"It could be the shoulder, injured nine games ago on a reach-in against Detroit. It might be the aching back, which flared after he was banged around rebounding four games ago.

Either way, Nets' Yi Jianlian has struggled badly lately. Suffice to say, his shooting has been downright Net-like.

But not for long. Yi promises.

"Not going to happen again," said Yi, who also vows to play when the Nets face Memphis at the Meadowlands tonight (6:00, YES, WFAN 660 AM), which also happens to be an the "Evening of Chinese Culture" promotion, featuring pre, postgame and halftime entertainment with artists from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The shoulder is no longer an issue, the back is sore but Yi said he doesn't "think it needs a rest."

"I'll play if it feels good," Yi said."