China

Men's basketball aims for quarter-finals in 2008

By Cruz Fang (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-10-11 10:21

A Chinese basketball official claimed that the men's basketball team is not aiming for a medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, instead looking to place in the final eight, according to a Beijing News report.

Hu Jiashi, deputy director of the Basketball Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, told the newspaper in an interview that a list of detailed requirements for 2008 Games has yet to be made and that Lithuanian Jonas Kazlauskas' position as team manager is secure.

The team's administrator played down the level of the current national team, stating again his somewhat grating opinion that "China is a third-class team without Yao Ming."

"Yao Ming is one of world's best centers, but there is a visible gap between world basketball powers and the players in the other four positions," Hu told the newspaper.

While setting no specific goal for Olympics, Hu is confident in the team's champion bid in the forthcoming Asian Games, scheduled to open on December 1 in Doha, Qatar.

"To grab the gold is not only a goal for the men's team, but for the women's as well," the Beijing News cited Hu as saying.

"These two medals won't matter much to China's top position on the tally, but it's important to team morale as we've lost both golds at the last Asian Games and Far East Games."

Hu confirmed that China would send its strongest lineup to Doha, including Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi, a former Los Angeles Clippers forward.

The report also revealed China's probable Asian Games warm-up plan - three matches against an all-star team in US National Basketball Development League (NBDL).

Regarding Jonas, Hu believes he is still the right choice though the China team, under the guidance of the Lithuanian, had an unsuccessful tour in the summer's FIBA World Championships in Japan.

"Basically we see him as being ambitious, having almost no other hobby but basketball. He is serious and strict with the team, he is clear on world basketball trends and we appreciate his ability on the court," Hu told the Beijing News.