Joe Alexander for China ?

Whateva · Post #1 » by **Whateva** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:28 pm

Could Joe Alexander play for the Chinese National Team ?? He was born in Taiwan, and grew up in China for 8 yeras, he speaks Chinese..

CrookedJ · Post #2 » by **CrookedJ** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:46 pm

Whateva wrote:Could Joe Alexander play for the Chinese National Team ?? He was born in Taiwan, and grew up in China for 8 yeras, he speaks Chinese..

Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China, and would not participate in the Olympics with them. Taiwan is officially the Republic of China, or also known as Chinese Taipei.

In terms of Citizenship I presume he would be American only>a citizen born abroad. Taiwan could have allowed him to be a dual citizen (its very common there) but he would be subject to mandatory military service if he was ever present in that country and asserting citizenship. I understand that its one of the harder military services to be exempted from.

Post #3 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:06 pm

Would they force him to play pg?

dYYYh.k² · Post #4 » by **dYYYh.k²** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:30 pm

probably center

Post #5 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:08 pm

heh, I was commenting on the Chinese NT's obsession with large guards that have limited pg skills. If Alexander was born in China and not Chinese Taipei the would be able to go with Yue/Alexander/Yi/Wang/Yao as their lineup, where I believe Alexander would be the shortest player.

jt142 · Post #6 » by **jt142** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:24 pm

Does he have Chinese citizenship? If he has does, then it's a possibility, but I doubt the authorities would place him on the team a month before the Olympics. He'd definitely give a weak Chinese team a desperately needed boost. They'll have trouble getting out of the 1st rd unless they can find some decent guards.

China was also considering placing Derrick Low on the team because he's half-Chinese. I guess it didn't work out because he played for the US junior NT a couple of years ago.

If Alexander was born in Taiwan (ROC), then there's no way he can play for China (PRC). The two territories are still technically at war, and holding citizenship for one doesn't automatically qualify you for the other.

It would be kind of funny watching Alexander do dunks like this for the CNT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PKY3ashUMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DotSO6957qU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQXIbHpMTyE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhLqYrq89wY&feature=related

jt142 · Post #7 » by **jt142** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:55 pm

Walt Cronkite wrote:heh, I was commenting on the Chinese NT's obsession with large guards that have limited pg skills. If Alexander was born in China and not Chinese Taipei the would be able to go with Yue/Alexander/Yi/Wang/Yao as their lineup, where I believe Alexander would be the shortest player.

Yi, Wang, and Yao is a decent front-court in FIBA, but that's really as deep as the CNT goes. If one of them gets into foul trouble or isn't 100% healthy (Yao), the team will be in serious trouble. These 3 players are going to have to play some very heavy minutes. Who knows how Yao's foot will handle that. China's guards are horrible and they have no depth. Sun Yue can't shoot, Chen Jianghua is erratic and out-of-control, and Liu Wei is slow and washed up. China's most obvious weakness is their defense and lack of physicality. Height doesn't mean much if you look like a stringbean and can't even bench press your own bodyweight.

Alexander, or even Low, would certainly give China's NT a huge boost, but they won't be on the team for various reasons, so talking about this is fruitless.

China will have trouble making it out of the 1st rd. It really depends on what teams from this summer's qualifying tournament are placed in their group. If Greece, Slovenia, or Croatia (their A team, not the weak B team China just played) are placed in the same group, China will have a tough time placing in the top 4.

Post #8 » by **jman3134** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:01 pm

How about Bateer and Mo Ke for depth in the frontcourt? I know their backcourt is a bit thin, but I still think they may be able to win a game or two if their big guards are able to post feed. Also, how about Sun Yue? I know he has not received much playing time in the past, but maybe he is coming into his own...

Post #9 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:43 pm

jt142- yea, I was just joking. Great post though.

Jman42-I've been reading that Mo Ke had a terrible CBA season and Bateer retired from national team play.

Post #10 » by **jman3134** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:13 pm

I realized that Bateer had not played for China's national team in a while, but thanks for the update that he has retired from it completely. Tang Zhendong (sp?) would be a decent option off the bench as well, no?

Post #11 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:12 pm

Your guess is as good as mine, I've just been catching up on Interbasket in preparation for the olympics.

I'm inclined to say no, since he's only garnered one mention.

