Big Hour's Yao Ming interview

Andy Yao (host): Another game against Shaquille O'Neal. Although you played well, your team lost. So what do you think?

Yao Ming: I feel bad that we lost. A lot of people thought that we lost because of Kobe's last shot, but we already wasted a lead of about 10 points, so it wasn't a matter of one play. It was a result of our many mistakes. So when we face a strong team like that, we should try to trim down our mistakes, because one more mistake may cost the team the chance of winning.

Host: You said you made many mistakes, wasted a double-digit lead, were there any obvious mistakes, that you can elaborate.

Yao: It's difficult for me to answer it now, because it was over for almost a week, so I can't have a clear answer, in that situation.... First I remember vividly the two three-pointers by Luke Walton, two three-pointers in a row, 6 points, that really hit us hard. And at that time we had difficulties on the offense.

Host: Let's talk about the game against Minnesota, you scored a lot, and you won the game, do you think you can take that pace of the game?

Yao: (chuckles) I don't think I want to maintain that pace for the whole season, I can only say that. Maybe ten times or eight times per season, and they can't be in a row. If all 82 games were like that, then I'll be exhausted.

Host: Then why do you think the pace was so fast? I mean, your team usually does half-court offense, why was this game so fast?

Yao: Because, we had to attack them continuously, we had to attack them continuously. So.... That was how we understood it.

Host: But why, relatively.. OK, you attacked a lot and scored a lot, but you also allowed many points. Why?

Yao: These two are definitely coupled, every time we score a lot....they also played very fast, we're not very familiar with a too fast-paced game, at least this year we played more half-court offenses, which was familiar to them. And on that day we attacked a lot---when I said we attacked a lot, I didn't mean we shot really well, but our whole offense---we passed and ran very well, so it would make our offense much better.

Host: Let's talk about the game against the Dallas Mavericks, you finally won that game, let's talk about the game.

Yao: When I saw the box score I couldn't believe it. We even had 30 turnovers, they got 20 steals from us. So when I watched the game.... I can only say the Mavs was destined to lose that game.

Host: You also played very well in that game, particularly at the critical moment, you had a 3-point play. So how did you feel at that time, what happened at that time?

Yao: Everybody saw what happened, so I don't think I need to reiterate. When I made the basket I felt I had to go back on defense. Because my first basket---I grabbed the rebound---I can't say I grabbed the rebound, I just tipped it in, so that basket was lucky. Back on defense, after a little more than 10 seconds, they tied the game. So after my second field goal I thought, we had to keep the 3-point advantage, we couldn't let them come back again.

Host: Finally when you made the additional free throw, you hugged with Steve. At that time, what did you think about? Did you ever have an agenda like, I'm going to beat the Kings, I'm going to beat O'Neal, I'm going to beat the Spurs, beat them one by one, did you ever think of that?

Yao: Of course I had those thoughts. A strange thing is, before, when we played the Mavericks, I always felt they ran before us, either on shooting the ball or on decision-making, they were always 1/2 second before us, which was enough for them to play excellent basketball. But at the game yesterday, I felt----I probably can't say we completely dominated the game, but at least they weren't much faster than us. A lot of times we knew beforehand where they were going to shoot, so we probably exerted much pressure to them. So they didn't shoot very well, their field goal percentage was only 41%.

Host: Let's return to the question, did you have an agenda of beating the teams one by one---not like an agenda, but like a goal of beating the Mavs, because when you played them before you never won in 6 games, you also lost to the Spurs often. Also, does this win help you become more confident?

Yao: I feel a heavy weight is finally off my shoulders. Otherwise, it was always like a bad dream, every time we faced them, you know, it was really frustruating for me. I was determined to play hard, but we always lost even before halftime. Sometimes I think if we lose all 8 games in Texas, in the beginning I'd just say okay, but it felt like we just give up on those 8 games. Also if we have to play at a higher level, like in the playoffs, then (not able to beat them in the regular season) will make us very difficult (in the playoffs)

Host: Memphis is coming shortly, let's talk about them, you don't play very well against them, did you make some changes before this game?

Yao: Memphis really improved this season, I'm very surprised they can be what they are now. I think we're prepared this time. Before we lost to them twice, in particular, we were very very frustruated to lose the first game at home, because we played very horribly in that game. The second time in Memphis, we had a big chance of beating them, but we couldn't score in the last few plays, and they came back one point at a time. I feel they played very consistently. I think we need to pay attention to that, we also need to be more consistent.

Host: Do you have some special ways playing them? Like in the paint?

Yao: I think we can hit them hard in the paint. But we also need to defend better, because in the last two games we almost won but we allowed too many points.

Host: Speaking of the paint, I just want to ask, Weatherspoon performed very well in these games, what a player is he on the court?

Yao: When I first looked at him, I thought he was just like the other temporary players being traded around. It was hard for me to imagine that he was that good. You can't judge a book by its cover, even though I knew him from a few times before, after this time I'm much more impressed of him.