Zhou searching for the Yao factor

NBA rookie struggling to match legendary compatriot's fast start

Both giants of men, both shouldering the massive expectations of their country and both, of course, playing in the red of Houston - but, less than two months into his rookie season, there the similarities end between the start of Zhou Qi's NBA career and that of the legendary Yao Ming.

Zhou's arrival in Texas in the summer triggered a tidal wave of hope and hype that he could emulate the now-retired Yao and fly China's flag high once more on basketball's biggest stage.