China Learns to Play Defence from Second Loss to NBA LegendsThe NBA Legends proved they are the teachers of any dimensions on the court, especially of the defence, to the younger Chinese national team, whom they beat in the second straight game 90-77 on Sunday in the Tianhe Stadium of Guangzhou.Leading by the NBA 50 Greatest Player Clyde Drexler, the Legends, who won the Game One 79-73 in Beijing on Thursday, cemented the Asian champions with one-on-one marking defence to claim the second consecutive victory of the three-game series. "It's not very surprised to lose the second game," said Chinese head coach Jiang Xingquan. "The Legends team is better than us though they are retired players." But the Legends head coach Rick Barry was optimistic with the Olympics Odyssey of the Chinese team, which will face the United States in the opening game in Sydney Games in September. "If they could make better of chance playing with the Legends, learning how to play defence like the NBA players, they may be in the last eight in Sydney," said Barry. China finished eighth four years ago in the Atlanta Games, and the same placing in the World Championships in 1994. They are expecting some break-through with the "Twin Towers", Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming, in the upcoming Olympics. The duo proved the basement of the team on both ends, with the 2.13-meter Wang, 24, more versatile on offence and the 2.28-meter Yao, 19, more solid on defence. The Legends, consisted of such big retired names like Eddie Johnson, Buck Williams and Ronaldo Blackman, took an early lead with Blackman's three-pointer on 3-0, but trailed all the way in the first half when Wang and Yao were on full wing. Leading 45-41 after the break, China floored the smaller power forward Liu Yudong for Wang, and Drexler stole the lead with three 3-pointers in row at the start of the second 20-minute half to make it 53-51. China did not come up again after the setback and the Legends had the good of the game. The NBA Legends Tour in China will be concluded with Game Three in Shanghai on August, 17. |
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