Oct. 5, 2003, 9:41PM Yao arrives for camp a year wiser By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle A year later, there were no politicians waiting to shake his hand, no banners celebrating his arrival in several languages. This time, when Yao Ming reached Houston, he set off an impromptu re-enactment of A Hard Day's Night. Yaomania began again Sunday, when Yao -- trained by a year as the center of attention -- made a quick U-turn toward the waiting stretch limousine, inspiring a mad dash to catch him. Someone yelled, "There he is," and media members sprinted behind, minicams bouncing on shoulders, as if they had heard a starter's pistol. Fans followed through Bush International Airport, leaving suitcases and even shoes behind, just to get a closer look or better still, a quick autograph. Yao appeared neither as amused as he often did last season or as stunned as he had when it all began, but rather seemed accustomed to the hysteria he inspires. "I think it will keep getting better," Yao said of handling the crush of attention. "I have to count on myself to find the answers." With that, Yao was back in Houston with little change in his unique power to inspire such moments. Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy will offer a suggestion or two, and for Yao's second season, the Rockets are expected to limit media access to Yao to the same schedule as the rest of the team. Still, Yao's arrival Sunday offered a reminder there are some scenes that can be controlled but not prevented. "The only thing I want to teach him is to say no and to prioritize (and) to say no to whatever it is that gets in his way," Van Gundy said. "You give up a certain part of your privacy when you are a star, and you're more captive on the road. "It's not like when I go out, people are swarming me. When he goes out, he's going to draw attention. That's part of the price of fame." For now, Yao went from the crush of attention to the rush to make up for lost time. Yao was immediately taken Sunday for mandatory physical examinations before he could begin workouts, and Van Gundy stationed himself at the hospital to meet his 7-5 center. Today, the Rockets begin the race to get Yao his visa, hoping to have it done in time for Yao to make it to Texas A&M-Galveston in time for the last training camp practice. "Once we start the season, we don't want to have to interrupt it for details like this so we're trying to get them done right now," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "All those details, you want to get them out of the way so he can concentrate. (With Bostjan) Nachbar, it took us a month (to get a visa last season). We had to send him up to Canada. "We don't want to go through that again. We want to get everything done now, concentrate on basketball and get after it." Yao has missed 10 practices in the preseason's first week, including five full-squad workouts. But he arrives more than two weeks earlier than he did last season. He just completed his play for the Chinese national team in an Olympic qualifying tournament; last season he had played in the Asian Games after the grueling World Championships. "This is going to help us a great deal," Dawson said of Yao's arrival. "Everybody is learning. We have new players and a new coach so this is going to help us a great deal. And he looks good, too. He gained weight. It's good to have him back." Still, Yao will have to get accustomed to a new system and new coaches while starting a week behind his teammates. "It's a new experience for me," Yao said. "I never had to switch coaches on the same team before. It's a test for me. "I haven't been with the team so I'm not exactly sure, but I trust every year will be better and better." That would seem to include scenes like Sunday's. His first day back in the NBA indicated the attention and demands on Yao might not have changed. But there was a familiarity with his situation he did not have a year ago. "Not only this, I think he can handle the league better, everything that goes on," Dawson said. "It won't be as much of a shock. Everything will be better this year than a year ago. As you get seasons behind you in this league, you learn to cope with everything. "It's not the easiest thing to do in the world. From where he came from, the different culture and everything, it was like 10 times harder. He did a remarkable job. As intelligent young man as he is and the way he handles things, I think we'll see a big, big difference this year." Yao did seem more comfortable with the whirlwind. He even seemed to enjoy the greeting of the usual airport welcoming committee -- heat and humidity. "I'm not a rookie anymore," he said. "I feel more familiar with Houston now. It's like summer again. You have to understand, in Beijing and Shanghai, it's already a little cool. It's still pretty hot here. I think it will get hotter and hotter because the season is about to start." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2139689
Vintage Yao. Good to have the kid back home. You know, when it's all said and done, he's going to have one heck of a quote book. Seriously. Someone out there should start compiling his best quotes and write a book about them, sort of Yogi Bera style. That shiznit would sell.
