Among the players, the Kings’ Harrison Barnes is among the few who have been to India before. Barnes, an NBA champion with the Warriors in 2015, visited India earlier, travelling to Mumbai, visiting the academy in Delhi and seeing the Taj Mahal. He said playing in front of the kids would mean a lot to him. “Just to see those kids, the excitement they have in seeing NBA players up close and personal, it’s a big moment. I think you have to take a step back and appreciate all the places basketball has taken us, what the game has done for so many people.” The Pacers’ Doug McDermott plans to capitalize on the Barnes’ experience of the country. “I want to see the buildings, the architecture and get some authentic Indian food. I’m going to try and sneak away Harrison from the Kings for some time so we can go and explore the city a little.”
