Sunday, September 29, 2002

Asian Games - Taiwan surprise Qatar

Led by teenagers Lee Chi-ming and Tsun Wen-din, Taiwan NT pulled out a 12-0 run in the closing minutes to beat Qatar, 71-61, in the opening game of 2002 Asian Games. The surprising victory almost guarantees Taiwan NT a place in the second round -- if they win or lose by no more than 18 points vs. Kazakhstan tomorrow.

Utilizing a SMALL 2-3 zone defense with no one guarding the three-point line for almost the entire game, Taiwan NT head coach Lee Yun-kwang decided to lock down Qatar's interior offense and let their opponents shoot from outside. The strategy works for the Taiwanese, with Qatar shooting an disappointing 8 for 43 from three-point territory.

Trailed by as many as 14 in the third period, Qatar dominated the offensive boards to pull ahead by two later in the final period. Surprisingly, Taiwan closed out the game by scoring the last 12 points, including two fastbreak baskets by two 18-year-olds, Lee Chi-ming and Tsun Wen-din, to upset Qatar.

Lee Yun-kwang surprised everyone from the first minute, starting tiny PG Lee Chi-ming (175cm) instead of veteran Chen Chih-chun. Lee Chi-ming did not disappoint, collecting 6 points and 8 boards. 204cm C Tsun successfully limited Qatar's star center Mahmoud Ismail Yasseen to 4-15 shooting and 13 points.

180cm SG Yang Yu-min, who had a team-high 19 points, found his long-lost shooting touch by making 8 of 17 shots. Qatar defense couldn't match up Yang's quickness and stop-and-pop jumper all game.

202cm F Tien Lei silenced his critics by becoming his old self. He had 10 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Chou Hong-yu did not miss a shot in five attempts and scored 10.

In another surprising game, Hong Kong shocked Kuwait by the final score of 77-57. 180cm combo guard Poon Chi-ho, who was signed by SINA Lions recently, had 21 points.

Japan had seven players scoring in double-digit and easily got past Mongolia, 125-75. But Japanese-American star forward Michael Takahashi did not play.

Game Summary
#Hong Kong 77-57 Kuwait (Half 39-26)
HK - Poon Chi-ho 21p, Tam Wei-yeung 20p+9rb, Li Wei-lun 18p+7rb ; KUW - H. Alshemmari 13p, O. Mubarak 10p

#Taiwan 71-61 Qatar (Half 34-32)
TAI - Yang Yu-min 19p(8-17 FG)+6rb+5a, Chou Hong-yu 10p(5-5 FG), Tien Lei 10p+12rb, Tsun Wen-din 10p+5rb, Wu Chih-wei 7p+8rb, Lee Chi-ming 6p+8rb ; QAT - M. Yasseen 13p+12rb, O. Mohd 15p

#DPR Korea 85-64 UAE (Half 49-33)
PRK - Pak Chon-jong 30p(10-32 FG)+8rb, Ri Myong-hun 13p+17rb, Pak Kyong-nam 10p+10rb ; UAE - M. Salem 14p, A. Ibrhim 14p

#Japan 125-75 Mongolia (Half 62-28)
JAP - Shunsuke Ito 20p(10-12 FG), Takuma Watanabe 18p+5a, Takashi Shinohara 16p(8-8 FG), Takehiko Orimo 15p, Yuichi Kan 14p ; MGL - M. Otgonbayar 28p

Saturday, September 28, 2002

Asian Games - China, S. Korea rout opponents

China and South Korea, both favored to win the tournament, open with
lopsided win today as Asian Games kick into action. South Korea set
the tone to challenge China from Day 1, as evidenced by their 80-
point win over Mongolia. China did not approach the opening game at
full strength, although they still beat Kuwait by 33 points.

Taiwan will face Qatar, who edged Kazakhstan 58-57 today, tomorrow in
the opening match. To advance to the second round (final eight), they
have to beat either Qatar or Kazakhstan to have at least one win in
Group D.

