All stars, all day

2012 CBA All-Star Game starters of the North team (left) and the South team.

Wang Zhizhi will return to the scene of his greatest triump to lead South vs North, Sun Xiaochen writes.

Something about Guangzhou brings out the best in Wang Zhizhi. In 2010, he celebrated China's gold medal in the 2010 Asian Games at the Guangzhou International Sports Arena. This weekend in the same venue, he'll lead the South in the CBA All-Star Game. It will be a trip down memory lane for the Bayi Rockets' cornerstone. "This venue is one of the best basketball arenas in China, an NBA-standard facility, as is the MasterCard Center in Beijing," Wang told China Daily last week. "We feel blessed to be able to play in it. I especially had some thrilling memories there when I played the Asian Games final."

That final also provided some clues that the national team can succeed without now-retired backbone Yao Ming or new star Yi Jianlian.

Thanks to Yao's injury and Yi's NBA commitments, the unseasoned squad came into the final as an underdog but still managed to defeat South Korea in a close battle driven by Wang's performance.

After the game, Wang's teammates paid tribute to their leader by hanging all 12 gold medals around his neck and bowing together in front of him.

"Yeah, that's probably the most impressive moment in my career," Wang said.

"But I was much more excited that we won in a tough situation and we fought together as an underdog. That's why (the venue) has special meaning for me and why I am excited to play in it again."

Leading the All-Star voting to earn his record seventh start for the South, Wang said he still feels fresh enough to play.

The 2.14-meter center, in his 14th season in the league, said the event is a chance to pay back his diehard supporters and sponsors.

"I am really excited to be able to play the game as a starter again, even though I've been there many times," said Wang, a three-time All-Star MVP winner. "(Winning the vote) is an acknowledgment of my performance and I felt grateful to the fans. Hopefully, we can fully relax and deliver an entertaining show."

As the approaches the end of his career, the 34-year-old said he will cherish every minute on the All-Star stage and do what he can to wow the crowds.

Wang said he is keen to fight for his country at the London Olympics, and will continue to be a national representative as long as possible.

Wang, who watched the NBA's All-Star weekend during his six-year stay with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat, hailed the league's foreign players as better performers.

"We have a lot of NBA-caliber foreign players this season," he said. "They are more willing to show off their characters at the All-Star Game compared with the Chinese. They are good at making fun and stylish stunts. I am looking forward to their play."

The Rookie Challenge

North

Head coach: Stephon Marbury (Beijing Ducks)

Roster: Zhu Yanxi; Zhai Xiaochuan (Beijing Ducks) Guo Ailun (Liaoning Jiebao) Xu Jiahan; Dingyan Yuhang (Shandong Gold Lions); Li An (Jilin Northeast Tigers) Yan Pengfei; Ren Junwei; Ge Zhaobao (Shanxi Brave Dragons) Shen Tujun (Tianjin Gold Lions)

South

Head coach: Wang Zhizhi (Bayi Rockets)

Roster: Li Yuanyu; Shi Hongfei (Guangdong Southern Tigers) Gu Quan; Sun Tonglin (Dongguan Leopards) Xia Yubo (Zhejiang Golden Bulls) Wei Song (Jiangsu Dragons) Wang Zirui (Zhejiang Lions) Tian Yuxiang; Cao Yan (Bayi Rockets) Zeng Lingxu (Foshan Longlions)

3-point Shootout

Sun Jie (Shandong Gold Lions) Luo Zhi (Foshan Longlions) Shen Tujun (Tianjin Gold Lions) Lester Hudson (Qingdao Eagles) Aaron Brooks (Guangdong Southern Tigers) Zhu Yanxi (Beijing Ducks)

Skill Challenge

Mugedaer Xirelijiang(Xinjiang Flying Tigers) Chen Jianghua (Guangdong Southern Tigers) Zeng Lingxu (Foshan Longlions) Osama Daghles (Jilin Northeast Tigers)

Slam-Dunk Contest

Zhao Tailong (Fujian SBS) Chang Lin (Beijing Ducks) Yan Pengfei (Shanxi Brave Dragons) Meng Xianglong (Tianjin Gold Lions) Yang Wenbo (Foshan Longlions) Tian Yuxiang (Bayi Rockets)

All-Star weekend schedule

Feb 18

9 am-11:30 am Outdoor charity activity

2 pm-4 pmOfficial photo shoot

7:30 pm-8:50 pm Rookie Challenge

8:50 pm-10 pm Preliminaries of 3-point Shootout, Skill Challenge and Slam-Dunk Contest

Feb 19

7 pm-7:30 pmWarm-up show

7:40 pm-9:45 pm All-Star Game

8:15 pm-9 pm (halftime)Finals of 3-point shootout, skill challenge and slam-dunk contest

9:45 pm-10 pm Award ceremony

(China Daily 02/18/2012 page16)