SHANGHAI – One of the first things you notice when you approach the host venue for the 2016 Global Games in Shanghai is that the structure appears to be built into a hill, with steep grass inclines giving Mercedes-Benz Arena an exterior that may not resemble any other stadium. Once inside, the multi-purpose facility looks somewhat like Staples Center in Los Angeles, a vast five-level building with theatre-type lighting.
“It's a really cool arena,” said New Orleans guard E'Twaun Moore, after the Pelicans held a first practice in China there on Friday. “When I saw the architecture from the outside, I was like, 'Whoa, this is pretty cool.' “
“It's definitely a nice arena,” forward Terrence Jones said. “It looks just like one we've got over in the States. It's really updated and I'm excited to play here. From the top to the bottom floor, everything just looks updated, the seats look really nice. It looks like a welcoming place for a lot of fans to come support the team.”
That fan enthusiasm has been evident from the moment the Pelicans stepped off their plane at the airport. At the team's Shanghai hotel, Chinese basketball fans have been stationed near the front doors at all hours, hoping to land a Pelicans or Rockets player's autograph. On several occasions, the fervent groups of fans have chanted “AD! AD! AD!” upon seeing three-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis, or clamored to meet the Rockets' James Harden. New Orleans and Houston will play the first of two head-to-head preseason games on Sunday (6:30 a.m. Central, NBA TV).
“It's a big fan base,” Jones said of China. “Everybody feels really passionate about the game of basketball and is excited to see us and Anthony (Davis). It's just exciting and a blessing to be here, to get the opportunity to put on a show for them, and hopefully we come out with a W.”
New Orleans (1-1 in preseason) continued to work on its defensive play Friday, in particular trying to prevent opponents from gaining fast-break opportunities. The Pacers scored 15 points in transition against the Pelicans on Tuesday, in NOLA's most recent preseason game. Improvement at that end of the floor could be significant over the next two exhibition contests, because the Rockets have begun the preseason by racking up 131 and 130 points, in one-sided home victories over the Shanghai Sharks and New York Knicks.
“Defense – that's our main focus, getting better on defense,” Moore said. “Getting back in transition, first of all, talking and getting stops.”
