Basketball anyone???

In an especially humiliating episode, it was the first time I had ever played basketball and been the tallest person on the court. I felt especially confident as I entered this pick-up game. While no one spoke much English, the universal "let's get ready to rumble" was ringing clearly from the anxious crowd...

Most people would assume that due to my size and obvious athletic abilities (go with me on this one)- that I might dominate a pick-up game of basketball in China. Let's face it, we have been playing basketball for years in the US, and it is a relatively new Phenomenon in the mainland. (Yao Ming is huge...) However, I quickly realized I am getting old-

Yes, it is slightly disappointing-the Chinese players were younger, quicker, shorter, and yes, in general much better basketball players...
granted, this outcome might have been slightly driven by the fact that I was gasping for oxygen most of the game, and received several IV's to assist my fluid intake. I even think I heard a little Chinese girl say the old American guy not gonna die is he Momma???

Well, I might not have been hanging off the rim, but we sure had fun.

To my new Chinese teammates- Kingsway "Dunka on U" Chan and Roy "Dunk Man Fu" Zhong

I 'm looking to try ping pong next weekend.