Thousands of fans turned an ordinary shopping mall in Shenzhen into an improvised arena—for the chance at a few seconds of seeing James Harden in person. Video from the mall spread across social media: every level of the galleries is packed with people, and a thunderous “MVP! MVP!” chant rolls over the atrium. The Los Angeles Clippers guard, the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player, is a star in China not only on the court but in popular culture.
Shenzhen: When a Food Court Turns Into a Fan Section
Judging by the footage, the crowd occupied every tier of the mall, turning the railings into makeshift stands. The atmosphere feels more like a rivalry game than an offseason promo event: phones held aloft, waves of applause, and chanting that usually accompanies makes from eight meters, not a guest stepping up to the mic.
“MVP! MVP!”: A Title That Sounds Like a Creed
The chant that followed Harden is more than a nod to nostalgia. For Chinese fans, his individual signature—the trademark step-back, controlled isolation possessions, perimeter game, and ball-handling under pressure—remains a standard of spectacular basketball. The charisma of the Clippers’ backcourt leader keeps interest in him alive across the ocean regardless of the NBA calendar.
Guangzhou as a Prelude
Shenzhen is not the only stop on the route to draw a crush. Earlier, a huge audience greeted Harden in Guangzhou. It shows this is not a one-off spike but steady demand for meet-ups with NBA superstars in the country’s biggest cities.
Brand on the Hardwood: An Adidas Court Honoring the 2018 MVP
The visit is accompanied by partner activations. In honor of the 2018 award, Adidas unveiled a basketball court—a symbol of how a player’s personal story turns into infrastructure for streets and courtyards. Such projects strengthen the bond between an athlete’s image and fans’ everyday play.
Why China Welcomes Harden So Warmly
The blend of technique and showmanship—a rare mix that works both in highlights and in the clutch. Add openness to communication, offseason tours, live events, and proximity to street basketball. For an audience raised on clips of deep threes and crossovers, Harden remains a symbol of offensive audacity.
What This Means for the NBA and the Clippers
Each such event is a reminder that the league’s global popularity is built far beyond the “Crypto.com” Arena. For the Clippers, it’s capitalizing on the image of their backcourt leader; for the NBA, it’s another marker that the Asian market continues to live and breathe basketball not only at night according to the game schedule, but also by day—on the floors of shopping malls.
