Game over. Yao was pretty rusty. He had a couple of nice dunks and scored 10 points. However, to no one's surprise, there was a noticeable difference when he was on the court than when he wasn't, just like the Rockets. He attracted alot of attention from the Germans and created numerous open shots for his teammates. Nevertheless, it isn't the dominant Yao we saw last year. This was his first live game after a bad foot injury, so there is nothing to worry about. Dirk exploded in the second half. I think he didn't miss a shot in the fourth quarter. China was making a furious rally down the stretch, but Dirk scored on every touch and kept China's effort at bay. I don't believe any other German scored in the last few minutes of the game. He ended the game with close to 30 points. It was a great performance by a superstar. Yi played really well in the first half. Got many rebounds and had a nice dunk. However, in the second half, he became pretty passive and completely disappeared. I am not even sure he's even in China now. On D, he got brutally abused by Dirk in the fourth quarter. It was quite ugly. This Chen kid is special. He broke down the German defense at will. He played with a swagger, and was fearless taking it to the hole. He also had some nice passes to the outside for open shots when the D collapsed on him. This is saying alot since he's only 17 and the German players are well established players in Europe. When a player this young can do this many things to formidable opponents, you know he will have a bright future ahead of him. I want to see how he does against Tony Parker. I think they have very similar games. I would be completely shocked if Chen doesn't end up in the NBA someday.
Match photos from the China versus Germany game. Germany won 82 vs 73. Nowitzki scored 27/7 rebounds (?). Yao Ming scored 11, and played 22 minutes (?)...Pretty rusty, but all due to Germany's double-teaming, and China's point guards failing to find him down at the low post. Please Click For More Photos
First game since the injure, of course Yao was rusty. Give him 4-5 games and he will play better. Dirk is just Dirk, an incredible scoring machine. IMO, he is the best international player in the NBA.
The reason why Nowitzki played that bad in 1H was due to Yi Jianlian. Yi grabbed rebounds like maniac, and has been able to counter Nowitzki physically, played great defense, resulting in 3 airballs from Nowitzki. But in the 3Q, for giving every player equal play minutes to try out the various formation, Jonas Kazlauskas rested Yi, and sent on Du Feng and Mo Ke respectively on position 4. Nowitzki then found his shooting touch back. And when Yi was sent on in 4Q, Nowitzki was almost unstoppable.
From box score: Yao 21 min of action. 3-6 fg 5-6 ft. 2 reb 1 bl 2 asst and 2 dunks. Not bad, but when they only find Yao for 6 shots, the pg are not doing their jobs.
That PG SUN Yue, he's been playing in the US (some D league) right? Why do I get the sense he's not gotten better but worse?
Sun Yue sucks compared to Chen Jian Hua. Hardly anyone even realize Sun is suppose to be the 2nd best pg on China now. Chen has taken over the Chinese media and fans by storm. If he develops for the next two years and Yi improves, China could really be a force in 08 olympics.
The reason that Chen should be on the team RIGHT now is because he can create his own shot, nobody else on the team can. I don't care if he goes 4-10... at least he can get off 10 shots. The other guards get stifled, and it's pass pass pass turnover. I'd much rather have a shoot and miss.
even though I didn't watch the China-Germany game, I watched the USA-China game to know that Chen was very good. He must make the final 12 roaster, or else the team officials have some serious brain damage. But I wonder will the CBA be kind enough to let Chen play in the NBA. But the CBA usually lies about players' age to keep them in the league........Chen might be 19 or 20. But if he does enter the draft......hope we will have a high enough pick for him.
MORE match photos from this match. As always, Yao Ming was so involved either on court or off court, raving and supporting his team mates.
Yao's offensive output is OK, but 2 reb in 21 min doesn't seem very encouraging. Maybe he's still tentative over his readiness to play.
Anyone know where I can find videos on this Chen guy? He's been the talk of the China team so far and even got praise from Lebron and Coach K.
