Yao-less China keep low key at FIBA worlds
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Without NBA star center Yao Ming who is recovering from the foot injury, China keep low key at the basketball worlds scheduled to open in Turkey on Saturday.
After a warmup on Friday at the Ankara Sports Hall, the venue for the Group C games, China coach Bob Donewald told reporters that they don't have any specific targets and will view the event as a chance for young players to learn and grow.
Although Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian and former NBA player Wang Zhizhi spearhead the Chinese team, seven players are debutants for the world championships. Former national team top scorer Zhu Fangyu was not included due to injury.
China will face the 2006 runners-up Greece in their opener on Saturday, and will take on Cote d'Ivoire, Puerto Rico, Russia, and Turkey in sequence, according to the schedule of Group C.
Donewald said the Greek team boasts many talented players and is not expected to be affected by FIBA's recent decision to suspend two Greek players, Antonis Fotsis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis, for taking part in a brawl during an exhibition game against Serbia last week.
Yi Jianlian said they would remain on guard despite the absence of two players on the Greek side.
"They (Greece) have excellent team work, and the important for us is to improve our movement and passing," Yi told reporters.
A total of 24 teams, divided into four groups, are qualified for the championships, which will be held from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12 in four Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Kayseri.
The winner will automatically qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.
