carayip
02-19-2003, 09:26 AM
According to this article on the below link, this is part of the e-mail diary Yao produced for the Houston Chronicle during All-Star Weekend. It's not on the Chron net though. I wonder if any people living in Houston have read the full version in the actual papers. A very interesting read.
http://www.detnews.com/2003/pistons/0302/16/c06-86140.htm
* "My All-Star custom-made dress shoes didn't arrive as promised today. I'm kind of disappointed to not have the chance to wear my new suit. My GQ moment is a missed opportunity. They told me the shoes got stuck at the U.S. Customs -- they were made in Brazil. I thought the league is all-powerful, but I guess we don't own the U.S. Customs, even though my shoes are custom-made."
* "During the Q&A this afternoon, a reporter got too excited bouncing between tables. He asked me a question, and just left without waiting for my answer. I mean wow -- this is humbling -- he is not interested in what I have to say?! I actually looked around to see if some rock star stopped by."
* "This day is surreal. As the day went on, more and more stars showed up. I am not talking just basketball stars I meet on the court during the season, but legends of (the) past. This is like a basketball fantasy, like a basketball video game, you know? I met Bill Russell today. Mr. Russell told me he watched about (a) dozen games I played, and he liked what he saw. I'm honored. Whenever I meet a legend like Mr. Russell, I appreciate the game a little more. It has so much glorious history and tradition. Basketball is truly a game to be respected and treasured."
* "After practice, Shaq came over and talked with my parents. I was already gone. But Shaq gave my mom a kiss. I hope my father didn't mind. It's not a custom for strangers to kiss in China. But I guess Shaq is not really a stranger anymore."
* "The traffic was terrible when the van to the game blew a tire. We hijacked a shuttle to the arena. When I walked on, everybody was chanting 'Yao Ming, Yao Ming.' I gave everybody a high five on my way to the back of the bus. Is this what it will feel like when we're in The Finals?"
http://www.detnews.com/2003/pistons/0302/16/c06-86140.htm
* "My All-Star custom-made dress shoes didn't arrive as promised today. I'm kind of disappointed to not have the chance to wear my new suit. My GQ moment is a missed opportunity. They told me the shoes got stuck at the U.S. Customs -- they were made in Brazil. I thought the league is all-powerful, but I guess we don't own the U.S. Customs, even though my shoes are custom-made."
* "During the Q&A this afternoon, a reporter got too excited bouncing between tables. He asked me a question, and just left without waiting for my answer. I mean wow -- this is humbling -- he is not interested in what I have to say?! I actually looked around to see if some rock star stopped by."
* "This day is surreal. As the day went on, more and more stars showed up. I am not talking just basketball stars I meet on the court during the season, but legends of (the) past. This is like a basketball fantasy, like a basketball video game, you know? I met Bill Russell today. Mr. Russell told me he watched about (a) dozen games I played, and he liked what he saw. I'm honored. Whenever I meet a legend like Mr. Russell, I appreciate the game a little more. It has so much glorious history and tradition. Basketball is truly a game to be respected and treasured."
* "After practice, Shaq came over and talked with my parents. I was already gone. But Shaq gave my mom a kiss. I hope my father didn't mind. It's not a custom for strangers to kiss in China. But I guess Shaq is not really a stranger anymore."
* "The traffic was terrible when the van to the game blew a tire. We hijacked a shuttle to the arena. When I walked on, everybody was chanting 'Yao Ming, Yao Ming.' I gave everybody a high five on my way to the back of the bus. Is this what it will feel like when we're in The Finals?"