BEIJING — The big man held the little ball and wryly glanced at the hoop, while a billion or so fans watching at home telepathically shared a thought.
Will he?
Carmelo Anthony, the anthropologist that he is, said Yao Ming means as much to the Chinese as the Great Wall. Since 2001, when Beijing was awarded these Games, there was insatiable anticipation for Yao’s first Olympic performance for his proud homeland.
And on Sunday night here, during China’s first possession against Team USA, the 7-foot-6 savior in sneakers hit a 3-pointer.
A nation erupted.
“It was the perfect story line,” U.S. guard Chris Paul said. “I’ll never forget that.”
That was about it for highlights from the Chinese as Team USA rolled, 101-70, the first game of Olympic pool play for both teams. But the significance of the evening for China will last for generations, no matter the score.
“This is a personal Olympics for me,” Yao said. “Everyone is proud. It felt great, all the flags, people cheering. It was a great game.”
The game had much significance for America, too. After Team USA had symbolized everything wrong with American basketball at the 2004 Athens Games, this team set out to symbolize everything that’s right. And though they played a lesser opponent — and struggled early to put away the emotionally charged hosts — in the end, Team USA looked as it should look.
“We sent a real strong message out there tonight, hopefully we did, to let people know we’re coming,” said the Nuggets’ Anthony, a starting forward. “We feel we’re the best team in the world, and the gold medal will solidify that.”
Anthony, though, played like it was 2004, scoring just three points in 14 minutes and missing all three field- goal attempts.
“Games are going to happen like that,” Anthony said. “So it’s nice that we did other things to win.”
While Kobe Bryant struggled to find his famous rhythm, fellow guard Dwyane Wade was 7-for-7.
One cause for concern for the Americans, though they continue to brush it off, is their low-post depth. Against China, center Dwight Howard flushed emphatic dunks but also was flustered by the lack of calls in the low post. Anthony said Howard “got down on himself.” Howard was sent to the bench to regroup, and Chris Bosh filled in admirably.
America survived this low-post rumble — physically and also psychologically — but there will be more stern tests coming soon.
As for the first game at Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, the atmosphere had an aura of electricity rarely seen. Paul said it felt stronger than a playoff game. Anthony said it reminded him of the national championship game he played in college.
The fans, beaming and screaming with pride, were sardined in the seats. The international media packed the press rows with so many journalists arriving that a ring of them surrounded the barrier of the concourse stood for the entire game. And after the game, the sandwiched Chinese contingency vehemently pushed to get close to Yao, who stood behind a barrier. In a frightening moment, those leaning against the barrier were thrust from behind and pushed the barrier with their bellies halfway to the ground, where force and gravity nearly put them on Yao’s big feet.
Things probably won’t be as crazy on Tuesday, one might suggest, when the U.S. plays Angola.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
