China loves the Bucks!

An Associated Press story says that the majority of Chinese basketball fans want Yi to sign with the Bucks quickly.

"Fegan will hamper Yi's future," former national team coach Qian Chenghai was quoted as saying in Tuesday's edition of the state-run China Daily newspaper. "I don't think Yi refused to join the Bucks, it is Fegan who doesn't want him to join.

"We don't want to see Yi destroy his reputation in the NBA and return to the Chinese Basketball Association. That's horrible," the coach said.

Results of an online poll published in China Daily showed 68 percent of 9,000 respondents want Yi to play for the Bucks.

"Yi, stand up and speak for yourself," China Daily said, citing an article in the Beijing Evening Post. "Don't hesitate anymore and don't let anybody control your life."