At the courts up in Beijing's student district of Wudaokou, I am often surprised to hear how much English is bandied about during the games, owing especially to America's role in popularizing the sport. Terms like alley-oop and pick-and-roll don't lend themselves very easily to translation, and most of the local players can name a litany of their favorite NBA stars and teams. Yao Ming is understandably a fan favorite, as is his teammate Tracy McGrady and the diminutive and lightening-quick Allen Iverson. Even reflecting the same problems that plague the American game, many of the Chinese players engage in a certain amount of hot-dogging and showmanship on the courts, but that is simply part of the game. Basketball has indeed become so firmly rooted in the Chinese athletic spirit that it has displaced other sports. Rebroadcasts of NBA games and highlights are frequently shown on TV, as well as Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games. I have even heard locals say that they would rather win basketball gold at the Olympics than football glory at the World Cup, a goal that is getting closer by the year. At last summer's FIBA World Championships, Yao Ming led all tournament scorers as China reached the round of 16, before eventually bowing out to the same Greek team that later defeated team USA. Many expect the Asian champions to perform even better in front of their own fans in 2008.

With this in mind, it is easy to understand the growing passion for the game in China, which in turn makes the culture more accessible for a foreigner. Indeed, even in the depths of Beijing's winter, there are still diehard players out pounding the concrete courts. Amidst the fireworks and New Year's celebrations could be heard the sound of dribbling and hao qiu, which is music to my ears. This is the upside of globalization, when something as insignificant as a game of basketball offers the rare chance to interact with locals in a meaningful manner. The game itself is communicated in the closest thing we have to a universal language. So get your replica Yao Ming jersey and a ball; we'll see you down at the courts.

The author is an American studying in China