Yao Ming's Retirement Press Conference

_RTM_ · Jul 20, 2011

Yao Ming retirement speech

This terrible translator turned his retirement speech into a mess but Yao Ming Mania already has a text transcript of it.

Good afternoon!

Today is an important day for me. It is a day of special significance for both my past professional career and future endeavors.

At the end of last year, I once again had a stress fracture in my left foot and had to sit out of basketball. Since then, like many friends who cared about me, I waited and hoped that I could return. It was also a frustrating period, many thoughts crossed my mind. Today, I am ready to announce to everyone my decision: I will end my athletic career and formally retire from the game of basketball.

At this moment, looking towards the future and looking back through the past, my heart is full of gratitude.

First and foremost, I want to thank the game of basketball. This great sport has brought joy to untold numbers of people, including myself. When I was four years old, I got my first basketball. At nine, I entered a youth sports school in Xuhui district (in Shanghai). I joined the Shanghai Junior Team at 14. And when I was 16 years old, I put on my dad’s former number, and joined the Shanghai Sharks senior team in competition.

Basketball has allowed me to follow in my family’s footsteps. Whenever I see the joy and satisfaction in my parents’ eyes, I feel a strong sense of pride. I was also fortunate to win a CBA Championship with my teammates for the city of Shanghai in 2002. From that moment on, basketball has connected me with this great city. During that same year, I entered the NBA. Basketball has led me to a bigger and broader stage to showcase my abilities. It’s a dream for many to play for the National Team. So in fulfilling my dream, I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play for my country for so many years. And because of basketball, I have found the love of my life Ye Li, and a lifetime of happiness. Basketball has given me so much and for this, I want to thank the game of basketball.

I also want to thank life. No matter if it’s my beloved basketball or other endeavors. It is all just a part of life. I believe life is like a guide. If you follow him faithfully, he will open doors to wonderful worlds for you. Today, I am retired from basketball, and one of those doors is closed. But elsewhere, another door is opening and outside that door is a new world waiting for me to experience and explore。

Even though I am leaving the basketball court, I will not leave the game. The Shanghai Sharks team is how my professional life will continue. I am continuing to learn about managing and running the team and will do my best to bring honor and glory to my hometown and to Chinese basketball.

I will continue my philanthropic work. The Yao Foundation has been established for three years now. I will work with the foundation to influence more people to join philanthropic activities to help others. I wish to meet and work with new and old friends on projects of mutual interest. I believe that through meeting and working with people from different fields and professions, I can gain new knowledge and new understandings. Life has guided me from Shanghai to China, from Chinato the world. I want to thank life and continue to repay my good fortune by embracing and treasuring every moment.

Finally, I want to thank the many special people in my life, my family and my friends. I have a long list of people. But due to time, I can only mention a few here. I am missing a lot of names, but I hope my friends will understand. First, I want to thank my family. My parents were my first teachers in life. My wife, Ye Li is my best friend and best listener. Our lovely daughter, Amy, is our new hope for the future.

I also want to thank my coaches. They educated and guided me and have watched over me every step of way. I want to thank my first coach Li Zhangming, coaches LiQiuping, Wang Qun, and Wang Chongguang from the Shanghai Sharks, coach Ma Lianbao with the Chinese National Junior team, head coaches Wang Fei, Jiang Qingquan, Del Harris, and Jonas Kazlauskas from the Chinese National Team, and head coaches Rudy Tomjanovich, Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Adelman and Tom Thibodeau with the Houston Rockets. I also wish to thank officials and organizations that have helped me, especially officials from National Sports Administration, city of Shanghai, China Basketball Association, Shanghai Sports Administration, the Shanghai Media Group, and Shanghai Oriental Basketball Club (Shanghai Sharks). It is through their care, interest, support, and encouragement that allowed me to develop and reach where I am today. I want to thank the NBA and the Houston Rockets. Their understanding and support helped me overcome the language and cultural barrier to play in the highest level basketball games in the world.

Next, I want to thank all of my teammates and opponents. First is Liu Wei. We grew up together, played and battled together, and those experiences are some of my most precious memories in life. I also want to thank Wang Zhizhi and ShaquilleO’Neal. They were the benchmark players that I was chasing after. They motivated me and pushed me forward, and without them, I would not be the player I am today. I want to thank Fan Bin, my friend and mentor on the National team; Shen Wei, Jia Xiaozhong, Zhang Wenqi, Li Nan, Mengke Bateer, Yi Jianlian, Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Dikembe Mutombo, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, as well as all of my former teammates from the Xuhui District Youth Sports School, the Shanghai Sharks Junior team, the Shanghai Sharks, the National Junior Team, the Chinese National Team, andthe Houston Rockets, and of course all my opponents in CBA and NBA who I played against. The time we spent sweating and competing will forever be etched in my memory.

I also want to thank my management team, “Team Yao”. I want to thank Erik Zhang, Lu Hao, John Huizinga, Bill Duffy, Bill Sanders, Huang Xiaopeng, Li Lu, Ilana, and Larry Zhang, as well as everyone who has worked behind the scenes. I will never forget everything you have done for me over the years.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank my friends in the media, my sponsors, and partners. I am honored to have worked with all of you. Finally I want to sincerely thank all of the fans. Those who liked me or those who didn’t, those who are in China, or those abroad, I want to thank everyone who has watched me over the years. It is through everyone’s support that has allowed me to play with confidence and courage; and through everyone’s criticism that has helped me improve in areas that I was lacking. For those I have mentioned, and for those I have not, you are all in my heart. In short, I want to thank everyone who has accompanied me these years. And I will continueto do my best and will continue to be with everyone.

Finally, I want to thank this enlightened time of progress that we live in: giving me the opportunities to realize my dreams, and find my self-worth.

I have once said, when I retire from my professional career, I hope that it is a comma, not a period. Today, that day has finally arrived, but I am not leaving the sport of basketball that I love. My life will continue. I am still Yao Ming and there are still many things that I wish to accomplish. The day of drawing a period is still far far away.

I wish everyone health and happiness, I wish the best blessings for my motherland, my home Shanghai, and my second home Houston. And I wish that my beloved sport of basketball will continue to have a bright and prosperous future.

Thank you.
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http://www.yaoming.net/

Carl Herrera · Jul 20, 2011

I thought the point of having a translator was for the translator to be better at speaking the language than you are.

This is like Kevin Martin turning down an open 3 and passing the ball to Terrence Williams standing behind the arc.

daywalker02 · Jul 20, 2011

Translator was just beyond turrible.

napalm06 · Jul 20, 2011

I have once said, when I retire from my professional career, I hope that it is a comma, not a period. Today, that day has finally arrived, but I am not leaving the sport of basketball that I love. My life will continue. I am still Yao Ming and there are still many things that I wish to accomplish. The day of drawing a period is still far far away.
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I liked this phrasing. Yao is a class act.

t_mac1 · Jul 20, 2011

I wish the Rockets give him a position somewhere down the line. I wish Hakeem was fully associated with us in some way or form also.

J.R. · Jul 20, 2011

Yao Ming speaks with FOX26

HOUSTON - "I just lost my job," said Yao Ming.

Typical Yao. He began his telephone interview with FOX 26 Sports from Shanghai, China with a joke.

On this day when Yao officially announces his retirement, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who was on hand for this monumental event in China, joined in on the jokes.

"Yao feels like boxer," Morey said. "He's going to come back tomorrow."

Morey was just kidding of course, but the analogy to the sport of boxing fits the moment, because Yao is a fighter.

He did everything he could to overcome one injury after another and finally he decided it was time to walk away from the game as a player.

"It's hard to make this decision," Yao said. "Honestly, I made this decision a couple of months ago when I know the injury will really affect me when I come back and also my future life.

"It's hard for me to leave the basketball court as a player and also that I will not play on the Rockets' court anymore. I love the fans over there, my teammates, this team and also you and all of the people in Houston."

Because of injuries to his left foot and ankle Yao only played five games last season and did not play at all during the previous year.

He said he came to the conclusion that it just didn't make sense to try another comeback.

"We consulted a lot of doctors and none of the doctors guaranteed that I will (have) no more injuries if I come back to play," Yao said.

"In other words I might break my foot again if I come back. If that's the case, I just feel a little bit tired about injuries, surgeries, rehab, come back and play."

After the Rockets made Yao the top overall draft pick in 2002, Yao was with Houston for nine years and he was selected for the NBA All-Star team eight times.

Befitting his enormous popularity, Yao was voted into the All-Star game in 2011 even though he had suffered a season-ending injury.

He is disappointed his career didn't last beyond nine years.

"At this moment I have to say it's shorter than I thought," Yao said. "In the other way, at least I played longer than my dad and my dad retired at (the age of) 29."

Yao will be 31 in September.

He acknowledged that this is an emotional time for him, but only to a point.

"Let's put it this way, I didn't cry like a baby, but that doesn't mean that I didn't feel sad about it," Yao said.

"Yea, I did feel a little sad about it. In my last 20 years I played basketball almost every day. That's been my passion and now I have to view basketball from a different angle. Basketball is a lifetime interest for me.

