Draftees have a long way to go

Zhou andWang take a pounding in loss to USA

High hopes are no match for great hoops.

Chinese centers Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin have been billed as YaoMing’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 TeamUSA 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 AllStars 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 theNBA, 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 meto 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 DevelopmentLeauge next season, Wang andZhoumight 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 coachMike 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 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 to be a very unit is yet to completely gel.

“It still can be better and that’s what makes us scary,” saidNewYorkKnicks 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 scoresheet.

“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.

Kevin Durant looks ready to lead a new group of US players to the gold-medal podium.

The new Golden State Warriors star picked up where he left off in the 2012 Olympics with 25 points as Team USA routed China 11962 on Saturday in its opening game.

He scored 30 points four years ago in the gold-medal game, when the Americans held off Spain for the championship.

Only Durant and Carmelo Anthony returned from that team, but the new guys were ready for their Olympic moment.

“We just wanted to send a statement to the rest of the world,” Anthony said. “Come out this first game and let everybody know that we’re focused, we’re locked in, and we’re about business on this trip.”

DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and Paul George 15 for the US, a heavy favorite to win a third straight gold.

LeBron James and Chris Paul passed on searching for more gold with Durant and Anthony, and plenty more top players who would have been on this roster also declined. But coach Mike Krzyzewski said this squad has already bonded as much as any of the three US teams he has led in the Olympics.

“Just because they aren’t here today, we’ve got another batch of guys that’s walking around on the streets saying they want to win a gold medal, and we all have something in common,” Durant said. “It’s cool to have a fraternity of guys who have won a gold medal. It’s rare.”

Durantwas 10of 14 from the field and made five 3-pointers.

“When you get hot, you want to see your bench get excited for you,” he said.

“That’s better than making the shot, to be honest. WhenI sawmy teammates get excited forme, that keptmegoing.”

Tougher competition may come later, but it should be an easy start for the US. They play again on Monday against Venezuela, another team they beat easily in exhibition play.

RIO DE JANEIRO / REUTERS 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...