USA size up 'huge' Yao challenge

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MACAU (AFP) — Team USA on Wednesday sized up the unique challenge of containing towering centre 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 (2.3m) 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 offence, 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 offence you just run him and get him tired. We have this fast-break style...