Yao interview in chinese, anyone wants to translate?

It's a long interview, I am only going to translate a small portion which I thought would make Rocket fans happy

Q: Who is your favorite NBA player(s)?

YM: My personal favorite is Hakeem Olajuwon. I think it had to do with my first impression - the first NBA game I watched was the 94 NBA final between the Rockets and the Knicks. I don't know why I didn't fall in love with Ewing .. I was working with him for a few years, he is a very nice guy (laughing).. Sabonis is also one of my favorites.

 

LOL ... here's another one.

Q: What do you think of Van Gundy's coaching ability? Have you considered switching to another team?

YM: Hey, [since] I've signed a five-year contract, it's impossible [for me] to change team, unless the Rockets want to trade me.

(Personal note: this is the last in the interview. Maybe Yao got tired, but he didn't really answer the 1st part of the question)

 

^^^ He is not that dumb and get to get benched tomorrow

 

I am used to reading traditional Chinese, but I can read and understand most of the article. This might not be 100% word for word translation, sometimes its hard to translate certain Chinese phrase to English, but the general meaning is there.

Interviewer: A lot of people believes that this will be the your (referring to Rockets) best season compared to previous four? What do you think?

Yao: In the off season, the team did a lot of work and acquired a lot of new players. Everyone trained hard during the pre-season, and created a strong foundation to start the season. So far, we have been playing very solid basketball and our record is acceptable (laughs). Hopefully, we can keep this up.

Interviewer: The record is ONLY acceptable..., so the next step is maintaining it until April, until next year. What is your next goal?

Yao: I hope we can play until June.

Interviewer: Thus far, because of your height and size, the referees miss or ignore a lot of fouls committed on you. Van Gundy has voiced his concerns for the discrepancies in the calls, and received several fines. How do you feel about this, is it acceptable?

Yao: Actually, I've gotten used to this. This also happened in the international games, not just the NBA. The refs are not going to catch all the fouls. Most importantly, you have to stay focused on the game, and not be affected. However, I am also human, not a robot, so some of the calls will affect me, and my mood. I hope I can do better. As well, I realized that after Van Gundy received fines, my free throws attempts seemed to have increased. I think I should pay the fines for him.

Interviewer: Right now, many people make comparisons between you and big shark Oneal. What does this indicate about yourself?

Yao: Maybe they saw our game vs Miami. I felt that I performed very well that game. At the same time, I know that is only 1 out of 82 games. Also, Oneal got hurt after that game. Oneal wasn't playing that game in his best condition. So I should say, even though the game is fair, our condition was different. I am 26, and Oneal's 34. He was hurt and there was a difference in our age, and I took advantage of it. Anyhow, that game provided a big boost to my confidence.

Speaking from a different perspective, there are still a lot of things I should learn from Oneal. For example, how to control a game, being able to deliver in the 4th qtr, and learning that is very important to me. Right now, I can perform very consistently in the first 3 qtrs, but i fade away a little bit during the 4th.

Right now, Oneal is declining, but when he was in his prime, I saw him play against ??? ( i not sure who that was), I know how scary he can be. At that time, facing Oneal is one of the most tiring, difficult, and undesirable task in the world.

For the most part, the translation should be close to 95% accurate. However, i couldn't tell who he was referring to at the end when he was talking about Oneal vs ???. Maybe someone else who read this article can help out. Hope this helps for those who cant read Chinese!!!

 

NBA: Many are saying this is Rockets' best season in last 4 years. Do you agree?

Yao: Our management did a lot of preparation in the summer, made several important trades. We all trained very hard in the pre-season and build solid foundation for the season. After the season starts, the players all performed solid, so our record has been pretty good. Hope we can keep it up.

NBA: So the next step is keep it up till April. What's your next goal?
Yao: I hope to play till June.

NBA: Since the beginning of the season, the ref has overlooked many fouls on you. Coach spoke out for you and got fined. Do you also feel this is unfair?

Yao: I am actually getting use to it. This is not new. In the international and in CBA games, I also ran into similar situation. Maybe when you are big and there are too many area (of body) for them to attack, ref can't see them all. In this situation, You have to learn to ignore instead of being affected by them (poor officiating). Undoubtly, some officiating did affect me -- I am after all human and not machine, so mentally the poor officiating did impact me. I hope I can do better. Also I found out that after JVG was fined, I went to free show line many more times than before. So I think I should pay the fine for him.

NBA: Now many people still compare you with Shaq. What do you feel this mean to you?
Yao: Shaq is... maybe many people saw the game earlier this season... I don't want to pretnd to be modest, I did do well in that game. I am very satisfied too. But I also realized that this is the one out of 82. Also, as you know, after that game, Shaq had knee operation. So his condition was not well in that game. Therefore, even though the game is fair, but the body condition was not. I am 26, he is 34. There is impact from age, injury. I have seized the opportunity and his condition. This game also boosted my confidence.

