Yao's newest interview

Anybody can help to translate?

I am always looking forward to some Yao's insider information every week from sina. But too bad I can't read Chinese.

 

That's a telephone interview with many national reporters, not that Yang Yi exclusive stuff.

YM said that he read sina.com nearly every day and found the fans comment there very objective and useful.

I suggest that he should read cc.net to learn more English and... well well...

 

I read through the Interview, some are just greetings. Note some of his thoughts on NBA.
I might translate some more if you guys are keen to know what else he said



Yao Ming’s interview by SINA.COM and other media parties.

Translated excerpts:

China Sports News: Hi Yao Ming, you had two low-scoring games, media say you hit rookie wall. What do you think?

Yao: Firstly, since I am a rookie, I certainly do not know what “rookie wall” is, what a real rookie wall is; everyone has watched many NBA games, if you guys think this is “rookie wall”, then maybe it is. I can only say, I play my games.

Sports World: When you were in Seattle, did you go to the Star Bucks ?

Yao: No, I did not go anywhere. I was too tired, just wanted to sleep in my room; also that day was their Thanksgiving day.

Qian River Night News: Hi, Yao Ming, I heard O’Neal’s saying you are his brother, what do you think of this? How is your relationship with him?

Yao: Maybe he said so, but nothing like a close personal relationship, at least no animosity.

Qian River Night News: Seems he said he likes you very much ?( OZ comments: Now this is a bit dumb way to ask the question)

Yao: At lease O’Neal is a very clever basketball player. When he was on court playing me, I felt he was constantly adjusting himself to find the most effective offenses on me. He is a very cleaver Bballer. Not what everyone thinks and sees that he only plays brute force.

Qian River Night News: What do you think of being in the All-Star line up?

Yao: This is happening too soon & too fast. Especially to a rookie, I am very honored.

Host: You have played O’Neal and other centers, who do you think is the toughest opponent?

Yao: Every opponent is difficult. Since you ask me now, the toughest one is O’Neal from Center’s point of view.

Host: Other than this position, which other player do you appreciate most?

Yao: I very much appreciate Iverson. I remember in one game, he impressed me so much. At that time one strategy is playing the right side….. but he found a very small gap between two of us ( who is that????) and dashed through. It was almost like Qing Gong p, the Chinese martial art where one person fleeting by)

 

Another great Yao Ming interview. This one is for all Asian media by china.nba.com.

http://china.nba.com/65/60/news206056065.shtml

http://china.nba.com/65/92/news206059265.shtml

A reporter used 2 questions to ask him if he would like to change team after his rookie contract ends. He said he's happy at Rockets and didn't consider changing team at the moment!

He also said he wouldn't want to give up his All-Star starting spot to Shaq.

 

Wait a moment, translation is on its way...

 

Tattoos are on the way for Yao. I'm calling it.

 

I found this interesting. When asked about Rockets erratic play (playing at a higher level against good teams, at a lower level against bad teams), Yao drew a connection to the situation of Shanghai Sharks two years ago, then said he felt it was a not-bad start for the growth of a team.

Maybe as fans, we should give the team including Rudy more understanding and support when they lose to a crappy team.

Sorry Carayip, I just can't wait.

P. S. It is not a literal translation, Yao's answer in its original Chinese is rather vague to me. For example he said something like "this kind of player (team?) is simpler than those teams who win what they are supposed to win and lose what they are supposed to lose. I don't quite understand what he meant.

 

First part:

Hong Kong Mingpao reporter: Hello Yao Ming. In the past there were some players who gave up their spots to more deserving players e.g. 92 Magic. Have you considered giving your spot to O'Neal?

Yao Ming: So you want me to give up the spot?

Hong Kong reporter: We certainly want to watch you but what's your thought on this?

Yao Ming: I think this is a very rare opportunity. I don't want to give it up. You know there is a difference between starting center and main center. The real center is based on ability. You can see which type is better. (Ed note: I don't quite understand what he's talking about. )

Hong Kong reporter: Now the regular season is half way through, but your recent performances seem not as good as your start. What's the problem?

Yao Ming: First, I am a rookie. It's normal for a rookie. It's the 1st time I've faced this problem. I don't know the reason. Just I don't have the feel on the court. Perhaps that's because I have never faced so many strong opponents before. Please continue to see. This is my rookie season. The problem is very normal.

Taiwan Mansan Post reporter: Hello Yao Ming. What do you want to do most at All-Star game at Atlanta? For example, who do you want to see most? What do you want to eat? Who you want to play against most?

