In an interview with China Daily, Yao Ming says teammate "Yi Jianlian has has improved tremendously after playing one season in the NBA". Yao said that while the team's draw in the first round of the Olympics is "the worst I can ever imagine," he continues to predict Team China can finish in the top six and thinks Germany will be their toughest competition, but Yi "can limit (Dirk) Nowitzki".
- Tough draw doesn't scare China: Yao - Zhao Rui - China Daily