America's superstar basketball team fear they will be running into a one-man "Great Wall of China" when they go face-to-shoulder with 7ft 6in national icon Yao Ming in the most eagerly anticipated event of the Games here on Sunday.

Yao, who was given the honour of carrying the flag for the hosts in today's opening ceremony, is probably the greatest sports icon in China.

The latest incarnation of the US "Dream Team", led by Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, know all about his basketball prowess too after wrestling with the Houston Rockets' giant in the NBA.

"You know what the Great Wall of China means? That's what Yao means in China," conceded US forward Carmelo Anthony. "He's their inspiration."

US coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is charged with ensuring the Americans do not suffer the same humiliation of Athens when they lost to three underdogs, admits his team will have to improve after they struggled to beat Australia in an exhibition match on Tuesday.