Yao Ming is big winner in Team USA's victory over China at Olympics

August 10, 10:18 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Yao Ming: All-Class first team

It is virtually impossible to walk off a basketball court looking like a champion after you’ve lost by 31 points in the Olympics.

Yao Ming did it for China.

Team USA did to China what everyone expected it to do to China, except it didn’t start doing it until the second quarter. Then it was U.S. dominance.

But Yao’s performance was just as impressive in defeat. He was far less than 100 percent physically, which proved to be a significant hindrance against the quick-ish U.S. team.

He also had the added responsibility of playing in his home country in what everyone seemed to be saying was the most important basketball game _ maybe game in any sport _ in Chinese history.

It didn’t matter.

As always, Yao was a model of composure, competitiveness and professionalism. There was never any frustration or berating of teammates. Never any complaining with the officials or exasperated looks over to the bench.

He played hard, encouraged his teammates and found plenty of time to smile during the 101-70 loss. But he was no less the competitor for it.

Yao Ming: All-Class first team.

Yao was always under control, which is not easy when you’re the best player on an overmatched team getting pounded in front of a few hundred million people or so. Ask Andrei Kirilenko, who has been visibly frustrated at times for Russia in pre-Olympic games.

There was a moment in the second half when Deron Williams went to the bucket for a layup and Yao blocked it pretty well but got a lot of body in the process. He was called for a foul, but he turned to the U.S. bench and wagged his finger with a smile, seemingly saying “Not in my house.”

The U.S. bench couldn’t help but laugh, just another indication of the respect NBA players have for Yao. The kind of respect everyone should have for Yao.

With 12 seconds remaining in Sunday’s blowout, Wang Zhi Zhi made a spin move on the baseline and hit a tough shot from the baseline. The cameras caught Yao with a clenched fist, celebrating the bucket with teammates on the bench.

Yao Ming: the unique combination of superstar and team player.

♦ By the way, I've found games on NBC's Olympic website  _ http://www.nbcolympics.com/basketball/index.html _ and NBC's Olympic basketball channel on television.