Rudy¡¯s interview about Yao Ming

After watched Ming‘s practice with Chinese national team, Rudy accepted an interview from a Chinese reporter.

"We want best athlete -- Rockets head coach looks the bright future of Yao Ming"


Reporter: Did you watch Yao Ming's training today?
Rudy: I have looked many video tapes of him; certainly also remember his playing in Olympic Games. Thank Chinese national team for allowing us to look at their training today. The training is very good. They practiced many contents. Not only some warming up trainings, but also opposing practice. We also had a good chat with him. Plus today Michael had a good discussion with (CBA) Director, we harvest in a big way today.

How many games did you watch about Yao Ming?
Only at the Olympic Games. At that time their team was very attractive, because they have Yao and Wang. I did not believe that they were so big, and actually had such good skills. Therefore their performance attracted me.

In which way Yao Ming has gained the progress (than before)?
He is mature. His shooting is very accurate, very stable. His passing is also very good. He can run very well for his size.

Does CD has the consistent decision with you for choosing Yao Ming ?
Our views aren‘t divergent at this point. You know we want a best basketball athlete, and Yao Ming is this kind of player.

How will you compare those great centers in the NBA history with Yao Ming?
This question is very difficult to reply, because every player is different with the others. It is very difficult to carry on the comparison between the players. Yao Ming is unique. He has his own characteristic.

Do you have special plans to train Yao Ming?
Yes. We have very concrete plans. We will diligently teach him everything that he must know so that he can be developed into a comprehensive player. We can teach him defensive skills, offensive skills. Like all 21, 22 years old players, he also has a very big development space. Through our talks with him, and from the reports about him, you may find that he knows the importance of diligent trainings very clearly. He is extremely intelligent, understands that he is still in the middle of the progress, and only the unceasingly diligent practice can make him into a successful player.

What do you think about Yao Ming? a defensive center, a offensive center or a versatile center?
He should be a very comprehensive center. He has very well shooting skill. But on the other hand, for the defensive aspect, he can snatch rebounds and block very well. He could become a full-scale player.

Do You think he can becomes a center like Olajuwon?
Yao Ming is a very good team worker. He knows the importance of the collective cooperation. A good player must understand how to cooperate with the teammates, and transfer the entire team the morale. That means he must score points, snatch rebounds, pass balls. I do not hope him to become Olajuwon, but hope him to become a best Yao Ming.

If there any difference in training Yao Ming and raising Olajuwon?
Olajuwon was a young player when he joined NBA, Yao Ming has been a professional player for some years. He has been trained, has more basic basketball skills; But Olajuwon got progresses extremely quickly. We cannot forecast Yao Ming('s progress) on this point. I do not know whether he does like Olajuwon, but he already let us extremely be startled. We can provide all the environments for him to help him to get the progresses.

Can you compares the footwork of Yao Ming and Olajuwon?
They are completely different. Yao Ming‘s footwork is very good, and his basic skills are very solid. Young Olajuwon had a lot of instincts. We need train Yao Ming very carefully.

Do you think Yao will be able to become the rocket team "go-to guy" in the future?
It depends on his development. I know Yao Ming contributes in a big way in his team (now). I am very impressed by him. I hope he can do stable contribution in our team; this is already quite good. Whether he can get a great improvement depends on whether he can adapt to NBA.

If Yao Ming resists with O'Neal, what do You think?
I think after he enters NBA, he must study many things. Just Like initially O'Neal learned many things from Olajuwan. Yao Ming has very comprehensive skills. For instance, he can shoot in the middle distance; even can throw three points as well. I believe this is one of strategies that pulls O'Neal away from the basket. As a center, he can not only be able to shoot, but also play outside to create the opportunities for other players. If the center is unable to play at periphery, it’s not easy to win the match. Therefore Yao clearly has such characteristic. It's very inspirable.

How long will Yao Ming need to be able mature in NBA?
This is very difficult to forecast. I hope all young players can be mature as soon as possible. Yao Ming’s training attitude is very good; he is also very intelligent. Moreover he understands a lot of things. I think this can help him to adapt the NBA in a short term.

Do you discover any weaknesses of Yao? Yao clearly does have some, right?
I cannot say. I never comment the player's insufficiency.

Do you think Yao Ming will slow the rockets team speed?
No. Instead, I think he can promote the speed of the Rockets. He can help us in the offensive and defensive transformation.

 

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