Chinese bastketball star and Shanghai native Yao Ming of NBA's Houston Rockets answers a question as coach Jeff Van Gundy (L) listens during a news conference in Shanghai October 12, 2004, ahead of the first ever NBA games to be held in mainland China.[Reuters]

Declaring himself "here on business," hometown favorite Yao Ming joined Tracy McGrady and the rest of the Houston Rockets on Tuesday as they prepared for a pair of exhibition games against the Sacramento Kings - the first NBA games played in China.

Yao and the Rockets settled into their hotel after the long flight from the United States, but canceled a scheduled practice session after a baggage mix-up.

Yao told reporters at a packed press conference that he was happy to be home, but didn't consider his visit a social call.

"I'm here on business and I want to play well," Yao said.

Houston will play the Kings in Shanghai and Beijing.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he would likely play Yao between 22 and 28 minutes in Thursday's game to give the fans the thrill of seeing the hugely popular center on the court.

"Obviously I want to play him because he's in his hometown, but I don't want to overplay him given that it's only the second exhibition game and we have a long season ahead of us," Van Gundy said.

"I know he wants to play very, very well here and I want to give his fans the opportunity to see him play," he added.

Van Gundy said the team would work out in its hotel health club Tuesday, then hit the court Wednesday.

"We don't want to make any excuses. We just want to play well and keep improving so I don't think that the long flight will have anything to do with how we play," Van Gundy said.

(Agencies)