I hate to say this and disappoint some of ya'all, but I personally didn't see much difference in Yao's physique. He looks about the same to me...a little heavier maybe. He also looked a little tired but that could be expected. I definitely like the new facial hair. On the plus side, Yao seems ALOT more aggressive. And the Chinese NT seems to play a little more uptempo than they used to. They force the action just a little more than last years FIBA team at Indy. Not an NBA pace, but enough of a pace to keep Yao sharp IMO.
I don't know. I have several dozen videos clips of Yao from when he first joined the Rockets. In comparing his upper body to what I'm seeing in some of these pics, Yao's upper body has to have bulked up at least 15 pounds. He actually has biceps now.
Nod to DoD. Yao is showing some definitions actually. He should be able to hold his positions this coming season.
DoD - Yes, agreed from last year until now. I see that, too. I meant from the end of last season (April) until now...I don't see much difference in that ~6 month (off season) time frame, do you?
Well of course Yao has lost quite a lot of weight since the Rocket's trainer Anthony Falson put him on a vegetarian diet. I read somewhere he made him cut out steaks and ice cream. On such a low protein diet, his muscle growth will suffer. Once he gets back to Houston, I'm sure he'll be put back on a high protein diet again.
