Restrictions on use of imports will give Chinese players a chance to shine

With its 20th season approaching, the Chinese Basketball Association is aiming to further hone homegrown players through an adjustment to its import policy.

Boasting high-profile ex-NBA stars including Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest), Michael Beasley and Al Harrington, the 2014-15 CBA season, which tips off on Nov 1, will no doubt continue to draw massive media exposure and sponsor interest as arguably China's most popular pro sports league.

However, its prosperity has failed to trickle through to the national level, as evidenced by China's disappointing Asian Games campaign. That has forced the star-obsessed league to reflect on its heavy reliance on imports.

The Chinese national team finished fifth at the Incheon Asiad; its worst result since first taking part in 1974.

To guarantee enough minutes for homegrown players to thrive, on Tuesday the CBA announced it will further limit the use of foreign recruits this coming season, allowing each team to use only one of its two imports (Asian imports excluded) in the last quarter, encouraging coaches to play Chinese players in decisive minutes.

Each team, except for the army-sponsored Bayi Rockets, can still draft two foreigners who will be allowed to play six quarters collectively, while teams finishing in the bottom five last season can recruit an extra Asian import.

To maximize their financial investment in foreigners CBA clubs used to play their imports the entire second half, while locals watched from the bench.

"We hope this change will force clubs to rely more on local players in crucial moments so they can gain that big-time experience in the league that they need internationally," said Zhang Xiong, director of the CBA's competition department.

The best-of-seven final series last season, won 4-2 by the Beijing Ducks over the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, basically came down to a 2-on-2 battle between Beijing's super duo of Stephon Marbury and Randolph Morris and Xinjiang's tandem of Lester Hudson and James Singleton.

Fujian SBS head coach J.T. Prada, who used to be an assistant coach in the NBA, supports the decision, claiming "players only develop by playing on the court".

"For China basketball it's a good idea because the more local players play the better it is. You never get better by just watching and not playing," said Prada, who worked with the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

"Basketball is always about teamwork with five people. I think it hurts China basketball if you just have the American players score all the points and do everything.

"The fewer minutes American players play, the better for China basketball."

Still, there are fears the tightened policy may make the CBA a less attractive league for foreign players.

"If you look at the NBA and professional leagues in Europe, there is no such rule (of limiting foreign players). Clubs sign big-name imports as an investment to boost ticket sales and marketing. It's market behavior, which shouldn't been controlled by policies," said Li Shengxin, a sports industry researcher at Beijing Sport University.

The flow of foreign stars has helped the league gain exposure and swelled its coffers.

Last season's finals attracted 162 million TV viewers in March, becoming the year's second most-watched sporting event behind Li Na's Australian Open final victory in January, according to CSM Media Research.

Infront China, the CBA's marketing and promotions partner, lured a record 25 sponsors who contributed 500 million yuan ($80 million) last season.

FACTS AND FIGURES

There will be 20 teams competing in the 2014-15 CBA season with two new teams, Jiangsu Tongxi and Chongqing Flying Dragon, promoted from the National Basketball League, the CBA's sub-league.

380 games will be played during the regular season from Nov 1, 2014 to Feb 1, 2015.

35 foreign players including six Asian imports are registered to play.

14 foreign coaches will take part in the league.

Major rule changes following new FIBA rules taking effect in May include:

1. Expanding the restricted area under the basket to encourage offense.

2. Resetting the 24-second clock to 14 sec for attacking off offensive rebounds to accelerate the pace of the game.

3. Allowing each head coach to use video replays once each game to challenge calls (every false challenge will be counted as a technical foul).

4. A one-game suspension will be automatically imposed on players who receive two unsportsmanlike fouls.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/16/2014 page23)