“I think that’s our chemistry,” Yao told Reuters. “My team mates made a lot of room for me by making a lot of open shots and I needed to do something on the inside.” A thunderous slam dunk by Yao gave China a 24-8 lead before Angola sliced the deficit to just two on an off-balance Eduardo Mingas three-pointer to end the first quarter.

Fuelled by Yao’s energy, the Chinese extended their lead again in the third quarter, Yi Jianlian’s breakaway dunk making it 61-47 and reigniting the crowd of 17,000. World champions Spain secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 72-59 Group B victory over Germany helped by 15 points from Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon. German coach Dirk Bauermann said his top player, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, was hammered all day but failed to get to the foul line once.

“There has got to be something wrong,” fumed Bauermann. “A few more fouls should have been called frankly. I hope that doesn’t continue.”

Captain Carlos Jimenez dressed but sat on the bench for the entire game after banging his head on the floor in Tuesday’s overtime triumph against China. Germany, losers to Greece in their previous game, are now 1-2. Spain’s tenacious, hounding defense limited Germany’s NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzki to just 11 points on five of 15 shooting.

Dirk Bauermann’s team went in front by as many as eight points in the first half but weren’t able to press home the advantage. Spain tied the game at 33-33 on a pair of Mumbru free throws, only for Pascal Roller to drill a three-ball for the Germans with 1:06 left in the first half.

That’s when the Spaniards took over.

Calderon and Rudy Fernandez hit back-to-back shots from behind the arc to take a three-point lead to the changing rooms.

The Spanish then scored the first 11 points of the second half to take command for good.

Mumbru drilled a three, Ricky Rubio followed with a basket and then a three-point play and Jorge Garbajosa added another shot from long range for a 50-36 Spain lead.

The world champions opened a 16-point advantage but the Germans continued to fight and twice closed the gap to nine in the fourth quarter.

Three minutes into the final period, Steffen Hamann’s drive made it 63-54 but Juan Carlos Navarro replied with one of his patented tear-drop runners in the lane.

After Chris Kaman powered his way up for two with 3:02 left in the game, Calderon responded immediately with a three-pointer – his third in the contest.

Calderon finished three of four from long range.

Seventeen-year-old Rubio had another fine game, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals for Spain.

Marc Gasol had eight rebounds to go with his seven points for Spain, while Germany’s Chris Kaman had a game-high 10 boards along with his eight points.

Spain forced Germany to commit 18 turnovers while committing just 11 themselves.

As late as yesterday afternoon, Iguodala’s mother said she hadn’t heard final word from her son. Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski still had no comment on the deal, which should be signed sometime early next week. With the terms agreed upon, the only remaining speculation is the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal, where Iguodala is dealt once he’s under contract. One source close to Iguodala said he believes the Sixers intend to retain Iguodala and not ship him, and his hefty new contract, to another NBA city.

Stefanski said repeatedly in the last five weeks that re-signing Iguodala, the team’s leading scorer last season, was a “priority.”

Making Iguodala a “priority” translated into a contract worth nearly as much as the blockbuster deal power forward Elton Brand signed with the team in early July for approximately $82 million. Last year, Iguodala rejected a five-year, $57 million contract-extension offer from Sixers GM Billy King in favor of seeing how things played out this summer as a restricted free agent.

This should be the last major move for Stefanski and the 76ers, who in the previous five weeks signed three free agents – Brand, and guards Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush – and one of their own, restricted free agent guard Lou Williams.

Retaining Iguodala shores up what looks to be a solid projected starting lineup of Andre Miller at point guard, Iguodala at shooting guard, up-and-coming Thaddeus Young at small forward, Brand at power forward, and Samuel Dalembert at center.

It had been reported that Iguodala and his agent, Rob Pelinka, were seeking a contract in the five-year, $70 million neighborhood.

Considering other players in this summer’s free-agent pool signed for considerably less with their own teams – players such as the Hawks’ Josh Smith (five years, $58 million), the Bulls’ Luol Deng (six years, $71 million), and the Bobcats’ Emeka Okafor (six years, $72 million) – Iguodala’s price tag appeared to be too high.

