Well Yao in reality is pretty cocky, afterall he was the best in China and all of Asia, and certainly he is among the best in the NBA. In English it seems like he is not because it's difficult to communicate that cockyness. He needs to learn to be more subtle with the Chinese media, that is why many people in China don't necessarily like his attitude. Obviously he nevered learned the lesson from last Asian games, when the Korean center who was under 7 feet was able to pick him apart at key points in the game and annilate his effectiveness, and Yao was known to have entered the game feeling like they would never lose that game. Yao at this point is still very immature it seems.
And as some others have said, I'm not sure if exuding confident is necessarily a bad thing. As Lil pointed out, confidence can be read as cockiness if the expression of this confidence is done in a crude manner. Let's be realistic here. Given Yao's history, do we REALLY expect a humble and deferring personality? Given his potential impact on our team, do we really WANT such a personality? Should translations continue even though they purport to show a cocky Yao? YES YES YES! Firstly, if it is authenticity you are concerned about, I think the Chinese articles are real. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is evident that there is some history between this Yang Yi guy and Yao because the CBA fans seem to know of many past articles by him. Secondly, the insider team information is remarkably accurate and show a side of Yao that he seem to have flashed before (ref to dwang8's post). Secondly, if the articles are real, then certainly, I'd like to know the raw truth rather than be immersed in some sweet fantasy created by public relations. Besides, I rather like the idea of a cocky Yao. Thirdly, kudos to all the past translators! They have done a marvellous job. It has made for GREAT reading! And I fully appreciate that it is not easy. Chinese is NOT a simple language...and I speak from painful personal experience!
Alot of us do understand the difference. Yao is a great basketball player no matter what. There is no cultural difference in basketball. Language maybe. Not basketball. Government maybe. Not basketball. Say what you want, Yao... Speak Spanish, German, Jive, Hillbilly, Ho, or Houstonian. I don't give a damb. Heck, draw us some Hieroglyphics. I just want to thank you for being a Rocket. I must go cry now.
Actually I think it's quiet interesting. Only on the internet could one have gotten this amount of information (not like the time when Akeem joined University of Houston). History books are one thing. But when you actually travel to those countries and talk to the people you get an insight you never could have gotten from textbooks. The English (UK) and France relationship. The Chinese and the Japanese. The Indians and the Pakistanis ...the list goes on and on. Most American's just complain about how they are picked on (anti-American this, or anti-American that.). Well, self-centeredness will bring that.
That translation is out of whack. Besides, there's absolutely no credibility in Chinese news web site, especially the one labeled Yao Ming's exclusive interview. I personally read many totally make out (lies) news on Chinese web site. If you can understand chinese and want to listen to REAL Yao Interview, go to The Rockets' official site and watch the weekly interview in Real Video. (In Official Rox web site, there's a box called Yao-O-Meter, click on Interview button)
Yao is cocky? that is why many people in China don't necessarily like his attitude???? Did u know how Korean Nt got that CHAMP???Did u know the words said by that Korean center. If yao ยกรก cocky, that Korean center = anoia>>="Zeus". No mortal could vie with Zeus, And when Yao was picked by Rockets, did u got his new quote? IF someone hit u badly again and again ,u ought to shut up,especially he never talk trash to u. "Yao was known to have entered the game feeling like they would never lose that game. ?????????????" Maybe yaoming is still very immature ,I just could not get what is ur "mature" means?
