TIANJIN, China — The former NBA coach who steered the Chinese national team to the quarterfinals in the 2004 Athens Olympics said Monday he’s impressed with the Asian brand of basketball.

“Obviously it’s improving all the time (Asian basketball),” said ex-Los Angeles Lakers coach Del Harris said in a chance interview with Filipino sportswriters covering the FIBA-Asia championship here.

Del Harris, 72, who also had stints with the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and the Chicago Bulls, is here to receive an award from the Basketball Association of the People’s Republic of China and conduct a clinic with fellow American John Calipari.

“It’s amazing that smaller countries like Qatar, Kazakhstan, Philippines just have all sorts to really put together good players and team,” Harris said.

Although Harris has not been in the Philippines nor faced any RP squad before, he’s aware of the Filipinos’ passion for basketball.

“I’ve heard a lot about basketball in the Philippines. Because a lot of people, players that I know came and played, or coached down there, a lot of them they all like it. They all love being there in the Philippines,” he said.

“I have never been to the Philippines. Never coached against them. I only know them by reputation. Well, I can say players and coaches that have been there have a very favorable impression,” he added.