China vs. Greece (Yao vs. VSpan) - who do you pick?

What is 勉族 means anyway?? Does it make any sense?

 

"coffin guy" is someone who always deal with dead bodies. Thus, "coffin guy" implies someone that's not afraid of death or not scare of anything.

 

勉 means encourage.
族 means tribe, or team (barely).

It doesnt makes too much sense to me. But thats M Camby's tattoo

 

There may be more meaningful in Japanese?

 

I'm tired of those chinese character tatoos.

HOW BAAN!

 

nevermind

 

Yeah, you are right.

勉族 is a Japanese Chinese term refers to a group of people that's tough, strong, hard working, self-encouraging, and team-up with the others.

 

I'm really glad that Yao's guarntee of getting out of the prelims (as translated) was fulfilled. But Yao playing in 4 (or 5) games in six days just doesn't make sense if you're a Rockets fan. There's no way they'll advance further and if Yao's going to play 40 mins. while he's still technically rehabbing then it's borderline insane.

I'm not knocking V-Span here, but Yao is the Chinese team and they have a lot of work to get done before they risk Yao further.

 

Totally agree!! There is NO reason to play Yao for 40 min The coach is a coward. He should give Yao some rest at end of first and thrid quarter.

 

If he has done that, Yao would have played his last game in the WC and he would be heading back for Houston by now. They needed 40 mins from Yao and a miracle shot just before the buzzer to beat Slovenia last night.

 

But what's the point? A non-Chinese coach keeping his job? Don't get me wrong, I feel for the guy but China had nothing to play for and Yao more than did his bit.

A miracle victory now (which won't happen) won't help the CNT or the Rockets in any way.

In truth this is turning into a Yao endurance test with high ris and no reward. Ridiculous.

 

Sorry, high risk, no reward.

 

I know what you are talking about. But Yao was probably the one who decided to play all the 40 mins. I don't think the coach (Jonas?) would have refused if his superstar center wanted to take a breathe. I am worried about the situation too. But as the fans, all we can do is to pray that Yao will make it out of the tournament healthy.

 

To resolve some of your guys' concerns on why Kazlauskas played Yao Ming the full game, and what impact it had on Yao Ming's left foot, and how he felt afterwards, just would like to give you guys a summary that I collected from reading those post-game interviews/summaries from the Chinese websites:-

Unlike the game in the Olympic against Serbia & Montenegro, Yao Ming did not volunteer to play the full 40 minutes, but he was willing and prepared to play the full 40 minutes, as he knew that his team needs him, and he sorted of knew Kazlauskas would gamble on playing him for 40 minutes, as it was a dead-or-alive game.

When asked about his feelings after the game whether he was exhausted, whether he felt anything wrong with his "injured" foot, and whether he agreed to the way that he was used by the coach: he said:-

1. He was really exhausted in 4Q; he could barely run or jump and he forgot whether it was 3Q or 4Q while he was playing.
   
2. He said he has no pain and in fact numb about his foot; he felt tired and sore on the foot after the game, but he said the ecstacy of the win had completely overwhelmed him, and he thought he would be ready to fight again with another 2 days' rest.
   
3. He thanked his team mates for the support rendered him, in particular Wang Zhizhi and Wang Shipeng. He said Wang Zhizhi's 5 quick points in that last 4Q stretch was clutch, and said Da Zhi is a player of vast experience that he and his team mates could depend on. And he said after thirsty in the desert for 10 days without drinking, he now found an oasis !!
   
4. He also said that clutch shot from Wang Shipeng at the buzzer was very much NBA-like, and he was glad that his team mates all fought like men with heart and passion at the clutch stretch of the 4Q, and would not give up. He said now they can all go back home, all walking with their heads up and would not be afraid to meet their compatriots, fans and family.
   
5. He also said he would like to pay for an autographed jersey from Wang Shipeng to keep as souvenir for this game.
   
6. When asked what were the key to this win, Yao Ming said it was luck, courage and conviction !!!
   
7. As to why Jonas Kazlauskas kept him on court for the full game, he made the following analogy. He said when he was with the Shanghai Sharks, he used to play big minutes as well. When reporters asked his mentor and head coach, Li Jiuping, why he kept playing Yao Ming big minutes, and not let him rest, and what would happen if Shanghai Sharks played without Yao Ming, Li said: Now that you have a machine gun on hand, why do you still need to fight with a broom or a spear ???
   
8. Jonas Kazlauskas explained afterwards that the interior offense and defense of Slovenia comprised of 3 ~ 4 NBA players; Yi Jianlian was not playing too well; Wang Zhizhi was only in process of recovery. Zhang Songtao and Mo Ke would not be of much help. In order to keep the Slovenian offense at bay, he had no other choice but to gamble on the best centre of the world and used Yao Ming for 40 minutes, because it is like an elimination game, either you win or you go home.

 

Methinks the Chinese National Team needs to stockpile more weapons so the big machine gun doesnt overheat

 

Maybe you are right. But for Mr. Camby the definition of 勉族 means injury prone.

 

Japanese SUX!!
This is not discrimination!

 

Well, the BIG machine gun is fully loaded, and won't easily overheat and misfire............

Meanwhile the other M16s, pistols, swords, arrows, daggers, spears are getting ready........

 

I'm putting some money on V-span but wish Yao will keep dominating.

 

Why is the Greece team so formidable? I think they went undefeated in group matches, right? Do they have any well-known players on their team, other than V-Span?