Yao Ming Talked About 2008 Olympics and the New Season

pryuen · Sep 27, 2007

So while Yao Ming was in Beijing at the Reebok's Fuel Yao's Unlimited Power, he received an interview from Basketball Pioneers, in which he talked extensively about the national team, 2008 Olympics, the Houston Rockets and the new season.

Very very long interview that took me more than 4 hours of translation.

ENJOY !!!

http://sports.sina.com.cn/cba/2007-09-27/09163195823.shtml

Basketball Pioneers: Today is Mid Autumn Festival. So how did you spend your Mid Autumn Festival all these years?

Yao Ming: Oh…let me first wish everybody a happy Mid Autumn Festival. Well, it had not been easy, I mean, not to be able to stay home to celebrate a holiday. I also cannot stay home for this festival this year. (chuckle). Talking about Mid Autumn Festivals, (to be frank with you) really, not much to talk about as far as I’m concerned. For the past few years, I spent the Mid Autumn Festivals in the States; there was no festive atmosphere, nothing like go out to appreciate the full moon or moon cakes. However, it did make me remembered back in Year 2000, the date when we entered the Olympic Village. That day was my 20th birthday and incidentally, it was the Mid Autumn Festival. That’s extremely coincident.

Basketball Pioneers: So do you feel a bit regretful that you cannot reunite with your family (on Mid Autumn Festival)?

Yao Ming: Family support is extremely important to me. And unable to spend such festival like Mid Autumn Festival together with them always let me feel somewhat guilty and ashamed. But I have the entire season next year to compensate them.

Basketball Pioneers: You stirred huge controversy when you returned (late) in July this year rejoining the national team. What do you think about this?

Yao Ming: I’m used to it already. Well, the summon came so sudden and there was so little time to respond, but finally I did joined the training of the national team, didn’t I? I am also just a normal person, and I have my own personal matters to deal with. Therefore, I hope everyone can give me a break on this one, as I have to arrange the biggest and most important event of my life (Note: his wedding in August).

Basketball Pioneers: So the national team had a very tight and dense schedule of warm-up exhibition matches this summer. Do you think these competitions had helped the national team to make constructive progress ?

Yao Ming: Well definitely experiences need to be accumulated through competition, but I thought such team training and competition over a 5 to 6 months period is excessively too long. (You have to understand that) strength and energy of players are limited after all; and after such long period of training, the players will definitely hit the fatigue wall; if we insist to keep on the training and competition in this kind of situation, firstly, I tend to think the effect and efficiency (of such training and competition) will definitely drop; moreover, it will be very easy for the players to get sick or pick up injuries. Now (that is what is happening in the team that) players got injured or sick. I hope you people do not mis-interpret me to be complaining or bombarding or so forth. I did not mean to, and I am only telling the facts. Chinese basketball is still in its development phase, and we just started to hire foreign coaches; they might more or less make some mistakes or take some tortuous paths but (we have to bear in mind that) these are meant to build up/accumulate our experiences and we have to accept them.

Basketball Pioneers: So in the 2008 Olympics, in order we can get good results, inevitably we need to topple 1 to 2 top European teams. So through the recent European tour (of the national team) and the just-concluded Eurobasket 2007, what are your impressions on the European teams?

Yao Ming: I did not take part in the European tour of the national team, and therefore I do not have a direct and comprehensive understanding. (But I think) Spain is extremely strong as a team, and so is the European champion of this year, Russia. We always think that European teams stress a lot on team work. But we now also see a trend that European teams also start to play our so-called “star-power” strategy, relying on 1 to 2 star players who will then lead the whole team. It is so obvious Greece still relies on playing as a team; every of their players is so average, but when they play as a team, they become a formidable force. If we need to nip a victory on an European team, then we must maintain and play highly focused and intense in the 40-minute competition. Just like what we did when we beat Serbia Montenegro (back in 2004 Olympic); that was one of a very few games that I have seen (and played) in recent years that the national team did not fluctuate too much in an important match. Last year (in the World Championship), we also managed to beat Slovenia; but in that game, we were at one time lagging behind in double digits; but in the game with Serbia Montenegro, we played at our high level A game from start to end and we managed to keep it very close in the scores. Well, that is how we should play with the Europeans, i.e. we need to put in our strong will and prepare for a tough seesaw battle. We cannot lose concentration when we have a big lead from the start, or give up when we fall behind by 10 points. We simply cannot think like that.

