"Without Yao Ming, this is a good opportunity for us," South Korean centre Ha Seung-jin, formerly of the Portland Trail Blazers, told Titan Sports Weekly.

"If we meet up against China, I'm sure that we will have a chance to win."

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South Korea has in the past troubled China with its speed and outside shooting, but with a maturing Ha in the pivot and Kim Min-soo at power forward, the Koreans now have a strong front line.

"We definitely have a chance to defend our championship (with Yao out)," said Iranian centre Hamed Ehadadi, who currently plays for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.

"But other teams also have a better chance to win as well."

Iran won the 2007 championships in Japan, beating Lebanon in the finals of the tournament that was a qualifying event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

At the time, China sent a second-string team as it had already qualified for Beijing as the host nation.

China has won eight of the last 10 Asian Basketball Championships.

The top three finishers at the Tianjin tournament will automatically qualify for the 2010 World Basketball Championships in Turkey.

Besides Iran, South Korea and China, Lebanon and Jordan also appear to be among the favourites.

South Korea will face Japan, the Philippines and Syria in Group A.

Iran, Taiwan, Kuwait and Uzbekistan make up Group B, while Group C includes Kazakhstan, Qatar, India and China. Lebanon, Jordan, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates round out Group D.