Yao Ming: (Laugh) At Atlanta the most I don't want to see is media! But I bet I will be crowded by media there. But that's I need to face, I am only kidding. Don't have any special to see. All the star players are there so I can see them. That's good.

Hong Kong TVB: You've played NBA for a while, what's the difference between playing in NBA and in China? What's your biggest feeling?

Yao Ming: I feel that the challenge at NBA is bigger, that depends on the level, nothing I can avoid. In China, I can use my height and some skills to score easily. In NBA apart from the physical part, the IQ part is needed. You need to adjust the situation and opponent. In China or Asia, you don't need to consider much.

Hong Kong TVB: Recently your playing time is less, does it mean that your body or stamina part doesn't feel right?

Yao Ming: You can see my stamina was not good back in CBA so it's just normal. I want to adjust on my part because the defense on me has changed. Many defenses on me were very very hard (Smile). So I need to adjust to the "real" NBA defense.

Shanghai Morning Post: I've heard that in these past 2 days Rudy and other coaches had deep conversation with you, about "Rookie wall", is that true?

Yao Ming: He's said something. Steve's talked to me a bit. He said he had 4 fights in his rookie season (Ed note: I didn't remember that!). I said I had only 1 fight in my 5 years in CBA. He asked me if I had been suspended. I said no (Laugh). Rudy also said back in the days they needed to fly in the early morning and wait and buy economical tickets like normal passengers. It's very cold but still had to play ball. I told him we were the same at CBA (Smile). We have found the common point: A way to relax. He said coaching is not to make you a scoring machine on the court, it's making you feel that it's an enjoyable sport, to express yourself. On the court he can only control me 20-30%, the rest is up to myself. The most important thing is to learn to relax.

Shanghai Morning Post: So the conversations with them helped?

Yao Ming: It definitely helps but sometimes it's seeing what you can do.

Shanghai Morning Post: Rockets' next opponents are all strong, like Mavs, Kings, T-Wolves. Recently Rockets were quite strange. Playing better against stronger teams but not quite the same against weaker teams. Does it mean that Rockets will be to the form against the 3 upcoming strong teams?

Yao Ming: It's the same happened in Shanghai Sharks two years ago. I think for the team's development, this is better than those which win games they should win, lose games they should lose. I think this scenario is a nice beginning. (Ed note: You are wrong boy. We should have beaten the likes of Chicago and Knicks!)

 

Yao Ming: It's the same happened in Shanghai Sharks two years ago. I think for the team's development, this is better than those which win games they should win, lose games they should lose. I think this scenario is a nice beginning. (Ed note: You are wrong boy. We should have beaten the likes of Chicago and Knicks!)

It means Rockets have great potential to become a champion team. They just overlook the team that they are supposed to beat and tehn lost. Yao think in 2 years, Rockets will get a ring just like his old Shanghai Sharks. It's really sweet to know he has such a confidence.

 

Hong Kong TVB: Recently your playing time is less, does it mean that your body or stamina part doesn't feel right?

Yao Ming: You can see my stamina was not good back in CBA so it's just normal. I want to adjust on my part because the defense on me has changed. Many defenses on me were very very hard (Smile). So I need to adjust to the "real" NBA defense

Lets hope his stamina problems don't stay normal

 

Now anybody wonder why many people here complain about Rudy not having control of his players? Like it or not, it's just his philosophy.

 

We may have a big problem here. No wonder people think he's tired and he doesn't feel that way.

 

Don't worry people. Sorry maybe it's my bad. I think that's some misunderstanding here. I think what he wanted to mean is that back in CBA his stamina was not best but he's adjusted. Now in a more intense competition like NBA, stamina of course needed to be better, so it's normal for him to be fatigue from time to time and he will adjust one day just like he's in CBA.

And there is a second part. Please wait...

 

Thanks Sahanghai Shark, some good interviews.

 

Second part:

Guongdon Sport News: Hello Yao Ming. Congratulation on being selected as AS starting center. AS is a big honor for any player but on the other hand there is less rest for you, e.g. Jordon's said it's better to rest 1 week than participate in ASG. And you've played non-stop since summer, so do you think playing in ASG will affect your performance in the 2nd half of the season? Do you think the effect is good or bad? If it's bad, how do you solve it? Thank you.

Yao Ming: As you said, playing in ASG is a big honor for every player. I want to play very much but I also need the rest. What happen it happens. It's only 1 game still better than 3 games a week. It's considered as rest to play 1 game 1 week.

