Talking Balls: Bejing Ducks Championship Special

The Beijing Ducks are the CBA Champions. They edged out Guangdong 124-121 last night to take the series 4-1. This news has made headlines worldwide, not least because of the role that Stephon Marbury has played in Beijing's first-ever championship. Here's a rundown of the coverage, footage from the presentation and a picture of what happens when tattooing goes too far.

Stephon Xavier Marbury. Accomplished basketballer, renowned subway taker and footwear philanthropist.* The man is many things but he is not the CBA's MVP. Even though he should be a shoo-in based on the obvious factors – form, stats, impact on the team, 41 points in the final game – he falls at the first hurdle: he's not Chinese. Shame on the CBA. Anyway, he's the people's MVP (which Talking Balls hopes doesn't sound too much like when Princess Di being called the People's Princess).

Who needs accolades when you can be immortalized in ink? This is better than being an MVP.

Here's a quote from a very humble Marbury last night:

"This has been incredible, it has been an incredible experience. This shows what this team is made up of, everyone stepped up and everyone played their role. We have been blessed as a team."

There's lots more to read and many more videos to watch at the likes of Beijing Cream and NiuBBall. But if you're going to read anything, then it might as well be this Chinglish-language piece from Agile News.

* Talking Balls is aware that this constant fawning may be what has become known since the early 2000s as a "man crush." We're totally cool with it.

Photos: China Daily, Bleacher Report & Ball Is Life