Game Summary
#China 78-45 Kuwait (Half: 42-17)
CHN - Liu Yu-dong 13p+6rb, Yao Ming 9p+13rb, Du Feng 9p

#Philippines 81-56 UAE (Half 47-28)
PHI - Castillo 14p, Taulava 10p+14rb, D. Ildefonso 10p+10rb ;
Mohammad Evrahim 12p

#Qatar 58-57 Kazakhstan (Half 30-33)
QAT - M. Yasseen 25p+10rb, Daoud Daoud 10p+13rb ; KAZ - V. Strebkov
15p, Y. Issakov 13p+10rb

#S. Korea 145-65 Mongolia (Half 76-27)
KOR - Moon Kyung-eun 24p(6-8 3PT), Hyun Joo-yup 19p+10rb, Seo Jang-
hoon 16p+6rb, Choo Seung-gyun 15p, Bang Sung-yoon 14p, Lee Sang-min
13p+7a, Kim Joo-sung 10p+9rb

2002 Asian Games Men's Basketball Team Roster

(No., Name, Position, DOB, Ht.(cm)/Wt.(kg))

KAZAKHSTAN

9 Mikhail Dedov G 1970/3/14 193/82
10 Yevgeniy Issakov F 1982/4/20 204/91
11 Sergey Vdovin C 1982/4/6 202/104
13 Yevgeniy Ovsyannikov G 1970/4/14 180/85
15 Boris Tikhonenko C 1973/4/8 206/120
4 Roman Muravyev G 1984/8/15 190/75
5 Fedor Zakharchenko C 1982/8/28 202/90
6 Alexey Yeropkin F 1966/6/2 200/83
7 Vitaliy Lopatin G 1981/7/2 190/80
8 Alexandr Yemelyanov C 1980/4/5 ?/?
12 Vitaliy Strebkov F 1970/1/1 194/96
14 Alexandr Derbush F 1977/8/2 194/90


Qatar

4 Masoud A.N. Khalid G 1980/9/10 175/68
7 Mousa Daoud Daoud G 1982/2/2 195/90
8 Ahmed Mohd Baker G 1986/8/11 198/85
10 Ismail M. Yasseen F 1980/8/12 203/95
14 Zaidan Basher Hashim C 1980/1/1 208/100
5 Abdulla A.K. Bakar G 1982/3/1 178/?
6 Ghanim Saeed Ahmed G 1982/8/20 189/?
9 Mahoud Hassan Ahmed F 1989/7/16 195/?
11 Orabi A.J. Mohd G 1978/2/14 175/75
12 Omer Ismail Husam F 1982/1/1 200/94
13 Mohd Abubaker Abubaker C 1982/12/24 200/90
15 Seleem A. Mohammed C 1982/7/17 200/?


CHINA

5 Liu Wei G 1980/1/15 190/80
6 Gong Xiaobin F 1969/11/23 202/104
8 Ju Weidong G 1970/1/3 198/97
10 Li Nan F 1976/9/25 198/99
13 Yao Ming C 1980/9/12 226/115
4 Guo Shiqiang G 1975/7/8 192/80
7 Zhang Cheng F 1978/8/1 198/97
9 Chen Ke F 1979/5/16 204/102
11 Liu Yudong F 1970/3/23 200/106
12 Zhu Fangyu F 1983/1/5 200/100
14 Menk Bateer C 1975/11/20 210/125
15 Du Feng C 1981/7/30 202/100


KUWAIT

4 Fahad Almutari G 1966/12/4 174/69
7 Abdullah Alsarraf F 1982/1/22 185/80
8 Haitham Baroun F 1969/12/13 190/105
9 Yahee Albhar G 1974/7/21 176/91
13 Hamad Alshemmari F 1971/3/19 189/71
5 Saqer Hasan G 1981/10/26 179/79
10 Ahmad Almutari F 1980/9/3 188/90
11 Khaled Salem C 1974/6/26 196/120
12 Abdullah Alruwaiyeh G 1978/1/20 179/77
14 Mohammad Baqer F 1967/1/25 194/75
15 Osamah Mubarak F 1976/7/25 187/85
? Sulaiman Al Tabakh C 1977/9/7 196/99


PHILIPPINES

5 Rodericko Racela G 1970/11/1 178/74
9 Eric Menk F 1974/8/24 198/97
12 Jeffrey Cariaso G 1972/9/12 188/89
14 Pauliasi Taulava C 1973/3/2 206/110
15 Kenneth Duremdes F 1974/1/31 188/86
4 Tito Castillo G 1974/8/21 183/81
6 Donaldo Hontiveros F 1977/6/1 188/79
7 Dennis Espino F/C 1973/12/20 198/101
8 Michael Pennisi F/C 1975/3/13 203/105
10 Danilo Ildefonso F 1976/12/8 198/93
11 Andrew Seigle C 1972/5/15 208/110
13 Rudolph Hatfield F 1977/9/13 193/95


