Yao Benched in 91-77 Loss to Greece

Yao Ming, benched. There's something you don't hear about every day, especially when it's the Chinese National Team. Yao lost his cool, only playing 16 out of a possible 40 minutes. In the time he played, he had 16 points and 5 rebounds. Yao was angry and didn't talk to the media, but Titan Sports Weekly's Yang Yi managed a quick conversation. "I talked with him only a moment and what he said I could not print in the press," Yang said.

The coaching staff, led by Jonas Kazlauskas, decided to sit Yao to rest him up for the quarterfinals against Lituania. A win, however, would have gave China their best finish in men's basketball history of 6th place. If they lose to Lithuania in the quarterfinals, they will tie their best of 8th place, the last finish they had at the Olympics.

In a Channel NewsAsia article, Coach Kazlauskas defended the decison to bench him. "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."

Also according to the article, Chinese sports media was raving about how Yao brought the team back twice after trailing by as much as 24 points. Kazlauskas wanted a fresh team going up against a Lithuanian team he knows well. "We played Lithuania when I was (China's) assistant coach in Athens 2004," he stated. "I know those guys, and this is my job, we have to do as best as possible."

If China loses to Lithuania, he has a right to be upset. When he was in the game against Greece, he was the game-changer. He's one of China's greatest athletes playing in his home country with the chance to finish the highest his country has finished in Olympic Basketball. Until then, Yao has to get over this dispute with his coach, move on, and go play with motivation.

He can't let his emotions with his coach get in the way of his country. If he doesn't settle it and let's it effect his game in the quarterfinal, it's his fault because he still had a chance to earn it. Now Yao faces a critical decison for his team. Let go of his emotions against his coach and play, or stay angry at his coach and not be at his best.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/369568/1/.html

Redeem Team Destroys Germany 106-57, Go 5-0

This game was over early, period. USA went on a 20-3 run to start the game. Dwight Howard had 8 of those points while LeBron James followed with 7 points in a in a 31-12 first quarter. Germany's Dirk Nowitzki scored 6 of his 14 points in the 2nd quarter, but that wouldn't even help when Deron Williams scored 7 points, part of a 14-0 run carrying over from the end of the 1st quarter.

After leading 53-29 at the half, Kobe Bryant was hot from downtown, hitting three straight from beyond the arc. Howard continued to dominate down low. He finished

In the 4th quarter, Germany would only go on to score 11 points as Chris Bosh would help jumpstart the quarter with 7 points in the quarter. In fact, USA would go on a 19-4 run to close out the game, ending with a Chris Paul alley-oop to Michael Redd, a guy who only dunked 3 times last season.

The aftermath, USA outscored Germany 53-29 in the 1st half and 53-27 in the 2nd half. Germany's 57 points is the lowest point total to date in these Olympics. LeBron James did extremely well with 18 points in 18 minutes. USA had 20 assists compared to Germany's nine.

Now USA is heading to the medal round to face Austalia, who thinks they can beat USA. In an interview with Craig Sager on USA, LeBron responded to their challenge and said, "If they believe that they can beat us, it's going to be a good one."

Chris Kaman begs to differ with the Aussies. "Nobody is going to beat them," Kaman said. "No way, it's just not going to happen."

Mo Williams Trade Works For Every Team

With the Cavs getting Mo Williams, the Bucks getting Luke Ridnour and the Thunder getting Desmond Mason, every team will be better next season.

Cleveland Caviliers get Mo Williams

Line-Up: PG- Mo Williams, SG- Delonte West (if re-signed), SF- LeBron James, PF- Ben Wallace, C- Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Finally someone to take some of the scoring load off LeBron. He's been telling the front office to get him a point guard who can score. Who'd they get? 17.4 PPG 6 APG Mo Williams. They lose Joe Smith and Damon Jones in the deal, and possibly Delonte West, but both can be easily replaced and Anderson Varejao can see more playing time. I think they'll miss Smith's 51.2% FG though.

Milwaukee Bucks get Luke Ridnour, Damon Jones, Adrian Griffin

Line-Up: PG- Ramon Sessions, SG- Michael Redd, SF- Richard Jefferson, PF- Charlie Villanueva, C- Andrew Bogut

Getting Luke Ridnour will help boost their bench. Ridnour had a tough season as a back-up after breaking his nose in the pre-season. But anyone's numbers will drop if they were reduced to a back-up role. He is a better player than last year and can bounce back. Ridnour could create some competition with 2nd year point Sessions in training camp, and if Sessions doesn't deliver what he did the last part of the season, Ridnour could start. Sessions averaged 10 PPG and 10 APG at the end of the season, including a 20 point 24 assist performance, which set a franchise record.

Damon Jones will help Redd with much needed 3-point shooting off the bench. That is, if he gets off the bench with Charlie Bell and Tyronn Lue in his way.

Oklahoma City Thunder get Desmond Mason, Joe Smith

Line-Up: PG- Earl Watson, SG- Kevin Durant, SF- Desmond Mason, PF- Jeff Green, C- Robert Swift

Desmond Mason isn't just good for the franchise, but the city as well. Mason was on the Hornets team in 2006 that played it's home games in Oklahoma City. He also played his college ball at Oklahoma State. The Seattle Supersonics drafted Mason and won the 2001 Slam Dunk Contest playing for the Sonics. He gives the team a small forward they can rely on to take the scoring load off ROY Durant. Smith will be a great back-up veteran big man to mentor a young team like the Thunder, much like Kurt Thomas did before he was traded to the Spurs.

In one way or another, the trade works out for every team.

At least I was right about Williams and Ridnour about where they were moving when I first heard the rumor. (see link below).

http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/Mo_Williams_to_Cavs_in_3_Way_Trade_Delonte_West_Out/303943