Basketball Pioneers: So next year, how will you co-ordinate and split your time between the NBA competition with the Houston Rockets and your preparation with the national team for the Olympic?

Yao Ming: Well, I don’t think that would be a problem. All the Houston Rockets competition will be completed by ….definitely I also hope we can play until the end, end of June. The Olympics starts August 8. I think for me a month-long training and warm-up competition will be more than sufficient. I am prepared to cancel my leave of absence right after the NBA season; I probably will take a 2 to 3 days’ rest, and then I will return to China to rejoin the national team to train and prepare for the Olympic.

Basketball Pioneers: What do you think is the most pressing issue the Chinese national team needs to resolve?

Yao Ming: Too many, just too many (Yao Ming kept on murmuring and repeated 5 times "too many"). Too many problems remained unresolved. (The reporter requested Yao Ming to cite some specific examples). We need to play consistently well; we have the potential to play basketball at the highest level, but we have not managed to change those potential to become our strengths.

Basketball Pioneers: In 2000, in Sydney, it was your first time to participate in the Olympic. Can you recall (and describe to us) your feeling upon entering the Olympic Village?

Yao Ming: It was my 20th birthday when I arrived into Sydney; I was extremely excited when I entered the Olympic Village. I had vainly hoped to be playing in the Olympic ever since my childhood, and my dream was finally coming true. Everything I saw in the Olympic Village was so new, strange, novel and surreal; at that time, the style of those dormitories for the athletes was so neat and simple; they just looked like a container, but they were so comfortable. (As far as I was concerned), the 2000 Sydney Olympic was an exploration to fulfill my curiosity. I was after all a very young player at that time. To be able to attend the Olympic in itself was a rare experience to me then. To tell you the truth, I was not sure whether I can attend the 2004 Olympic at that time. Therefore I was really excited and happy at that time. Your first experience about anything is always happy.

Basketball Pioneers: But the national team did not manage to sneak into the Final Eight in that Olympic. So as far as you were concerned, was 2000 Sydney Olympic more an achievement or sort of a failure or regret?

Yao Ming: There was absolutely nothing to be regretted about. Really. To be able to attend the Olympic in itself was already a great honor. (In that Olympic), whenever I went on court to play, deep down inside I thanked those that had helped me in the past to have given me this kind of opportunity; therefore I just gave my all and compete to the best of my abilities. Even though, finally we did not manage to get into the Final 8, overall, I still felt good about it.

Basketball Pioneers: Well, then in 2004, it was not that easy, eh?

Yao Ming: The pressure of the 2004 Olympic was relatively much bigger. I did not even have the time to take note of what happened in the Olympic Village. All I could say was an unconstrained process of ups and downs with quite a satisfactory ending, and that was almost all about it (for the 2004 Olympic).

Basketball Pioneers: You went into an unusual burst of anguish after the first loss to Spain. Was that outburst stemmed from your leader’s sense of responsibility?

Yao Ming: If a player was put into that kind of situation, and you still discussed about leader’s responsibility, then I would say it is hypocrisy; it was more out of my disappointment and frustration. You have to understand it was not easy to be able to attend the Olympic. There were 12 players on the final roster, but originally there were 20 players in the training/preparation; (that meant) a lot of players did not get the chance to play in the Olympic. We lost that first game heavily and I thought it had nothing to do with our techniques or our experience; it was because we played it half-heartedly and we did not take it to the heart seriously. That was why I was extremely disappointed. Moreover, it was not merely about the competition; I also witnessed something not that good in the national team. I must admit, including myself, there are some very bad habits within the national team. And because of these bad habits that we had cultivated that had eventually brought us serious and bad consequences on the court in the Olympic. Therefore, I was extremely pissed and frustrated.

Basketball Pioneers: So (next year) in 2008, other than you want to lead the Chinese team to obtain a better result, what other anticipations you have?

