Olympics: USA size up 'huge' Yao challenge

Olympics: USA size up 'huge' Yao challenge


Team USA on Wednesday sized up the unique challenge of containing towering center Yao Ming, China's main threat in their hotly anticipated Olympic opener.

With none of the US superstars coming close to Yao's seven-foot-six (2.3-meter) frame, the plan is simple: close him down early and keep him running.

"Yao is such a huge, talented guy and he's the focal point of the offense, so I think we're just going to have to take the challenge and play against him," said Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh.

"You just try to do some odd things like meet him early. If he turns and shoots, you really can't worry about trying to block it, you just contest it as good as you can."

"On offense you just run him and get him tired. We have this fast-break style of offense, so we're going to try and wear him down with a lot of pick-and-roll."

The August 10 clash promises to be an early highlight of the Games with a cauldron atmosphere at the Olympic Gymnasium and millions following live across the giant nation.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard said he relished the challenge of facing Yao in front of his home fans.

"He's playing in front of his home crowd so I'm pretty sure everybody is going to be excited to see that. It's going to be a lot of fun," Howard said.

"He's a great player. He's one of the best centers in the game right now. I love playing against him."

The Americans fended off comments about their height, which clocks in at an average of just over six foot six -- a foot shorter than Yao.

"His stature's pretty unique but I think guys are just really going with talent," Bosh said.

"I think the most talented guys aren't the biggest nowadays and probably the guy who is seven foot and 250 pounds is probably getting beat by the guy who's six-nine and 220 pounds.

"That's just how it's working, and the game is a lot different than it was 10 or 15 years ago."

Coach Mike Krzyzewski also brushed off concerns about height. The USA face statuesque Turkey in a warm-up match here on Thursday.

"We don't have a small team, we have a quick team," the coach said.