McGrady looking forward to playing in China

 McGrady looking forward to playing in China

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady said on Wednesday that he is looking forward to playing in China after Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles offered him a one-year contract.

"There are times in life that a new road presents itself and it appears this tie has come for me now," McGrady wrote in his blog on Wednesday. "I am so proud of what I have accomplished¹ these past 15 years playing in the NBA."

"As I enter this next chapter, I am excited to play for Qingdao Eagles in China. I have been to China several times in the last few years and I love the people and the country."

McGrady, 33, is expected to leave for Qingdao within the next seven to 10 days, according a report by Yahoo!Sports.

McGrady failed to secure an NBA contract for this season after he averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds² and 4.4 assists in his 15-year in NBA. The 2.03-meter forward most recently signed with the Atlanta Hawks³ as a free agent last year.

When Qingdao Eagles general manager Sheng Xishun extended the invitation, McGrady decided⁴ to give it a try in China.

Sheng said McGrady could play a valuable role in his team despite his injuries.

"He is such an excellent player, with great talent and so much experience and impeccable techniques. It will be a great pity if he just finishes his career like this," Sheng was quoted as saying by Chongqing Times. "We have a young team, and we need him for all that."

Sheng admitted that the injuries could be a potential threat to their investment but said every player can be victim to injuries.

"It is a risk we must take," he said.

McGrady will land the Chinese Basketball Association league as the highest profile player and be treated like a distinguished⁵ guest.

The club will offer him a five-star hotel suite⁶ or a high-end condo, Jinan Times reported.

"We would like to ensure he has a pleasant stay in Qingdao," Sheng said, according the Jinan Times.

McGrady's new teammates also are ready to give him a warm welcome as team captain Li Guang promised to show him around and introduce delicious food to him.

"He is sure to be the No.1 player in the team," Li Guang was quoted by Jinan Times. "I think we can learn much from him."

"I hope I can help him become adapted here. If he is interested in Chinese food, I am glad to introduce some local snacks," he added.

Even before McGrady set foot on Qingdao, he already has a large fan base, not only because his glorious days in NBA, but also because he once played alongside Yao Ming, one of the country's most popular sports figure, during his six seasons with the Houston Rockets.

McGrady is the latest of several NBA players who have sought to revive their flagging careers in China.

Two-time All-Star Stephon Marbury led the Beijing Ducks to their first-ever Chinese championship last season.

A far cry from a bad boy image at home, Marbury has cut a big brother figure in the young Beijing Ducks since his arrival in 2009-2010 season.

He won fans all over the vast country for embracing Chinese culture and his "love is love" mantra soon became the catchphrase on the lips of his supporters.

1 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

2 rebounds   

反弹球( rebound的名词复数 )； 回弹球； 抢断篮板球； 复兴

参考例句：

• V is the velocity after the gas particle rebounds from the wall. V是粒子从壁上弹开后的速度。
• In the former case, the first body rebounds with practically its original velocity. 在前一种情况下，第一个物体实际上以原来的速度弹回。

3 hawks   

鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物

参考例句：

• Two hawks were hover ing overhead. 两只鹰在头顶盘旋。
• Both hawks and doves have expanded their conditions for ending the war. 鹰派和鸽派都充分阐明了各自的停战条件。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 distinguished   

adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的

参考例句：

• Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
• A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

6 suite   

n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员

参考例句：

• She has a suite of rooms in the hotel.她在那家旅馆有一套房间。
• That is a nice suite of furniture.那套家具很不错。