2008 Woodie Awards
Bradshaw drops 31 on NBA's Yao
Former star speaks about pro game
James Lamberts
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Former Winthrop basketball star Craig Bradshaw and his new teammates from the Virgin Blue Brisbane Bullets played against the China National team as part of the tradition for the winner of the NBD league, according to bullets.com.au.
The three-game series between the Bullets and China took place in China on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.
Game one of the series sent shock waves around the world. The Bullets stunned China with their victory of 93-92 at the buzzer, led by Bradshaw.
China went on to win the series 2-1, but fans of the China team showed concern that a NBD team came in their country and beat them.
The significance of this match-up is the fact that Bradshaw not only started but also played at a high level. Bradshaw played well in big game situations while at Winthrop and he carried everything over to the pro game.
That's not all. Yao Ming, NBA star for the Houston Rockets, played for China in the series.
"Going up against Yao was something else," Bradshaw said. "I mean, he's much bigger in person and he ain't weak, soft, skinny, or none of that; he's dominant."
With Bradshaw being a center and a go-to guy for the Bullets, he was pitted against Yao for the match-up.
The 6-foot-10-inch New Zealander has had his share of tall match-ups in the past, making him look as if he were the point guard. Bradshaw went up against UNC Asheville's Kenny George, who is the tallest basketball player in the nation at 7 feet 10 inches.
Yao is no Kenny George, but he is definitely an agile and athletically gifted player who is one of the NBA's elite centers in the game.
Bradshaw led his team in scoring as he compiled 31 points, going 6-12 from the three-point line.
Also of note, Bradshaw made a dunk over the 7-foot-6-inch all-pro in game three of the series.
"I'm like two games into the season and I'm loving it. It's a great league with great players and support. It's much more fast paced (then college) and we score in the 100's every game. You gotta change your mindset when you go pro. You gotta be selfish in a way and you gotta get yours or else they will just get someone else."
"I'm loving this pro lifestyle, traveling business class everywhere and there are no coaches babying you like in the college game," Bradshaw said.
Being overseas, Bradshaw expressed his thoughts of being so far away.
"I would like to say hello to everyone back at Winthrop. I kinda miss the place. It was my home for four years and it was the best four years of my life, even though Winthrop is in Rock Hill. Haha!"
Bradshaw's next game is Friday, Oct. 5 versus the Perth Wildcats.
The three-game series between the Bullets and China took place in China on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.
Game one of the series sent shock waves around the world. The Bullets stunned China with their victory of 93-92 at the buzzer, led by Bradshaw.
China went on to win the series 2-1, but fans of the China team showed concern that a NBD team came in their country and beat them.
The significance of this match-up is the fact that Bradshaw not only started but also played at a high level. Bradshaw played well in big game situations while at Winthrop and he carried everything over to the pro game.
That's not all. Yao Ming, NBA star for the Houston Rockets, played for China in the series.
"Going up against Yao was something else," Bradshaw said. "I mean, he's much bigger in person and he ain't weak, soft, skinny, or none of that; he's dominant."
With Bradshaw being a center and a go-to guy for the Bullets, he was pitted against Yao for the match-up.
The 6-foot-10-inch New Zealander has had his share of tall match-ups in the past, making him look as if he were the point guard. Bradshaw went up against UNC Asheville's Kenny George, who is the tallest basketball player in the nation at 7 feet 10 inches.
Yao is no Kenny George, but he is definitely an agile and athletically gifted player who is one of the NBA's elite centers in the game.
Bradshaw led his team in scoring as he compiled 31 points, going 6-12 from the three-point line.
Also of note, Bradshaw made a dunk over the 7-foot-6-inch all-pro in game three of the series.
"I'm like two games into the season and I'm loving it. It's a great league with great players and support. It's much more fast paced (then college) and we score in the 100's every game. You gotta change your mindset when you go pro. You gotta be selfish in a way and you gotta get yours or else they will just get someone else."
"I'm loving this pro lifestyle, traveling business class everywhere and there are no coaches babying you like in the college game," Bradshaw said.
Being overseas, Bradshaw expressed his thoughts of being so far away.
"I would like to say hello to everyone back at Winthrop. I kinda miss the place. It was my home for four years and it was the best four years of my life, even though Winthrop is in Rock Hill. Haha!"
Bradshaw's next game is Friday, Oct. 5 versus the Perth Wildcats.
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