China in disarray

INDIANAPOLIS – After failing to advance to the quarterfinals, China was exposed as a team in turmoil at the World Basketball Championships here.

There is talk that coach Wang Fei may be replaced before the Asian Games in Busan on Sept. 29-Oct. 14. But Xu Jicheng, senior correspondent of the Xinhua News Agency, told The Star yesterday Wang signed a contract to coach the national squad up to the 2004 Athens Olympics. The only way he can lose his job is if he voluntarily bows out–or if the powerful Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) forces his resignation. It’s not far-fetched to imagine the CBA using political clout if Wang has overstayed his welcome.

But if Wang leaves, who will take his place? He brought two assistants here–Zhang Degui and Hawaiian Jarrin Akana. There is also former national cager Kuang Lubin kibitzing on the bench but he represents the CBA and isn’t on Wang’s staff.

Zhang, who caddies for Wang, is expendable. He’s not an option. Akana, 32, may not be available. He’s the Denver Nuggets director of player development and Asian scout in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Akana, who speaks Mandarin, clearly has Wang’s ear. Before a timeout, he calls Wang aside and whispers advice. During a game, he stalks the sidelines and talks to players–sometimes, more than Wang who is mild-mannered. Akana jaws the referees, too.

A former University of Hawaii basketball star, Akana played on the Rainbows’ Western Athletic Conference title team in 1994. He moonlights as a radio broadcaster for the Brigham Young University at Hawaii basketball varsity.

For eight years, Akana helped out Pete Newell at his annual Big Man’s summer camp in Honolulu. He also worked three years for former NBA forward Kiki Vandeweghe’s version of a Big Man’s camp in Los Angeles.

It was Vandeweghe who hired Akana to be his assistant when he was the Dallas Mavericks director of player development. When Vandeweghe moved to Denver last year, he took Akana along. Vandeweghe and Akana conducted a special training camp for the Chinese national team last summer.

Akana’s influence on the team is evident. During the break in between the third and fourth periods in China’s game against New Zealand last Wednesday, Yao Ming asked to look at the stats sheet. Akana refused. Yao turned away.

Yao frothed in the mouth after China blew a 24-point second quarter lead to lose a 94-88 decision to the Kiwis. At the buzzer, he left the court in a huff without congratulating the other team. He reportedly berated Wang in a lockerroom confrontation.

It was China’s fifth loss in the tournament. The setback knocked China out of medal contention. At the Sydney Olympics two years ago, China crushed New Zealand, 75-60, so the defeat here was a big step backwards.

Yao stood out against New Zealand, hitting 8-of-8 from the field and 11-of-11 from the line. But he played only 26 minutes. When Yao rested on the bench, the Kiwis outscored China, 48-20. The turning point was New Zealand’s 17-0 burst midway the fourth quarter as the Kiwis turned an 11-point deficit into a lead of six in less than five minutes. China was slapped seven of its 23 turnovers during the breakaway, thanks to a stifling New Zealand press.

Wang never played Bateer Mengke and Yao together. Instead, he stuck to Gong Xiaobin, whose 33-year-old legs seem to be crumbling in wear and tear, as Yao’s frontline partner. Gong logged 30 minutes without a single point while Bateer played 14 with four points.

But what ticked off Yao was Wang’s insistence on using Guo Shijiang at the point. Yao is more comfortable playing with Liu Wei, a Shanghai Sharks teammate in the CBA. He prefers Liu at the point because they’re familiar with each other’s moves. In the New Zealand game, Liu played eight minutes and Guo, 32.

Yao isn’t the only player throwing brickbats at Wang. A team insider said Guo complained that he’s been ordered to play a control game–which isn’t his style. Guo is a fastbreaking guard.

A source blamed Akana for trying to coach China like an NBA team.

China isn’t as quick as it used to be. Gong isn’t getting any younger. Neither is Hu Weidong who is 32. When they’re on the court, China slows down the pace. Yao and the other young kids on the block obviously don’t like it.

Another problem bugging China is Yao’s future. Houston picked Yao on the first round in the recent NBA draft but the Rockets may not sign the 7-5 giant after all. The CBA is demanding a no-trade contract with the stipulation that it can recall Yao anytime for training and playing at the Olympics, World Championships, the Asian Games, the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championships, and the CBA season. That could mean Yao leaving the Rockets during the NBA playoffs–assuming the team qualifies. The conditions are onerous and Yao could end up without a contract. So after all the hoopla, Yao might be left out in the cold.

The New Zealand loss showed China’s vulnerability to the press because of its weak and inexperienced backcourt.

"Most teams extend their defense because of our size," said Wang. "When we put the ball inside, they use two people to stop our centers. For most good teams, they are doing well in double-teams. When we play against good teams, it exposes the weakness of our guards."

Xu Jicheng said despite the distractions, China is confident of retaining the Asian Games basketball championship because no other country comes close. The only threat is host South Korea but its defense is suspect and it’s difficult to anchor an offense almost exclusively on the three-point shot, he added.

The experts aren’t laying odds on the Philippines in Busan. Coach Joseph Uichico’s charges like their chances as underdogs. If China shows up in disarray at the Asian Games, the battle for the title will be wide open.