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Friday February 1, 2008 10:16 PM


Yao, Yi set to meet for second marquee matchup


Houston at Milwaukee, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.


Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer


MILWAUKEE -- Before arriving in the Brew City, Yao Ming had a single question rattling around in his mind.

How many fans in China will tune into Yao vs. Yi II? Nah, not that one.

The bigger question, in Yao's estimation, was this: How would he and the throng of media expected to cover the event fit inside the Bradley Center's tiny visiting locker room?

"I've heard there's going to be even more media (there than the first meeting in Houston)," Yao said. "The locker room is small. I don't know how we'll all fit in there."

He'll have to find a way to make room because the media circus is indeed descending upon Milwaukee.

Before what is expected to be one of the NBA's largest television audiences and a massive collection of international media, Yao will square off against Milwaukee rookie sensation Yi Jianlian for the second time when the Rockets visit the Bucks on Saturday night.

The initial meeting between China's two stars drew an estimated 200 million viewers back home, far exceeding the projected numbers for Sunday's Super Bowl.

Not much will change for Yao vs. Yi II. With the start of the Chinese New Year and the tip slated for Sunday morning in China, the latest matchup is expected to match those ratings -- maybe even exceed them. The game will be carried on 19 different networks throughout the country and covered by over two dozen media outlets.

Consider it China's version of the Super Bowl.

"It's a very special game for Chinese fans," Yao said. "I'm excited that so many people are going to be watching us on the morning of the Super Bowl."

Back in November, the two Chinese stars put on a show during their initial meeting in Houston.

Matching up against former No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut, Yao finished with the slightly better stat line and more importantly, the victory. He netted 28 points and snatched 10 rebounds, guiding Houston to a 104-88 win over the Bucks.

Yi, though, managed to hold his own in the box score. He canned a then-career high 19 points and collected nine rebounds.

Yao was impressed with the rookie's performance in that game, suggesting after it that Yi would eventually become China's best basketball player.

"He's a young kid with a lot of talent," Yao said. "He played pretty well in Houston. Give him more time and he'll give Milwaukee more."

Yao, though, doesn't necessarily believe that Yi (pronounced Ee) should be compared to him.

The two Chinese players are, after all, different. Despite being from the same country and standing over 7-feet tall, the similarities tend to end there.

Yao, a six-time All-Star, is widely known as one of the league's most skilled centers ever for his size. But Yi isn't a center. Rather, the 7-foot forward is more comfortable draining jumpers and running the floor on the wing. In fact, the two players guarded each other less than a handful of times in their first game against one another.

That's why it's a little mind boggling to Yao that Chinese newspapers and web sites are comparing the two stars daily in tale-of-the-tape fashion.

"As Yao said, Yi is a unlike any other Chinese player," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "He's very athletic and he can shoot."

The two players are also at very different stages in their careers. Yao has been through the rigors of NBA life. Yi, meanwhile, has just started.

"It's still tough for him to come in this league and play," Battier said of Yi. "I don't care who you are. You sort of take your medicine your first year and you learn to sink or swim. But as he gains experience and continues to grow, I think he'll be a good player in the league."

Yi has certainly shown signs of his talent -- and taken his lumps -- since the Bucks made him the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft.

The Chinese star has already emerged as a starter in the Bucks lineup, fitting into a starting five that features Michael Redd and Bogut. During his first season, he's been widely recognized as one of the league's most promising rookies, recently earning an invite to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at All-Star weekend.

But even with that progress, Yi has a long road to NBA stardom. He has struggled of late, failing to reach double figures in scoring over the past seven games.

Yao can relate to Yi's first season.

"I hit a wall too," Yao said of his own rookie season. "Plus, he played like 30 to 40 games in the summer with the national team. I think his energy will be a little down."

Yao, though, noted that Yi has one thing in his favor.

Though he does use an interpreter with the media, Yi already speaks and understands English.

That makes it easier for the rookie to listen to his coach and develop.

"He adjusts quick," Yao said. "I think his language barrier is not as bad as mine during my first year. For me, my first year, language is tough. The biggest adjustment you have is language. He's OK on that so it makes it much easier for him."

Yao is looking forward to seeing what kind of progress the Milwaukee rookie has made since their first meeting three months ago.

Back home, millions will be watching with the same level of interest.

But in the locker room? Yao is hoping to find a little space.

"It's good for China," he said. "But there's going to be a lot of people in there."