Yao Ming has a message for the Chinese basketball team preparing for the Asian Games: "Just relax and go for it."

The NBA All-Star said he hasn't played in any Asian competitions since 2005, so he doesn't know much about the other teams. But he said conditions are ripe for a good showing by China.

"Try your best to get a good result," he was quoted as saying by Chinese Web portal Sohu.com. "Of course, everybody knows what good result I'm talking about."

Yao has returned to the Houston Rockets after missing last season to recover from foot surgery. But he sprained his ankle in the Rocket's loss to Washington on Wednesday and will miss at least a week.

China's first game at the Asian Games is Tuesday.