Read about the N.B.A. and China, watch the N.B.A. All-Star Game.
What to Read This Weekend |
 | | Kobe Bryant was one of the biggest sports stars in China. In April 2016, children in Shenyang worked on a portrait of him after his final N.B.A. game.Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
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The N.B.A. and China have been at odds since October, when Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, shared an image on Twitter that showed support for the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The tweet set off a firestorm, one that initiated a conflict at the intersection of sports, politics, business and international relations, Sopan Deb writes. |
But there are signs that the tension has begun to dissipate. The day after Kobe Bryant died, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, posted a statement on Twitter. And as China grapples with the coronavirus, N.B.A. Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed his support. “Right now, our focus is on working with global health organizations to provide whatever assistance we can to the people of China in response to the coronavirus outbreak,” he said. |
This weekend’s N.B.A. All-Star events will be carried in China on Tencent, the Chinese streaming network. That too, is notable, as China’s state-run television network canceled its broadcast of N.B.A. events after Morey’s tweet. |
Read the full article here. |
What to Watch This Weekend |
 | | Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 30 points and 13.5 rebounds per game for the Bucks.Noah K. Murray/USA Today Sports, via Reuters |
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LeBron James picked his All-Star team with his head: Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic went 1-2-3. Did Giannis Antetokounmpo, the other team captain, pick his with his heart? (Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam 1-2, really?) We’ll find out which strategy worked better in the All-Star Game from Chicago (Sunday, 8 p.m., TNT). |
In the fourth quarter, there will be no clock. Instead, whichever team gets to 24 points more than the leading team’s score after three quarters will win. (24 was once Kobe Bryant’s number.) |
As always, Saturday brings the dunk contest, and the 3-point and skills events (8 p.m., TNT). |
NASCAR begins its season with its most important race, the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion, and Ricky Stenhouse is on the pole (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Fox). |
No. 14 West Virginia gave No. 3 Kansas a game on Wednesday, leading by 6 with nine minutes left before cooling off and falling, 58-49. It doesn’t get any easier for the Mountaineers on Saturday as they take on No. 1 Baylor on the road in the pick of the men’s college weekend games. (4 p.m., ESPN+). |
In Italy, Juventus has won eight straight titles, but this season’s Serie A is still up for grabs, with 1 point separating Inter, Juventus and Lazio. Juventus is still the favorite, but whoever wins Sunday’s game between Lazio and Inter will have a real chance to end the dynasty (Sunday, 2:45, ESPN+). |
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Go behind the N.B.A.’s curtain with Marc Stein, and follow chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith in his newsletter, “On Soccer.” |
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