BEIJING -- What stood out the most during the NBA's Global Games in Shanghai and Beijing, featuring the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans?
Here are our five best moments from the league's latest China tour:
1. Shanghai fans loving James Harden
About five minutes into the third quarter on Sunday night, Harden walked to the free throw line while Shanghai fans chanted "M-V-P!" Harden -- who was voted MVP by his fellow players after the 2014-15 season -- enjoyed his popularity in China.
2. A crazy (and lucrative) shot
An extremely lucky fan made a half-court shot during halftime at the Shanghai game and took home one million Chinese dollars (one American dollar is equal to about 6.72 Chinese yuan).
3. Full NBA League Pass debuts in China
The NBA announced several business deals in China, including the introduction of a full NBA League Pass in partnership with Tencent (a digital company with which ESPN also partners).
League Pass will launch in China this season. This will be the first time fans in China will have access to watch every NBA game, including the regular season, playoffs, All-Star festivities and summer league.
4. Fans encourage Anthony Davis
Harden got those MVP chants in Shanghai, but Anthony Davis also received some warm signs of affection from fans. He sprained his right ankle in first quarter of the Beijing game on Wednesday. Beijing fans chanted "take care" and "get better" to support Davis, even after he left for the locker room.
5. NBA legends and celebrities excite fans
Demonstrating the continuing influence the NBA has on the China market, there were plenty of big names at the games, including former NBA players Kiki Vandeweghe, Dikembe Mutombo, Gary Payton, A.C. Green and Kenny Smith, WNBA star Breanna Stewart and former WNBA player Zheng Haixia, Olympic gold-medalist hurdler Liu Xiang and local Chinese sports legends Yao Ming and Mengke Bateer.
But the real spotlight was on former NBA All-Star, three-time Chinese Basketball Association champion and Beijing hoops hero Stephon Marbury. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum and NBA China CEO David Shoemaker paid tribute to the star guard at the second preseason game.
