NBA star Kyle Anderson working on his Chinese as team continues preparing for Fiba World Cup
- Narrow one-point win over New Zealand on Sunday lifts China to third in SuperCup tournament
- Coach Aleksandar Dordevic praises players’ response after 107-58 thrashing at hands of Germany the day before
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NBA star Kyle Anderson revealed he was learning Chinese so he could communicate better with his new teammates, after helping them to finish third at the SuperCup on Sunday.
“Really proud of everyone after a tough loss yesterday, just bouncing back and coming out here and competing and playing hard,” the 29-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves forward said.
“We played hard and together. Communicating, being organised, and playing physically have a lot to do with our success today.”
A day after suffering a 49-point blowout loss at the hands of hosts, China, who ranked one place below the world No 26 New Zealand, were again on the back foot right from the start.
Trailing 39-31 at half-time, the Chinese tightened up their defence after the restart, reducing the deficit to just four points, 54-50, entering the final quarter.
With only a minute left, Zhang Zhenlin tied the game at 68-apiece with a lay-up, before star centre Zhou Qi, who finished with 15 points and four rebounds, converted one of his two free-throws to give China a one-point advantage, with 27 seconds to go.
Anderson, whose Chinese name is Li Kai’er, dashed New Zealand’s hopes by intercepting an inbound pass, allowing his teammates to run down the clock for a narrow win.
China coach Aleksandar Dordevic said he was “happy” with his players reaction, after they had been thrashed 107-58 by Germany a day earlier.
“Sometimes you must play with courage, and that’s what happened today. Finally, we got some leading minutes,” he said. “I hope we continue on this trajectory. I hope our precision improves, but we remain composed.
“This victory means a lot. We expect physicality in the World Cup, and that’s why we’re here. It’s been a valuable experience.”
Victory was China’s third in eight games on their weeks-long European tour, and Anderson said he expected “better understanding” as the World Cup neared.
“Just forming a bond with the guys off the court,” the nine-year NBA veteran said. “We’re together a lot, just making sure I am talking to them off the court, start making conversations.
“I am trying to learn some Chinese, they are trying to learn some English, it’s just fun working with them off the court, it’s going to translate on the court.”
The team returned to China on Monday ahead of their final warm-up game against Serbia in Shenzhen on Sunday. The World Cup begins on August 25, with China set to play Serbia, Puerto Rico and debutants South Sudan in Quezon City, in the Philippines.
