Rockets coach D'Antoni: Zhou Qi is going to be with us most of time

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said on Tuesday that Chinese player Zhou Qi will remain with the Rockets through much of the season, but that he could pick up playing time with the Vipers when it won't take away from his work with the Rockets.

Zhou, who joined the Rockets this season from China's Xinjiang Flying Tigers, got his G League debut on Monday, scoring 15 points in the Rio Grande Valley Vipers' last-second loss to the Wisconsin Herd. Before the G League game, Zhou had few chances in Houston's games this season.

"Zhou Qi is going to be with us most of the time," D'Antoni was quoted by the Houston Chronicle as saying. "Anytime we can get him down there to play a game or two, he'll go down. But we want him up here to continue to learn. Our program for him has not changed. It won't change.

"Whether he plays 30 games or two games, I don't know, but it's going to be a year we try to get him as much experience as we can and keep improving.

"The jury's already decided. He's going to be good," the coach added.

"Generally, it feels good," Zhou said of the G League game. "Before this game, I did not have a lot of game time. My first G League game, at first I was like, I have to find my pace. In the second half I felt better. I still had a few turnovers, but generally I felt like it was a great experience for me."

Zhou does not use an interpreter with the team and has said his understanding of English and especially basketball terminology has improved.

"The more he doesn't understand the better," D'Antoni joked. But Zhou said he is adjusting to life in the United States in the NBA.

"It definitely helped me a lot, especially adapting to a new life and new experiences," Zhou said. "Before, I never had been involved with a lot of Americans so they've definitely helped me find a new lifestyle and adapt being involved in the game."