No NBA team extended Iguodala an offer sheet.

It looked possible that Iguodala would sign the Sixers’ qualifying offer of $3.8 million and take his chances next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Critics of Iguodala’s said the athletic swingman was not worth big-time money after his subpar showing in last season’s six-game playoff loss to Detroit: Iguodala averaged only 13.2 points and shot 14.3 percent from three-point range.

But, throughout the process, Stefanski maintained that the organization was focused on signing quality people, not just players. Stefanski said Iguodala was both.

This would seem to be the penultimate move before the opening of training camp. After backup center Jason Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last week, Stefanski said the Sixers would “continue to explore all available options in order to add an additional big man to our roster.”

Iguodala, out of Arizona, was the Sixers’ first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2004 NBA draft. Iguodala’s scoring average has increased in each of his four NBA seasons: from 9.0 points per game as a rookie to 19.9 last season.

Ruland interviews for assistant spot. The 76ers are interviewing three candidates to fill a soon-to-be vacant assistant coaching position.

While Henry Bibby’s departure from head coach Maurice Cheeks’ staff is not yet official, a source within the Sixers said it will become official soon.

That same source said three candidates are in the mix: former Sixers Jeff Ruland and Steve Mix, as well as Alton Lister, who spent last season as an Atlanta Hawks assistant coach.

Trail Blazers team physician Dr. Don Roberts will perform the surgery at Southwest Washington Regional Surgery Center in Vancouver, Wash.

A timetable for Roy’s return will be set following the arthroscopic surgery.

“By signing Flip, it provides us with another experienced player who has the ability to play multiple positions for us,” said Sund. “Because of his versatility, he will be a valuable asset for us as a reserve, and we look forward to the contributions he’ll bring this season.”

A 6-3, 197-pound combo (point/shooting) guard, Murray is a six-year veteran who last played for the Indiana Pacers. He saw action in 23 games after he was signed a mid-season free agent (March 1) following his release from the Detroit Pistons, and he averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 assists (.425 FG%, .389 3FG%, .754 FT%) in those contests.

He started the final 15 games at point guard for the Pacers last season during their playoff push (Indiana went 10-5 during that stretch), and he averaged 11.0 ppg (.439 FG%, .450 3FG%, .703 FT%) in his 17 overall starts with Indiana.

In a season-and-a-half with the Pistons (88 games, 2006-07 and ’07-08), Murray tallied 6.9 ppg and 2.9 apg (.406 FG%, .694 FT%).

He brings career marks of 9.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds to the Hawks, having played for five teams (Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland, Detroit and Indiana) over his six seasons. In addition, Murray has played in 29 postseason games with totals of 5.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 1.4 apg.

The NCAA Division II Player of the Year during his senior season at Shaw University, Murray was selected in the second round of the 2002 Draft by the Bucks. He saw limited action as a rookie and was traded during that year (along with Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and a conditional 2003 first-round pick) to the Sonics (for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason), where he developed into a scoring threat one year later (2003-04) while subbing for Allen who missed 26 games due to injury. Murray turned in 12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg in 82 contests (18 starts) and connected on .425 FG% and .715 FT%.

He spent two more seasons with the Sonics before being traded to the Cavaliers during the 2005-06 campaign, and he scored 13.5 points in 28 games in helping Cleveland reach the playoffs. He recorded his career-best playoff numbers that year, with 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.6 apg.

As it looks now, the only challengers to the U.S. Team’s dominance should be Australia, who the U.S. beat by just four last Tuesday at the Diamond Ball Tournament in Haining, and Russia, who the U.S. beat by 35 the day before. Both are 3-0 in Group A.

