Yao: Possibility of not playing in Olympics is biggest disappointment of career

You are so wrong , this is not a master/slave game . This is like a family business, this is about love . Don't you know how YAO loves Houston Rockets ? We are his family and we have to support him for his dream ...

 

The only thing that would have upset me about this is if he had a choice between having surgery now and after the season and chose now to be able to play in the Olympics. Since I doubt that's the case, I don't see a huge problem with what he said.

 

Well I'd have to disagree for a different reason than crazy_script because many players have played for the US national team and still compete for the title. Kobe? Lebron? Wade? I don't see a difference in the US national team and other international teams because they are competing for the same thing.

Next, I would have to consider Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. They may not be franchise players but, you can't question their importance to their team.

 

First, does anybody here doubts the loyalty YAO holds for the Rockets?

Second, does anybody here doubts the loyalty YAO holds for his country?

Third, do we really have to put one ahead of the other and then judge YAO's loyalty to anyone of them?

maybe he is just too honest and not political enough, is that a reason to bash him?

 

all rockets fans should just be glad that even though yao said what he said he is still:

THE HARDEST WORKING SUPERSTAR ON THE TEAM!!!!

 

It betrayed you, selfish guy!

 

I love hardcore SM stuff btw.

Anyway, playing for your country in Olympics is a big deal, but why does Yao have to play for his national team every summer is beyond me, give the man some break away from some small gigs, Asian Cup? You sh#@ing me???

 

It is not because of patriotism, I can assure you Americans have alot more of it than probably any other Country in the whole world.

It is you don't care because NBA is way better and rich than any other basketball competition, just like we (italians) don't give a damn about Fooball (I mean the sport you call soccer) in the Olympics. Unfortunately sports in which you get alot of money in your Country are not well considered in the Olympic Games. Hower, it is a honor to win in a "poor" sport in the OG and Bball is a "poor" sport in the rest of the world.

 

Individlalism Vs. Collectivism
I suggest you to learn some culture, not everybody thinks like "Self-fish American". To play Olympic in his own country, it's a dream before Yao even know what Houston Rockets is, so why do you act so supprise?

 

If you look at the statistics or just plain ask around, our Patriotism has dropped significantly over the past couple of decades, but I can't speak for all. There are definitely some people that are hardcore patriots also. Most of us do consider the NBA Championship a greater honor because we've been spoiled with so many wins at the Olympics.

I guess my point is its very different for Yao, because China has never done it before. First time's always the most memorable. Btw, I thought soccer payed well...

 

I cannot agree with your opinion. I think we have different understanding about patriotism. It is one of differences between our Chinese and American. Such a thread seems to me a fly in the soup. Gross

 

As an American, I would be devastated if I were unable to play in the first olympics hosted in United States. Everything has been about the olympics for Yao and I understand exactly how he feels. Does no one here know what patriotism feels like?

 

course not, the america flag is basically 3 colors, green, green and green.......every now and then, you find a kobe who wants to play for his country even though he's a stud.......then you have others who'll pass to "rest" by getting wasted on tropical islands during the off season.

 

We all know to him it is:
1) China
2) NBA

It has been like that forever and will be like that forever, its better he is honest with us then lie to our faces like Clemens.

 

Perhaps it is inconceivable for you to imagine someone that care more about the honor of representing your country than any amount of money .... your lost!!

 

i wanna say something as a Chinese.

Of course the Olympics are a big thing for me and for my country.
But we all know Chinese basketball team is not a good team,even if we have 100% Yao and Yi.
if they get a good rank,we'll be happy,if they don't ,we'll still cheer for them.
And as a fan of Yao ,I really want him to get a good rest.This team is over using Yao,every season end,other NBA stars can have a good holiday,have a good rest or have a good train,but not Yao.He have to attend all kinds of game,even some warm-up match.I think it's a joke.
Look at the recent copa american cup,Argentina play without Manu and Oberto.
I think Yao is the most tired player in NBA,and I don't want someone to ruin his career life.

 

olympic gold medal > nba championship

but not by to much

I can understand why it would be one of yaos career disapointments, the games are in china, he is pretty much china.

 

We don't need to be lectured to about individualism by someone living in the land of the sweatshops.

Collectivism = getting paid 50 bucks a month to manufacture iPods.

 

Why would *you* feel "somewhat betrayed" that he's disappointed that he can't play for his country? It's not like he's jumping for joy about the fate of his Rockets season, or something.