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| Chinese bastketball star and Shanghai native
Yao Ming of NBA's Houston Rockets answers a question as coach Jeff Van Gundy (L) listens during
a news conference in Shanghai October 12, 2004, ahead of the first
ever NBA games to be held in mainland
China.[Reuters] |
Declaring himself "here on business," hometown
favorite Yao Ming joined Tracy McGrady and the rest of the Houston Rockets
on Tuesday as they
prepared for a pair of exhibition games against the Sacramento Kings - the first
NBA games played in China.
Yao and the Rockets settled into their hotel after the long flight from
the United States, but canceled a scheduled practice session after a
baggage mix-up.
Yao told reporters at a packed press conference that he was happy to be
home, but didn't consider his visit a social call.
"I'm here on business and I want to play well," Yao said.
Houston will play the Kings in Shanghai and Beijing.
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he would likely play Yao between 22
and 28 minutes in Thursday's game to give the fans the thrill of seeing
the hugely popular center on the court.
 "Obviously I want to play him because he's in his hometown, but I
don't want to overplay him given that it's only the second exhibition game
and we have a long season ahead of us," Van Gundy said.
"I know he wants to play very, very well here and I want to give his
fans the opportunity to see him play," he added.
Van Gundy said the team would work out in its hotel health club
Tuesday, then hit the court Wednesday.
"We don't want to make any excuses. We just want to play well and
keep improving so I don't think that the long flight will have anything to
do with how we play," Van Gundy said.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-10-12 14:45