Yao Ming: It is not all about winning medals in Olympics; it is about pursuit of a kind of spirit: be higher, quicker and stronger. We do not only shoulder our mission for medaling or getting a higher ranking, we also need to turn this Olympic into an Olympic for the world. Beijing is an extremely open city. Welcome everybody to come to Beijing.

Basketball Pioneers: How is your shoulder’s wound how?

Yao Ming: Well, I am now relying on conservative treatment to ensure it won’t aggravate. As for the surgery, I have basically decided to schedule it for the summer of 2009, because my doctor told me that my shoulder won’t heal automatically on its own, and I will need to undergo a surgery to repair it. Now I am carrying on training on my muscle unceasingly such that my shoulder will not create too much troubles for me.

Basketball Pioneers: Due to your commitment on the Special Olympics, relative to other Houston Rockets players, you will be late turning in for the preseason training camp. What will be your most important task upon joining the preseason training camp?

Yao Ming: First, it has to be studying the game plan/tactics. After all, we have a new head coach and therefore we will have new game plan and tactical systems. Such study (and familiarization of game plan and tactical systems) requires a process and it will take time. I will make it up on the progress as soon as possibly I can.

Basketball Pioneers: What do you think about the return of Steve Francis? Can he really bring about an up-haul of the overall strength of the team?

Yao Ming: His return can bring new elements for us; he had played for us before, and then the Houston Rockets were fearless. This is what we now urgently need. I think if we need to advance further deep into the playoff, other than the on-the-fly on-court adjustments of the head coach, our strong will and fearlessness is also very important.

Basketball Pioneers: So you have a new coach Rick Adelman, new players such as Steve Francis, Luis Scola. What is your view of the Huston Rockets in the new season?

Yao Ming: We have done a lot of work during the summer to strengthen the team. But we also noticed other teams have not been idle and have also undergone a lot of trades (to strengthen their teams). Now all the General Managers have done what they need to do. It is now left to us, the players, to make it happen.

Basketball Pioneers: Now in the Houston Rockets, we have several players that have the ability and can be entrusted with the last clutch shot (to decide a match); for instance, Tracy McGrady, you, Steve Francis and so forth. So who do you think will be entrusted with this duty in the next season?

Yao Ming: (Smile) So you intended to let me offend my team mates? (I think) it will all depend on the arrangement of the head coach.

Basketball Pioneers: So from a highly defensive-minded Jeff Van Gundy to a highly offensive-oriented Rick Adelman, do you really think the Houston Rockets will get good effect and results by such extremely contrasting change?

Yao Ming: Firstly, I do not agree with your view. We certainly are not going to the extreme. When Rick Adelman was still with the Sacramento Kings, when we played against them, I felt their defense was also very good. This is all relative. Let’s say, Jeff Van Gundy focuses 60% on defense, and 40% on offense, while Rick Adelman focuses 40% on defense and 60% on offense. (It is fallacy to think that) Rick Adelman only focuses on offense and not on defense. Certainly it is not extreme; for instance, on the basketball court, it is impossible to focus 90% in offense and 10% on defense.

Basketball Pioneers: What if Rick Adelman also fails and will not be successful?

Yao Ming: (Laugh) So can I interpret this question as you are trying to jinx and curse us? Definitely we will diligently play to avoid such outcome; moreover, we also have the confidence that we will never let this happen.

Basketball Pioneers: Let’s talk something outside of basketball. A lot of our celebrities tend to be very high-sounding about their weddings; they even sold their pictures (at their wedding) at a price to the media. What has been your consideration for such a low-key wedding?

Yao Ming: Well one will always want his/her wedding to be conducted smoothly and in a peaceful manner. I just fear with such media fervor, the wedding would be finally out of control. This is a very realistic question. I have had some (awful) experiences of the too-passionate Chinese media. Sorry, I just cannot satisfy everyone’s requirements on this event (the most important event of my life).

Basketball Pioneers: (So can we say) after your marriage, we now have a more mature Yao Ming with higher sense of responsibility?

Yao Ming: Well, I felt some pressure over that night, and I felt a little bit dissimilar. But if you must say I become more mature over one night, I don’t think anyone will become more mature just overnight. That is only some kind of misunderstanding about marriage.

Basketball Pioneers: So some times earlier, you initiated a charity game (Note: the Yao & Nash Charity Gala) and the response to this activity was extremely good. Have you got any regrets about this activity?

