Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. - The Chinese fans who watched Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers playing in the 2012 Global Games won’t need to wait any longer to see those faces in front of them once again.
The Clippers are flying from Los Angeles to China on Wednesday for two games against the Charlotte Hornets as part of the NBA Global Games China 2015, playing the NBA’s first game ever in Shenzhen on Oct. 11 before an Oct. 14 matchup in Shanghai.
Head coach Doc Rivers knows of all seasons to have an international trip, this one might be the most beneficial, as it could serve as an opportunity to bring together a team full of new faces.
“Being on the road kind of makes you hang out, get together, do things,” Rivers said. “Being in another country, sometimes it’s even more so.”
According to Josh Smith, that process has already started.
Smith said players have already started hanging out, and even though some family members of players are going with them to China, the players will be sure to continue spending time with another and progressing as a team on the trip.
For some Clippers, the trip to China will be a first.
“Just going to experience a new culture and enjoy it,” said Lance Stephenson. “We’re playing out there, I know we’re rock stars out there. Just going to have fun and embrace it and meet new people.”
For other Clippers, including, Paul, Griffin and Jordan, the flight to China signals a return.
“Fortunately, I’ve been a number of times, so there’s not too much that I haven’t seen,” Paul said. “It’s a singular purpose. For our team, I’m not sure who hasn’t been, it’s always a great opportunity to see part of the world you haven’t seen. But, obviously, we know it’s a business trip. We’re going over there to learn more about our team and hopefully come back with a bigger purpose.”
That’s the overall mission.
A week-long trip with a packed schedule following an international flight in the middle of the preseason can be tiring, but it can also serve as a bonding experience and help mesh a team with championship aspirations.
“You fly over there, you have to practice, you have to lock in,” Griffin said, “and if you can go through all that with all those distractions, sometimes you can come out on the positive side. We have to be the ones to make that happen.
“If we can come out and make it a positive experience and we’re still getting better while we’re over there, I think we’ll come out better for it.”
Rivers said he’s not sure which event on the busy itinerary will serve as the bonding moment, but he knows at least one of them will be good for building chemistry.
As for the long flight?
“I’m going to watch film and sleep probably very little,” Rivers said. “I don’t think you should sleep much when you go on those flights. I don’t know, (Steve) Ballmer told me that. I think he’s been over there more than me, so I should listen.”
Ballmer will be attending the China trip, as will Hornets owner Michael Jordan, who’s sure to draw some attention among the many NBA fans in the country. In addition to playing in the games, players, coaches and owners will all take part in a variety of off-court activities, including NBA Cares community programs.
For Jordan brand players such as Paul and Griffin, the itinerary is even more packed. They both know with Jordan also in attendance, the fans will be out in full force. Griffin said with so much attention to the NBA in China, it’s a good idea to for players to find time to make the trip when possible.
“There are tons of basketball fans over there,” Griffin said. “It’s really cool to see, just driving by random courts, and they’re packed. People are wearing Jordans all over the place. People there love basketball. People are basketball fanatics.”
The Clippers will be in China for a week, spending the first portion of the trip in Shenzhen and leaving after the game Sunday to depart for Shanghai for another few days. After playing Wednesday in Shanghai, the Clippers won’t play again until a home game Oct. 20 against the Warriors.
And Rivers won’t let fatigue be an excuse.
“We’re going to China, and when we come back, we’re back and we have to get ready,” Rivers said.