China

NBA prospect Yi makes disappointing debut at Asian Games

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-03 08:47

DOHA - NBA prospect Yi Jianlian made his debut at the Asian Games in China's 89-77 victory over Kazakhstan here on Saturday. It turned to be anything but satisfactory.

The 19-year-old Yi, standing at 2.12-meter, struggled with foul trouble before finishing with 14 points and six rebounds in less than 22 minutes.

"I am not happy with how he played today," said China's Lithuanian head coach Jonas Kazlauskas. "He is like a good boy. Everybody can push him, can kick out him from the zone and he seems happy with everything going on with him."

"At one time he has to understand that's not good enough to be talented, he has to fight for every ball, every rebound, everything," Jonas continued. "We still had problems from rebounding and from three-second zone when we have (players) two- time bigger than (our opponent). That means our heart was not hard enough."

With an average height of 2.03-meter, the Chinese were out- rebounded 29-28 by Kazakhstan, who has an average height of 1.97- meter.

Former NBA player Wang Zhizhi led China with 22 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks, but Jonas expected more from him.

"Wang did not start very well. After we talked with him about how he should play, he played more inside and it helped us late in the game."

Sun Yue and Yi Jianlian combined for 10 points to lead a 10-0 burst that pushed China up to 39-20 in the second quarter, but Kazakhstan closed the first half with a 10-4 run to pull within 48- 37.

"We had a good start and I thought we could let other players play more, but the players coming from the bench disappointed me," Jonas said.

"They should play for the team, not for themselves," he added.