"Yi Jianlian feels good enough to start and has a chance of getting his wish Wednesday when the Nets host Minnesota.

When Lawrence Frank coached the Nets, starters returning from injury had to first show they could play off the bench for a game or two before starting again. No exceptions. But that iron-clad rule left with the fired Frank, who was replaced by GM Kiki Vandeweghe.

With one of their top scorers, forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, out after spraining his ankle against the Lakers on Saturday, it's possible Vandeweghe starts Yi in his first game since spraining his right knee on Nov. 2.

Vandeweghe wouldn't give a definitive answer after practice yesterday, but hinted that his 7-foot forward might not be ready to start after missing the last 24 games. Yi went through his first practice yesterday without pain or difficulty moving and will be back on the practice floor today."