Many sport events will pile up Olympic medals for the host nation, but men's basketball tickets are one of the most wanted at the Games.

It is because NBA stars Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian are the most popular sport stars in China.

  Yao Ming

Nobody thought about Yi one year ago when Wang Zhizhi, former Best Center of Asia, came back to the national team after six-year absence.

With nearly three weeks to go to the kick-off of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, fans begin to talk about the line-up of Yao and Yi inside the paint and Wang is very likely a backup for the big men.

The basketball competitions of the Beijing Olympics are the most important games for the Chinese men's national team as the fans have huge expectations of the home team.

After six years with the Houston Rockets, Yao has become the richest Chinese sports celebrity and a symbol of the Chinese who has great success in the western nations.

Yi was selected sixth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, and as being expected, he set off another wave on the NBA global market.

He was traded to the New Jersey Nets with BobbySimons for Richard Jefferson on June 27. Most people think the trade is a sign of exploration of the basketball market among Chinese Americans in New York.

Besides his marketing potential, Yi proved he deserves a starting position in the national team with his eye-catching performances in his rookie year in the NBA.

  Yi Jianlian

Yi started 49 out of 66 matches for the Bucks, averaging 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 25 minutes.

He averaged 18.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in seven warm-up matches after he recovered from a knee injury.

As a slim power forward, Yi prefers to attacking from low post and has delicate touch on mid-range shots, which is a perfect amendment for the pivot Yao.

The experiences of one-year NBA built up his defence and the dedication for the game.

Undoubtedly, Yao is still the leader of the squad and the one who carries the most hope of the Chinese for a breakthrough at the Beijing Olympics.

Yi has more expectation on offence when Yao is the foundation on the other end of the court. The pair might form one of the most intimating lineups in the paint at the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2008)