The Chinese Basketball Association (中国篮球协会 or 中国篮协 or 中国男子篮球甲A联赛) is the premier professional basketball league in the People's Republic of China. It is commonly known as the CBA, and this name (spelled out in letters) is often used even in Chinese. There is also a WCBA for women.

It should not be confused with another CBA, the Continental Basketball Association, a basketball minor league in the US or the Canadian Basketball Association . The CBA should also not be confused with the Chinese Basketball League (CBL), which is a "division 2" minor league.

A few CBA players, such as Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer, have reached the NBA. Conversely, a limited number of foreign players (外援) are allowed for each CBA team.

Background

The league began play in 1995. However, the CBA as the name of a league should not be confused with the "Chinese Basketball Association" organization, which was founded in June 1956 [1]. Today, the regulating body for basketball in the People's Republic of China is the Chinese Basketball Management Center (国家体育总局篮球管理中心 or 体总篮球管理中心 or 篮管中心) or CBMC.

Other Chinese basketball leagues include the Chinese University Basketball Association (CUBA) and the Chinese High School Basketball League (CHBL) [2]. At one time there was a league called the CNBA, one of whose teams was the Beijing Sea Lions (北京海狮), but it lasted only one season. [3]

Team Names

The full name of each team usually consists of three parts, in the following order:

1. A geographic designation (except in the case of the Bayi or "August First" team). Currently all of these are province-level designations (either a province or a Chinese municipality).
2. A corporate sponsor name; this sponsor may change from year to year or perhaps even in mid-season.
3. A nickname, such as the name of an animal. This rarely changes.

This can sometimes lead to confusion about what name to use in English because many variants may be seen. Team names are usually abbreviated (in Chinese or English), so that either the corporate sponsor name or the nickname is used interchangeably (rarely both). Also, the nickname can sometimes be translated into English in more than one way; also the corporate sponsor name can change frequently over time.

It is not uncommon for a team to move to a new arena or a new city within the province of its name; however this does not affect the name.

Changes in nickname are rare, but occasionally happen, as when the Shandong team changed their nickname from the "Flaming Bulls" to the "Lions".

In previous years, the title of the league itself was available for corporate naming sponsorship. In 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 it was known as the "Hilton League" (希尔顿中国男篮甲A联赛), in 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 it was the "Motorola League" (摩托罗拉中国男子篮球甲A联赛), and in 2003–2004 it was sponsored by China Unicom (联通新时空中国男子篮球甲A联赛). However, this corporate league title was not always used in the news media, and this sponsorship practice was discontinued at the start of the 2004–2005 season. [4]

Championships

In 2005, the league unveiled the "Mou Zuoyun Cup" (牟作云杯), which will be awarded to the winning team in the finals. Mou Zuoyun (born 1913) was a member of the Chinese basketball team at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and later served as a coach and a pioneer in building Chinese basketball. [5]

Finals:

• 2004–2005, Guangdong Southern Tigers vs. Jiangsu Dragons (pending)
• 2003–2004, Guangdong Southern Tigers defeat Bayi Rockets (3-1).
• 2002–2003, Bayi Rockets defeat Guangdong Southern Tigers (3-1). [6]
• 2001–2002, Shanghai Sharks defeat Bayi Rockets (3-1).
• 2000–2001, Bayi Rockets defeat Shanghai Sharks (3-1).
• 1999–2000, Bayi Rockets defeat Shanghai Sharks (3-0).
• 1998–1999, Bayi Rockets defeat Liaoning Hunters (3-0).
• 1997–1998, Bayi Rockets defeat Liaoning Hunters (3-0).
• 1996–1997, Bayi Rockets defeat Liaoning Hunters (3-0).
• 1995–1996, Bayi Rockets defeat Guangdong Southern Tigers (3-0).

2004-2005 season

The 2004–2005 regular season lasted from November 14 2004 to March 2 2005, with games scheduled on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Yunnan, the 2004 CBL champion, was promoted to the CBA to replace one of the two Beijing teams from the previous season, the Beijing Olympians, who were disqualified for one season. Two other teams also made their debut (Fujian and Henan), for a net gain of two teams, from 12 to 14.

