Yao goes up for a tough shot around the rim in China’s game against Greece on Sunday at the World Basketball Championships in Japan. Unfortunately, the Greeks surrounded Yao all game long and forced other Chinese players to beat them. The strategy worked. Yao only scored 10 points, and the Greeks won going away 95-64. Click here for more photos from the game.

As Yao was double- and triple-teamed against Greece on Sunday, the backcourt proved to be the Chinese national team’s liability as they lost 95-64 to Greece. Yao and company have now been eliminated from the World Championship tournament.

Yao, who was leading the tournament in scoring with 28.4 points per game, only scored 10 points in this one and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Things were looking good as China jumped out to a 23-11 and 27-17 lead in the second quarter, but then Greece turned on the pressure and forced a total of 24 turnovers and made China take lots of bad shots.

At least the Chinese and Yao accomplished their goal in these World Championships by advancing from the first round to this semi-final game from that amazing win against Slovenia.

And if it makes him feel any better, Yao’s new Rocket teammate and Greek guard Vassilis Spanoulis was outstanding, igniting the Greeks with instant offense and scoring 15 points overall. The Rockets can really use someone Manu Ginobili-like in their backcourt. If he’s anywhere close to being like Manu, Yao will be happy.

For stories on this game, click here and here.

I know we’re in the middle of a World Championship with China playing in a few hours. But let’s take a break for a few minutes to give props to Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy for springing for 30 season tickets in a contest to find the rowdiest fans in Houston so Toyota Center can get jumping next season.

I watched the Houston news tonight, and it was pretty hilarious to see all these fans ‘auditioning’ by going crazy. It was great to see many of the winners screaming out afterwards, “We love Jeff Van Gundy!” The last time I remember seeing Van Gundy getting that kind of appreciation was after he defended Yao last year for picking up lots of questionable fouls, resulting in a $100k fine from the NBA for insinuating there was some kind of conspiracy. Rocket fans loved how he stood up for his Big Man like that.

JVG seemed to have a good time with it all on Saturday, smiling and laughing as rarely seen before. I met him last month, and he’s actually a pretty upbeat guy…in the off-season.