Just qualifying for the Olympics was a historical accomplishment for the Mali women. And they almost beat New Zealand in their opening game. But against the U.S., they were completely overmatched. If Mali wasn’t already at enough of a disadvantage, the team was without its best player, Hamchétou Maïga-Ba of the Houston Comets, who suffered a high ankle sprain in her team’s loss to the Czech Republic on Monday. Without her, Maïga-Ba’s teammates hung with the U.S. for about five minutes tonight. A long three-pointer from Aminata Sininta gave them an early 8-7 lead, forcing U.S. coach Anne Donovan to call a timeout with 5:34 left in the first quarter.

Donovan’s team responded with a 16-4 run to end the period, with Kara Lawson coming off the bench to score two points and dish out three assists on the run. Mali scored on just two of its final 12 possessions of the first, and by the time the quarter ended, the U.S. had doubled them up, 24-12.

From there, the blowout continued. The score was 51-28 at the half, and Mali scored just 13 points, shooting 4-for-26 from the field, in the final 20 minutes. The final 56-point margin of victory probably would have been more if Mali hadn’t gotten a couple of lucky bounces on desperate jumpers.

For the game, Mali shot just 25 percent from the field, and they turned the ball over 29 times. On the other end, the U.S. was efficient, shooting 62 percent with just 10 turnovers. Their front line of Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles had an easy time of establishing position down low.

Leslie led all scorers with 16 points, to go along with four boards and three blocks, on a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. Thompson and Parker were among four other U.S. women in double figures, and Lawson finished with seven dimes and three steals.

With the win, the U.S. has now won its three games in Beijing by an average of 47.0 points. And with just Spain and New Zealand left on the pool-play schedule, and a quarterfinal matchup against whomever finishes fourth in Group A, that average won’t go down much anytime soon.

For now, the U.S. just keeps trying to improve with every game, so that when a challenge finally comes, the team will be ready.

That was it. All of it. Later, in Los Angeles on vacation, he was interviewed by Tom McCarthy, of the Phillies’ broadcast team, during the Phils-Dodgers game. When asked about Iguodala, he said, “Right now we’re still negotiating. I hope it comes to fruition, but there’s no deal yet.”

Stefanski has said since the conclusion of last season that it was his intention to re-sign Iguodala and Lou Williams, the team’s restricted free agents. Williams signed a 5-year deal worth between $25 million and $27 million last week. At that time, Stefanski said discussions with Rob Pelinka, Iguodala’s agent, were “progressing.”

Reached via telephone by the Daily News, Iguodala said he would “call right back,” but did not. Pelinka did not respond to several messages.

Yesterday’s ESPN.com report said details of a new deal with Iguodala had not been finalized or signed.

Also, Comcast SportsNet reported that a deal in principle has been agreed to but wouldn’t be finished last night, and that terms were not available.

Until a deal is finalized, Iguodala retains the option of playing the coming season under the terms of a $3.8 million, 1-year qualifying offer, after which he would become an unrestricted free agent. He was listed on the team’s salary cap last season at $2,804,889.

By the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the players’ association, Iguodala’s four seasons of service allow him to be paid a maximum starting salary of $13.758 million. He rejected an in-season extension offer that would have paid him $57.4 million over five seasons.

There has been speculation that Pelinka initially asked for a maximum contract. The Sixers can offer a maximum of 6 years with a maximum raise of 10.5 percent from the first-year salary.

Iguodala, one of three Sixers to appear in all 82 games last season, averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals in 39.5 minutes. He wasn’t as successful in six games of the first round of the playoffs against the Detroit Pistons, averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.17 steals, shooting 39 percent from the floor.

A new deal for Iguodala would be an important step for the Sixers, who have had a busy summer, signing unrestricted free agent Elton Brand to a 6-year contract worth $79.8 million. They drafted Florida forward Marreese Speights and added free-agent guards Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush.

They also suffered a major blow when second-year big man Jason Smith went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while participating in Tim Grgurich’s league-sanctioned skills camp in Las Vegas.

Smith likely will miss the entire season.

Williams scored 17.2 points per game with the Bucks last season. He averaged 6.3 assists in 66 games, shooting 48 percent from the field, 86 percent from the free-throw line. He was drafted out of the University of Alabama by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft.

