Draftees have a long way to go

High hopes are no match for great hoops.

Chinese centers Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin have been billed as Yao Ming's successors since being selected by the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Draft in June, but their subpar performances in Saturday's 119-62 loss to Team USA in the first pool game of the Olympic tournament underlined how much they still have to learn.

The exposure wasn't pretty.

Overpowered by NBA All-Stars DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins in the paint, Zhou and Wang managed to combine for just six points, two rebounds and one block in a massive mismatch that saw the American tandem consistently beat them for monster dunks.

China's heavy reliance on veteran forward and the country's last NBA player Yi Jianlian, who had 25 points and six rebounds in team-high 30 minutes, also served as proof that Zhou and Wang are too young and too limited to shoulder more responsibility.

After a chronic foot injury forced Yao to retire in 2011 after eight All-Star seasons with Houston, Yi became China's poster boy in the NBA, playing for four different teams from 2007 to 2012.

Now the baton has been handed to Zhou and Wang - but they're not yet ready to grab it firmly.

"Physically and mentally, the intensity of the game, especially defense, was too high for me to handle. It's a great test to play against the world's best team," said the 22-year-old Wang.

Zhou, who was selected by the Rockets with the 43rd overall pick, echoed his teammate.

"In every possible aspect of the game, especially power and athleticism, we should try to improve one game after another," said the 20-year-old.

Rather than go to the NBA Development Leauge next season, Wang and Zhou might opt to remain with their current CBA teams, the Fujian SBS and Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

Jordan who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, said he was impressed by Zhou's skill set.

"He is young and very skilled, and at 7-foot-1 he can handle the ball and shoot it from anywhere," said Jordan.

"If he puts in the time to really develop his game, I think he is going to be great. He has great mentors in Yao and Yi who can tell him all about our league."

Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzekski said Zhou's potential is worthy of attention.

"He is going to be very good. He has all the skills necessary - a 7-footer who can shoot and play. I think he's is getting better every game.

"He is going to be a very good player."

Cousins, the backbone center of the Sacramento Kings, offered a piece of advice for the two Chinese draftees.

"Just keep growing all the way and try to understand the game (in the US). That's the big thing. I think it would be a great thing for China to have another player in the NBA."

The Americans thoroughly dominated the game despite signs the recently assembled unit is yet to completely gel.

"It still can be better and that's what makes us scary," said New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, who is seeking a record third men's hoops gold.

"We wanted to send a message to the rest of the world that we mean business. We're here to win it all."

China, which has never finished higher than eighth, tried to slow the American onslaught with physicality, a strategy that kept Team USA parked at the free-throw line.

The Americans drainned 33 from the stripe, besting a 56-year-old team record of 32.

By halftime, only Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving had failed to make the score-sheet.

"The USA are so aggressive in every position. You can't even pick out the best player. They're everywhere," said dazzled Chinese guard Zhao Jiwei.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

Former NBA player Yi Jianlian (top) scored 25 points in China's 119-62 loss to Team USA on Saturday, which saw highly touted NBA draftees Zhou Qi (below left) and Wang Zhelin (below right) were completely dominated in the paint. The pair combined for just six points, two rebounds and one block. Rio De Janeiro / Reuters