Vince Carter set Chinese fans into ovation with his flashing slams on Wednesday when he found minor challenge from a Chinese unknown.
The Toronto Raptors player, who was on an Asian trip, took on a role as a referee for a youth slam contest along with Chinese Yao Ming, the No.1 pick of this summer's NBA draft, at a stadium of the Chinese National Training Bureau.
He seemed feeling some challenge when he found Hu Guang, a 1.90-meter guard from Nanjing military team, could do almost all the slamming actions he did at NBA All-Star Slam contest, though not as flaring as he was.
"If you are good, I'll do it," Carter told Hu. When Hu successfully did another full-wing reversed dunk, Carter stepped down to the court, making three trademark slams to set fans into craze.
After that, Carter and Yao Ming selected a little kid each to play a 2-2 half court game. The future rivals intently avoided any contest between them, letting their teammates to run and make baskets.
"This is my first time to China. I feel the hot atmosphere of 2008 Olympic Games. I will be here in 2008, I hope," Carter said. He will leave for Hong Kong of China on Thursday morning before ending up his Asian trip at Chinese Taipei.
(China Daily July 25, 2002)