UAE

4 Saeed Salem Hamda G 1970/7/19 180/85
8 Abdulla Ibrahim G 1979/6/9 180/80
9 Ahmad Ayoub G 1981/1/29 185/80
11 Mohamed Qasem F 1977/5/20 185/90
15 Abdulelah Abdullateef C 1965/9/3 206/110
5 Mubarak Salem C 1982/6/30 201/85
6 Saeed Nasser G 1979/3/29 170/64
7 Mohammed Evrahim F 1976/7/19 190/120
10 Ali Al S. Khalifa G 1974/11/25 185/85
12 Obaid Salem G 1981/1/3 185/85
13 Salem Jassem G 1983/6/27 188/75
14 Salem Hisham F 1972/7/1 185/90


KOREA

4 Choo Seung Gyun F 1974/12/6 190/93
10 Moon Kyung Eun F 1971/8/27 190/91
11 Seo Jang Hoon C 1974/6/3 207/105
14 Lee Sang Min G 1972/11/11 182/75
15 Kim Joo Sung C 1979/11/9 205/95
5 Shin Ki Sung G 1975/4/30 180/78
6 Kim Seung Hyun G 1978/11/23 178/78
7 Cho Sang Hyun F 1976/7/8 187/93
8 Lee Kyu Sup F/C 1977/11/13 196/96
9 Hyun Joo Yup F 1975/7/27 195/95
12 Bang Sung Yoon F 1982/6/3 194/98
13 Chun Hee Chul F 1973/6/26 198/98


MONGOLIA

4 Magnaidorj Otgonbayar F 1976/1/24 178/80
8 Shiinen Sedbazar C 1981/4/5 188/80
9 D. Erkhembayar C 1978/3/17 188/82
12 Munkhbat Tsogtbaatar F 1979/8/9 184/80
15 Undarmaa Orgil G 1980/3/16 182/74
5 Dorjgotov Purevdorj F 1979/12/6 188/80
6 Jamsranjav Otgondari F 1976/5/28 186/80
10 Erdenebileg Ganbayar F 1982/4/25 182/74
11 Choijamts Monkh Od G 1980/4/27 174/70


TAIWAN

4 Lee Chi-ming PG 1984/1/31 177/71
5 Chen Chih-chung PG 1977/3/2 181/74
6 Yang Yu-ming SG 1979/10/22 180/72
7 Wu Dai-hao PF 1985/2/7 201/100
8 Chou Hong-yu PF 1976/6/15 195/92
9 Chiu Chi-yi SG 1975/10/6 182/72
10 Ho Sho-jen SF 1983/2/15 195/87
11 Lee Chi-yi PF 1978/10/27 198/88
12 Chou Shih-yuan SG 1983/11/16 190/80
13 Tien Lei SF 1983/6/1 202/86
14 Wu Chih-wei C 1976/7/31 202/84
15 Tsun Wen-din C 1984/7/6 204/86


HONG KONG

4 Siu Kim Wing C 1978/5/20 196/90
5 Yung Man Tak G 1981/2/9 176/76
6 Chung Ming Tat G 1978/8/7 175/67
7 Yung Kam Wah G 1972/1/24 187/73
8 Li Wai Lun F 1976/12/29 201/91
9 Lui Choi Wai F 1978/5/27 183/75
10 Wu Kwok Fung G 1976/10/22 175/75
11 Poon Chi Ho G 1981/5/26 180/80
12 Ng Wan Fung C 1978/6/16 196/85
13 Heung Chun Keung G 1981/4/13 174/70
14 Yu Hing Hoi F 1977/5/11 195/90
15 Tam Wai Yeung F 1982/8/7 192/85


D.P.R. KOREA

4 Kim Kwang Il G 1985/12/28 180/75
5 O Myong Ho F 1985/12/23 187/82
6 Pak Kyong Nam G 1972/4/19 183/73
7 Ri Jun Hyok F 1985/4/5 190/80
8 Pak In Chol F 1972/10/7 188/80
9 Pyo Hyon Chol F 1985/12/23 190/80
10 Mun Kwang Il G 1986/5/10 190/86
11 Jang Myong Jin C 1985/11/10 193/86
12 Pak Chon Jong F 1969/11/7 188/93
13 Jo Chol Yon F 1985/10/4 193/75
14 Kim Myong Bom C 1985/12/9 198/85
15 Ri Myong Hun C 1967/9/14 235/120