PRC NT roster thread:
http://forums.interbasket.net/showthread.php?t=3673

Olympic exhibition thread:
http://forums.interbasket.net/showthrea ... 254&page=2

A.J. · Post #12 » by **A.J.** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:14 pm

I dont follow international basketball alot, so my guess is that he does play for Taiwan. If he plays center or PG that would be so funny. :lol:

NOODLESTYLE · Post #13 » by **NOODLESTYLE** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:17 am

Joe Alexander has U.S. American citizenship. He would be allowed to play for Taiwan, if Taiwan allows him of course, but that would mean he would no longer be able to play for Team USA.

Did you watch ESPNews when Joe Alexander was on there? Michael Kim asked him about China, and Joe Alexander said he considered that his Hometown. Then Michael Kim asked him "Why not play for the National Team? his reply was basically, "I don't know, I'll have to look into that".

The mere fact that Joe Alexander is projected as a lottery pick in the NBA, if he was able to play for the CNT he'd one of the top players. I read there was a possibility of China looking into the U.S. with players of Chinese descent to play on their team, but it looks like it won't happen.

Post #14 » by **Rooster** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:30 am

I always thought there'd be a star 6' Chinese PG. Any idea why that isn't happening? :-?

Despite the Taiwan thing, I see Joe Alexander as American. I think that's where he stays.

Post #15 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:51 am

Rooster wrote:I always thought there'd be a star 6' Chinese PG. Any idea why that isn't happening?

Despite the Taiwan thing, I see Joe Alexander as American. I think that's where he stays.

I think they're hoping Chen Jianghua is that guy.
nbadraft.net: http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profile ... nghua.html
draftexpress: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Chen-Jianghua-1103/

6_Rings · Post #16 » by **6_Rings** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:36 am

i bet Bucks draft him when he's available on their turn. besides he's a SF, and that is what they actually need. and of course a Yi buddy.

jt142 · Post #17 » by **jt142** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:10 am

Chen Jianghua, as I've said before, is overrated. He is an out-of-control shoot first PG. He will stay in the weak CBA for the rest of his career unless he makes some drastic changes to his style of play. I don't think he's improved much over the past 3 years. Also, there are numerous rumours about his age (does this sound familiar?). He also speaks very little English and has a reputation for being uncoachable and having a bad attitude. He played for the World Team at last year's Hoop Summit and stunk up the joint. The World Team coach also commented on his poor attitude. NBA scouts notice stuff like that. He might be allowed a summer league try-out with an NBA team in the future, kind of like Liu Wei with the Kings, but that's about it.

Nobody really knows why China can't produce any decent PG prospects. My best guess is that its system of developing players is failing and needs to be overhauled. China still adheres to the old Soviet system to develop athletes. This system selects players based on tests and measurements, but I think it's passe for this day and age. Even the Russians have stopped doing this. While the Soviet and Chinese system might be able to predict a player's height, it tells you nothing about a player's heart, attitude, determination, and will to win. This system also weeds out shorter players who might turn out to be decent PGs if given a chance. Anyways, a country as large as China shouldn't be having this much trouble developing a quality PG. Even Canada, with population of 33 million, can produce an MVP-caliber PG (Nash). For the time being, China should be sending its top prospects abroad for training.

While the Chinese players have height, they lack the physicality of American and European players. I would blame this on a combination of diet, training, and genetics. I think this will improve in the future as the Chinese start eating more protein-rich foods and adopt more western style training and weight lifting methods.

Captain_Morgan · Post #18 » by **Captain_Morgan** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:11 am

Joe Alexander was born in Taiwan so he has the right to apply for Taiwanese citizenship.

Post #19 » by **jman3134** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:30 am

Rooster wrote:I always thought there'd be a star 6' Chinese PG. Any idea why that isn't happening?

Despite the Taiwan thing, I see Joe Alexander as American. I think that's where he stays.

Because in a faux-communist country, they tend to give the best training to the taller players, while disregarding some of the shorter guys. Thus, the taller players receive better training and are more liklely to succeed. See big Chinese guards.

jt142 · Post #20 » by **jt142** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:41 am

Captain_Morgan wrote:Joe Alexander was born in Taiwan so he has the right to apply for Taiwanese citizenship.

So, he's eligible to to play for Taiwan (ROC), not China (PRC). Okay, now I understand.

If Alexander was eligible to play for China, he would have brought a lot of athleticism and much needed physicality to the CNT. He could've made a huge difference for them. Since Taiwan won't ever do any damage in international tournaments, it doesn't make a difference whether Alexander plays for them or not.

End of discussion.