New Pictures of the Yaoster outta' China!! Check out his "Guns" Lookin good!

You got an X-10 camera in his room or sumthin?

 

But hopefully not too exhausted to play (thanks, China National Team).

 

People that complains he needs more muscle definiton or he's too fat now, his necks is too big............all i got to say is you all complain too much. I'm sure last year you all were saying he needed to gain more weight. All I see is a guy that looks like he will be harder to push around this year and doesnt look like Mr Bradley. For a 7'6 guy, he looks proportional. I can't wait to see him in action.

 

Sure they are. Don't think you know me.

 

Dick Vitale lives, baby!

 

(excerpts from a recent CNT press conference)

Reporter: Everywhere Yao Ming goes, there's a "Yao Ming Frenzy". What has the team done to do to help Yao Ming specially?

Coach Jiang: (laughs) That's right, we played 9 warm-up games awhile back, and Yao Ming was followed everywhere by warm-hearted fans, they requested autographs and photo pictures, but that gave Yao Ming a lot of trouble, he even had trouble sleeping at night. This time we came to Harbin early, we can say that Heilongjiang Provincial Athletic Department did a lot of good job, either in the stadium and in the hotel, it was closed, which relieved Yao Ming a lot.

Reporter: Yao Ming, how do feel after closed training these days in Harbin?

Yao: We came here earlier to the tournament location to adapt to the city Harbin quicker, to adapt to the courts. Currently we don't think we have much problem in adjusting to the environment. Now the most important thing is that the whole team adapt to the strategy and style, and also preparing for everything that would potentially happen. If we do well in these aspects, we should have no problems in winning the championships.

Reporter: Yao Ming, you have long mustache. Why didn't you shave before coming out? Is it because you want to "maintain mustache to push yourself" (note: a Chinese phrase, I don't know how to translate it), or is it because you're dissatisfied with Harbin's weather, and your wear the mustache to keep yourself warm?

Yao: It's because I didn't bring my razor. (everyone laughs)

Reporter: Yao Ming, you quickly came back to join the National Team after finishing in the NBA. You didn't get much time to rest, how are you adjusting now?

Yao: It's not I don't have time to rest. I rested for 1 month after coming back this time. This year is much better than last year, I didn't have time to rest last year. We shall see after each game.

Reporter: How do you like Harbin?

Yao: This is my first time to Harbin. They say Harbin's summer and winter are the best, but unfortunately I didn't come here on time. Although I didn't get much time to go out, I really like the architecture in Harbin. Although I've never been to Russia, I feel Harbin's buildings have a Russian style.

Reporter: Yao Ming, can you predict who would you meet in the Final?

Yao: (quickly) That team that we want to play against.

Reporter: Last year in Busan Asian Games you experienced defeat, what are the changes in mentality this time?

Yao: (patiently) I can only answer this question after the games. But my mood this year is definitely different from last year. (Everyone laughs) The past we let it go, we're heading towards the champion this year.

Reporter: Do you hope that Wang Zhizhi can come back quickly and join you to play in the 2004 Athens Olympics?

Yao: (seriously) As a teammate, I sincerely hope Wang Zhizhi can come back to the team quickly. We really need him in either the Asian Championships and the Olympics next year, but right now he still has a lot of problems to be solved, and this problem is not in my reach. (At this time he peeked Coach Jiang, sitting next to him.)

Reporter: What's the team's strategy?

Yao: That's a secret, nobody can say.

Reporter: Which team is your greatest opponent?

Yao: Our goal is to win it all, it's not (defeating) any particular team.

Reporter: What is your biggest gain from the NBA?

Yao: (after few minutes) Can we not talk about this, you should ask something related to the Asian Championships. That question is a little outdated.

Reporter: Do you feel your skills have improved since last year?

Yao: I only feel like I'm one year older.

I'm not sure Yao was very happy attending the press conference...

 

I just realized that Yao is wearing the new logo. I wonder what he thinks about it.

 

I bet it is more like a 5' 7" body frame.

 

Actually he does...

ANyways, yao does look better. I hope he doesn't fold so easily this year against Shaq. Man i would love to see Yao bumping shaq around.

 

Some people are freakin' out way too much. I'm sure he gained some muscle, but it wasn't THAT MUCH. It's not like it's that noticeable either. If you're gonna compare pictures, compare before and after shots from the same angle.

 

that about sums it up for me too. dude is looking considerably stronger and healthy. i'm pumped.

 

yao is looking alot stronger than last season

 

Here are some pictures from last year for comparison. I tried to find some where could see the upper arm, shoulders, chest and neck. In the pictures from last season it looks like the shoulders, chest and neck are all bigger. His biceps do appear to have filled out as well. He is certainly not Kevin Willis but he has filled out quite a bit over all.

 

From my observations, I would say that this Yao Ming is pretty tall.

 

wow! considering its only been a few months since we last saw him play and working with a 7'5" frame, there's a big difference in his physique. you will not see yao with definitions like willis or robinson (you'll have to be black or go full time body building and tanning), i think yao looks just right, any bigger may hinder his coordination/quickness.

 

wow! considering its only been a few months since we last saw him play and working with a 7'5" frame, there's a big difference in his physique. you will not see yao with definitions like willis or robinson (you'll have to be black or go full time body building and tanning), i think yao looks just right, any bigger may hinder his coordination/quickness.

 

Just as long as they don't turn into Kevin 'Short Arms' Willis type Arms

Rocket River

 

I agree he is somewhat of a tall man.

 

AHH, Good ole' Black Flag. He was the best Black Flag singer imo.

 

I'll never get this issue with Kevin's "short arms." Did you even watch him play in Atlanta? He was a 10 rpg guy. He even rebounded over 12 two seasons and 15 one season.

I loved his game.

Want long arms? See Cato. Want a low rebounding average? See Cato.