Reborn in Beijing, Marbury goes native

Movie to capture life of US basketball star who went from a troubled NBA career to finding success and love in China, Yu Yilei reports.

In the early 1990s, TV viewers in China were captivated by A Native of Beijing in New York, a drama about a family of Chinese immigrants pursuing the American dream in the Big Apple.

Two decades on, a new movie is in production to tell the story of a New Yorker living a dream in Beijing - Stephon Marbury.

The documentary will look at the Brooklyn-born point guard's life since arriving in China, where he has helped the Beijing Ducks win three Chinese Basketball Association championships in four years and become one of the country's most popular foreign athletes.

"It's a great way for people in America and mostly in China to see how I live here in China," the 38-year-old said of the movie, A Native of New York in Beijing, in an interview at his downtown condo near the capital's Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square.

"The movie really paints a picture for people to see what has happened since I left America, how my life has changed, how I have become committed to living in discipline, living in the Chinese culture," he said.

The script must read like a Hollywood underdog story.

Marbury landed in the Middle Kingdom in 2010 after a 13-year roller coaster career in the NBA where he experienced more lows than highs. He went on to claim his first CBA championship ring in 2012 and repeated the feat in 2014. On March 22, he added a third by leading the Ducks to a 4-2 series victory over Liaoning, earning the MVP award.

As a result of his contribution, the club has erected a statue of him outside its home court, the MasterCard Arena, and he has earned several lucrative endorsements, including Red Bull, and even has a sportswear brand named after him.