Former NBA standouts help usher in period of CBA reforms

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After surviving a late scare in Beijing, Shandong head home with a victory, improving their record to 2-1 after three games. Having changed both import players in their line-up this season, the Golden Stars have been busy adjusting to a series of reforms aimed at improving the league.

With the visitors bringing a couple of big names on this trip to Beijing, the former three-time CBA champion Ducks had to deal with an 87-86 loss, partially due to not finding a decent replacement for Stephon Marbury.

Shandong, on the other hand, landed Ty Lawson and Donatas Motiejunas for the new season. Both have played big roles in the team's three games so far this campaign. After losing to the Beikong Fly Dragons on Tuesday, the imports proved their value in the Chinese capital, and helped the Golden Stars bounce back.

Ty Lawson of Shandong Hi-Speed is in action during the 2017/2018 CBA League match against Beijing Ducks at Shougang Basketball Center Gymnasium. /VCG Photo

Motiejunas and Lawson are best known in China for their tenures with the Houston Rockets, the only team that Yao Ming played for during his time in the NBA. Their arrivals have made Shandong a possible title contender, as they team up with last season's Domestic MVP Ding Yanyuhang, even though both are playing in the country for the first time.

After Yao took over as CBA President, changes have started taking place in the league, including a much more compact schedule. Games are held six days per week, compared to just three last season. For most Chinese players, it is the first time in their careers competing under such an intensive system.

The CBA is growing in the early days of its reform process. And so are the Golden Stars. With two wins from their opening three games, the team now heads back home for a test against the Fujian Sturgeons on Sunday.