SPORTS> China
Foreign basketball players to breathe life into China league
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-18 17:36

China's professional basketball league kicked off its 2008-09 season this week with a group of ex-NBA players hoping to capitalise on new rules allowing them more playing time.

Kirk Snyder, who now plays in China. China's professional basketball league kicked off its 2008-09 season this week with a group of ex-NBA players hoping to capitalise on new rules allowing them more playing time. [Agencies]

Four-year NBA guard Kirk Snyder, former Indiana Pacers centre David Harrison and one time Golden State Warrior Chris Porter -- who all saw limited action in the National Basketball Association -- are now playing in China.

In Sunday's debut, Snyder scored 43 points in 45 minutes of playing time as he led the Zhejiang Wanma to a 100-92 victory over Qingdao.

His teammate Samuel Hoskin pitched in 24 points as the two Americans scored 67 of the team's 100 points.

"I have come here to help my team win basketball games," said Snyder, who once played with China's iconic centre Yao Ming on the Houston Rockets.

"But if it happens that I win the league scoring title, then that would not be bad at all."

In previous seasons, the Chinese Basketball Association had allowed each team's two overseas players to play a cobined total of five quarters per game, a rule that gave more playing time to Chinese stars, but kept the best players off the floor.

With the new rule, the league has vowed to increase the speed of the game and make it more exciting for fans.

Snyder was not the only import to score 43 points on opening day. He was equalled by Canadian Juan Mendez who led Xinjiang to a 101-97 overtime win over the Beijing Ducks.

Beijing's two former NBA players, Harrison and Dontae Jones scored 53 of the Ducks' 97 points in the up and down game, with Jones netting 34 points and snaring 18 rebounds in the loss.

In other games, defending champions Guangdong Hongyuan beat Fujian 107-92 with last season's most valuable player and national team player Zhu Fangyu scoring 24 points for the winners.

NBA veteran Porter had 31 points and 13 rebounds in 39 minutes of action in the loss.

Guangdong, which has won four of the last five league championships, was also led by 10-year CBA veteran Jason Dixon with 17 points and 10 boards.

Besides inviting 28 American players to play this season, the league has also allowed teams to invite up to one Asian professional player to play in CBA matches this year.

Each of the league's 18 teams will play 50 games during the 2008-2009 season which will end with an eight team playoff beginning in April.