NBA On Display In China: No Olympic Stars, No Chinese Players, Still Fan-Tastic?

Well, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors meet for the second time in this preseason trip to Guangdong and Bejing, China. And, even though Yi Jianlian is on the East Coast, the Bucks will apparently still draw a crowd.

The first game featured sloppy play which you can chalk up to the 15-hour flight, possibly. 

Golden State Warriors perspective

Don Nelson is more interested in finding out what players will make the final roster. One rookie who looks to be safe due to his outstanding rebounding, bulk, and guaranteed rookie contract is Richard Hendrix.

Originally considered expendable earlier in training camp because of his lingering thigh injury, his personality really shows as he walks around Guangdong with Dan Dickau.

This second game in the very stadium the USA Olympians dominated just months ago should be much more competitive. At some point, you got to get the guys firing on all cylinders. I'd like to see what Corey Magette and Stephen Jackson are going to do on the court together.

Milwaukee Bucks Perspective

Trading Yi and Bobby Simmons for Richard Jefferson seems like a great move for the Bucks. They will count on Charlie Villaneuva to contribute as a solid starting power forward. Also commendable is acquiring Luke Ridnour while dumping Mo Williams. Ridnour's 7.7 assists and 50 percent three-point shooting this preseason is pretty impressive.

Andrew Bogut has looked pretty unstoppable against the weak post defense from the Warriors. Michael Redd now has a solid starting lineup that could really gel under his leadership. Redd's fifth coaching staff in his nine-year career, Scott Skiles and assistant Jim Boylan bring their hard-nosed philosophy north 100-odd miles from Chicago.

While I expect Skiles and Ridnour to thrive together, will Villaneuva step up into his role as a tough power forward? 

I'll be watching and commenting on this article as the game is on ESPN2 tonight at 8:30 p.m. PDT. Are you watching, too? Let me know what you think.

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