MACAO — Several Dallas Mavericks players are in China for the first time this week, and on Thursday they described a trip that has included a day in Hong Kong, NBA Cares appearances, and fans waiting for them at every stop.
The Mavericks practiced Thursday at The Venetian Arena, where some 400 journalists encircled the lower bowl of the 14,000-seat arena. Dallas plays the Houston Rockets there Friday and Sunday.
It is the Mavericks’ first trip to China since 2018, when they played the Philadelphia 76ers in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The Venetian Arena is a Sands property, and Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont is president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands.
The Mavericks had Wednesday afternoon off after practice, and many players took the high-speed ferry from Macao to Hong Kong. Members of the team also met actor Jackie Chan during the trip.
Mavericks Players Embrace First Experiences In China
Daniel Gafford is in China for the first time, and his wife made the trip with him. He spent Wednesday in Hong Kong even though practice had worn him out.
“Oh, man, it’s been great. This is my first time in China. My first time was in Hong Kong yesterday. I had a blast,” Gafford said. “Even though I was exhausted from practice, I still took the time out to just really enjoy and just take the time to kind of soak all of it in, because a lot of people really never get to have this chance in life. So I was able to do it. I brought my wife out here, and we’re both having a great time. Just seeing her be able to experience a whole different side of the world is something that I’m all for.”
Max Christie is in Asia for the first time. Before the team left, he heard Macao compared to Las Vegas.
“It’s been positive. I remember before we came here, everybody said it was kinda like Vegas. And I can definitely see the comparison in the makeup of the city,” Christie said. “And it’s very clean, very chill for the most part. And I’ve enjoyed my time. I walked around a little bit, got some exploring. And it’s been fun.”
Macao is a former Portuguese colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1999. Christie has been working through the local food, and he has friends in town.
“I had a Portuguese egg tart the other day that was pretty good. Just trying new stuff, and I have some people out here that I know, and so it was cool just to be around them and showing them around a little bit,” Christie explained.
Cooper Flagg, 19, is on his first trip to Asia. A trip like this one was something he imagined as a kid.
“It’s special. It’s really special to have that chance, like I said, to come to a new place, to embrace new fans, new culture, and to be able to spread the love of the game,” Flagg said. “It’s something that when I was a kid I was dreaming of, being here one day. So hopefully, to be able to share that with the young people and young fans in this culture, in this area, is really cool.”
P.J. Washington is in Macao for the first time. The architecture caught his eye.
“I love Macao. They’ve been showing us a bunch of love. I love the architecture. I love the city. It’s a beautiful place to be,” Washington said. “Obviously, it’s my first time here, so I’m super excited to be here. I can’t wait to see how the crowd comes out tomorrow.”
If Washington could bring one teammate to explore with, he would pick Kyrie Irving or Naji Marshall. With Marshall, he said, “I’m going to laugh the whole day, every day.” Marshall, also in China for the first time, would bring Washington along, and a few others.
“For sure. PJ, Kai, Gaff too, I’m coming with Gaff too. All those guys, everybody’s high character on this team,” Marshall said. “Everybody’s selfless, and it’s made a good group to be around since training camp. Even coming to Macao, people’s families are beautiful, and just appreciative of all these guys.”
Kyrie Irving Says China Feels Like ‘A Second Home’
Irving has been coming to China since he was 19, though this is his first visit to Macao. Fans have stopped his daughter and his father in the street for pictures.
“Nah, not as much at this point. I’ve been coming here since I was 19, so this is a honor that I carry with me, a social responsibility to be just aware of all walks of life that support me,” Irving said. “A lot of family members, developed a lot of relationships over here. And coming back here, it does feel like a second home now.”
Mavericks Say China Fans Have Made Trip ‘Special’
Gafford played preseason games in Japan in 2022 with the Washington Wizards. He has seen the same kind of devotion in Macao, and then some.
“With the league growing the game, I feel like it’s growing as the years go by. It’s a different spot that we go to, I would say, every year,” Gafford explained. “But really just my experience over here with the fans, just like when I went to Japan with Washington, it’s all love, 100%. They love the game so much. They’ll pretty much do anything to really just get your attention. They’ll put their life on the line if they have to, because I’ve seen some crazy stuff these last couple of days.”
“But honestly, it’s just good all in all. They love the game. We come over here and you just spread more and more, I would say, love for the game. And it’s just giving, I would say, kids inspiration over here, even grown-ups inspiration over here,” Gafford continued. “They love Kyrie. They love Coop. They love the Mavericks over here too. And I think, if I’m not mistaken, with one of the events that we just had, it’s the Year of the Horse. So they were like, it was the Year of the Mavericks. So I feel like that’s a good sign. That’s a good mantra right there.”
Flagg has managed to get to the mall and out to dinner a few times, though fans have made it hard to walk around. Christie wants to give them a show.
“They’re passionate out here, for sure. So it’s cool to see, for us to be out here and to kind of reach the fans out here in China as well,” Christie said. “They’re very passionate about the game. And obviously, we want to be able to give them a show, even some of them as well.”
Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. skipped Hong Kong for NBA appearances on Wednesday. Many of the fans he signed for were meeting NBA players for the first time.
“I think it’s the first time some of these fans have met NBA players. So they’re very excited,” Johnson said. “I’m just excited that I’m able to put a smile on some people’s face, sign some autographs for them, and make their day.”
Marshall wants more trips like this one, even during the season.
“Oh, man, it’s beautiful. I think we need to do this more. Sometimes I wish we could do this during the regular season,” Marshall explained. “People who love the game everywhere and I just want to reach every fan base and show them we love y’all too.”
Washington closed his availability with a message of his own.
“Shout out to the fans in Asia, we love you guys. We’re excited we’re out here to see you guys and we love that you support us from so far away and we love you guys,” Washington explained.
After Sunday’s game, the Mavericks return home for preseason games Oct. 14 and Oct. 16. The regular season opens Oct. 21 at Houston.
