Yi reveals Yao is back in training and looking good

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-11  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

Yi Jianlian (right) and Bobby Simmons smile as they are introduced as new members of the New Jersey Nets during a news conference in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Wednesday. More in photo gallery

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CHINA'S NBA All-Star Yao Ming is back in training after surgery and looking good for the Beijing Olympics, teammate Yi Jianlian said on Wednesday.

"Yao just came back to the team. We are better than ever compared to the last couple of years," Yi told a news conference after being acquired by the New Jersey Nets from the Milwaukee Bucks last month.

"We are just starting to practice together, but now everybody is on the team and we're ready to go."

"He (Yao) is much better right now, he's very healthy right now," Yi added. "We practiced a couple of days before I came here. I think it's no problem."

Yao, whose season with the NBA Houston Rockets was cut short because of a stress fracture in his left foot, said last month that the break was 80 percent healed and expected to be playing competitively again in mid-July.

China's first game in the Olympic basketball tournament will be against the United States, a tough game for a team with only modest medal hopes.

"It's a very tough game but I'm excited and looking forward to playing the US," said Yi, who said the Olympics was his top priority.

Asked how he expected the Chinese team to fare in the Olympics, Yi said: "At least top eight, and try to get maybe top six or something."

Yi, who was traded to the Nets with forward Bobby Simmons for Richard Jefferson, said he was excited by the move. "I have a lot of hopes for the new season. It's a new team, a young team. I think it's a fit for me," said the player, who averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in his rookie campaign with the Bucks.

Yi, an athletic, 2.13m forward, was taken with the sixth pick of the 2007 NBA Draft. He played in 66 games, averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds.

"I learned a lot from my first season in the NBA," said Yi, who answered some questions in English and others through an interpreter.