Yao Ming is taking some time off this summer to recover from injury, and says he will not join China's squad for the Asian Championship. The Houston Rockets center is using some of his free time to show off another skill, voicing a character in a major Chinese animated film.

Next season will be Yao's 8th year in the NBA. Last season he led the Rockets to a second round playoff series for the first time. Yao thinks the Rockets could be set up for an even better year next year.

"Our defence is very strong. Shane Battier and Ron Artest are the keys to our defence. I think they are the best defence players. And inside there are blocks by Carl Landry, Luis Scola and me, which is perfect. I can see we can do really good next season."

Yao Ming plans to do more charity work this summer before he returns to Houston for training camp.