Yi Jianlian averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds during his rookie season with the Bucks. (Getty)

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April 21, 2008

MILWAUKEE -- The late, great Al McGuire once said, "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores."

The same can be said of rookies.

Bucks.com's Truman Reed sat down with Milwaukee Bucks forward Yi Jianlian to review his first season in the National Basketball Association and take a glimpse at the horizon that awaits No. 9.

1. "If you could grade your rookie season, what parts of your game would you rate the strongest, and what part of your game do you think needs the most work?"

"I feel like the best thing this season is got used to the pace of NBA basketball. That's a big thing for every player to get used to."

"I can't say that anything has been the worst part of my game. I'd say, in terms of that, I need to improve on everything. I look at playing basketball coming in as a rookie just like starting from first grade in school. At first, it's just one step at a time.

"If I could point to something specifically, I'd say becoming more stable on offense, and then my overall defense."

2. "In what ways did your coaches and teammates help you through your rookie season, and which ones, if any, would you say were the most helpful?"

"They all gave me help throughout the season. All of the players taught how everything was out on the court. As far as the coaches, it was the same story with them. Although our record this season wasn't too good, we're all one family under one roof, and we really helped each other."

3. "In what ways did the coaching you received from the Bucks staff differ from the coaching you received in China?"

"One thing that's really different is the competition culture that exists in China and the U.S. It's hard to compare them because they each have their own specialties. China is definitely a different style of play. I have to say, though, that NBA coaches have a higher level of coaching ability just because of the higher level of play."

4. "What were your favorite off-the-court experiences during your first year in Milwaukee?"

"I'd say the first one is eating steak in America. Another would be going to a lot of places in different cities with the team all over America. Whenever I go outside the Bradley Center, I see a lot of fans who say 'hi' to me. They've been very nice to me."

5. "What were your parents' impressions of Milwaukee, and what did they enjoy most during the time they spent here?"

"The best thing they liked to do was come and watch me play basketball. One of the first impressions they had is Milwaukee has a lot of snow."

6. "What three players do you think were your most difficult matchups?"

"Duncan. Garnett. And maybe Kobe and McGrady."

7. "What were your three favorite NBA cities to visit, and what did you like most about them?

"Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. I liked the weather."

8. "The Olympics are how important to you?"

"This is one of the most important things in my career as an athlete."

9. "What can Bucks fans expect from you in your second NBA season?"

"They're going to see a full-bodied Yi, and they're going to see a full-bodied Bucks team."