Nice read. Nothing really new. "...Yao, the 22-year-old rookie from China who is outpolling the famous Shaq in the All-Star voting, is a lot like O'Neal in that he has a very large personality to go with his frame. And Yao has quickly dismissed the racial situation surrounding O'Neal; Yao's top priority during the controversy was to ask through a couple go-betweens if the 7-foot-1 O'Neal can help him get a custom-made car. Yao (listed as 7-6 by the Rockets and 7-5 by the NBA) wants to learn how to drive - and he has heard about O'Neal's tricked-out rides. O'Neal's response is that there's a car guy in Houston he knows, so maybe they could head over to see him Thursday..." The link If this was posted before sorry. Blatz
That reminds me of that Simpsons episode when Nellson laughs at some guy who is way too big for their car, then he makes Nellson walk down the street with his pants down... I'll make sure not to make fun of Yao Ming...
Great story, and great PR move by Yao to diffuse the situation. Shaq reminds me more and more of Barkley every day. Lots of personality, sometimes funny, sometimes stupid, sometimes they stick their foot in their mouths, and they hate to admit it. All in all, they're both human.
Over in the UK, I believe it's called a Smart Car. I saw one on the way home from work today, and they look really silly! Edit: http://www.smart.com They are very small!
Fast forward a few years... Shaq and Yao are great friends. Shaq wants to retire, but is still somewhat interested in playing. Rich as he is, he decides to take the exception and come to Houston to form the ultimate twin towers and helping his new friend become the next dominant center... maybe, maybe no?
I'd like to see this scenario play out, except with a certain center named Hakeem... but maybe not to play... just help train.
They are called Smart cars. It is a product of a joint venture between Mercedes and Swatch (That's right, the watch company) They aren't available in the states, but you can find them in Europe, Asia and other countries.
The 600-acre Rodeo Palms subdivision on Highway 288 in Manvel (just south of Houston) got approval on its utilities from its Public Improvement District, clearing the way for home building to begin. Once Rodeo Palms is completely built out, which could take six years if all goes as planned, the gated community will have more than 600 homes ranging in price from $325,000 to $4 million. The luxury subdivision will be landscaped with more than 3,000 palm trees and 17 lakes with 75 acres of water. The golf course will be spread throughout the entire 600 acres. The community recently stalled in the planning stage, but has found renewed backing from professional athletes such as basketball great Shaquille O'Neil, who recently purchased land to build a home in the near future. http://recenter.tamu.edu/mreports/houston11.asp
I bet Shaq is gonna buy Yao a bicycle with a big basket on the back and a large squeeze horn on the handle bars. Just think Yao could ride it to westside practice facility and carry all his new And One Gear in the basket. And if there is some inconsiderate yuppie tennis player in his parking space all Yao has to do is squeeze that big horn on his handle bars to let him know who is who around those parts.
