This summer, millions of NBA fans in Asia will have opportunities to get up close and personal with the NBA Finals Trophy¹, and experience the glory that NBA players strive-for all season.

Officials of NBA and DHL hold up the Larry O'Brien trophy at a press conference held together by NBA and DHL in Beijing on Monday, May 14, 2007. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The National Basketball Association (NBA) Monday announced at a press conference in Beijing with its new partner DHL that the ultimate symbol of the NBA champions ¨C the Larry O'Brien trophy will be brought to Asia in July. This sports-loving country, China, is also included among the lucky Asian nations.

The trophy was delivered to the press conference spot, and soon made a great stir in the crowd.

The trophy, awarded annually² to the team that wins the NBA Finals, was designed by Tiffany's in 1977. NBA Legends will accompany the NBA Finals Trophy Tour in 2007 and 2008, bringing to life how they have gone "all the way" to become NBA Champions.

This first-ever tour is together presented by NBA and the world's leading express and logistics company, DHL. The two will also present other activities in China.

Firstly, DHL will support the Basketball without borders 2007 program, the NBA's global basketball development and community outreach initiative, in Asia, which will be held in Shanghai in July.

In addition, the NBA China Games 2007 will tip off on October 17, with a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic in Shanghai at the Qinzhong Forest Sports City arena³ with a capacity of 13,779. The event will then head to Macao, where there will be two games. On October 18, Magic will play with the Chinese Men's National Team, and a rematch between Magic and the Cavaliers will take place on October 20.

At the press conference, NBA has officially established a new multi-year partnership⁴ agreement with DHL. Besides the above mentioned events, DHL will deliver the hardware that impacts the basketball action for the NBA China Games 2007.

"The convergence of our global brands will deliver the passion, excitement and authentic⁵ NBA basketball experience to millions of fans across Asia, while also bringing a positive change in the communities we operate in." said Loron Orris, the Managing Director of NBA Asia.

"This partnership establishes our connection with basketball, one of the fastest growing and most watched sports in China. With multiple NBA events now being staged annually throughout Asia, it provides a great opportunity to showcase how DHL goes all the way with our expertise⁶ in proving total logistics solutions in a region of increasing commercial importance in DHL's worldwide network." added Dan McHugh, Senior Vice President of Commercial, DHL Express Asia-Pacific