China’s economy has taken great steps toward liberalization since 1979. However, its athletics are still an odd remnant of the communist (little ‘c’) system.

There have been questions about Chinese prospect Yi Jianlian's age since Yi became a prospect. Chinese officials insist he's now 19, while there have been rumors he's actually three years older. And of course, three years is a long time in terms of basketball development. A raw 19-year-old is Andrew Bynum. A raw 22-year-old is... Kendrick Perkins.