China Update: Marcus Williams must be a Net; J. R. Smith scores 60

Nuibball:

CNN’s got a story on J.R. Smith’s season in Yiwu with the Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls. The clip is full of interesting bits and pieces (Chinese practices, J.R. speaking Mandarin, Chinese Hooters, rabbit ears-clad cheerleaders), but the one that stands out the most is how his experience in China has "taken the love of the game away."

Shanxi’s Marcus Williams’ three-point shooting percentage has miraculously increased from 64.6%, to 80.6% and now to 100%. Now that’s an error. The CBA is saying that the people who enter data into the official stat records are responsible for the mistake.
……………….
The CNN story is from January 24th:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2012/01/24/yoon-china-nba-stars-want-out.cnn

http://www.niubball.com/2012/01/players-in-china-may-have-to-wait-until-march-to-sign-with-an-nba-team/
Players in China may have to wait until March to sign with an NBA team
January 31st, 2012 Jon Pastuszek
With seven more games to go in the Chinese Basketball Association regular season, Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler, Patty Mills and Aaron Brooks’ NBA return from a one-year stint in China is approaching its end. But, with all of their teams in good position for the CBA playoffs, that end may not come until after February.
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The eight team playoffs start on February 22nd. After the best-of-five first round series are completed, the semi-finals, also best-of-five, will start on March 4th. The best-of-seven finals will start on March 16th. If necessary, game seven will be played on March 30th.
(…)
Of course, if any team does not finish in the top eight, then all of their NBA free-agents will be allowed to sign with an NBA team starting on February 16th. Otherwise, they’ll have to wait until their team is either eliminated from the playoffs or goes all the way to win a championship.

I remember that Marcus Williams (Arizona) was very highly touted in college – but I think left early and it clearly didn’t work out as planned.

I would actually be more keen on taking a flyer on him as he is going to be the cheapest and is a young player….

It wouldn’t make sense to spend money on a higher priced veteran – particularly if we are not a playoff team by then….

Lets see what JWill can give us in the next couple games. We may not need Boone when Lopez, Memo get back, along with Shelden and hopefully Jordan turns into a 15-20 minute guy who can give 9-10 points and 8 rebounds.

Not even counting on Petro – just as 6 extra fouls until we can include him ina trade.

http://sharkfinhoops.com/2012/02/02/cba-web-chat-vi-shanghai-guangsha-in-trouble-xinjiang-heating-up-and-zaid-abbas-mouthing-off/
CBA Web Chat VI: Shanghai, Guangsha In Trouble, Xinjiang Heating Up And Zaid Abbas Mouthing Off
Posted on February 2, 2012
(…)
AC: I guess as the season is starting to draw to a close, JR Smith, Chandler and Brooks will be back in the States; is there anyone else that you think might be getting a call from someone back in the States? Call me crazy but a red-hot Lester Hudson or Marcus Williams might be a nice option to have on the bench. Do you think anyone has put themselves in the shop window over the course of this CBA?

EB: Lester Hudson is a little undersized but he could fill a Nate Robinson type role. As for Williams, his efficiency this season can’t be overlooked. Wing players are a dime a dozen in the NBA but after watching him, I would want him on my team for spot minutes. I’ve been told that Ramos has the size and skills to play in the NBA, but I don’t think he wants to- I think his stint with the Washington Wizards left a bad taste in his mouth.

I’m starting to think something is brewing and he’s waiting to report it.

Bring back Sean Williams to team up with Shawne for even more announcer torture.

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/China/2012/0203_1950_2922.asp
Marcus Williams (AZ) 44 points

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/China/2012/0203_1951_7300.asp
Marcus Williams (CT) 0 points

http://www.asia-basket.com/China/basketball.asp?NewsID=258562
Kenyon Martin cleared to rejoin NBA – Feb 3, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )

FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, gave its letter of clearance to free agent Martin Kenyon (6’9’’-F-77, college: Cincinnati), allowing him to return to the NBA immediately, Yahoo.com reported Thursday, citing sources.

Martin has already met with officials from several NBA teams, and he met with Atlanta Hawks brass on Thursday.

The Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs appear to be the teams with the most interest in Martin.