A nice article by Yang Yi, a close friend of Yao Ming (something though never be officially confirmed but also never be denied by Yao) and also a journalist who has been following Yao since very early days. I'm translating it, hoping it will help some guys figure out what's on Yao's preseason mind. Is he scared, or just not self-confident enough, or he feels sort of good but not scured yet. My personal take is--he is somehow still a kid. Sort of cute _______________________________________________________________ The regular season is finally coming in sight. Yao- are you all set? It was October 24, the Rockets just totally beat out the Spurs. Yao got himself a 17/12 within 34 mins, which made his average playing time in the 6 preseason games tie with that of his last regular season while with more efficiency: 19.6 points, league's No 4; 9.6 rebounds, No 5 in the league; 65.2% FG, the highest among all the players in the preseason. He is the only player squeezing into top 10 in all the three categories. But returning to Houston, he still found something to grit his teeth about:" to be honest, these recent games are better than those early ones. But I still don't feel all set." Then came the laugh," Hey, as well as you know me, that's me, always like this before some real fight. The real season is still yet to come, it's safe to play low-profile. Better than hyping yourself high and then getting hung there. Like it's tough for a kid like Lebram, getting hyped up and being unable to set foot to the earth." Three days earlier in Denver, Yao got a game high 29 points plus 9 rebounds, virtually destroying Denver inside. Camby, the guy who played against him, scored a poor 5 points within 23 mins.As such a veteran he is, Camby put on some that's-not-a-big-deal face after the game and waited outside the locker room. With Yao coming in sight, Camby said,"good job. but it's only preseason, see you in the real season so." It was those words that set Yao turning and tossing until 2 am. "I just coulnd't sleep, being unable to settle my mind down." Yao said, "did they really play 100% against me? I know, I know, preseason is like only 50% or 60% of the real season. But with me scoring such good points, how hard did they play? As someone who seldom hold back force, I always put all my efforts in. Are they a different story and will hold back until the regular season?" What the 2 am meditation did was to whet his appetite for the last preseason game against the defending champion even more. "I really looked forward to it. That Ne-someone guy from the Timberwolves is anything but soft though TD is the one that so matters. He may not play long. But he will play hard as long as he is out there. As MVP, he can't do such a thing as letting people loose on him. That's the matter of losing face. I've got to stand face to face with hime then I will know how good I really become." Then came his most playing mins in all the 6 preseason games.34 mins. He stayed in the first quarter only for 7 mins before being substitued by Braggs. "I was sort of stiff. I guess I took this as kind of quiz.I felt a bit short of breath.But a few mins of sitting helped and I got some stuff to show in the second quarter." It was the quarter when Yao began to play like unstoppable. Jumpers, hook shots, free throws. He scored his 11 points out of a variety. Whoever the Spurs sending to guard him only got tortured. At some point he made a spin move, detouring Holly, just in time to slam the ball home right above Holly and Wesley's big hugs. JJ was out there shouting, "show them some love back!" Yao grinned , "so you say you're gonna pay the $500 fine for me?" Yao guarded TD for the time about a quarter when TD got only 2 points and Yao's one and only dunk was for him. "You know, I'm really much stronger than last season," there seemed some feelings in his words,"now they bump into me just to be sent flying. But TD will get us both swayed. However, I still am the first one to get steady." In the dead of the night in Houston, Yao seemed to savor what happened in the last days of preseason. 5 days away from the real season. He must feels cool and also hungry. The opening game is against Denver, just the team they played in the last game of last season. The story about the zero points in Indiana a year ago now seems receding to the dark corner of history. His last words are:" do you think there's something wrong with me? As far as I have gone, what is it that still concerns me with?"
Nice read!! It will be so good to see Yao realize he is unstoppable this season!! Because of his good character I don't think there is any chance that he will become lazy or overconfident! This man will bring us the championship It truly has begun!!
Thanks for translating. It's a very personal insight into what Yao's thinking. It's great to know Yao is always finding ways to improve himself..he's just got such passion for the game. I'm excited to see how far he can take himself. He's not a naturally smooth flowing or quick athlete(although for his size, he's relatively quick). I think physically, he's got god-given talent, but his skills are all blood, sweat and tears. Hard work and great work ethic is what makes champions. What's more he's an unselfish team player. You gotta love it. By the way, who dunked on grandma holly? kidding..great piece.
"Yao guarded TD for the time about a quarter when TD got only 2 points and Yao's one and only dunk was for him. " The "dunk" is meant for "block". Woops,fall again.
Hehehe reading the article made me feel like I was watching a Japanese Anime .... The Little Giant that grew up...
awesome read... keep playing hard yao, and don't ever let up... and thursday, turn marcus cannibus into chicken soup!!!
very nice job man! I tried to translate this myself when I first saw the article, but soon realized I can't really translate the feeling of the words and I'd better wait someone else do it. lol. great read and great translation!
well done for the translation. there is only one addition stuff for that. I have to point it out since it's so funny. Regarding "JJ was out there shouting, "show them some love back!" Yao grinned , "so you say you're gonna pay the $500 fine for me?"" Yao also mentioned that he show the Korean players a lot of "love" in that asian game because there was no fine for those actions there.
Thanks for the translation great reading. I love the fact that Yao only plays for real even in preseason. Yao, Show Camby that it doesn't matter how much he tries or doesn't. You are the man and he is just matchstick for you to break
Thanks for the translation. I think Yao yelled a lot of "FVCK" during Asian games, it was heard loud and clear on Chinese National Television. If he starts doing that on TNT, does he get technical calls?
Here's another good joke from Yao in another article: On day after training, on their way to the lockerroom, Yao talked to Steve: "Hey, Steve. I think I now know why we hired JVG as head coach." "Why?" Steve's a bit puzzled. "since then we can save a lot of big Macs". Rockets will hand out free big Macs if the score reaches 100 in a game.
