CBA players look forward to break

Due to the Spring Festival, the CBA will take a break from Feb 6-14 to provide the players with an opportunity to get together with family and friends.

Making dumplings on New Year's Eve is a traditional way to bond and that's Dongguan Leopards' forward Gu Quan's greatest joy every year. "We enjoy the process and chatting and joking more than the actual eating of Jiaozi at dinner. That's a precious moment with my family," Gu said.

Love is in the air for Guangdong Southern Tigers' forward and national representative Zhou Peng as his wedding will be held on Feb 14 - Valentine's Day. "That's probably going to be the busiest and happiest day of my life, plus it's during the Spring Festival. What a holiday!" Zhou said.

Teammate Wang Shipeng plans to celebrate the break by opening a flower shop and could provide Zhou with some sweet-smelling 'assists' on his big day.

Blending into Chinese culture is popular among many of the league's imports, but not 'Agent Zero'. Gilbert Arenas, the Shanghai Sharks' former NBA All-Star, will travel to Phuket, Thailand, for a vacation with his wife and children. The trip is partly inspired by the US movie The Hangover Part II.

Arenas said he felt a little regretful at not being able to be part of the celebrations here, but wanted to spend time with his family in another exotic location.

(China Daily 02/05/2013 page24)