JAPAN

4 Shunsuke Ito C/F 1979/6/27 202/98
5 Takashi Shinohara PF 1977/7/17 210/94
6 Hidekazu Ishizaka PF 1976/7/26 198/92
7 Takuya Kita SG 1972/5/29 185/83
8 Takahiro Setsumasa PG 1972/5/19 180/75
9 Takehiko Orimo SG 1970/5/14 190/77
10 Atsushi Ono SF 1977/8/12 197/90
11 Yuichi Kan SG 1977/9/19 187/74
12 Takuma Watanabe SG 1978/10/7 188/83
13 Satoru Furuta PF 1971/8/3 199/95
14 Keishi Handa G 1977/7/1 173/70
15 Michael Takahashi SF 1974/9/5 198/92

Asian Games Preview – Taiwan

CTBA’s “ Grand Experiment 2002 ” goes to a territory that almost no one has gone before. With 8 of 12 players on roster born after 1979 and a second-year head coach who has no previous head coaching experience on any level, the youngest-ever Taiwan NT goes to Pusan without local fans’ blessing.

After winning the silver medal in 2001 Osaka East Asian Game, Taiwan NT took a nosedive during this past year. In the 2001 ABC Championship they finished for 7th place, the worst outing in ABC in the last 20 years. In the Jones Cup, they were even booed by local crowds in the game vs. SINA Lions and finished 7th in 8 teams.

It is hard to believe, this is the same team called by many as “ the most explosive and promising team in Asia “ during the EAG.

Believe it or not, things get worse. In the warmup tour to Philippines, Taiwan NT lost both friendly games to Philippines NT – by a combined margin of 62 points. In the final warm-ups this week, they lost all four friendly games in Korea (Univ. of Korea, Korean NT, LG and Tongyang). In the Korean NT game, the score in the end of first period is an unbelievable 4-33. Taiwan NT finished the game losing by more than 20.

Most fans opposed to the CTBA’s plan of dropping veterans and recruit all young players to the national team. Also they can’t understand why CTBA chose Lee Yun-kwang, who has no previous head coaching experience on any level, to replace Chien Yi-fei as the new NT head coach.

Lee’s strategy, game experience and personnel decisions are highly questioned. He moved 202cm F Tien Lei, who grabbed 22 rebounds in the EAG win over Japan and is one of the quickest jumpers in Asia, from PF to SF. Tien failed to improve and became a strictly three-point shooter now. But his shooting comes and goes.

Taiwan NT was hurt by losing two important players. Yen Hsin-shu (182cm, PG), who is expected to be the starting PG, was denied for his return after injury. Lee said Yen has been sidelined too long and the team chemistry will be hurt by adding Yen. Later on, leading scorer Chen Hsin-an (196cm, SF/SG) dropped out of the NT to chase his dream of playing in the NBA.

Handling the middle will be two athletic but raw teenagers – Tsun Wen-din (204cm) and Wu Dai-hao (202cm). Both have great potential to be special. Tsun needs to add more weight on his frail body, but he is a fast-learner and sees his teammates well from high post. Wu is as athletic as anyone and has a seven feet wingspan. However, the starting center will probably be veteran Wu Chih-wei (202cm), although his competitiveness is always questioned.

Without Chen Hsin-an, Taiwan NT has a big hole to fill in SF. Tien Lei can shoot when he’s on, but he has no drive-and-dish game like Chen, who can break down opponents’ defense.

Chen Chih-chun (182cm), who is always tenacious on defense, will be the lead guard once again. Compared to Yen, Chen Chih-chun is more of a traditional point guard. He is quick. He doesn’t attempt risky pass, doesn’t turn the ball over, and sometimes will wow opponents with his scoring. On the downside, he commits too many ticky-tack fouls and get himself into foul trouble.

Backing up Chen will be 18-year-old Lee Chi-ming (175cm), who was a SG in high school. Head coach Lee also plan to use Chiu Chi-yi (182cm) and Yang Yu-min (180cm), both are shooting guards, to share the point guard duty.

At shooting guard, Taiwan NT has another problem. Chiu and Yang are too short, which gives them matchup trouble. 190cm Chou Shi-yuan are inexperienced.

Among the other players, Chou Hong-yu (195cm) and Lee Chi-yi (197cm) are effective when they are on the court. Seldom-used SF Ho Sho-jen (195cm) has a better overall game than Tien Lei at this point, but coach Lee obviously doesn’t like him that much.

