The basketball world received a huge shock when 2-time Defensive Player of The Year Dwight Howard signed a contract in Taiwan. The 2023 season has left many veterans hunting for teams. However, with the competition neck to neck, they seem to have lost their place. Hence, taking a similar route as Howard, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry’s former teammate Quinn Cook is making his way to China.
Cook made his way into the NBA in 2015. He never made his burst to stardom. However, the former Golden State Warriors star ranked as an important sixth man. Notably, he played a crucial role in Stephen Curry’s 2017 and 2018 championship conquests averaging nearly 10 points off the bench. Cook also had a run with LeBron James in the bubble 2020 championship. But with new talent coming up every season, the need for his tools has slowly declined. The 29-year-old last played as a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Now, with no team bidding for the three-time champion, Cook is preparing for his next chapter in basketball. Like many before him, the former Warriors guard is flying to China to join the Zheijang Guangsha Lions.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry to see off former teammate
Just a few days before Cook’s decision, Dwight Howard shocked the NBA fanbase by choosing to take his talents to Taiwan’s T1 league. The Orlando Magic icon will play for the Taoyuan Leopards. And it seems his pattern has caught on. Playing closely in the Chinese Basketball Association, Cook will be a part of the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions. His move left NBA Twitter in shambles.
They expressed their discontent as another capable star didn’t have his place in the NBA. However, basketball in China has seen a staggering rise. In addition, it also has a special connection with the NBA.
He and Dwight were on a championship roster 2 years ago… https://t.co/307T53oanX
— Quan i. (@Quanii95) November 9, 2022
Went to Oak Hill and Duke. Crazy how much talent is in the NBA https://t.co/q3b3uRRocR
— . (@TheRealSageBell) November 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/BetteR0ffDed/status/1590088465487515648?s=20&t=nZSKQL1pPERHA1-ccySZpg
We failing our players https://t.co/1sVEKAUIjp
— NBA CHAMPS ☘️ | JC 🐝 (@BasedDork69) November 8, 2022
He really bout to cook https://t.co/3E69T3FaKj
— Dom2K 🎅 (@Dom_2k) November 8, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The who ? https://t.co/fXgK11M011
— Quann🥷🏾💰✡️ (@1quanoo) November 8, 2022
Cook might not be able to play alongside LeBron James or Steph Curry anymore, but his time in China will probably serve as the perfect opportunity to display his complete repertoire. The 29-year-old joins Hall of Famer Yao Ming, Gilbert Arenas, and other former superstars to take the route to China. During his short stay in the NBA, Cook showed promising potential as a low-volume sharpshooter. A career 40.8% shooter, a new start in China could prove as Cook’s stage to show off.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY:?Kareem vs LeBron beef? What did the Lakers legend say about LeBron James?
The former Lakers man never got his chance to shine in the NBA. However, the CBA will probably be a different story. Do you think the 29-year-old could become a superstar in China like other former NBA talents? Let us know your views in the comments.