Yi may replace Big Zhi in Championships - coach
By Coldness Kwan (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-08-14 16:49
Fresh from his first appearance on the court against Brazil on Sunday at the
Stankovic Cup in Nanjing since his right knee injury in Europe last month, Wang
Zhizhi, nicknamed Big Zhi by fans, was mobbed by journalists, who wanted to know
if the superstar will play in the upcoming World Championships, slated to begin
in just a few days, the Oriental Sports Daily reported.
Yao Ming, left, and
Wang Zhizhi during the match between China and Brazil in Nanjing August
13, 2006.[Xinhua] |
"I hope to play in the upcoming championships, but I have to recuperate
first," Big Zhi was quoted by the Oriental Sports Daily as saying.
China's national basketball team lost to Brazil 78-88 on Sunday at the
Stankovic Cup in Nanjing though anchored by Big Zhi and Yao Ming, who teamed up
for the first time in five years.
Big Zhi contributed 6 points and grabbed 5 rebounds while spending most of
his time aiding teammates during his 19 minutes on court.
"I must tell you that I merely exerted half of my strength," Big Zhi told the
Oriental Sports Daily. "I was not able to jump up for more rebounds, let alone
play offensively."
National team coach Jonas Kazlauskas could not afford to give more time to
Big Zhi. "Wang has not received any real tactical training together with the
team as a whole. He was not at his best judging from today's game but there is
nearly no time left before the championships," Jonas said after the game on
Sunday.
Asked to comment on the Yao-Wang combination, Big Zhi said it was not that
significant. "The point is to find a way to pass the ball to Yao. Yao always has
two or three from the other team guarding him."
Yi Jianlian, China's promising teen forward, played the full game and led
China with 19 points and 12 rebounds with Yao and Wang alternately benched,
sharing only minutes on court.
Jonas Kazlauskas was satisfied with Yi's performance in the game against
Brazil and hinted that Yi may replace Wang as the power forward on the starter
list in the championships if the injury-haunted Wang can't play.
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