Lee prefers the run-and-gun style. But you can’t run if you don’t control the boards, which is the most glaring weakness of Taiwan NT. Plus, they are not organized in the half-court set. Too often you see them shoot in a hurry after one pass. And the team is without a go-to man, a leader who can be trusted with last shot in the crunch time.

If the performance in the past year tells us anything, don’t expect too much on Taiwan NT in the Asian Game. With their play right now, it will be hard for them to get past preliminary opponents Qatar and Kazakhstan. In other words, they probably will not make the final eight. Even if they do, you cannot ask for more in the second round.

Friday, September 27, 2002

Asian Games Preview - China

Coming off three outstanding performances last year in winning the East Asian Games, Asian Championship and finishing runner-up in the World University Games, the poor showing (12th place) in the World Championship hammered the rising confidence of Chinese basketball. Which is why winning the gold medal in the Pusan Asian Games that important for China NT.

Although without the service of Wang Zhi-zhi, who stayed in America to hone his game for the upcoming NBA season, China's 1-7 record in the WC disappointed the fans and basketball people. Head coach Wang Fei received heavy criticism from both the media and fans. With Yao Ming and Menk Bateer, two-thirds of the "Walking Great Walls", there's no way China can only beat Algeria in the WC, they think.

But that's what happened in Indianapolis. China's weaknesses were exposed by their opponents -- Germany and USA in the preliminaries, and managed to beat Algeria despite leading by 20 in the first half. Their confidence dropped to a low point after losing to Angola in the last game.

Their backcourt players can't shoot, can't dribble and can't get the ball to the right man. Yao Ming was plagued by foul trouble in most games he has played, showing his lack of experience. Although Yao was still named to the All-Tournament Team, most people think he had a subpar performance in the WC.

Going into the Pusan Asian Games with almost the same lineup, China NT will try to restore its pride in Asian basketball circle. Compared to the competition level in the WC, repeating won't be too hard for them. After all, China has won the last four gold medals in the Asian Games and is looking for the fifth straight title. But in the mean time, host team and long-time rival South Korea is waiting.

Expected to be his last tournament before heading to the NBA, Asian Games will be Yao Ming's playground. Yao is expected to dominate inside with his 223cm height against any opponent. What we like to see is, whether Yao can develop more offensive skills, like hook shot or the drop-step power move, and show the willingness to bang inside.

211cm C Menk Bateer, who was traded to Detroit by Denver few days ago, had a strong showing in the WC. China will ride on his broad shoulder and refined offensive moves to take advantage of their height. Make no mistake, Bateer is still improving and probably will surprise some people in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Power forwards Liu Yu-dong (198cm) and Gong Xiao-bin (202cm) failed to contribute in the WC, but they are expected to "come alive" in Pusan, where they match up well against shorter opponents.

SF Lee Nan (198cm) and Zhu Fang-yu (201cm) raised some eyebrows in the WC. Lee Nan is always one of the most reliable forces, inside and out, in China NT. 20-year-old Zhu, who scored 14 points vs. USA, proves why he is regarded as the next rising star by his fearlessness and relentless hustle on the court. Zhu's play was one of the rare pleasant finds for China in the WC.

SG Hu Wei-dong can no longer fly like in his younger and pre-injury days, but he can still shoot the lights out if he has to. With his 198cm height, he can almost shoot at will over any defender in the Asian Games.

Up until now, everyone knows that PG is China's weakest position. Wang Fei has to make a choice between Kuo Shi-qiang (190cm) and Liu Wei (185cm) in the starting PG position. Failing to set up the half-court offense and take care of the ball time and time again, Kuo was blasted by many in the WC. Liu did show his potential to pick up the pace with his speed and drive, but he is still inexperienced in the international level.

Analyzing the Asian Games field, South Korea is the only team that is capable of beating China. For the Koreans to do this, they have to play an almost flawless game, like making every open shot, every free-throw and draw even on the boards.

China will have to slow the game down, execute their half-court offense to take advantage of their height. Also, they have to take away South Korea's passing game on defense by control the boards, and contest every outside shot, make life miserable for the host.

No doubt about it. The gold medal is China's to lose. Yao will definitely try to win the gold medal for his country before mining gold in Houston. But win or lose, Wang Fei's future with the NT is in doubt.

Friday, September 20, 2002

Chen Hsin-an starts individual workout in Sacramento

Chen Hsin-an, the first Taiwanese player invited to participate the NBA pre-season training camp, starts his individual workout after arriving in Sacramento. On Sep. 19, Sacramento Kings put Chen's story on the frontpage of their official website and excited numerous local fans who cheers for Chen.

