CHN – Kazlauskas - `This is no time to panic’

NANJING (Olympics) - Jonas Kazlauskas is one of the true greats in the European coaching community.

A native of Lithuania, he led his country to a near upset of Team USA in the semi-finals of the Sydney Olympics eight years ago and has enjoyed a lot of great moments as the boss of clubs like Zalgiris Kaunas, Lietuvos rytas and Olympiacos.

He faces an enormous challenge now at the helm of China at the Beijing Games.

Kazlauskas his putting his team through its paces at the FIBA Diamond Ball for Men in Nanjing and after a win against Angola, China suffered a 67-55 defeat to Australia.

Yao Ming’s fitness has been a concern for several months since the stress fracture that ended his NBA campaign with Houston at the end of February, while Yi Jianlian has struggled to make a big impact.

Against the Aussies, Yi failed to score.

Kazlauskas spoke to FIBA.com on Thursday.

FIBA: Jonas, the Olympics are quickly approaching and you have a new injury concern. What can you tell us about Liu Wei, who left the game early against Australia with an apparent rib injury?

Kazlauskas: I hope that Liu will be okay. He went to the hospital and had an MRI which confirmed there was nothing serious. We worried that he might have a (rib) injury but he will be able to play on Friday.

FIBA: A lot of attention has been on Yao Ming with his fitness and his recovery. Where would you say he is right now?

Kazlauskas: Everybody has to understand that he has had serious surgery and that it is not easy to recover immediately. He is trying to do his best but some doctors have explained he needs time. Sometimes it takes one year to recover fully. He is practicing very hard and every day he is better and better but to tell you that he is 100%, I cannot. I think after a couple of more games, he will be much better. For sure, we expect much more from him.

FIBA: Are you happy with what he is giving you on the court right now?

Kazlauskas: For sure, we have to understand him. He has come back and he can't be at his best right now. Yao is Yao, everybody expects a lot from him and he has a big pressure. Yao is a good guy, he is trying to do his best, he is trying to find a good relationship with his team-mates. I hope he will be okay, we just need a little more time.

FIBA: It's not time to panic yet but time is surely running out with the Olympics around the corner.

Kazlauskas: Why panic? Every team is really good (at the Diamond Ball). Iran beat Serbia, we beat Angola. I think this Olympics will be really interesting.

FIBA: You have been coaching national teams for some time with Lithuania and China. It just seems every year that the level of competition goes up. Would you agree?

Kazlauskas: I can remember in the past going to Africa and some other countries and it was easy for us but if you look now, you have American and Serbian and other coaches working around the world. Now you can take the best. You just need to find good talent everywhere and it is much easier to make good teams.

FIBA: It is fascinating to watch you on the bench because you are so intense. Tell us how it's going?

Kazlauskas: My job is to help the players and I cannot sleep on the bench (laughs). Maybe some people in China think that I am too strict. When I was coaching in Greece, it was explained to me that if a coach didn't break a chair or do something to wake up a team, it means that he is sleeping. But I coach all this time in my Lithuanian style.

FIBA: From a neutral observer, Ji looks like he has all the ability in the world but he seems to be struggling. Is his inexperience letting him down?

Kazlauskas: We need time to play a good game with Yao and that is not easy and not simple. When we played without Yao, it was much easier for Ji because he could pause, he could play at the perimeter, he could switch positions with Wang Zhizhi and he could have more opportunities. Now everybody is concentrating on Yao and he needs time again. He needs to find his position and his role in this team. I think conclusions need to be drawn after the Olympics and not before.

FIBA: All the best for the Olympics, Jonas.

Kazlauskas: Thanks.

FIBA