I brought this up during pre-season last year. Colin Pine is a sharp young man and you can bet he has already started some form of literary work. IMO, a book will come out shortly after the Rox no longer need his services. He appears to be moderately frugal, so I doubt he'll ever have to work a regular 9-5 for the rest of his life.
Why didn't they just apply permanent residence for Yao in Houston, since Yao will spend at least half of year in H-town and has to travel between US and China once a year, it is much easier for him and ball club. No need to deal with the visa issue any more.
I tried to capture the Sports Sunday sebment..but had a technical problem...so I captured a couple of pics. Yao at the airport...yes, Colin Pine was translating..I suspect Yao just didnt feel like dealing with the reporters..he looked jetlagged bigtime. and for those who are concerned Mo will slack off and gain weight...he was still tryin to practice his shooting..wrappedup shoulder and all...
Thanks, Rockets2K! Those shots of Mo are actually kinda inspiring. We moan and moan about players getting paid millions of bucks, but still . . . a separated shoulder's a separated shoulder. Damn. That guys's got grit.
Didnt really show much, just the same stuff that was mentioned in the Chronicle. They showed him walking outside the airport, sign a few autographs, did an interview with the same questions, and went ahead and left. I caught KPRC 2 Sports Sunday and they had great interviews with the newbies (JJ, Meech, Piatkowski, and Griffin). JJ mentioned that another benefit for being on the team is "NO STATE TAX!". He also mentioned that he still has TX license still valid from playing with the Mavs (damn did he get a 10 year license?)and he still has a home in Dallas. Likes the weather in Houston and gets to play golf. Piatkowski just mentioned that he wanted to play with a winning team, loved Houston since his rookie year and his family approved in moving to the Bayou City. Meech was just too damn excited to be in Houston and claims that he hasnt had butterflies in a long time. AG just mentioned that he will do anything coach asks him to do. He seemed like he wasnt satisfied for being on the team, i guess its cause we got JJ or he is not participating in full contact scrimmage cause of his surgery from last month.
And you have to wonder how much of this is to impress Van Gundy. If that's the case, then even more props to VG. I'm liking him more each day, and I liked him a lot from Day 1.
Thanks for the screen captures, Rockets2K! Us out-of-towners appreciate it. Did the news cameramen film the fans scrambling to get Yao's autograph like reported in the Chronicle? --Houston Chronicle "Someone yelled, "There he is," and media members sprinted behind, minicams bouncing on shoulders, as if they had heard a starter's pistol. Fans followed through Bush International Airport, leaving suitcases and even shoes behind, just to get a closer look or better still, a quick autograph."
RoxBigFan I am sorry that is not how it works. If the BCIS approves Yao's permanent resident application (Green Card) when it is officially filed it will NOT AFFECT Yao's ability to represent his country China. Green Card does not nulify your ability to remain a citizen of the country of your origin. And many cases very many countries have the provision for dual citizenship for their citizens e.g. A Nigerian can legally be a US Citizen (have US Passport) and at the same time maintain his Nigerian Citizenship (Nigerian Passport). He can choose to represent the US or Nigeria in the sport of his choice. Anyway, I believe the Rox organization is already working on eliminating the visa huddles but I understand that there is 'Time Related' process before one can apply for permanent residency. In this case the "visas" in question is actually 'WORK PERMIT' I believe.
"Someone yelled, "There he is," and media members sprinted behind, minicams bouncing on shoulders, as if they had heard a starter's pistol. you need someone to point him out before they make a run? are they blind or something?
Dear Fegwu, Unfortunately chinese legal system does not recognize dual citizenship. P.R.C passport or foreign one, no both. As for the green card issue, I guess there is definitely a red light for that in the agreement between Rockets and the Chinese officials. With Yao being regarded as a national treasure for now, even thinking about getting him a green card would convict you the crime of treason
JVG is obviously keeping his priorities clear. Everytime I read something about this little man, the more I like him.
