Episode VI

The sixth NBA China Games tip off on Thursday at the MasterCard Center, and the Miami Heat and LA Clippers will put some of the league's biggest names on the court. Sun Xiaochen reports in Beijing.

Beijing is abuzz, the gym is sold out and the stars are lacing up, not only to provide a basketball show, but also to take part in a serious NBA preseason game.

The 2012 NBA China Games is in town with a group of A-list stars from the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers set to play at the venue that hosted basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Everyone is excited about being here," the Heat's MVP forward LeBron James said after a morning practice at the MasterCard Center, where he won his first Olympic gold medal, on Wednesday.

"This is a fun time for us to be able to come to another country and see so many people excited about the game of basketball."

For newcomers like the Clippers' high-flying dunker Blake Griffin, anticipation is also high. "(I want to) see what the atmosphere's like. I've never played overseas, so I'm really looking forward to the experience and the fans' reactions," the 23-year-old said.

Both teams visited the Great Wall on Tuesday and the Heat's James, Rashard Lewis and Udonis Haslem went a step further by getting foot massages. Still, they have not only come for roast duck and sightseeing, but for some drills and the opportunity to gel with new teammates.

The Heat added new pieces like Ray Allen and Lewis, while the Clippers signed veterans Grant Hill and Lamar Odom. Both teams expect to use the two games (the second is in Shanghai on Sunday) as tune-ups for what they hope will be deep runs this coming season.

"We have our jobs to do, which is working on what we need to improve," Heat All-Star forward Chris Bosh said. "This is still training camp, still the preseason. We still have a lot of things we have to work on. So we hope the fans just enjoy the show and we go out there to play our best. Anytime we are on the court we will be competitive."

Shane Battier, who has visited China nine times over the past seven years, stressed it was a chemistry-building journey.

"No one speaks Mandarin (on our team)," said Battier, who played with Yao Ming on the Houston Rockets from 2006-11.

"A lot of funny things happen (on trips) - especially to the young guys - and all those things help to build team chemistry. That's why a trip like this is good and takes us out of our comfort zone and allows us to get know each other better."

The Clippers' primary playmaker, Chris Paul, will be sidelined due to a thumb injury, but said he will be fully recovered by the opening day of the season.

"Tell me about it," Paul said of the fact that the team doctors won't clear him for competitive games just yet.

"I wish I could (play), especially after I found out that I had to have surgery (after the London Games). I wanted to be able to play by the time I reached here. It's a huge pity."

"I still need a couple of weeks but, no question, I will be ready before the opener."

Contact the writer at sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn.

Who to watch: Better get to the arena on time or you might miss out on seeing Miami's LeBron James (top), Dwyane Wade (left) and Chris Bosh (middle) in action with Ray Allen, who was a member of the rival Boston Celtics last season.

   

Who to watch: There will be no lob passes from Chris Paul to Blake Griffin (top) as the former will be sitting out the games. However, high-flying Griffin could still be well serviced by Caron Butler (left) , Lamar Odom (middle) and Grant Hill.