Olympics: Yao Ming furious over benching

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

BEIJING - China superstar Yao Ming was furious at being benched in the defeat against Greece where a win could have ensured his nation's highest-ever finish in Olympic basketball, the team's coach admitted.

Yao had 16 points and five rebounds in Monday's 91-77 loss to the Greeks, but only played 16 minutes as coach Jonas Kazlauskas chose to rest him for Wednesday's quarter-final against Lithuania.

Kazlauskas acknowledged that Yao was unhappy with the decision, saying the Houston Rocket star would have played more if China had a chance of winning, but after falling behind by 24 points in the first half that opportunity was lost.

"If we should be able... to play close from the beginning, for sure Yao Ming should play a longer time, but there was no reason to keep him on the court," Kazlauskas said.

"Yao fought, he wants to play and wants to help us as much as possible, but he is a player and I am the coach. I make those decisions."

China's sporting media is howling at the decision, saying that the Yao-led team cut Greece's huge lead to 10 points twice in the second half and that the towering centre could have made a difference had he played more.

A win over Greece would have given China a three win, two loss record in Olympic play and ensured at least a sixth placed finish regardless of the outcome of Wednesday's quarter-final.

If China loses to Lithuania, the host team will end up only tied with its previous best Olympic finish of eighth place.

The iconic Yao, one of China's most high profile athletes, has long downplayed a medal finish at the Beijing Games, but has repeatedly promised to lead the team to a new historic high.

Following Monday's loss, Yao stormed off the court refusing to speak to the press.

He also refused to discuss the game with the leading Titan Sports Weekly, which had an exclusive interview arrangement with him following each match.

"I talked with him only a moment and what he said I could not print in the press," Titan journalist Yang Yi told AFP.

"You could say he was not happy at all with Jonas."

Kazlauskas, who once coached his home nation Lithuania, said his top players were too tired after an emotional 59-55 win over Germany on Saturday that ensured China's advance to the medal round.

He promised a better effort against the Lithuanians.

"We played Lithuania when I was (China's) assistant coach in Athens 2004, I know those guys, and this is my job, we have to do as best as possible," he said.