Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-10-11 From: Xinhuanet

Beijing, Oct. 10 (Xinhuanet) — Yi Jianlian of the Bucks fouled out in 16 minutes, managing only three points with two steals, a blocked shot and a turnover in Milwaukee’s 93-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls in an exhibition opener on Tuesday night.

Yi came in with 59 seconds left to play in the first quarter to a raucous ovation and chants of “EE!” Like many rookies, Yi needed to learn from his mistakes. Yi had a nice steal and passed the ball to Charlie Bell, who was fouled and got two points through free throws. Then Yi picked up three quick fouls, the last of which sent him to the bench for an illegal screen. He looked overmatched in his four minutes of play in the first half.

In the second half, Yi missed his first shot and soon he got his fifth foul. The power forward, selected sixth in the NBA draft, hit a 9-foot jumper and got one point on one of two free throws. Yi also had a great chance to score after a nice steal but was blocked when he had only one player to beat. He didn’t have a rebound or an assist.

Compared to Joakim Noah of the Bulls, the ninth pick of the draft, Yi didn’t make a nice debut. Noah finished with six points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block in 23 minutes.

Yi acknowledged he’s strained from the spotlight after the game. “There’s a lot of attention on me,” he said through translator Roy Lu. “I feel the pressure.”

Yi has been the center of attention ever since he was drafted. He only began practicing with the Bucks on Thursday and he was at the door greeting fans an hour and a half before the game.

“As a rookie player in my first season, there aren’t just one or two points I need to work on. There are quite a lot,” Yi said. “Lots of my old habits I need to change,” he said.

Andrew Bogut scored 14 points for the Bucks, Charlie Bell 13 and Royal Ivey 10. Chicago got 13 from Andres Nocioni and 10 apiece from Luol Deng, Ben Wallace and rookie Aaron Gray.