For this season, the league was divided into a North Division (北区) and a South Division (南区), and a new playoff system was also introduced. The regular season consisted of 266 matches, with each team playing 38 matches (four against each of six other teams within its division and two against each of seven teams in the other division), a considerable increase from previous years. The former system of promotion and relegation between the CBA and the "B" division (now CBL) was also abolished, with a one-time exception to promote a replacement for the disqualified Beijing Olympians.

The all-star game was played on March 6 2005 in Nanjing, after the end of the regular season and before the beginning of the playoffs: the North Division defeated the South Division 103-99, and Mengke Bateer was the MVP. Also, all-star games were played against the KBL, on January 28 2005 in Korea and January 30 2005 in Harbin, China. Korea won the first game 85-82; China won the second game 93-77. [12]

North Division

South Division

2005 playoffs

Divisional playoffs

In the divisional playoffs (分区赛), the 1st and 4th teams and the 2nd and 3rd teams within each division faced each other in a best-of-three series. The two winners then contended for 1st and 2nd place within the division, while the two losers contended for 3rd and 4th place, again in a best-of-three series.

In a best-of-three series, the higher-ranking team plays the first game away and the next two at home.

However, no teams were eliminated; this round simply determined a ranking of 1st through 4th place for purposes of the second round of playoffs; this ranking could naturally differ from the first through fourth places determined in the final standings of the regular season.

As it turned out, the only change from the regular season final standings was that Jiangsu and Guangdong switched places.

Quarter-finals

The quarter-finals were interdivisional. That is, the 1st team in each division played the 4th team in the other division, and the 2nd team in each division played the 3rd team in the other division, in a best-of-three series.

In a best-of-three series, the higher-ranking team plays the first game away and the next two at home.

Note the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams in each division were determined by the previous round of playoffs, not by the final standings of the regular season.

As it turned out, all four South Division teams defeated their North Division rivals and thus moved on to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals

The semi-finals were a best-of-five series.

In a best-of-five series, the higher-ranking team plays the first game away, the next two at home, the fourth (if necessary) away, and the fifth and final game (if necessary) at home.

Guangdong and Jiangsu each swept their series and moved on to the finals.

Finals

The finals will be a best-of-five series.

For the first time, the NBA's 24-hour channel NBA TV will televise the CBA finals in the United States. [13]

Bayi failed to make the finals for the first time in ten years, after being swept in the semi-finals by last year's champion Guangdong.

In their four regular season matches, Jiangsu prevailed 3-1. Jiangsu and Guangdong finished first and second respectively in the regular season South Division standings, but Guangdong then swept Jiangsu 2-0 in the non-eliminatory South Division divisional playoffs. Jiangsu has the extra-home-game advantage.

Game times are 19:35 (7:35 pm) local time.

2003-2004 season

Twelve teams played a 22-game regular season, from November 16, 2003 to February 8 2004. Including playoffs, play continued until March 2004.

Before the start of the season, the Shandong Flaming Bulls changed their nickname to the Shandong Lions.

In the 2004 all-star game, played January 18 in Changsha, the Tiger team beat the Dragon team 110-102. [14]

2004 playoffs

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Finals

2004 relegation playoffs

The bottom four teams in the regular season standings participated in the relegation playoffs. Each team played four games against each of the other three teams, for a total of 12 games.

As it happened, however, it was eventually decided that relegation and promotion were to be abolished at the start of the 2004–2005 season, so no teams were relegated, and this relegation playoff turned out to be a purely academic exercise.

Final rankings

The final rankings differ from the regular season standings, because the first four places were determined by the results of the playoffs, while the last four places were determined by the relegation playoff.

At the end of the year, Beijing Shougang (Ducks) were apparently referred to as Beijing Wanfeng Aote (presumably a change of corporate sponsorship).

1. Guangdong Hongyuan
2. Bayi Shuanglu
3. Jiangsu Nangang
4. Jilin Tonggang
5. Xinjiang Guanghui
6. Shandong Jinsidun
7. Beijing Aoshen
8. Shaanxi Gaitianli
9. Shanghai Dongfang
10. Beijing Wanfeng Aote (万丰奥特)
11. Zhejiang Wanma
12. Liaoning Panpan

2002-2003 season

Fourteen teams played a 26-game regular season.

In the 2003 all-star game, the Dragon team beat the Tiger team 122-107. [15]

Final standings

2003 playoffs

Quarter-finals

Refs: [16] [17] [18] [19]

Relegation

The Hong Kong Flying Dragons, facing financial difficulties and with a 1-25 record, were to be relegated to the "B" division, but disbanded without playing there.