Under the guidance of Kings veteran coach Pete Carril, Chen focuses on his shooting stance and footwork in the first two workouts. Original plan to workout twice a day was dropped. And Chen adds the weight program on his routine starting today.

Chen's awesome leaping ability, tremendous speed and strength impressed Kings' assistant coaches, Terry Porter, John Wetzel and Elston Turner yesterday. They said they really want to see how Chen does in the real competition.

Most believe, the outside shooting will be the deciding factor for Chen to make the final roster. Although the Kings have a couple versatile players like Turkoglu and Stojakovic that can switch to shooting guard, they don't mind to add a backup SG on the roster. And that's where Chen can come in and take the opportunity.

Coming from Taiwan, where you can't see too many luxurious gyms, Chen is captivated by Kings practice facility. Almost every experience is new to him. Chen said he will focus on the fundementals right now and block everything out of his mind. If he fails in making the final roster, he can still come back as a new-and-improved player.

The NBA pre-season training camp starts on October 1.

Taiwan NT sets up four warmups in Korea

Taiwan NT today leaves for South Korea for the upcoming Busan Asian Games. Before the opening game vs. Kazakhstan on Sep. 29, they have set up four warmup games versus Korea's college, professional and national teams.

Taiwan NT will face University of Korea, coached by former Dacin Tiger head coach Cheng Kong-Hee, on Sep. 22. On Sep. 23 they take on the Korean NT. In the 3rd and 4th game they face LG (Sep. 24) and 2002 KBL champion Tongyang(Sep. 25) respectively.

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

North Korea placed in Group C of Asian Games

North Korea, the latest participant of Busan Asian Games, will be
placed in Group C, along with Philippines and UAE, in men's
basketball groupings. North Korea replaces India, which pulls out of
the games.

New groupings are listed below:

Group A - China, Hong Kong, Lebanon
Group B - Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Mongolia
Group C - Philippines, North Korea, UAE
Group D - Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Qatar

Taiwan NT set up four warmups in Korea

Taiwan NT will complete their final phase of preparation for the Busan Asian Games with four warmup games against different teams from Korea's pro league KBL(Korean Basketball League). The four teams will be assigned later.

According to the CTBA(Chinese Taipei Basketball Association), Taiwan NT will leave for Korea on September 20. After the 4-game warmups in Seoul, they will go to Busan on September 26 to prepare for the first preliminary game vs. Kazakhstan on September 29.

Thursday, September 12, 2002

FIBA Continental Cup on the way?

Newly-elected FIBA President Ching Man-Kee told Hong Kong media that the idea of "FIBA Continental Cup" is on the way. The tournament, which plans to invite continental champions from five continents, could be launched as early as next year.

Ching said the tournament is projected to be held sometime from next June to August, with the total prize money around 300,000 USD. Beijing and other European cities will host the single-round robin games. Due to the gap between Asian and American/European countries, Asia will probably field an All-Star team tfor the tournament.

Also, Ching said the 2002 ABA(Asian Basketball Association) season will tip-off in late October in Tianjin, China. Lebanon, Philippines, Kuwait , China and other countires will send their club team to the tournament.

Chen Hsin-an leave for Sacramento

Chen Hsin-an, the first Taiwanese player invited by NBA teams to pre-season training camp, left for Sacramento on September 11. Chen said he wants to arrive at U.S. early for better preparation for the upcoming Kings training camp.

After dropping out of Taiwan NT, which will be going to Busan, Korea for the Asian Games, Chen has been following his individual workout routine, set up by Kings scout Jack Mai, that includes weight program, shooting drills and other categories.

Sunday, September 01, 2002

2002-03 HBL season schedule

Qualification Round
Sep. 27-29 @Taipei Municipal Gymnasium

Preliminary Round (16 teams): Oct. 21-26
Oct. 21-25 @Taipei Municipal Gymnasium
Oct. 26 @ Teachers' Univ. HS Gymnasium

Second Round (12 teams)
Dec. 28- Jan. 2 @Kaohsiung HS Gymnasium

Semifinals (8 teams)
Feb. 13-16 @Taipei Municipal Gymnasium

Finals (4 teams)
Mar. 15-16 @ National Taiwan Univ. Gymnasium

All-Star Games
Mar. 22 @Taipei Municipal Gymnasium