Ducks unveil new bench boss

After releasing former NBA All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury and hiring a new skipper in Yannis Christopoulos, the Beijing Ducks are clearly committed to rebuilding ahead of the 2017-18 Chinese Basketball Association season.

Christopoulos, a 43-year-old Greek who served as former Team China head coach Gong Luming's assistant at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was introduced to the media on Friday after signing a three-year contract with the Ducks, tasked with leading the franchise back to its former glory.

Marbury and former bench boss Min Lulei led the club to three CBA titles from 2012-15.

Citing his previous experience with the national program, Christopoulos expressed confidence in being able to turn the Ducks around.

"I have been in China long enough to understand the culture and the mentality as well as how people function on and off the court," said the coach, who started his national assistant role in 2013.

"It's a big challenge to guide Beijing back to the championship, but I'm very positive and confident that with teamwork and patience we will get the team where it belongs."

Min, who recommended Christopoulus as his successor, has been handed a new role as leader of the entire Shougang basketball program, which owns the Ducks.

Min will assist in managing multiple squads and oversee youth development and international scouting.

During their championship seasons the Ducks gained a huge following in the capital, but by 2016 an aging roster started to show signs of decline.

After failing to qualify for the playoffs last season, the team launched a rebuild by releasing Marbury in April, with one year remaining on the contract he signed in 2015.

"The rebuilding process is not a rush decision but something we've discussed over a lengthy period with the new management team," said Min, who began his coaching role with the Ducks in 1997.

"I don't consider myself stepping down today. My new role is to help (Christopoulus) get familiar with the whole team as soon as possible and to establish a better youth system."

Min also revealed that starting this summer the Shougang Group will draft about 15 teenagers nationwide annually and send them to the United States for intensive training and education aimed at placing them in the US college ranks.

"It's part of the franchise's rebuilding for longer prosperity and a revolutionary program for talent cultivation," he said.

Christopoulos stressed that defense and teamwork will be his key ingredients in rebuilding the Ducks, and he's already working with the team's scouts to identify the best available foreigners for the 2017-18 CBA season, which tips off in November.

The Beijing squad will also compete in the quadrennial National Games in Tianjin in August.

"You have to create your offense by playing defense, from your intensity and desire to be there every night to compete hard defensively," Christopoulos said.

"I strongly believe local players should be the core of any team. Not just in supportive roles to foreigners, but by playing main roles.

"To accomplish that requires a willingness from players to sacrifice egos and throw their hearts and souls into the system.

"My philosophy is that 'we' is above 'I' on this team ... and it should be like that from Day One."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn