"Even though the Washington Wizards have played only two regular season home games, it's apparent the player who gets the crowd at Verizon Center to respond every time he touches the ball is not the electrifying rookie with the fancy dance moves or the longest-tenured player with a collection of big shots and catchy nicknames under his belt.

It's the one who feels rather comfortable in Chinatown and has the easiest name to shout.

If Yi Jianlian gets the ball in the post and spots up around the perimeter, fans will inevitably scream for several seconds, a long, drawn out pronunciation of his surname as Yi attempts to shoot: "Eeeeeee!"

Unfortunately, Yi has not rewarded them very often for their excitement, since he has struggled with his shot while settling into his role off the bench through the first five games. But with the Wizards facing Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Coach Flip Saunders said he has noticed a much more focused and assertive Yi the past few practices.

"Whether it was Yao coming in or whatever, I think he's anxious to play. I think he'll play well," Saunders said. "I'm sure, growing up, Yi has respect for Yao. He's done a lot for basketball in China to give Yi really an opportunity. I think they both have a lot of respect for each other."

Yi tried to play down the matchup between two one-win teams that feature the most popular basketball players to ever come out of China. The game will surely attract a television audience of several hundred million in their home country. Since acquiring Yi from New Jersey last June, the Wizards have entered into several partnerships with Chinese corporations, including the athletic apparel companies Peak and Voit, and they are promoting the game by hosting an Asian Heritage Night that will include a halftime Lion Dance performance and the local winners of the Miss Chinese American beauty pageant. "