We begin with basketball and all eyes were on Yi Jianlian as the Guangdong Southern Tigers visited the Shenzhen Leopards on Wednesday night. The 29-year-old was making his debut this season after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers last month. Guangdong, who suffered their opening loss against Shanxi last week, were happy to welcome back the top domestic player, who also had a strong message for the offficial shoe sponsor of the CBA, Lining.
Guangdong get off to a good start with Yi, wearing the league-sponsored shoes making some space in the corner before connecting on the long jumper and Guangdong would lead 31-22 after the first quarter.
But as the second starts, Yi decides he's had enough and bends down to remove his shoes and toss them to the court. He then goes to the bench in his socks to protest wearing the Lining shoes. Shortly after he returns wearing his own shoes, but the referee tells his no and sends him back off the court for not wearing the designated league brand.
Guangdong lost their control of the game after that. Shenzhen, helped by their foreign import Jeremy Pargo, narrows the gap and levels the score after the first half.
With five minutes left in the third quarter, fans cheered as Yi comes back to the game, curiously now allowed to wear his own shoes. Guangdong finds their rhythm again and retake the lead. They finish the quarter up 81-73.
But Shenzhen fight back strong and are still one point behind with one minute left. Pargo steps up for the Leopards and scored a crucial lay-up as they secured the victory 89-88 in the end.
Elsewhere, Stephon Marbury scored 36 as Beijing edged Qingdao 129-126. Lester Hudson scored 45 points and 12 rebounds as Liaoning beat Jiangsu 110-104. Guangsha smashed defending champions Sichuan and went top of the table.