http://www.indystar.com/article.php?china28_p.html China wants to make move 'Walking Great Wall' gives it hope for 1st-ever medal Staff Report August 28, 2002 After failing to qualify for the 1998 world championship, China coasted through the Asian Basketball Championship. China has yet to win a medal in the World Basketball Championship but will be a force in Indianapolis. "There are various reasons why the Chinese team has not done so well on the world stage," coach Wang Fei said. "However, with the help of the Chinese Basketball Association and hard work, I'm confident we will improve in world competition." Eyes will be on the "Walking Great Wall" of 7-5 Yao Ming, 7-1 Wang Zhizhi and 7-0 Menk Bateer as China opens the competition against Dirk Nowitzki and Germany on Aug. 29 at the RCA Dome. It also faces the United States and Algeria in preliminary round play. The three combined to score 43 points and grab 26 rebounds to give China a 93-67 victory over Lebanon and the top spot in the Asian qualifier. Yao was the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, while Wang became the first Chinese player in the NBA when he saw action for the Mavericks on April 5, 2001. He averaged 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 55 regular-season games last season. Wang is a restricted free agent. Yao is scheduled to begin his NBA career with the Rockets on Oct. 30 against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. "In four years, (Yao) could be one of the best players in the world," Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown said. Said Carroll Dawson, the Rockets' general manager: "I can tell you that his skills are very, very impressive. I've never seen anybody his size with that skill level. The best (big man) I've ever seen with that kind of skill level is (Hakeem) Olajuwon, and this guy is six inches taller. He moves with quickness, moves his feet, and runs the floor like a 6-5 guy. "He's very athletic and has a tremendous touch. He passes the ball like (former Portland center Arvydas) Sabonis. He can shoot the ball, too. He shot 70 percent from the floor, and he doesn't dunk the basketball (because of cultural differences)." The frontcourt also boasts forward Liu Yudong -- known as China's Charles Barkley for his physical play. Liu and Wang are as effective from beyond the 3-point arc as they are around the rim. The team is well-seasoned in the international arena, and has been intact as a unit for almost three years. Even with its imposing frontcourt, China's perimeter game also is important. Hu Weidong, Zhang Jinsong and Li Nan are effective from 3-point range. Hu is effective off the dribble and coming off screens. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range in the Asian qualifier.