A best-of-five relegation playoff between Shaanxi and Sina Lions was played at the same time as the quarter-finals.

Shaanxi swept the Sina Lions 3-0 [20] [21] [22], and the Sina Lions informed the CBA that they were dropping out of the league [23], and they returned to Taiwan.

Semi-finals

Third place

Because both semi-final series were sweeps, the best-of-three third-place playoffs were moved up a week, from April 16 to April 9.

Jilin Yiqi won third place. [24][25]

Finals

Because both semi-final series were sweeps, the best-of-five finals were moved up from April 16 to April 13

In the finals, Bayi Rockets defeated Guangdong Southern Tigers (3-1). [26] [27] [28] [29]

Final rankings

The final rankings, taking into account playoff performances, were:

1. Bayi Shuanglu
2. Guangdong Hongyuan
3. Jilin Yiqi
4. Beijing Shougang
5. Xinjiang Guanghui
6. Shandong Flaming Bulls
7. Zhejiang Wanma
8. Beijing Aoshen
9. Jiangsu Nangang
10. Shanghai Dongfang
11. Liaoning Panpan
12. Shaanxi Gaitianli
13. BenQ Sina Lions
14. Hong Kong Flying Dragons

2001-2002 season

In the 2001–2002 season, the Taiwanese team Sina Lions joined the CBA. Another team that made its debut in this season was the Shaanxi Gaitianli.

In the 2002 all-star game, played in Beijing, the Dragon team beat the Tiger team 122-120, and Mengke Bateer was the MVP. [30]

Final rankings

1. Shanghai Dongfang
2. Bayi Shuanglu
3. Beijing Shougang
4. Jilin Jiliang (吉林吉粮)
5. Shandong Jinsidun
6. Zhejiang Wanma
7. Guangdong Hongyuan
8. Sina Lions
9. Jiangsu Nangang
10. Shaanxi Gaitianli
11. Beijing Aoshen
12. Liaoning Panpan
13. Shenzhen Yikang

In the finals, the Shanghai Sharks led by Yao Ming defeated Bayi Rockets (3-1). This snapped a series of six consecutive championships for the Bayi Rockets.

The relegation playoffs involved the bottom four teams. Shaanxi defeated Beijing Aoshen and Liaoning defeated Shenzhen. Normally, this would have meant that both Beijing Aoshen and Shenzhen would be relegated to the "B" division [31], but in the event, Aoshen returned the following year, so they were either not relegated or they won promotion back.

2000-2001 season

In this season, 12 teams played 22 games each.

In the 2001 all-star game, played on April 1, the Tiger team beat the Dragon team 95-93. [32]

Final rankings

Both Bayi Rockets and Shanghai Sharks finished the season with 4-18 records, and they split their two matches against each other. However, Bayi still won first place by points advantage, the sixth straight time they finished first in the regular season standings.

Beijing Aoshen played this year under the name Vanguard Aoshen.

In the semi-finals, Bayi Rockets defeated the Jilin Northeast Tigers and the Shanghai Sharks defeated the Beijing Ducks.

In the finals, Bayi Rockets defeated the Shanghai Sharks (3-1) for their sixth championship in a row. The one loss they suffered was their first ever playoff loss.

In the relegation playoffs, Shandong and Zhejiang survived, while Shenyang Army and Jinan Army were relegated to the "B" league and left the CBA.

1999-2000 season

In the 2000 all-star game, played in Chengdu, the Blue team beat the Red team 105-99. [33]

Final rankings

1. Bayi Rockets
2. Shanghai Sharks
3. Guangdong Hongyuan
4. Shandong Flaming Bulls
5. Beijing Ducks
6. Vanguard Aoshen
7. Liaoning Hunters
8. Jiangsu Dragons
9. Zhejiang Cyclones
10. Jilin Northeast Tigers
11. Hubei Mei'erya (湖北美尔雅) aka Hubei Mailyard
12. Nanjing Army (南京部队)

The two lowest-placed teams Hubei Mei'erya and Nanjing Army were relegated and left the CBA.

Beijing Aoshen played this year under the name Vanguard Aoshen.

Bayi Rockets defeated the Shanghai Sharks (3-0) for their fifth championship in a row.