Yao Ming: The regret was that the event was put together too hastily and that we had to wait for the final approval/authorization from NBA. It is NBA’s policy that no more than 3 NBA players can play together in a team in the off season. If you really need to, you have to submit papers to get their approval, and that cost us some time to get the approval. Besides, the time for training was really too short. Some of the players possibly wanted to preserve their energy and strength and to avoid injuries; all the players that had come had made great personal sacrifices. Some players also would have wanted to come but could not for whatever reasons; for instance Shane Battier; but he has also contributed US$ 50,000 for this activity, for which I thanked him very much. This Charity Gala was initiated by me and Steve Nash, but the idea actually was from Steve. He had a Chinese personal friend (Note: a famous Chinese architect, Hu Bing) who told Steve about the education and poor plights of Chinese children in Southwest China; that triggered Steve and he wanted to do something about it; he brought this up to me, and we decided to give this a go.

Basketball Pioneers: So how much money you have garnered finally (from this charity gala)?

Yao Ming: We are still doing the final tally, as we have to deduct some of the costs and expenses, for instance, some of the salaries of employees. We should be able to announce the final figures very soon; please tell everybody to be rest assured we are very open and public (Laugh). This time, other than we got many donations, we also witnessed and received a lot of support from many people. I hope many many more people will soon join our rank and I hope this charity gala is only a start, and there will be many more such events to come.

Basketball Pioneers: A lot of people know that you like to play Warcraft. So has Warcraft affected your life?

Yao Ming: Mmmmmm, now it has somewhat affected my life, because I think I have become addicted to it. I must start to restrain a bit as my wife is already complaining about it. (Laugh). (The reporter further pressed with a question: does it really help to relax your mood?) Indeed it has, and this is exactly the excuse I gave to my wife. (Laugh).

Basketball Pioneers: If one day you don’t need to play basketball, what is the top thing in your mind that you want to do most?

Yao Ming: I want to go to see this world. I have been playing basketball almost non-stop for all these years, and I have been to many places; but every time it was the same: arrived, trained and competed and then left; just did not have any opportunity to see the places.
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HipHopSince1981 · Sep 27, 2007

awesome job, once again..appreciate the hard work..

funny..

Basketball Pioneers: A lot of people know that you like to play Warcraft. So has Warcraft affected your life?

Yao Ming: Mmmmmm, now it has somewhat affected my life, because I think I have become addicted to it. I must start to restrain a bit as my wife is already complaining about it. (Laugh). (The reporter further pressed with a question: does it really help to relax your mood?) Indeed it has, and this is exactly the excuse I gave to my wife. (Laugh).
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I can just picture him screaming.."in a minute, almost done"

Barkley · Sep 27, 2007

Man 4 hours, amazing...You're great, thanks

gotrock? · Sep 27, 2007

Great work, pryuen--I love you, man!!

BrockStapper · Sep 27, 2007

Thanks!

zong · Sep 27, 2007

4 hrs, lots of work. Well done. I guess that The Moon Festival is another translation of The Mid-Autumn Festival. The translation has been changed a bit now than before.

prv1981 · Sep 27, 2007

thanks pryuen. Cant wait till Nov!

zazahan · Sep 27, 2007

Thanks.

Murph23 · Sep 27, 2007

I was going to register on the Yao-Ming-Mania site, but it doesn't have much posting activity. Does anybody here at Clutch post there?

thetennisyao · Sep 27, 2007

Murph23 said:

I was going to register on the Yao-Ming-Mania site, but it doesn't have much posting activity. Does anybody here at Clutch post there?
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umm... please don't talk about other forums on this forum.

scola · Sep 27, 2007

Thank you very much for the translation.

ParaSolid · Sep 28, 2007

Thanks a bunch Pryuen.

Without you, this board would not exist

All that aside, I was impressed with the way he sidestepped some of the interviewer's questions that could have been spun against him, like that one about who takes the clutch shots. Good job, big guy. haha!

Rover16 · Sep 28, 2007

Yao should just tell his wife, that instead of playing WoW, he could instead go to the stripclubs with other nba players.

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Yao Ming Talked About 2008 Olympics and the New Season

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