On the other hand, there is a lot things I need to learn from Shaq. For example, how to control the game to ensure the performance in 4th quarter. This is very important to me. So far, I always performed well in first 3 quaters, and regress somwhat in the 4th quarter.

Overall, Shaq's performance is in decline. But to see how he is at the peak, I just need to watch the tape of how Deke played him to realized how formidable he is. I told Deke that he was doing the dirtest, hardest, most tiresome, and most inhumane job in the world.

NBA: Many say Dec is a black month, since Rox will play many elite teams. Do you have confidence to lead the team under this situation?
Yao: First of all, I should say there is no easy game in NBA. This league, there is not too much parities between the teams. Each game is hard, you have to thoroughly prepare for each one.
Secondly, if you check our schedule in Dec., there are 10 road games of the total 15-16 games. Everyone would say, these 10 games are hard. But I just want to concentrate on tomorrow's game, after that, the game after next. One opponent at a time, instead of worrying all the opponent at once. That's the only way to handle it.

NBA: All star voting has started. What's your thought on All star game and Las Vegas?

All star... I hope I can do better (So you are sure you will be in All star game, yao? ). I always was a bit nervous last several years. and play it like a regular game. I think I need to relax a bit. I have been to Vegas once last year. I felt I wasted time there. That was right after game against Kings. We flied there over the same evening, I was too tired, slept whole day. I happen to have a friend vacationing there, he took me out for a dinner in the evening. We then watched a magic show and that's it (Yao laugh). So it sort fo wasted. I did not gamble, I am not the type that is into gamble. But not game in Vegas, sure is a waste.

NBA: Internet fans are voting very actively, what's your suggestion?
Yao: I want thank fans that support me and NBA All star voting. How do I put it? Just vote for who you like most, vote with your heart (??? not quite sure here)...

NBA: If you don't play in NBA, who would be your favorite players?

Yao: I like Dream most. Of course, this may have something to do with first impression. THe first NBA game I watched was the final between Rox and Knicks -- game between Dream and Eugene. I don't know why I did not also like Eugene then. I have worked with him the last several years. He is a very nice guy. Also Sabonis.

THe players I like are more from pragmatic consideration as well as players whose style are close to me. Those two players, they both are centers, also I can learn a lot from them. Obviously there are something about Dream that I will never be able to learn. His speed -- many of his techniques are based on his speed, there is no way I can learn that. Those skills Sabonis has -- his passing, low post game are very very nice.

NBA: Who are the best among the current players?
Yao: I don't have one primary opponet, every night have a different opponent. I can't just target oen specific one. Obviously once getting into playoff, to push through one barrier after another, you have to set a specific opponent, but I don't know who that will be now. If you ask about who's the best player in the league, it is really hard to say. Every team have their core, their best players. They all want to lead their own team to play well. THe beauty of NBA is that there are many many excellent players.

NBA: If you are watching the game, which player/team you will like?
Yao: It is hard to say. I am still playing, so when I watch, I can't really just watch to enjoy. After you played so many games, when you watch, you automatically will concentrate on what's the style of this team is... just like you are preparing to play them. So it is hard to say which one I like to watch.

NBA: Asian game is playing right now, you can't go, so Rookies like Yi lead the team to compete. What's your hope for your teammates?
Yao: First of all, Yi is not a rookie, ok? He played in Olympic, in WC, he defintely is not rookie. He has some experience, not a lot but some. Many other teammates also have a lot internation experience. I think we are at top of Asia teams. Also Doger (Wang Zhizhi) is back, he brought back experience and leadership. In Asia, we have to win it all, that's it.

NBA: You lost to Korea in last Asia game 4 years ago. What's impresson of this current Korean team?
Yao: There are some other reaons we lost then, but the main thing is we were not as hungrey as they were.

Right now, I think they are in rebuilding mode, since they now have Ha. Last several decades, their main opponent is China, so their style has always been small ball, winning by 3 pt shooting. I have a doubt now that do they know how to use a tall center like Ha. They need to accumulate experience in this aspect. Of course, I don't mean that don't know how. Maybe they have that kind of gift, and experince. But I don't know... at least they are not as experienced as China in this regard.

Then we have to pay attention to the countries like Quartar. They performed well in WC. This should help with their confidence. When We play them, we need to utilize our advantage in the skills. We also need to not shy away from body contact. Also need to be strong mentally.

