Ty Lawson believes he can get back to his prime with CBA

World
Europe

Former Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson signed a deal to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) this season with the Shandong Golden Stars. The 30-year-old American player shared his story as part of CGTN’s third season of CBA stories.

“I knew a little bit about it,” Lawson said about the CBA before he joined. “I paid attention when Stephon Marbury came out here… It’s a big story back home.”

Lawson said he also knew some former teammates and friends who have been here, such as Andray Blatche.

Lawson was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of drunk driving after an officer spotted him traveling “at a high rate of speed” in July, 2015. Denver then traded him to Houston where he tried to get his personal life back on track, but he struggled to fit in with the Rockets and the team waived Lawson in March, 2016.

Houston Rockets waived Ty Lawson after he appeared in 53 games with 12 starts for the Rockets in 2015-16 season. /VCG Photo

During his time with Sacramento, Lawson did not get much playing time. Therefore he decided to move to China where he would he would have better financial and playing opportunities.

“They drafted a young point guard, and I know in the NBA, younger point guards they want to bring up. So I probably don't have enough time to play or not. I would like to try another option to leave, and the money they offer over here is way more than the United States.”

Lawson has helped Shandong get near the top of the CBA standings and he feels great playing with Chinese players on the court.

“We are working very well, Ding Yanyuhang and Sui Ran and everybody knows how to play the game of basketball. The language barrier, first it was kind of hard, but we got know each other, it makes it easier to communicate on the court."

Lawson averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 assists in his six-year career with Denver, including a season-best average of 15.2 points and a career-best 9.6 assists in 2014-2015.

Lawson believes he can get back to his prime, “I think it’s a possibility, and I think I’m at that point right now. My shooting percentage is up, feel fast, confidence in high.”