Williams is coming off three strong seasons with the Bucks, where he established himself as one of the league’s better offensive point guards. He is known for his ability to break down defenses off the dribble. The Cavs are taking on significant salary with this move.

Williams has five years and $43 million left on a contract that he signed last summer. He’ll make $8.5 million this season and owns a player option for 2012-13 at $8.5 million. The Cavs showed interest in him last year, but he resigned with the Bucks. Williams will likely be the starting point guard, which leaves restricted free agent Delonte West without much bargaining power in his protracted contract negotiations with the team.

Sources said the Cavs still want to bring West back but this increases the chances that he will take the qualifying offer of $2.8 million for one season.

The loss of Smith is expected to be made up by rookie forward J.J. Hickson, the Cavs’ first-round draft choice. He impressed the Cavs during summer-league play last month.

Jones played in 67 games for the Cavs last season, averaging 19 minutes and 6.5 points. He played three years for the Cavs and likely will be remembered most for his game-winning shot against the Washington Wizards in the 2006 playoffs.

Smith, who was acquired in the blockbuster deal last February from the Chicago Bulls, averaged 8.1 points, five rebounds and 21.5 minutes in 27 games for the Cavs.

The Miami game will likely draw some curious eyes with the NBA return of 2006 Finals’ MVP Dwyane Wade and the chance to see No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley. The Magic also host defending Euroleague champ CSKA Moscow on Oct. 10. CSKA is one of three Euro squads participating in the NBA’s annual Euroleague American Tour, joining FC Barcelona and Lietuvos Rytas. The three teams will play five exhibition games against NBA clubs.

“These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague Basketball, as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern last month in announcing the continued partnership.

Following the 2008 preseason schedule, 33 games will have been played between the two leagues since Euroleague Basketball was created in 2000, including 13 games during the EA Sports-sponsored NBA Europe Live tour in 2006 and 2007.

While CSKA doesn’t feature any of the recent veteran NBA imports, it does feature former Duke standout Trajan Langdon, who last played in the NBA in 2002.

Since then he has been skipping around the Euroleague with Italy (’02-’03), Turkey (’03-’04), Dynamo Moscow (’04-’05) and CSKA (’05-present).

The 2008 NBA Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers will be Barcelona’s first opponent on Oct. 18, followed by the either Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors on Oct. 19. For Barcelona, founded in 1926, the games in Los Angeles will be their first played in the United States.

The NBA and Euroleague initiative has been taking place since 1978.

“I’m feeling good,” Oden said. “I do not have any pain or soreness in my knee.” Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. “He favors dunking on your head, that’s what he favors,” Frye said after giving up his share to Oden in the workout.

Blazers fans fired up about Oden’s arrival were stunned last year to learn that he needed microfracture surgery to stimulate cartilage growth by drilling tiny holes in the bone. Oden now says his right knee actually feels stronger than his left because of rehabilitation and conditioning.

The challenge at this point, he says, is mostly psychological, to stop worrying about the knee and to fulfill high expectations he knows fans have for the him and the team.

Oden is the first to admit he must start from scratch with his interrupted career.

“I’m still a rookie,” he said. “I know I’ve got to keep that in mind and try not to let all the pressure overwhelm me.”

Frye was supportive but mindful of Oden’s own admission that he still lacks experience.

“For me, I don’t know if this is the right thing to say, but he’s yet to play in an NBA practice, he’s yet to play in an NBA game, so I think the expectations are more on him personally than it is on everybody else,” Frye said. “We know how good he can be, but he is still a rookie.”

Frye offered the reminder that Portland also features All-Star Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, who was named to the squad that prepared the U.S. men’s national team for the Olympics.

Even without Oden last season, the Blazers were 41-41, nine games better than their 2006-07 record.

“I think a lot of people forgot how good we could have been last year,” Frye said. “A lot of people say this is Greg’s team. I think we’re a great team and Greg is just a great addition.”