espn: Yao admits his English, basketball both need work

Probably old news, but I just saw this too: http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0814/1418159.html

<b>Rockets want Yao to learn their language</b>

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Associated Press


HOUSTON -- Yao Ming isn't with the Houston Rockets yet, but Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson already was planning on Wednesday for the arrival of the 7-foot-5 center, the Rockets' No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Dawson presented Yao's agents, John Huizinga and Erik Zhang, with a copy of the Rockets' terminology book and frequently used Rockets sets for Yao to study before he arrives.

"The basketball terminology the Rockets use will be foreign to Yao, but not the concepts,'' Zhang told Houston television station KRIV.

"The concepts are still the same because they use pick and rolls. They call it something else,'' Dawson said. "Even if he went to San Antonio or Phoenix or anywhere else, they would have terminology that's different.''

Yao currently is in Vancouver with the Chinese National Team. He's not expected to join the Rockets until after preseason practice begins in October.

 

I wonder what they wrote in that study guide to Yao. I can see it now...

<b>iso</b> - <i>def.</i> stand on wing and watch while one of the three guards dribbles the shotclock out.