Basketball: Tall Blacks shine to conquer China

Tall Blacks guard Tai Webster. Photo / Getty

The new generation of Tall Blacks have announced their presence on the world stage, and they're not going away anytime soon.

Missing Tom Abercrombie and Mika Vukona, a young Tall Blacks squad have claimed an impressive 82-73 World Cup qualifier victory over China in Dongguan, thanks to a superb fourth quarter finish.

Down 64-59, the Tall Blacks went on a defining 16-1 run to storm away from China, and claim one of their better wins in recent years.

It is a win which arguably matters more for what it represents, rather than the short-term benefits. While it is a victory that means the Tall Blacks go top of their pool, qualification for the 2019 World Cup would have been highly likely even with a loss.

Instead, what this win displays is a serious statement of intent, with China one of Asia's heavyweights, and always tough to beat at home. To manage to fight past them is a testament to the Tall Blacks' resolve, and most importantly, skill under pressure.

They needed to fight – literally with most of the rebounds – because this was a physical game from the start, with China out to disrupt the Tall Blacks' usual methods. Their trademark dribble handoff sets were often blown up by active defenders, who were out to harass ball-handlers and make things scrappy.

So it showed early on, with the first quarter a slow 14-14 affair, but things sparked to life in the second period as Yi Jianlian took over for China.

The former NBA player and Chinese league star poured in 19 points in the period, though was helped by a questionable Tall Blacks defensive strategy where they were happy to leave him alone.

Yi made the most of it, dropping in three triples and several more long twos, and when the defence adjusted, he used his athleticism to drive into the lane. It was a 37-point offensive outburst not often seen on the international stage, but the Tall Blacks stayed in touch, with Corey Webster putting on a first half show, creating – and hitting – several tough shots as part of his own 16-point opening half.

Both players would slow after the break, and while Yi received little help, the Tall Blacks came forward in numbers. Only Zhou Peng (17 points) joined Yi in scoring more than six points, while the Tall Blacks had multiple options down the stretch.

The most significant was possibly Tai Webster, who performs better in every passing game in the Tall Blacks singlet. He sunk four corner threes in an 18 point, five assist display, and joined Shea Ili (10 points, four steals) to form a swarming defensive backcourt.

As that duo pressured China into mistakes, the others cashed in. Alex Pledger (11 points, six rebounds) was strong under the hoop and hit some timely jumpers, while Jordan Ngatai popped up with five quick points that gave the Tall Blacks the lead they would never relinquish.

As China's well dried up under the scorching Tall Blacks pressure, it was Tai Webster who hit the dagger, knocking in his final triple to send the Tall Blacks top of their pool, and send a serious statement to their rivals.

South Korea are the next on the agenda on Monday night, and after beating the Tall Blacks in Wellington in November, revenge will be on the menu.

Tall Blacks 82 (Corey Webster 18, Tai Webster 18, Alex Pledger 11)
China 73 (Yi 37, Zhou 17)
HT: 37-38