Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell sends greetings from Anchorage

Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska, where the Charlotte Hornets’ charter flight touched down to refuel en route to China.

The players got quite a surprise at Charlotte’s private aviation terminal. Small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, hours removed from season-ending shoulder surgery, showed up to send off his teammates.

I’m told MKG even lobbied to go on the China trip for the two exhibitions against the Clippers, but the team didn’t think that wise right after major surgery. MKG probably is out six months.

This is my first time in Alaska. Kind of wet and gray with spectacular snowcap mountains in the distance. We’re slightly less than halfway to Shenzhen.

The NBA’s charter is a Delta 747. Lots of room; most of us in coach had a row to ourselves.

We’re scheduled to land about 7 a.m. EDT.

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell sends greetings from Anchorage."