NBA Reign: Growing presence in the Chinese market

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Along with the NBA's mass appeal comes a clear winner these days. And that team is California's Golden State Warriors, who are the defending champions and also currently have the best record in the NBA. But as Mark Niu reports, the team's success is also reaching new heights with Chinese fans.

The Golden State Warriors have the sharp-shooting baby-faced assassin -- Steph Curry--- whose youthful image is all over billboards in China.

They have NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who regularly visits China to market his Nike shoe line.

But they also have perennial All-star Klay Thompson who during a summer trip to China - had a blast.

He endeared himself to so much to Chinese fans by posting online his mishaps and his unique dancing that he went viral as hashtag ChinaKlay.

KLAY THOMPSON GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS "Ooh. That's a great question. I think you really gotta find out when I'm in China. [edit]1:08 I was having fun with all facets of life whether on the court, dancing around the club, karaoke, or riding on the street in a bicycle and just interaction with everyday people. So fun, it's a different culture."

The soft-spoken, low-key superstar is one of just a few NBA players to wear shoes by Chinese company Anta - a ten-year 80-million-dollar deal.

KLAY THOMPSON GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS "I get a lot more creative input if I were to go with another big company. I'm technically the face of Anta, especially Anta basketball. [edit]2:29 I look forward to the next nine years together and hopefully be an Anta lifer and pave the way for a lot of new NBA guys to embrace the Chinese market."

RICK WELTS PRESIDENT, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS "We traveled to China in 2013 with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as our opponent. Kobe in particular would spend so much of his personal time in China developing his relationship with Chinese fans there and I think that was a wakeup call for our players. It was kind of stunning for them to see the reaction to Kobe there."

MARK NIU OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA "Today in China, the Warriors lead the NBA in jersey sales, digital viewers and even followers on Chinese Social media Weibo. It's no surprise that the NBA has scheduled more Warriors games to be televised in China than any other team."

STEVE KERR HEAD COACH, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS "I think it's great. Part of the business of the NBA is promoting our game worldwide. We want to inspire them with our players, our talents, and our exciting games. China is obviously a frontier with so many people and so much passion for sports."

The Warriors recently unveiled their new Chinese heritage uniform, which includes the Chinese characters for Warriors across the waist. They've gotten permission to wear them for a number of home and road games. It's not the first time they've done this, in fact, it's the sixth time.

"I love the Chinese Jerseys that they've had in the past, but this is my favorite design, my favorite so far."

"I like the family, kind of like Chinese, seem like a family together. They like playing together. Happy. That's why they win!"

One of the Warriors' major sponsors is Chinese smartphone maker ZTE. And at the game, an advertisement for Chinese rice wine is just business as usual. Just one more sign that the Chinese fan has become an integral part of the Golden State Warriors' prosperity both at home and abroad. Mark Niu, CGTN, Oakland, California.