FIBA ASIA – China to have some fun, but race to London wide open

WUHAN (FIBA Asia Championship) – When asked who would win the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, the taxi driver from Wuhan airport had a simple reply.

“China will win of course,” he said confidently. “Whenever we host the tournament we win.”

Some people have short memories.
 
Just two years ago, Iran shocked the host nation 70-52 in Tianjin City to claim their second successive FIBA Asia Championship.

The pressure of performing in front of adoring but demanding fans proved too much for the Chinese, as they shot just 37% from the field and had no answer to Iran’s speed, size and 44-28 rebounding advantage.

China - having won 14 FIBA Asia titles - traditionally start this tournament firm favourites.

But in 2011, Iran and as many as five other teams have a genuine shot of claiming gold and advancing directly to the London Olympics.

Despite this, there is immense pressure on China to win on home soil, something coach Bob Donewald is only too well aware of.

“We talked a little bit about the pressure when I first took over and I said ‘guys, we’ve got to quit talking about that, we’ve got to focus on the things we can control,’” he said.
 
“Would you rather play on the road? No, I’d rather play at home,” said Donewald, who took over after the 2009 loss to Iran.

“So I see it more as something we can take pride in. We’re playing in front of our fans, let’s have some fun. Let’s make it a positive.”

China open their campaign against Bahrain as the tournament kicks off on Thursday.

Iran play Chinese Taipei in their opening game, and the Iranians will naturally be one of the main challengers for the gold medal.

The core group that has served coach Veselin Matic so well are again along for the journey.
 
Leading the way will be superstar centre Hamed Hadadi and dead-eye shooter Hamed Afagh, while veteran point guard Mahdi Kamrany will again be marshalling the troops.

Jordan claimed bronze in 2009, and went within a whisker of defeating Australia at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.

While they are without some key players in Wuhan, Zaid Abbas and Rasheim Wright are the stars of this team, both having averaged 15point per game in Turkey, and they will again carry the load.

With former New Zealand and Lebanon coach Tab Baldwin now in charge, this young and versatile Jordan team is a real threat to qualify for their first ever Olympics.

They face Syria in the first game of the tournament.

Korea play Malaysia first up, while Japan take on Indonesia. As always, both these East Asian countries are a genuine threat on any night with their speed and three-point shooting.

The two rivals fought out a gripping semi-final at last year’s Asian Games, and a tight final at this year’s East Asian Championship, Korea narrowly prevailing on both occasions.

Korea have played in six Olympic Games, but have not qualified since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Lebanon cannot be counted out after their fourth-placed finish in 2009 and upset victory over Canada at the FIBA World Championship.

Without stars like Fadi El-Khatib, Jackson Vroman and Matt Freije however, coach Ghassan Sarkis has his work cut out, and much will depend on the play of naturalised centre Sam Hoskin.

Coach Donewald though, is not ruling anyone out in what he sees as a wide open FIBA Asia Championship field.

“I think this is the best Asia has been in a while. There’s about five or six teams who can win,” he said.
 
“You read a lot of confident comments from the coaches, but rightfully so. I am not going to get into specific teams, I don’t want to upset the wrong people, but you look at these teams and at the end of it (the tournament) there could be five or six different winners.

"This is going to be a fun tournament!”

The championship team at the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship progresses directly to the London Olympics, while the silver and bronze medallists will get a second chance at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA