http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Yao_Ming_Diary-57897-34.html "I don't feel like I have rested in a while, and I feel somewhat fatigued. I feel I need more rest. My free time has been limited so far. What little time I have had, I've spent at home playing some games, listening to music or talking to friends. All my friends are in China, and I don't really know anyone here." This doesn't sound too good, but maybe it explains why Rudy isn't giving him very many minutes.
Its impossible to say when you dont really know someone, but he seems like nice and honest person. And wants to be the best player he can be.
Actually, it seems like he's truly a fans' player. He plays to please. He works hard so that he meets people's expectations. I still suggest the Rockets put him on the IL. When he finishes serving his 5-game minimum on the IL, then he can be refreshed and ready to start playing well.
If Francis/the team doesn't embrace him, he will not like playing for the Rockets. He needs to feel like he's a part of this team.
Steve and Yao get along quite well on the court, but off the court they live seperate lives. I don't know how Steve would be able to introduce Yao to the kind of crowd Yao would like to be with. Steve does sound like the kind of guy to go out to the club and party, while Yao is much more of a casual guy.
He is lonely, no doubt. He will have his friends in time. But they won't be like his buddies, childhood friends, or anything like that. And I don't think he can be "friend" in the true sense with his teammates, simply because of the cultural and personality gaps. But he seems to appreciate their efforts in helping him adjust.
I think he will follow in the steps of Kwame Brown. This year will be nothing but adjustment for him. I just read this quote by Kwame and it sounds very similar to what we've been seeing of Yao. "Last year, I was so robotic," Brown says now. "We'd run a play, and I always did that same play, and if it broke down, I didn't know what to do. I was standing. Now if a play breaks down, I know how to make reads and I know how to help my teammates. Last year, I didn't help anybody." ----Kwame Brown Isn't this what we are seeing of Yao right now. When a play breaks down, he just looks kind of lost out there. I think everyone will see a completely different player next year. Yao will have adjusted to the game better by then. He's just too talented to not succeed. About the friend issue, maybe when he gets the time he can go to Chinatown and make friends with someone that shares his culture. That would be awesome!!! It would suck to not have any friends in town. Anyways, I hope Yao keeps his head up this year and not listen to the stupid media.
There's a different between Yao and Brown. Yao is a fundamentally sound player already, whereas Brown was just a high school kid with physical talent. Brown had to learn the skills. Yao already has most of the skills down. All Yao needs to do is getting used to the NBA style and the flow of his team (which seems to be non-existing ). That is why it seems more disappointing to see Yao struggle. That said, Brown didn't miss the training camp and didn't have to endure the shock and loneliness of living in a foreign country.
"Dear Diary: I wish Steve and Cat would pass me the damned basketball. I learned new terminology today, it is from Native American culture: totem pole. They treat me like a Chinese totem pole. I learned another terminology today, this one is hip-hop culture: if they don't start passing me the ball I'm gonna bust some heads up in this muhfu**a." ---Yao Ming
Yao also didn't get to attend the "big man camp" this summer. That aside, it appears that there is a major difference in the offensive setups in the NBA compared to that of China. Yao doesn't know what to do when a play breaks down. Those skills of his (shooting, footwork, etc.) won't help him if he doesn't know where to be. In that aspect, he is more at the level of a player coming out of high school (not physically, but mentally). Brown also has the advantage of playing in the US his whole life. Everything he has learned about basketball has been very fast paced and goes along the the NBA style of basketball (very physical, dunking, etc.). Yao has learned a different type of basketball. Now he has to "reprogram" what he has always been taught about the game. That takes a lot of work. Basketball philosophy is very mental and utilizes instincts. Yao is being asked to go against his instincts with this new style of Bball.
Isn't this what we are seeing of Yao right now. When a play breaks down, he just looks kind of lost out there. plays?? do the rockets actually run plays?
Its very obvious that he just needs some time. But it is hard to be patient. More games he plays the better he will be... Please help tutor him a bit soon dream. He will he will get bored.
Sane brings up a good point...Allowing 5 games to rest is splendid and he wouldn't just rest...Rudy and co. could give him some feedback on particulars and assuring...I am sure Yao wants so much to dominate, but it's gonna be a real 2 or 3 months before he "starts to get it"...Know what I mean?
LOL! You know that this will be true. Dirk and Peja started talking like that after learning from Chris Webber. So, I know that Yao will pick up some words. I think the Chronicle mentioned that Yao was trying to practice the word "Wasssssaupppp?????!!!!"
You know, I'm not too sure that those 7 -10 minutes of playing time are really making Yao tired. Perhaps he needs a couple of weeks of doing nothing physically. Maybe he could just study and watch film or something.
Maybe Yao and Eddie could become friends? They are young, and Eddie doesnt go clubbing with those guys because of his age and ****. And Eddie seems to be like a quiet guy based on his demeanor. Oh well.
