<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Greece fell behind early but a relentless defense led by Theo Papaloukas once again came to the rescue as they beat China 95-64 to advance to the quarter-finals of the FIBA World Championship. The Far East giants, in confident mood after their stunning last-second victory over Slovenia in Group D to qualify for the last 16, began the game like a runaway train and led 8-0 as Greece missed their first nine shots from the floor. But the European champions, who still trailed 23-11 early in the second quarter, outscored China 30-13 over the last 9:19 of the first half to lead 41-36 at the break and they stormed to victory over the final 20 minutes. ?Today it was really a frustrating game for us,? said China center Yao Ming. ?It always happens to us. (But) We did much better against European teams this summer. It's all about experience.?</div> Yao had just 10 points and 8 boards, while supposedly being overmatched by Greek center Sofoklis Schortsianitis. Spanoulis had a good game, 15 points and 2 assists.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">while supposedly being overmatched by Greek center Sofoklis Schortsianitis.</div> Wasn't this guy's name popping up in the draft a year or so ago? I think he was supposed to be a European equivalent of Shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Wasn't this guy's name popping up in the draft a year or so ago? I think he was supposed to be a European equivalent of Shaq.</div> 'Tis true. This guy was being labelled "Bady Shaq" in the '03 NBA Draft. He was drafted by the Clippers with the 34th pick. He is considered undersized for the NBA at center at only 6'9".
15 pts in the FIBA tournament is amazing for a rookie. I know that NBA level is much better than the FIBA games, but if he translates his game over to the NBA then we might be seeing at least 8-10 pts out of Vspan.
Wow, how was he able to stop Yao? I'd like to see him play or workout in the NBA. It's too bad for China though, they had a great run with Yao being unstoppable in the paint and that game winning shot a game ago. Hopefully, like Coach K said, they'll be one of the top countries to face in Beijing olympics.
I watched the game, and Yao wasnt being outplayed. Every time Yao touched the ball he was TRIPLE TEAMED. And every possession Yao was DOUBLE TEAMED (1 guy behind, one fronting). The Greek Centers were not even close to doing as much damgage as the guards. Especially #4 and Vspan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ming637:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wow, how was he able to stop Yao? I'd like to see him play or workout in the NBA. It's too bad for China though, they had a great run with Yao being unstoppable in the paint and that game winning shot a game ago. Hopefully, like Coach K said, they'll be one of the top countries to face in Beijing olympics. </div>Yao, who entered the game as the tournament's leading scorer with an average of 28.4 points, was held to just 10 points on only five shots as Greece double- and triple-teamed him and the Chinese guards were ineffective at getting him the ball. <font size="1">By FRAN BLINEBURY, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle</font> Link= http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4145152.html
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ma3oxuct:</div><div class="quote_post">'Tis true. This guy was being labelled "Bady Shaq" in the '03 NBA Draft. He was drafted by the Clippers with the 34th pick. He is considered undersized for the NBA at center at only 6'9".</div> ...but he weighs 900 lbs.
Yao was playing awesome up to this point, its too bad the remainder of the Chinese team couldn't take advantage of Yao being triple teamed.
