http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~25322~1322247,00.html Article Published: Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 12:00:00 AM MST know him from adam Yao Ming By Adam Schefter China's most famous export wears a Houston Rockets uniform and stands 7-foot-5. Other than his commercials for Apple and Visa, his encounters with Mini-Me and Shaquille ONeal, his $17.8 million contract and his distinction of being the NBAs No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft as well as an all-star selection in his rookie season, which ends Wednesday night in Denver, Yao Ming leads a relatively normal life. Speaking recently through his translator, Colin Pine, Yao allowed us to be a part of something big. Adam Schefter: Even though you stand 7-foot-5, is there anybody you look up to? Yao Ming: Chou En-lai, a former political leader in China. Hes very charismatic. AS: Where do you get your height from? YM: My parents. AS: Who's bigger? YM: I am. My dad's about 6-feet-9, and my mom's about 6-2. AS: Have you ever apologized to somebody for sitting in front of them at the movies? YM: No. AS: How difficult was it for you to recently have gotten your driver's license? YM: It wasnt that hard. I just had to answer some questions, then drive with a trooper next to me and show him that I could drive. AS: Best feature in your Toyota Sequoia? YM: It's got pretty large seats. I find that to be useful. AS: How many cars have you accidentally hit so far? YM: Only one. AS: Best part of living in America? YM: Being at home. I can play video games, read, listen to music, talk on the telephone and eat my mothers home-cooked food. AS: And what is your mother's favorite home-cooked dish? YM: Shanghai-style chicken soup. AS: Biggest thing you've learned about American culture? YM: Competition. It's everywhere. AS: You're making your second trip to Denver this week, but what did you know about Denver before your first visit here in November? YM: To tell you the truth, I didn't know anything. AS: Is there anybody in America you haven't met but would still like to? YM: Not really. AS: Did you know Verne Troyer, a.k.a. Mini-Me from the second and third Austin Powers movies, before you met him at the commercial shoot you did together for Apple computers? YM: Yes, I knew of him. I knew his movies. AS: And were your a fan of them? YM: They're not bad. AS: What was the first thing Mini-Me said to you when you met him on the set? YM: The first thing he told me was, "I love the leg room in first class." AS: Do you have any desire to be more popular than Tiger Woods, as some have predicted you will be? YM: It's not something that I would really want. It's too tiring. AS: Most memorable moment from your rookie season? YM: The NBA All-Star Game in February in Atlanta. The entire three days were memorable. It was a lot of fun and very exciting. AS: And what did you think of Mariah Carey's dress? YM: I just hope the WNBA players dont wear stuff like that. AS: With the bidding escalating and the speculation raging, which sneakers are you going to endorse next season? YM: I dont know. We're still talking about it. AS: As big a fan as you have become of Starbuck's, which is your favorite drink there and why? YM: A Mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream. I must say, I find that very refreshing. AS: Was there one handwritten message you inscribed in each of the Christmas cards you sent to all the centers you've gone against this season and all the general managers who scouted you last year, or was every message different? YM: Some of the things were the same, but I don't remember exactly. But there were also a lot of differences in the Christmas cards, too. AS: After playing against each NBA team this season, is there any one player you would rather not see lining up opposite you? YM: Shaq. It's too tiring. AS: What do you hope to improve on for next season? YM: I'll know next year. But I'm not going to tell you right now. AS: Ever heard of LeBron James? YM: Yup. AS: And what do you know about him? YM: He has a very nice car. AS: Any chance well ever see Yao Ming put his hair in dreadlocks? YM: Uh, I don't think so. AS: Favorite words in the English language? YM: Last question.
Probably he means that no one can play basketball wearing that dress. The first question he might ask Lebron will be "how's your car?"
AS: So how was your flight to Denver Yao? YM: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. AS: Yao? YM: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. AS: Yao! YM: Zzzzzzz...wha?? AS: Were you sleeping? YM: No, I'm just resting my eyes. AS: Would you please take your sunglasses off? YM: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
