Jeez. I really don't like the idea of Yao playing in all those exhibition games. First, they're all games against competition that is totally beneath Yao. He's not going to learn anything playing against those teams. They'll all probably double and triple team him as well as play him very physically, making injury a more likely possibility. He'll also miss some crucial training camp time, as he has an entirely new coaching staff and gameplan to become familiar with. I understand the importance of having Yao play for his national team. Not only is it a matter of pride for him, but Chinese fans deserve the opportunity to watch him play live. It's significant as well for his teammates to know how to play with him effectively for their Olympic shot. But China isn't trying to make it into the Olympics; they're already in. I just worry about the guy because his shoulder isn't getting any better.
http://sports.sohu.com/20070904/n251959566.shtml The national team has arrived Macau yesterday (September 4) around noon. They started their closed door team practice/scrimmage around 16:00pm, and then open for media when they held a short clinic for groups of school kids/basetballers from Macau. Yao Ming was again the focus/centre of acctraction. He was sort of embarrassed when he missed a few of his free throws while demonstrating to the kids; he also lost to Wang Zhizhi on a free throw competition. When asked about how he felt about the national team's tight schedule in September, he said he needed the competition to help him to get back to competitive shape and form, but he felt his team mates are already too tired and exhausted, and they should take rest. He also said that the teams they are competing are too weak, and won't be of much help to the national team. When asked about Yi Jianlian's NBA prospect and his advice to him, Yao Ming joked that he was sick to have to repeat so many times to the media; he said Yi is of great potential, has great body and skills and very athletic; but NBA is very competitive and intensive, and he has to be psychologically prepared for it. Everyone is different, and everyone will have his own problems and face his own situation, and Yi Jianlain will have to face his own. But he is ocnfident that Yi should be able to carve out a great NBA career. When asked about Steve Francis's return, he said he is very much excited about Steve Francis's return. He said Steve Francis is a player that can be trusted and a player of great ability and calibre. He also said actually the Rockets almost managed to get Steve Francis back last season. But it's better late than never, and he said let's restart together. When asked about his view for the Rockets' chances this year after such big haul in the roster, he said he is optimistic about the changes, but he does not want to predict. He said they had high hopes every year, and used to brag about it, but they got disappointed every time. So all he wants to say is: "Do More, Say Less."
I dont mind it. it gives yao some match conditioning. he'll come to training camp pretty fit and match ready.
Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian during the warm-up prior to the rematch with the Melbourne Tigers in Macau.
Game photos at tonight's 84 vs 78 win over the Melbourne Tigers in Macau. Yao Ming scored 25 points/8 rebounds/2 assists. Yi Jianlian scored 20 points/9 rebounds. Wang Zhizhi 11 points.
I disagree with you here, obviously. These teams that China is playing aren't going to be any real challenge for Yao; he himself says they're weak. It's little more than practice for him, yet he's likely going to be played with physical double and triple teams. That increases his chances of injury, and we all know he already has a shoulder that needs surgery. I realize Yao feels an obligation to participate in these games, and as I stated above, there are some decent reasons for him to play. But he has nothing to prove in these games. He's not going to see anything resembling Memet Okur's defence to practice against. He's just going to get hacked and bumped. Personally, I'd rather see Yao come into training camp fully refreshed and hungry to learn, not nursing a bunch of fresh cuts and bruises.
Yao said he wasnt in a gd mode yet...i guess it takes time for him to adjust back to the last season's mode...
Sponsored by Chinese company? I think the jerseys do look weird for not having anything English. I think the Tigers team is owned or partially owned by an Chinese Australian.
Perfect time for Yao to work on those Hakeem Olajuwon moves!! Yao: "Give me tha boll!" Yi: "But Yao, you have 3 guys hanging on you!" Yao: "That's OK--I donk on all of them!"
Not sure WHY Yao Ming still decides to visit Taiwan after all the stringent conditions/restirctions the Taiwan authorities placed onto his visit: No press conference allowed No commercial activities allowed No charity fund-raising allowed No mention of Olympic 2008 or the Olympic torch relay
pryuen, you know that Yao is a kind-hearted soul who is there to promote international cooperation in anyway possible. I salute him for putting politics aside and being a goodwill ambassador to Taiwan, despite their intransigence.
Yao Ming has arrived Taipei this evening well and sound !! According to what was reported, Yao Ming will be residing in The Sherwood Taipei, a 5-star hotel in Taipei. http://www.sherwood.com.tw/en/ http://sports.163.com/07/0907/12/3NPOD2JL00051CA1.html According to the above article, the hotel management is busy lining up in the business suite a elongated bed 2.6M X 2.4M for Yao Ming. 2 photos of his newly wed wife Ye Li by the bedside. And in the living room of the suite, on the sofa, there will be all kinds of stuff toys of teddy bears and monkeys, as well as a birthday card pre-celebrating Yao Ming's birthday in 5 days' time (September 12). Also in the living room, there are a full suite of PS3、PSP、Wii electronic computer games and PS3 NBA games (with Yao Ming dunks) for him to kill time. And inside the bedroom, on the elongated bed they have prepared, there will be a 1.7M teddy bear on the bed. According to the hotel management, they said, since Ye Li does not travel together with Yao Ming, let him cuddle the teddy bear throughout the night. ROTFLMAO !! That's so lame........
To supplement Pryuen's report (from TVBS.com): This is the teddy bear that is going to replace Ye Li. More photos from the following link: http://www.tvbs.com.tw/news/news_list.asp?no=yu20070906122216
