"The real deal. He's solid all around. He has a lot to learn about the NBA, but he's going to be a good player."
—Celtics forward Paul Pierce

"Yao is one great dude. Not cocky. Modest. Loving. Always hugging you. Always wanting to learn."
—Former teammate Cuttino Mobley

"It will be good for him to play against the best players in the world. And it will help basketball in Shanghai."
—Shanghai Sharks GM Li Tao-Ming

"You look at what kind of player he is, the way he can shoot on the perimeter, and he is definitely unique. He has unbelievable versatility."
—NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo

"Yao has a chance to alter the way the game of basketball is played."
—All-time great Bill Walton

"It may take him one or two years to acclimate himself and to get to where he understands his position in the NBA. I think he’ll be great player."
—Knicks president Donnie Walsh

"Everybody loves him. He gets attention, obviously, for the way he plays, but people also really like and his personality."
—Rockets GM Carroll Dawson

"Nothing he does surprises me. Dynasty’s a basketball player, just like everyone else in the locker room, except he is Chinese and 7-5."
—Former teammate Steve Francis

"He has all the tools. He can shoot. He can dribble. He's no slouch."
—Al-Star Shaquille O'Neal

"He's a gift from God."
—All-Star Allen Iverson

"There'll be nights I tell him, 'Yao, you've got to get a tech tonight.' Do some yelling, do something to get a technical foul so these gusy will start giving you a call. But that's who he is—such a nice guy. One of these days, I'm going to have to get it out of him."
—Teammate Tracy McGrady

“He’s making me better because he’s an outlet.”
—McGrady

“With Yao and me and the supporting cast we have, it’s only going to get better for us.”
—McGrady

“It’s a problem playing year-round. He needs to take s ummer off, lift weights and get his body strong.”
—All-Star Jermaine O’Neal

“He’s the best worker and the best teammate for a star player I've ever been around.”
—Former Rockets coach Jeff van Gundy

“"By nature, he's a 'yes guy'—it's not easy for him to say no.”
—Van Gundy