No kidding. Yao owns the Chinese team he used to play for, the Shanghai Sharks, who he will be spending more time with.

During this interview Yao was told Rockets owner Leslie Alexander called him a great spokesperson for the Rockets and the NBA all over the world and his retirement is a big loss.

"That's kind words I (get) from Mr. Alexander," Yao said. "I just say I'm proud of what I can do and it's all from a lot of people's help, including my family.

Former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said Yao belongs in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Alexander agreed.

"It's a great honor for me (to hear) those words," Yao said. "Look up those names who are in the Hall of Fame, including Hakeem Olajuwon.

"I'm far behind that. I don't know, maybe one day. That's a little bit to far (away) for me."

Yao offered a message to fans of the Houston Rockets.

"In my heart you are the best basketball fans I have ever seen and I wish you all the best and I wish the Rockets the best in the future seasons," Yao said.

"I just want to thank all of my fans, my Rockets fans in Houston. I really appreciate a great nine years with the Rockets. I feel like I had full support from the community and I believe that will not end.

"Don't worry about it. I will come back one day and watch some Rockets games and (have a) special time, but at this moment I just feel that some of my old good days will never come back."

No one understands that more than Daryl Morey who was thrilled to be able to join Yao for his announcement.

"It was amazing," Morey said. "The whole country was watching.

"It was a huge event and it's special to be a part of it. I am honored Yao invited me to represent Mr. Alexander and the Rockets."
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Carl Herrera · Jul 20, 2011

napalm_black said: ↑

I liked this phrasing. Yao is a class act.
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A wise phrasing from a man who still has endorsement contracts.

t_mac1 · Jul 20, 2011

Question is, does Yao have enough money to buy the Rockets from Les?!

LabMouse · Jul 20, 2011

I guess that he does, but you do not want Yao to be the owner of the rockets. If he was the owner before, Rafer would still be the starting point guard for the rockets, Head would be one of shooting guards of the team. I am not joking.

t_mac1 said: ↑

Question is, does Yao have enough money to buy the Rockets from Les?!
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Carl Herrera · Jul 20, 2011

LabMouse said: ↑

I guess that he does, but you do not want Yao to be the owner of the rockets. If he was the owner before, Rafer would still be the starting point guard for the rockets, Head would be one of shooting guards of the team. I am not joking.
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The 2002 version of him, perhaps. Now he's as dishonorable as Leslie Alexander and Daryl Morey. The first thing Yao did when he bought his former team in Shanghai was to fire the coach who won a CBA championship with him and named an American as the head coach.

The boy has been fully corrupted by American imperialist capitalist-roaders.

HMMMHMM · Jul 20, 2011

Video of the Q&A session:

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2011/07/20/20110719_yao_presser_full.nba/index.html

ICanDunkOnYao · Jul 20, 2011

Is there a video of Yao's speech? I want to hear the translator for myself

redhotrox · Jul 20, 2011

ICanDunkOnYao said: ↑

Is there a video of Yao's speech? I want to hear the translator for myself
Click to expand...

Don't say we didn't warn you...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J4nHDTYgKoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

SunsRocketsfan · Jul 20, 2011

redhotrox said: ↑

Don't say we didn't warn you...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J4nHDTYgKoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

lol....
is there a video of his speech WITHOUT the translator??
that was annoying

Hippieloser · Jul 20, 2011

This photo is ****ing killing me, dude.

bloop · Jul 20, 2011

redhotrox said: ↑

Don't say we didn't warn you...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J4nHDTYgKoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

watching that I'm like is this real life? it was more like a MadTV skit than anything else

"It's a great honor for me (to hear) those words," Yao said. "Look up those names who are in the Hall of Fame, including Hakeem Olajuwon.

"I'm far behind that. I don't know, maybe one day. That's a little bit to far (away) for me."
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Class.

Don't worry big fella you're going in.

tinman · Jul 20, 2011

redhotrox said: ↑

Don't say we didn't warn you...

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J4nHDTYgKoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

Yao " I feel also I'm a Houstonian"

damn..

thaidizzle · Jul 20, 2011

Bye Yao. you will be missed!

_RTM_ · Jul 21, 2011

I turned on this vid from retirement press conference (Yeah, I know that I should blame myself) and I have only one question now:

Was this translator any better than russian Minister of Sports in his famous speech last winter?

<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZbKQUa67YV0?version=3&hl=ru_RU"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZbKQUa67YV0?version=3&hl=ru_RU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

G Zus Kryst · Jul 21, 2011

Hippieloser said: ↑

This photo is ****ing killing me, dude.
Click to expand...

He isn't crying, he is wiping sweat.

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