NBA: You must have high expectations for playing with them in Beijing Olympics
Yao: Absolutely. I was pleasantly surprised in the WC games earlier. I felt my teammates have made great progress from 2004 to 2006. I hope they can keep it up, so we make major breakthrough in 2008.

NBA: Many say that American don't like "gentleman" in the game, they suggest you to be more dominant (develop a mean streak ?).
Yao: (Frown and think long time) I have heard this every since I got here. Last 4 years, I have made some improvements. But eventually, I know I am who I am. I am using the skills I felt most appropriate for me to help the team. I think what I need to improve upon now is the leadership. I felt we did not do well in the 4th quarter, someone needs to stand up. I felt I have my share of responsibility in this regard. May be that's the dominance you just said...

NBA: Sometimes you choose the layup over dunk, is that your character?
Yao: There are a lot of things really should not tied with character... I would say this is more of a habit.

NBA:There are a lot of pressure to play in NBA. How do you relax yourself? Do you felt the influence of American culture? Like Tatoo, or listening to HIP-HOP?
Yao: I like to listent to music and read, play games online. Game is really nice, but also waste too much of my time. I did not try tatoo yet. Just can't make up my mind. I thought about it, just can't do it. HIP-HOP I did listen to some... how do put it, some are pretty nice...

NBA: What's your thought on JVG's coaching ability? Do you think about switching team?
Yao: Hey, I signed a 5 year contract. I can't switch team, unless Rox want to trade me.








http://sports.tom.com/2006-12-15/0424/85589607.html

 

I found out that the guy Yao was talking about in the article. He was talking about Oneal vs Mutombo. Also, I didn't edit my writing and realized that I made several grammar mistakes in the translation , but i tried lol.

 

ah crap, after I translated the first page, two others have finished it! Damn my chinese is bad . Ah well, there's always the next time.

 

I realized there were more pages after seeing dfwrox's post. He's on the ball. Next time I should wait for people like dfwrox. GREAT WORK.

 

I thought there was only one page LOL . Props to dfwrox. Next time, we will get another chance .

 

Actually it's fun to compare our own translation to others. After my first post, I went on to translate a few more Q&As which I though would be interesting to the viewers here, but I got distracted. By the time I refreshed the page, I found you and dfwrox have done it all. Kudos to both of you.

 

Looks like Yao is a Yao-hater.

 

Haha Yao gettin a tatoo. Nice

 

Thanks to everybody translating this for us.

 

lol, he should get a tattoo of something like "only god can judge me" or "Officials suck"

 

omg, this answer just made doubled my respect for Yao 6000 times. his favorite player is Hakeem? how sweet. I really love the fact that he respects Hakeem and recognizes his greatness. I wish Hakeem could hear this interview and hopefully work with Yao this offseason. if he does, the already great Yao Ming will be super great. that's the only thing Yao is missing, some instructions from the DREAM.

I almost cried when I heard this. how sweet, the favorite player of our current great center is our former center and champion and the greatest player to ever touch a basketball. that's just unbelievable.

 

It seems to me Yao had kind of avoided answering the first part of the question.

 

After reading the interview, I find that Yao is very humble and low-key, a bit like Tim Duncan in nature. Gives props to everybody, even Shaq. (whereas Eddy Curry says it will take a team effort to stop him). Lol durvasa, I agree, to all those YOFs, Yao would be a Yao hater

 

→here is the translation 4 almost whole article(omit the asian games part), i have done it quickly, forgive any of my misspellings and grammatical faults.

◆topic: yao reject gambling and still have no balls to have anything tattooed on his body


nba: many people said that this is the best season after u step in nba 4 years ago, what do u think?
yao: our team have done a lot in pre-season(this summer), traded in a few players. and all of us worked hard in pre-season, those did make a stable groundwork. after the beginning of this season, we all brought into play consistently, so the present military successes r just so-so. hope we become better and better.


nba: since it's just so-so, the next step is to play till april, next year, so what is ur next goal?
yao: i hope i can play in june.


nba: many fouls and dirty-petty-actions r all missed by the referees due to ur height this season, the coach step out to whine about that, and got fined. do u really have no other way on these conditions?
yao: i used to it, it did not only happen in nba, but also in international games and national(chinese) games before. maybe coz i am a big one, i have too many angles to be attacked, the refs couldn't call all of them. 4me, the first thing i should do it to omit the opponents, not be affected. i can't deny it that some missing fouls and unfair judgement did affect me deeply, i am a human being, not a machine, so sometimes those things did affect my moods. i hope i can play better, also i find that i get much more free-throws after jvg have got fined, so i thought i should pay the fine for him.


