Q&A with Yi:

You're No. 2 in NBA.com's Rookie Rankings. Is that something you are proud of?
Yi: Yes, but I think the season just started and improving as a player is more important to me.

How hard it is for an international player to survive in the NBA?
Yi: Since the NBA represents the highest level of basketball in the world, it's not easy to survive as an international player or as an American player.

People had questions about your defense, but you've been playing well and are averaging 2.0 blocks per game.
Yi: Well, I think it's too early to say this. The season just started. Plus I still have some other aspects of my game that I need to improve.

How do you feel about the first week of the NBA regular season?
Yi: I am feeling good but I need to improve in terms of fouls and my defensive performance.

Yi and Yao Mailbox

Brady, Los Angeles: Did you meet before the game started?
Yao: I invited Del Harris and Yi to have a dinner at my house on Thursday night. We shared our experiences from when we played together at the 2004 Olympics. We talked about right now and how we are all here and playing for a new goal. We had a very good time.

David, Orlando: I would like to know how you feel about playing against each other since that never happened before. And how does this contribute to team bonding for the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Yi: Of course in my mind the 2008 Olympics is always one of the most important goals, but this is actually a two part thing. The Olympics is a very important goal, but also this season with the Bucks is important as I am struggling to improve my game.

Longsen, Milwaukee: Who's been your favorite person on the Milwaukee Bucks team?
Yi: I like everybody on the team.

Rocketman, Beijing: Yi, did Yao give you any advice?
Yi: Nothing special, he just told me to play hard and good luck.

Brendan, Cupertino: How are you guys (Yi in particular) adapting to the culture here in America?
Yi: Although every country has a different culture basketball is an international language. So I didn't have any difficulties adapting to the culture here.

Eric, Australia: The question for Yi: How are you using this opportunity to challenge the big man?
Yi: Yes obviously this is the first time that I and Yao are playing against each other but I am not thinking about it in terms of Yi or Yao. It is the Rockets against the Bucks and I am concerned with playing a good game.

Daniel, Santa Cruz: How did you start playing basketball? What motivated you to become a professional basketball player?
Yi: When I was young my parents brought me to their company's basketball games. I watched a lot of regional basketball games played between companies, including my father's. That's how I first got to know basketball. I remember the first time I dreamed of playing in the NBA. It was in 2001 when I came to the U.S for the first time and watched my first NBA game ever. (Check out Yi's blog on NBA.com)

Alvin, Toronto: Yao, have you ever seen Yi Jianlian play? If so, how do you think he is doing?
Yao: The first game I saw him play was at the NIKE Camp. He didn't play very well, but he showed some talent. And then each summer I have watched him in the national training camp and he just gets better and better. He had a very good start. He played very well in the first couple games. How good he can be? I had the same question for myself. I hate to say this but I think he could be better than me.

Slaven, Houston: How did you guys first meet?
Yao: The first time I saw him was in 2004 Olympic training camp and I knew one day he would play here in the NBA. His talent is unbelievable and I am very proud of him.

Steven, Fairfax: Do you feel more pressure in this game than other games, especially with more than 100 million viewers?
Yao: When I stepped on the court I didn't think about that. All I saw was 18,000 fans here, that's it. I know that there are many people watching this game on TV but to me it's just a normal game. I don't want anything to distract me.