FROM: Chris Palmer with Yao Ming DATE: Monday, November 4 One small step The Americanization of Yao Ming will be a long, slow process. A lot like perfecting his defensive positioning and footwork. It will be a while before he even attempts to get his driver's license. And longer still before he gets the hang of Houston's highways and byways. Yao's rookie year will be one adjustment after another. But the most important thing that will help get Yao into a comfortable groove is getting to know his teammates. No one can teach him more. They can help him become one of the guys. After the Rockets handed the Raptors their heads on a platter Saturday night, Houston's locker room was abuzz with activity. Yao looked a little puzzled, like a guy from a foreign land who has only known his teammates for 10 days. Steve Francis tossed his shoes and headbands in his locker, cocked his hat just right and made for the door. Across the room, he spotted Yao's head sticking above the fray. "Yo, Yao, don't forget practice on Monday," said Francis. "What time, 11 o'clock?" replied Yao. "Nah, 10, we liftin' first." "Okay." "All right." If Francis had that exchange with anyone else it wouldn't have meant much. But with Yao it meant everything. He's one tiny step closer to being one of the guys. It is so good to see Steve really looking out for Yao. I think these two guys have the potential to be a great one-two force in the league for years to come. all in due time of course. hope you guys enjoy the article.
Love this kind of stuff, give me more. I really feel that Steve has taken the mantle of leader of this team and is trying to do right by the title. I think that he realizes that for his team to be a success, Yao has to have some measure of success and he is commited to making Yao's transition as easy as possible. It continues to baffle me when I see people on this board try to paint Steve as a selfish, me first, highlight wanting, all I care about is my numbers type of player. Some even go as far as saying that Steve is afraid of Yao stealing the limelight from him. Well after the numerous articles such as this, that show plainly that Steve is attempting to take Yao under his wing and appears to want nothing but the best for Yao, I can only hope that those views will change. P.S. - thanks for the article Rocketball...
the Rockets have alot of time off in the next couple of weeks. Ten days at home until they head to Phoenix with only 3 games during that time. I hope they get Yao lifting more often. Its also more time for T Mo and Rice to get healthy without missing many games.
"We liftin' first" doesn't just fall under ebonics. I just easily picture a redneck saying the same thing. It might sound a bit different, but it's spelled the same.