Guongdon Sport News: Did your teammate and coach give your advice about the activities in the ASG?

Yao Ming: They said in ASG, you need to play happy. They treated it as an entertainment, not real competition. They told me to be happy.

FuKei TV reporter: I want a more term question, say 3 years after your current contract expires, which team you want to join most except the Rockets? (Ed note: Damn they are already starting to speculate!!!)

Yao Ming: Can't tell.

Fu Ken TV reporter: Now if there are 3 teams, 1, you are paid 10m-15m a year. 2, salary is low, but guarantee that you are the main player and help you get leading stats and compete for MVP. 3, salary is not high but guarantee you that you are the starter and the team has a lot of talent and can compete for the championship. Which team would you choose?

Yao Ming: I think you better don't ask me this kind of question at the moment because I am now very happy at the Rockets and haven't considered changing team. (Ed note: )

HK reporter: Hello Yao Ming. You had such a good start in your career then would it put you pressure the rest of the way?

Yao Ming: There is pressure since I'm drafted as No. 1 so more pressure is no big deal (Smiling)!

HK reporter: In NBA, do you have an idol or someone you look up to?

Yao Ming: Olajuwon. (Ed note: )

China com: Hello Yao Ming. Since you're drafted No. 1 you had a contract worth 18m, how do you plan to use the money? What do you think about your personal earning?

Yao Ming: I've dreamt of a lot of things but in the end it's no money, it's some things. I like a lot of updated things, such as computer and music CD. Those things make me happy, not the money numbers.

China com: I head that you bought a lot of video games in US?

Yao Ming: Yes, 20 US dollars each (Smiling).

FuKei TV: As everyone knows, you are a top video game player in China basketball. I want to know base on your ability, can you join the NBA video game All-Star team? (Ed note: There is a such thing???)

Yao Ming: I've played a lot of games but a bit different from those played by NBA players. I've seen some Rockets players who play games, different style to mine. (Ed note: Poor Ming. You can only play with Boki then!)

Fu Ken TV: I've heard that there is a Suns player (Ed note: Sorry there is a name but I don't know who he is and don't know how to translate.) who is among the best video game players in the NBA. Do you want to play with him?

Yao Ming: (Laughing) Okay, you help me contact.

Taiwan reporter: At the end of the season, do you plan to hold a "Yao Ming Tour" or some sort back in China or Asia?

Yao Ming: How can I play with only 1 person (Laughing)?

Taiwan reporter: You can ask some NBA players to make a show?

Yao Ming: I am only a rookie, they wouldn't listen to me (Laughing). I think this thing is secondary, what I need most is rest.

Beijing TV: You now had some success in the NBA, do you think it's due to the help from your coach and teammates?

Yao Ming: I couldn't judge success on 1 or 2 games but you couldn't say I was in slump because of 1 game either, maybe tomorrow I was worse. But 1 thing is for sure my coach and teammates help me a lot. (Ed note: Humble!)

Beijing TV: Tell us about your life.

Yao Ming: Every day it's training room and home (Laughing). Linked by a car!

Shanghai Post: Hello Yao Ming. When your form is no good, any methods to adjust?

Yao Ming: Try to relax. Sleeping when sleeping. Eating when eating.

Shanghai Post: Apart from sleeping and eating, any others?

Yao Ming: Listening to music, reading. Recently a friend has bought some books for me, I will read it when I am free.

Fu Ken TV: Hello Yao Ming. Our 3 Chinese centers played quite well in the NBA (Ed note: Not really! ). Who do you think in China have a chance of going to NBA? And we had NBA players but still lost to Korea in the Asian Game, so does it prove that Korean players also can play in the NBA?

Yao Ming: I answer your 1st question 1st...

Host: Sorry it's disconnected. (Ed note: )

Guongdong reporter: Hello Yao Ming. Have you thought about how many mins and what stats you would get in the ASG?

Yao Ming: This is my 1st time. Not sure.

Guongdong reporter: Do you think you will play longer than O'Neal? (Ed note: They like to talk about Yao vs Shaq!!)

Yao Ming: I don't know. It's like you have never tried the spicy soup, do you know what taste is that?

HK reporter: I've heard that you had a China Telecom CDMA commercial. Do you have any standard which type of company you want to represent? Which type of commercial you like to film?

Yao Ming: China Telecom's commercial is more creative and special (Ed note: Yao knows how to sell!!! ). I hope the product is more high-tech and updated.

 

excellent translation, carayip.

 

carayip and olliez,

Thanks for the translation.