Veteran Wang bids farewell to fans and career
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E-mail Xinhua, February 16, 2014
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Wang bids farewell to fans after the game. |
Bayi's veteran center Wang Zhizhi finished with 14 points, six reounds and three assists in his final match, while Bayi Fubang lost to Liaoning Hengye 72-93 in the final round of 2013-2014 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league on Sunday.
Liaoning's head coach Guo Shiqiang used to be Wang' s teammate in the national team. "Dazhi (Wang's nickname) deserves to have a perfect ending night, but our team have to beat Bayi for better placing of playoffs," said Guo before the game, "Besides, exerting ourselves playing the game also shows respect to him."
Wang started his career at Bayi in 1990s and became the first Chinese player to join the NBA in 2001 for the Dallas Mavericks. Wang also played for Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before returning to the home league in 2006.
The 36-year-old averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds this season while Bayi ranked 17th in the 18-team league.
Nearly 10,000 fans crowded into the stadium and watch Wang' s final show but Bayi decided not to arrange the retirement ceremony on Sunday.
"Thank you all for always being there for me." Wang said to the audience after match.
Liaoning' s victory helps them place 7th in the league and avoid confronting with the regular season champion Guangdong Hongyuan, and they will meet Xinjiang Guanghui, second in the league in the first round of CBA playoffs.
Despite of beating Beijing Ducks 106-98 on Sunday' s game, the eighth Shanghai Sharks had to face the league leader Hongyuan in the debut of playoffs while the Ducks will take on Zhejiang Guangsha, which defeat Foshan Long Lions 118-95.
Dongguan Marco Polo edged Guangdong Hongyuan 112-110, ending Hongyuan' s 15-game winning streak, and helped their ranking climb to the third.
Marco Polo's opponent in the first round of playoffs is Tianjin Ronggang, which was beaten by Xinjiang 105-93 in Sunday' s game.
In other games, Fujian SBS topped Sichuan Jinqiang 114-91, Shanxi Fenjiu upset Zhejiang Chouzhou 104-98 and Shandong Gold were 124-95 winners over Qingdao Doublestars.
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