nba: now many people talk about sth on u and shaq, what do u think? what does that mean 2u?
yao: o'neal is...maybe they have watched the 1st game(this season)...i would not be humble anymore, i did play better than he, i was satisfied of that match. nevertheless i knew this is just 1of82, u know, shaq had an operation for his knees after that match. that is to say he was not in good condition, though its a fair play, but unfair physically, i am 26 years old, he is 34, there r gaps of age and health, i got the chance and made it, that match brought me lots of confidence.
in the other hand, i should learn a lot from o'neal. eg, how2control the play, confirm the well done of 4th-quarter, that is really important4me. up to now, i feel i can play well in the first 3 quarters, but not very well in the final one. generally speaking, shaq is stepping down, when he was at his peak time, he looked awesome and i knew that just by watching the game video of dikembe
mutombo vs him. i told deke, what u did that time was the dirtiest, most tiring, boring, toughest job in the world.


nba: it is said that december is that black month, coz we will encounter many tough teams, do u have much confidence to lead the team to fight?
yao: 1st, i would say every match is a tough one in nba, this is a league with 29 teams, and every team is in the similar level, every battle is difficult for u, u gotta make full preparation. 2nd, in december, we have 10 road games in total 15/16 ones. maybe u would think it is hard 4us just by getting a glimpse of those 10 games, but what i need to think about is the next game, after the next game, then comes another one. i would think over the opponents 1by1, not all of them, this is what u gotta do.


nba: nba all-star balloting 2007 is just launching, whats ur expectations of all-star game and las vegas?
yao: the all-star eh...i hope i will play well, coz i was nervours about the game in the last 2 years, i always played like i did in the regular season one. i think i should relax, i went to las vegas last year, but waste a good time, coz i went there after the game with kings, i was really tired, slept4the whole night. it happened that my friends were on vacation there, we took dinner outside, then watched a magic show, thats all, no gambling, also i am not kind of gamblers, so it was to say, sth like, u received a good present, but u did not cherish it, just throw it away, what a pity, lol.


nba: the balloting in nba website is hot this year, whats ur suggestions?
nba: thanks4ur support! what can i say? vote4ur favorite guy, only one ballot, that is ur own ballot.


nba: if u were not playing in nba, then who is ur favorite nba players?
yao: my personal favorite is dream hakeem olajuwon. I think it had to do with my 1st impression, coz the 1st nba game i watched was the 94 finals between rox and knicks. I dunno y i didn't love ewing .. I had been working with him 4a few years, he is a very nice guy,(laughing).. sabonis is also one of my favorites.


nba: and who r the best now?
yao: i have no big enemies now, i encounter many different opponents each night, it is impossible4me to focus on only 1of them. sure u must set a very opponent in playoffs, but now i am just unsure whom the one is. its very hard2tell who the best is in nba league. every team own its core, every team has a few excellent players. all of the teams r eager to win the games, and that is the spirit of nba, for rox, yeah, here r many excellent players.


nba: if u were sitting in front of ur tv and waiting4 some kind of nba matches, whats ur favorites?
yao: (thinking...take a deep breath)hard2tell...coz i am just playing, it is really difficult4me to watch a game by fun/entertainment. after playing too many games, once u watch a game, u would think it over professionally, whats the characteristics of the team blah, blah, blah...like u r making preparation. so i cant tell what my favorites r, i just watch those games by chance, and watch them automatically.


nba: many fans tell that usa(nba) do not welcome the gentleman player(play like a gentleman), and they hope u can play with much more hegemony. (eg one clutch fan hope yao become yao "mean")
yao: (frowning for a while)this suggestion came to me when i step in here at the very 1st moment. in the last 4 years, i did make some progress, but finally i knew it, i am still myself. i play for my team with the most suitable skills and win the games, also i believe what i should improve now is my leading ability(sth like hegemony), i think what we did in the 4th quarter is not pleasing, someone should step in and step up, i have these responsibilities, maybe u would call that supremacy, maybe lies within.(i would tell yao 1st in english then in chinese: with great abilities comes great responsibilities)


nba: usually u dont slam dunk, is that ur habit?
yao: many things r not sure due to characteristics, maybe the habits.
nba: one is often under strong pressure to play in nba, how do u relax urself? r u affected by us culture deeply? tattoo? or listening to hip-hop?
yao: i usually listen to music, read books, play internet games, it is a good time of playing internet games, but also it is a waste of time. tattoo? i still have no balls to have anything tattooed on my body, once i thought about the tattoo, but just cant make a decision. i like hip-hop...just walking with ur mood.


nba: what do u think of jvg's coaching ability? have u ever thinked about trading to another nba team?
yao: hey, i've signed a 5-year contract, it's impossible4me2b traded, unless rox wanna do it.