CHN – Weiss takes over at Shanxi Zhongyu

BEIJING (CBA) - Chinese top flight side Shanxi Zhongyu have parted with coach Ma Lianbao and replaced him with former Seattle Supersonics coach Bob Weiss.

Ma, who was only handed the reins in February, was shown the door without coaching a single game.

"It's my first time leaving the (United) States to be a coach in a foreign country,” the 66-year-old Weiss said.

"My former experiences were all in the NBA.

"My daughter has gone to college so I don't need to take care of her anymore, and that means I have more time.”

In May, Weiss was in Shanghai for an Adidas basketball training camp and he said the experience made him have “a new thought about the different basketball culture”.

"I had an invitation from Shanxi Zhongyu just after returning to the US. I was happy to accept it.”

Weiss does not inherit a big team at Shanxi, so his teams will attempt to play a more up-tempo game.

"The team is very young, but they are training hard and are committed,” he said.

“I've brought them some new stuff and they learn quickly.

"Their defending and attacking speed should be quicker, and smoother as they are not tall enough.

“If two tall international players arrive, then the team will need some other changes."

FIBA