1998-1999 season

Three teams were promoted from the "B" league and made their CBA debut: Beijing Aoshen Olympians, Sichuan Lanjian, and Jilin Northeast Tigers. The first two finished in the top two spots in the 1998 "B" league competition; Jilin finished third but was promoted anyway as a result of the withdrawal of the Air Force Lianhang Eagles team that finished 10th in the previous season, due to financial reasons related to their corporate sponsor China Lianhang Co. [34]

Final rankings

1. Bayi Rockets
2. Liaoning
3. Guangdong Hongyuan
4. Beijing Olympians
5. Shandong Yong'an
6. Shanghai Dongfang
7. Beijing Shougang
8. Zhejiang Wanma
9. Jilin Northeast Tigers
10. Jiangsu Nangang
11. Jinan Army (Jinan Shuangxing)
12. Sichuan Lanjian (四川蓝剑)

Bayi Rockets defeated Liaoning Hunters (3-0) for the CBA championship, exactly like the previous two seasons.

1997-1998 season

Final rankings

1. Bayi
2. Liaoning
3. Shandong
4. Beijing Ducks
5. Shanghai
6. Guangdong
7. Jiangsu
8. Jinan Army
9. Zhejiang
10. Air Force
11. Shenyang Army
12. Sichuan

Bayi Rockets defeated Liaoning Hunters (3-0) for the CBA championship, exactly like the previous season.

1996-1997 season

Final rankings

1. Bayi
2. Liaoning
3. Guangdong
4. Shandong
5. Jiangsu Nangang
6. Shanghai Dongfang
7. China Lianhang Eagles (中国联航雄鹰)
8. Shenyang Army (沈阳部队)
9. Beijing Ducks
10. Sichuan Pandas (四川熊猫)
11. Zhejiang Zhongxin (浙江中欣)
12. Jijun Tianma (Jinan Army Tianma) (济军天马)

Bayi Rockets defeated Liaoning Hunters (3-0) for the CBA championship.

1995-1996 season

Final rankings

1. Bayi
2. Guangdong Hongyuan
3. Beijing Shougang
4. Liaoning An'gang
5. Shandong
6. Zhejiang Zhongxin
7. Ji'nan Army (济南部队)
8. Shenyang Army (沈阳部队)
9. Air Force (Wuhan)
10. Jiangsu Chengyi (江苏诚怡)
11. Nanjing Army (南京部队)
12. Vanguard (Qianwei) (前卫)

Bayi Rockets defeated Guangdong Hongyuan (3-0) for the first CBA championship.

See also

• Women's Chinese Basketball Association
• Chinese Basketball League

External links

• http://sports.sina.com.cn/cba/ (in Chinese)
• http://www.bsgb.com/ (in Chinese)
• http://news.sports.cn/basketball/cba/ (in Chinese)

• http://basketball.org.cn/ (in Chinese)

• http://www.asia-basket.com/chn/d1.asp

• 2004-2005 regular season results cross-table (in Chinese)
• 2004-2005 regular-season and playoff results, scoring by quarter, match summaries, etc. (in Chinese)
• 2004-2005 playoffs first round results, part 1 (in Chinese)
• 2004-2005 playoffs first round results, part 2 (in Chinese)
• 2004-2005 playoffs quarter-finals results (in Chinese)
• 2004-2005 playoffs semi-finals results (in Chinese)

• Changes in the CBA and WCBA in the 2004-2005 season (in Chinese)
• Changes in the 2004-2005 season

• Final standings 2004-2005
• 2004-2005 playoff format

• Final standings 2003-2004
• 2003-2004 regular season results of all games (in Chinese)
• 2003-2004 regular season results cross-table (in Chinese)
• 2003-2004 season summary (in Chinese)
• 2003-2004 playoffs results (in Chinese)

• 2002-2003 season summary (in Chinese)
• 2002-2003 playoff schedule [35] (in Chinese)
• 2002-2003 final standings (in Chinese)
• 2002-2003 playoff summary (in Chinese)

• 2001-2002 season summary (in Chinese)
• 2000-2001 season: [36] [37] [38] [39] [40]
• 1999-2000 season summary (in Chinese)
• 1998-1999 season summary (in Chinese)
• 1997-1998 season summary (in Chinese)
• 1996-1997 season summary (in Chinese)
• 1995-1996 season summary (in Chinese) (see also [41])