



2 Comments

i didnt know he could speak english gg. i thought he was just like the other asian players who have translaters

eh what do you expect. people look forward to the nba and get hyped about it. its makse them happy. im sure they feel bad and everything but its not like they can be sad 24/7