Yao's learning curve extends off court By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle OAKLAND, Calif. -- Someday when he's become routinely comfortable shoving Shaquille O'Neal aside to throw down a thunderous slam dunk, he'll learn to outwrestle Steve Francis for one of the drumsticks. Some time when he's gotten into the habit of clearing the backboards for every single rebound, he'll discover how to clean up that last huge forkful of cranberry sauce and candied yams in one graceful, satisfied swoop. Eventually there will come a time when he perfects the art of pushing back from the table, grabbing the spot in the coziest recliner, loosening his belt a notch or two, then grabbing the remote control and finding the Cowboys game on TV. For now, the crash course in assimilation NBA basketball and American customs continues. Yao Ming does Thanksgiving. That's one very tall, very different kind of pilgrim. "I have heard of the turkey that is at the center of this meal," Yao said through his translator and buddy Colin Pine. "I have tasted some of it before, maybe sliced up or in pieces. "But I have never seen a whole turkey served for a meal. And I have definitely never eaten a whole turkey." So pull up a chair and grab a napkin, Yao. This is all part of the learning process for him and for us as two vastly different cultures separated by a gap as wide as the Pacific coming together on and off the basketball court. It is all part of the fun as an ever-shrinking planet grows smaller. Two decades ago, it was a wonderfully talented young center named Hakeem Olajuwon who widened our view of the basketball world, captivating us with his play, charming us with his lilting British boarding school accent, teaching us and bringing an outsider's perspective to a game that we get regard as very much our own. Now it is Yao's turn, with his engaging personality, his friendly smile, his willing sense of adventure. A different millennium, a different continent. But there is the same shared sense of wonder each time there is a connection, be it a lob pass from a teammate for a slam dunk or a casual conversation with a nosy reporter. For now, the post-dinner effects of tryptophan are as foreign and bewildering to Yao as traffic on Houston's freeways and Charles Barkley's penchant for sticking his head into some wrong places. After an appetizer against the Warriors on Wednesday night, Yao will get his first bellyful of this classic American holiday today when the Rockets gather for a Thanksgiving feast with all of the trimmings at their hotel in downtown Seattle. "I have been hearing people talk about the holiday as it has gotten closer," Yao said. "I am looking forward very much to having the experience." For the second year in a row, the Rockets will dine together on the road in Seattle, filling up on turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and all the rest of the staples that are quite familiar. Unless, of course, you hail from Shanghai. Cranberries? Stuffing? Pumpkin pie? Yao shakes his head. He has never had any of them, he thinks. "You tell me about all of these things that we will have, so maybe I will decide not to eat all day until we sit down for the dinner," Yao said. Not so different from us, after all. "Pork chops, chicken soup and anything that my mother cooks are my favorite foods," he said. His interest in Thanksgiving has grown as the day has drawn nearer. Some of his teammates have told him stories of what it's like at their homes. "I want to talk to Yao and let him get the full experience of what Thanksgiving is to Americans," Francis said. "I want him to understand about the holiday, what it means, not just the food." Having been in the United States for just over six weeks, Yao knows nothing of the history of Thanksgiving as it evolved from the early colonists, as a time to appreciate a successful harvest. "In ancient Chinese culture, there was always a celebration at the time when the fields were first sown, a prayer that the crops would grow," Yao said. "Today the tradition continues among people who do farming. There are other times when all of us stop to give thanks for what we have. I'll find it interesting to see the American side of this." A year ago, when the Rockets came together on the road, head coach Rudy Tomjanovich had them go around the table with each member of the traveling party giving one reason to be thankful. "Maybe we didn't go on to have a great record, a great year, but it was a good feeling," Francis said. "I think it helped guys get to know each other. I know it made me feel closer. "I want to do that all over again this year, make it part of the Rockets tradition. All of us living this life have so much to be thankful for, no matter who we are, no matter where we're from, America or China. "Personally, I think we're all blessed to have somebody like Yao brought into our lives. Are you kidding? A 7-5 center who can play like this guy? Yeah, I'm real thankful." It all continues for Yao, the swirl of emotions and excitement around his every step in this new league, this new land, this new life. At times you have to wonder how he keeps up with all of it, the learning course about basketball on the court, the survival process with the media and the public off it. He is pushed by opposing centers, pulled by cameramen and writers wanting just another minute, another insight. Yao is still just 22 years old, his head spinning at times. Is there one thing for which Yao is most appreciative already about his American experience? "Colin," he said, reaching out to pat his friend, his translator, his confidante, his connection between two languages, two worlds, on the back. Yao Ming smiled. "Now I am most looking forward to eating some turkey, learning about America," he said. Next year, we'll work on the football.
Very nice article. I am glad that Steve had embrace Yao the way he did. Hopefully, they can become another Stockton-Malone combo but with some championship rings. Happy Thanksgiving. We are truly have a great deal to thanks God for. I was reading some articles which state that if we have a roof over our head and own a car, we are in the top 8% (as far as being wealthy) in the world.
What I love about this article is that what most of the guys that have criticized Yao have said "a 7'6 guy doesn't rebound this badly, doesn't block a lot of shots if he isn't good". And uniformly, of course these guys aren't 7'6 and they're talking about guys who've played in America. The "cultural impact" stories, and this Blinebury column is one, cannot explain why Yao has struggled because he's not an American and he is a very talented 7'6 guy, unlike we've seen. Blinebury is quite right to bring up the Dream analogy, and also misguided by pointing out that when Hakeem was a freshmen at UofH he was also going at an NBA MVP in Moses Malone at Fonde. Yao's international experience hasn't quite had the advantages of either perspective. So, for anyone who saw Yao's "breakout" games and anyone who seriously looks at a rookie breaking a record of Wilt's in is 1st 12 games, has got to be a little numb. Yao does so many things wrong, and so many things right that is frustrating to any observer. But I'd also argue the things he does right is as good as any rookie I've seen. As an overall #1 he's not going to get the same standards applied to him that European players had, even though they had more access to the American game. And Gasol's rookie numbers on a terrible team last year will make it all the more difficult to keep everything in perspective. The sportswriters always say it's always the guts of a player you need to look at. They say Yao looks weak and stupified rather than incredulous. As a Rockets fan, who's watched all but the last 3 games. I look at this guy's guts and say he's got what it takes: work, humility, and complete determination. For the record, I'm not much into Turkey. Happy Thanksgivining all.
Jason Williams sure isn't going to win ROY. The race is between 4 players: Yao Ming Drew Gooden Caron Butler Dajuan Wagner This is barring any late, Marc Jackson-like candidates.
