Its cool with me. He plays his heart out; I don't think he has to think a particular way in addition.
absolutely, look at envelope for snail mail, U.S. address: recipient's name street add city, state, zip Chinese address: post code province, city street address recipient's name
This is very true. In fact, this is why you call someone who is Chinese by their last name first, like Yao. Ming is his first name, which everyone must know by now since they see Yao on his jersey.
In a recent interview with MSNBC, Yao said that he's eager to get both, an NBA title and an Olympic medal. But he realized that the former is more realistic to him. So I guess he has heart for an NBA title. He's probably a little emotional with the fact that he and his China team stayed at 8th. After all, he won't probably have another chance playing at Olympics, at least not in his prime. He's not the vocal leader of the Rockets since he doesn't have to be. I think he's been playing to his limit for the Rockets. Unfortunately, his last three seasons were plagued with injuries. But, no one wants injury.
First of all, let me clarify that I also think a NBA title > Olympics medal. That being said, you are terribly pissed because someone else has a difference preference than yours under the same situation (based on your imagination because you have never been and will never be in the same situation). You are extremely mad because someone else holds a different priority. From the way you talk, if you had the power, you would in all likelihood use it to 'make' that person's way of thinking conform to yours. You are as communist as anyone can get.
Ok i agree that Yao is focused on alot more in his country than our country focuses on those nba players you named above. But we all know one thing Americans are professionals at, at that is trying to be politically correct. Now you really believe that anyone of those players that you quoted above would trade in their NBA championships for a gold medal???? Come on man you and i both know that they would'nt.
i think you get more satisfaction, as the athlete, when you beat the truly best. you work hard all your life and then to win the ultimate thing against the best players in the world, going through a grind of an 82 game season, then another grueling playoffs, where you know your place in basketball history is defined if you win an NBA title. so obviously, most NBA player truly believe that an NBA title is the ultimate thing they play for in basketball. you don't see michael jordan cry when he got the olympic gold as compared to when he got his first championship. you don't see KG cry when he got the gold medal in sydney as compared to when he won his championship last yr. you dsee people criticizing barkley or malone or ewing for not winning a championship--you don't see people always praising them for winning a medal. in other sports like swimming or gymnastics, players usually train for the olympics. so a michael phelps winning golds is the ultimate. basketball players don't train to make the olympic team; they train to make it to the NBA.
If you ask Manu or Dirk which one is more important, they will probably tell you the same thing. And look at Nadal after winning the gold medal.
No i never said it was cultural, it's a common thing. There are Americans who feel the same way, I mean to say when people are fan's because of one player they tend to view country over club. As well as, some people feel like Gold is more important than a title. Personally, I don't think a single elimination tournament once every four years truly showcases the best of the best being their best. 82 games followed by 4 best of sevens, that seems more fit to me. It's not an American thing, it's an NBA thing. BTW, I'm pretty liberal, I got nothing against communism, in fact I welcome social programs to this country.
totally agree!!! stupid Yao-only fans need to stop talking. they are ignorant and dumb. I am a yao fan because he is a rocket. but first and foremost, I am a Houston Rockets fan....... so I can care less what he does for China. he better not get this year!!! he can love his country and say all that stuff about his life ending and all that crap...... all i care about is, DO NOT get injured this year!! he needs to realize where his priorities lie, what puts food on his table and yao-only fans need to get some therapy!!
true. to those players if they win, they become national heroes. but their status wouldn't elevate in the basketball world winning a gold. but to american players, the NBA title is the ultimate pinnacle. you don't become HOF or legendary players by winning olympic gold. you become a legend if you win NBA titles.
If you guys havent noticed, every great person/thing in sports now days seems to be the "greatest ever" or "most amazing ever" or "most important ever" or "best player ever" or "greatest victory ever" etc. I think Yao is just caught up in all of that crap. He'll play hard and if he wins a championship, I'm sure he'll be really happy. As long as he gives 100% when hes on the floor for the Rockets, I could care less if he thinks China bball is more important.
