National Basketball Association (NBA)

"Every sound in the gym is so fantastic. The screams of the fans, the whistle of the ref, the teammates calling to each other, the sounds of the ball touching the wooden floor, the sneakers touching the floor, and the sounds of the fight, the muscle and the sweat. Oh, and the last one-when the ball goes through the net. Don't laugh at my sensitivity and romanticism, those sounds really attract me."

"I am a basketball player, and I would like to focus my energy on basketball. The other things, I would rather not do. It is not something I am greatly interested in, but I know it is my responsibility."

"I only want to play basketball, and play it well and be happy about it. But I realize that with being famous comes a lot of demands."

"It will take time to adapt, but I think I can handle it."

"Others are improving very fast, and I'm not improving as fast, and that bothers me."

"Sport is the best means of communication between people from different religions and countries."

"The Olympic Games is holy. Athletes from around the world, including myself, of course, dream to participate."

"To me, first and foremost, basketball is a fun sport. It is a hobby, an interest. And second, it is a profession. I feel that I am very fortunate that I can find a professional job that I really, really love."

"Westerners respect privacy, and they are very competitive in terms of work and personalities. My teammates in China and I can talk about everything. But with my Houston Rockets teammates, even though we're friends, we cannot ask each other about everything."

"By nature, he's a 'yes guy'-it's not easy for him to say no." - Jeff Van Gundy

"Everybody loves him. He gets attention, obviously, for the way he plays, but people also really like and his personality." - Carroll Dawson

"He has all the tools. He can shoot. He can dribble. He's no slouch." - Shaquille O'Neal

"He's a gift from God." - Allen Iverson

"He's making me better because he's an outlet." - Tracy McGrady

"He's the best worker and the best teammate for a star player I've ever been around." - Jeff Van Gundy

"It may take him one or two years to acclimate himself and to get to where he understands his position in the NBA. I think he'll be great player." - Donnie Walsh

"It's a problem playing year-round. He needs to take summer off, lift weights and get his body strong." - Jermaine O'Neal

"It will be good for him to play against the best players in the world. And it will help basketball in Shanghai." - Li Tao-Ming

"Nothing he does surprises me. Dynasty's a basketball player, just like everyone else in the locker room, except he is Chinese and 7-5." - Steve Francis

"The real deal. He's solid all around. He has a lot to learn about the NBA, but he's going to be a good player." - Paul Pierce

"There'll be nights I tell him, 'Yao, you've got to get a tech tonight.' Do some yelling, do something to get a technical foul so these gusy will start giving you a call. But that's who he is-such a nice guy. One of these days, I'm going to have to get it out of him." - Tracy McGrady

"With Yao and me and the supporting cast we have, it's only going to get better for us." - Tracy McGrady

"Yao has a chance to alter the way the game of basketball is played." - Bill Walton

"Yao is one great dude. Not cocky. Modest. Loving. Always hugging you. Always wanting to learn." - Cuttino Mobley

"You look at what kind of player he is, the way he can shoot on the perimeter, and he is definitely unique. He has unbelievable versatility." - P.J. Carlesimo