"We still have a lot to learn and we're still learning things," Artest said. "That's why the exhibition season is good for us.

"You got to get ready for the season now. You have to get a chance, obviously, to know your teammates and see how they're going to play against other teams and see the rotations. That would be experimental. Everything else is trying to get ready for the season."

Yao gave credit to Artest in his debut for the Rockets, as well as another new face Brent Barry, an experienced guard from San Antonio Spurs.

"Artest knows very well the coach's system. He and Barry have the ability to get involved soon," Yao said. "Artest make our offense more effective while our guards could learn a lot from Barry's pass and move."

Another Chinese hoopster, Sun Yue, did not appear in the Los Angeles Lakers' opening preseason match list. Sun was sidelined indefinitely as a result of being tested positive for mononucleosis a week ago.

Sun became ill shortly after being officially introduced to the public on Sept 26 and was taken to an area hospital, said the Los Angeles Times, quoting John Black, the Lakers executive vice president of public relations.

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