Stern: NBA wants China league, presence in India

Stern said NBA China is in an "ongoing dialogue" with Chinese authorities about installing 800,000 baskets in villages across this sprawling country. The NBA also hopes to be involved with a Chinese professional league. But Stern balked at comparisons with the NBA's Development League.

"That would be a separate league that would be NBA-affiliated or NBA-sponsored, but it would be independent," Stern said. "And it would just sign players. For a very long time to come it would be at a lower scale than the NBA. But as the sport develops in China, and as more players around the world recognize the opportunities of playing in China, we see that league growing and strengthening."

For now, the NBA will maintain its on-court presence in China with exhibition games, with games planned for Guangzhou and Beijing this fall. The teams have not been announced.

"I think that that is likely to become a regular thing," Stern said.

The Chinese have adopted the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, which will face Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday night after annihilating its five Group B opponents.

Aside from host China and Yao Ming, the U.S. has been the crowd favorite in this tournament -- a big change from 2004 Olympics in Athens, when the Americans were jeered.

"Coming out of Athens, there was just more of a focus at every level on the game and the representation of one's country, and we're just doing a better job collectively on that front," Stern said. "And our players, of course, are responding wonderfully."

One reason cited for the U.S.' success: USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo asked players for a three-year commitment culminating in Beijing. Stern endorses the idea.

"I think that I would encourage USA Basketball and the NBA players to focus upon longer than bringing a group together" for one tournament, Stern said. "I think that commitment is not just about the teamwork but also about the international discipline that comes from basketball diplomacy. And our players are learning their lessons well."