Friday, 31.07.2006	posted by Cindy Garcia-Bennett  17:41pm
Category: FIBA World Championship

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JONAS KAZLAUSKAS'SHADOW

Cheng Zheng proudly shows me his shirt after a game between China and Serbia & Montenegro in Valencia as part of both teams' preparations for the FIBA World Championship in Japan.

"You see," he says after his team's 77-66 defeat, "it's drenched in sweat, this is a very physical job."

There's no question that it's a hard workout translating for China coach Jonas Kazlauskas, the Lithuanian great, who took the reins of the Far East giants after the Olympics in Athens from Del Harris.

With only three players in the China team able to understand English, which Kazlauskas offers instruction in, Zheng has his hands full but he loves it.

Two years ago he accepted the role handed to him by the China Basketball Federation and since then it's all been about basketball offenses, defenses, drills, you name it.

With the clock ticking and the tournament tipping off on August 19, there's no time to waste and Cheng is well aware that nothing must be lost in translation.

China, who finished 12th at the FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, travel to Japan knowing they face an uphill battle to improve on that result with Team USA, Italy, Puerto Rico and Senegal waiting for them in Group D.

Looking at both Kazlauskas and Cheng work on the sidelines, it feels as though they have been pals since childhood.

Wherever Kazlauskas moves, Cheng is right behind him, translating every single word.

"We've had to work together in order to reach that familiarity needed in order to do the job," said Cheng.

"We have gone camping together, we spend a lot of time together and we know each other very well which helps."

Cheng shows plenty of emotion and enthusiasm, even more than Kazlauskas and it's evident he truly enjoys the experience.

"After practice you see Cheng get on the court grab a ball and go for the basket," says Bill, one of the members of the China coaching staff.

"He just loves the game and he is great."

There are certain things that do not need translating, however, and that was evident on Sunday when China shot themselves in the foot with 20 turnovers.

The pained expression on Kazlauskas' face after some of those turnovers was enough for Cheng to know he didn't need to speak to Kazlauskas.

They also struggled shooting the ball.

Cheng and China will be heading back home after the Valencia Tournament, optimistic that NBA superstar Yao Ming will be able to join them soon.

Yao is working out five hours a day in Beijing recovering from a foot injury.

"There's no guy who is working harder than Yao at the moment," said a member of the China coaching staff.

"He really wants to play in Japan and really wants to help his team do well."