Maybe I missed it but I haven't seen any mention of Yao's reaction to Rudy's dismissal. I seem to remember him thinking of Rudy as a father figure. I'd be willing to bet he wasn't happy for the move. Now training camp will be more important than ever. He's going to have to learn a whole new system, along with everyone else. I hope he can get there on time this year. WindandSea, any word?
I have been busy checking sports.sohu.com, sports.tom.com, and sports.sina.com.cn for the last 2 days. There have been no mentioning of Yao's reaction on Rudy T's dismissal. Just lots of World Table Tennis Championship coverage, Yao suing Coca Cola, Yao busy training with NT. The only coverages of Rudy T's step down were just translations, mentioning concern about how it will affect Yao's development in NBA.
As for Yao's comment about Rudy's departure, I doubt if the Chinese media can immediately reach Yao for an interview since he is at the training camp already. May be we will hear something from Yao later.
One reporter wrote that he reached Yao Ming with the news. Yao seemed be very surprised and not want to comment on it.
At least Yao keeps a cool head about it... that's one characteristic about him that the team needs to learn. Think about things.. let it cool down a little before you comment
http://sports.tom.com/Archive/1019/1042/2003/5/25-57070.html This is an analysis from Chinese media about why Rudy T resigned. Two interesting things: 1. The management of Rockets has discussed about JVG being the successor of Rudy during the last part of regular season. 2. Yao Ming checked his cell phone yesterday and found there were three calls came in (when he was training). Those calls didn't show the caller ID. Yao guessed that those calls might be from Francis. (Francis: Yao, I am so upset. I will ask to be traded. What's your opinion? Go with me?) (A sidenote: Do you guys know that Francis once yelled to "Mr. Mean"on court during a game because Mr. Mean put Yao Ming on the bench too long? Francis was very upset and wanted Mr. Mean to let Ming in. But Mr. Mean benched Francis immediately. This is what a Chinese analyst said when he was commenting the next game of Rockets. Because at that time there were a dozen Chinese reporters following Rockets, I think this story is true. So I think the relationship of Francis and Yao is very good. Francis somtimes CANNOT pass the ball to Yao at the right time or right place. But that is not the problem of "attitude" but the problem of "capability". )
yao has even a cooler head compared to everyone on the team. in fact, his got maturity in the game compared to everyone on the rocs period! what's his only technical, he screamed after a dunk over a the ratliff (i dont even know why that is a technical?! )
Thanks winandsea, I'ms ure that's what everyone wanted to hear. As for Francis' problem passing to Ming, it will be over. 1) Because we will be in a new system next season, and the coach wil lDEMAND it. 2) Most likely, Francis will not be the Distributor, but will be the main scorer with Ming. Meaning, he will move from Point Guard to Shooting Guard.
Actually.....depends on the coach...referring to Francis's problem passing to Ming. What if the new head coach is Larry Smith or John Lucas? That will be hell for everybody in Houston...especially Yao. Anyways...hopefully Larry Brown, Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy, or Mike Dunleavy. Next year......WE SHOULD BE A CONTENDER!
lol.....that would totally SUCK. Let's hope they make it. I MEAN....fine. We won't be contenders. But we better make the playoffs. And in three years.....we will dominate. Hopefully...