By Veronica An
A 2007 game between the Houston Rockets and the Milwaukee Bucks pits Yao Ming against Yi Jianlian. Dubbed the “Chinese Superbowl” this was the first time Chinese players Ming and Jianlian played against each other in an NBA game. The Rockets defeated the Bucks 104-88. Ming scored 28 points to Jianlian’s 19 points which came as little surprise since Ming had 5 more years of NBA experience than Jianlian at the time. NBA.com reports that an estimated 150-250 million Chinese fans watched the game which was broadcast live on 13 channels. This massive viewership is seems to indicate a trend in the international reach of basketball and the NBA’s continuing partnerships with China.