Beaten stars could be ripe for Asiad
Agence France-Presse, Beijing
Fresh from a disappointing 12th place finish at the recent World Basketball Championship, long-time Asian powerhouse China are in a fragile state of mind as they lick their wounds in preparation for the Asian Games.
China's lackluster single win to seven losses at the World Championship in the United States, including a dispiriting defeat to New Zealand and a 12-point loss to African champions Angola, has left state press calling for coach Wang Fei's head.
Giant center and this year's NBA number one draft pick Yao Ming reportedly broke down in tears after New Zealand overcame a 20-point last quarter deficit to beat China, opening the way for the determined Kiwis to post a best-ever fourth place finish.
Commissioner of the China Basketball Association Xin Lancheng said that he told the team the only way to forget the World Championships was to win the Asian Games crown.
"This is not going to be easy," Xin told the Chinese press.
"Everyone saw what South Korea did in the World Cup (soccer) tournament, so we are expecting a tough time in Busan."
"The World Championship showed that any team can get beat at any time," Xin added, referring to the three surprising losses by the United States in Indianapolis.
After returning to Beijing to begin final preparations for the Busan Games, several players refused to meet the press, while others expressed fears of even being seen in public.
"I've heard that everyone back here has been cursing us," the 2.26-meter (7ft 5in) Yao told one newspaper.
"They said we'd better put on disguises before we go outside, but with someone like me, no matter how much I disguise myself people will recognize me ... so I think I'll just stay in my room and sleep."
China's current disarray can only be good news for Asian basketball, with teams like South Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia all eager to dethrone the long-time Asian champs at the Asiad.
Further hurting China's chances will be the absence of Dallas Mavericks center Wang Zhizhi, who was banned from playing for the national team at the World Championship due to a lack of "patriotism", coupled with his refusal to agree to play for China in Busan.
The absence in Indianapolis of Wang, a six-year national team veteran, left his compatriots floundering, with the Chinese side showing a dismal lack of effort and concentration at both ends of the court.
Further complicating the team spirit will be the uncertain fate of Yao, who reportedly will not be allowed to play for the NBA's Houston Rockets in the coming season if Wang Zhizhi succeeds in securing a new NBA contract.