[Chron] Yao returns home as China's symbol to world

Yao biggest monument to homeland
Hugely popular Rockets center returns as China's symbol to world
By FRAN BLINEBURY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2846837

SHANGHAI, CHINA - The Oriental Pearl TV Tower rises like a giant Christmas tree ornament or some otherworldly object straight off the set of Star Trek to a height of 1,535 feet on the east side of the Huangpu River.

Yao Ming is bigger.

A few blocks away, the Jin Mao Tower is home to the Grand Hyatt, the world's loftiest hotel, which sits among the clouds between the 54th and 88th floors.

Yao Ming is bigger.

Of course, the Rockets' center officially tops out at 7-6. But there are ways besides using a measuring tape to determine stature.

Consider that when the Chinese government wanted a celebrity figure to promote Shanghai in its advertising campaign for the World Expo of 2010, it chose Yao Ming.

Consider that when it was time to christen the world's longest steel-arch span, Yao Ming cut the ribbon and was the first to walk across the Lu Pu Bridge.

Consider that Yao Ming was the highest-profile carrier of the Olympic torch as it made its way through China en route to Athens in August and then was chosen as the flag bearer to represent his country to the world.

"He is the 21st-century symbol of China to the world," said Cheong Sau Ching, head of media relations for NBA Asia.

A ferocious competitor yet a perfect gentleman. The new breed of Chinese dragon who has been sent out into the world to represent the most populous nation on the planet.

It is long past the day when Xu Jicheng, the popular proponent of basketball in China known as Big Xu, first spied a teenage Yao riding up to a camp for young players on his bicycle.

"He was wearing a white shirt, and as he came pedaling toward me, so big and looking so peaceful and sure of himself, I thought of a sailboat gliding out on the river," Xu said.

"When I first saw him play, I could not have imagined all that would happen, how far he would go. But a few years later, it became clear. This would be the special one."

Just how special is clear from the reaction to Yao's return to his hometown to play for the first time tonight as a member of the Rockets against the Sacramento Kings.

Rabid fans
Yes, there will be other players on the floor for both teams, and yes, the rabid Chinese fans will know all of their names and numbers. Especially that of Yao's longtime friend Liu Wei, who is trying to earn a spot on the Kings' roster. But make no mistake — it is Yao Ming who made all of this possible. He is as much a symbol of an evolving Shanghai and China as the flock of construction cranes that are constantly erecting new skyscrapers and high-rise apartment buildings in this frantic, electric city with a metropolitan-area population of more than 16 million.

"I might tell you that Liu Xiang, who won the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles at the Olympics in Athens is the biggest athlete from Shanghai right now," said Yang Yi, a journalist who writes for the brand-new, twice-a-week newspaper Basketball Pioneers. "To the Chinese, accomplishments mean the most. Liu Xiang is already a champion, and Yao Ming is pursuing that goal."

But has Liu Xiang ever appeared in American television commercials with the likes of Yogi Berra and Verne Troyer (aka Mini-Me)? Yao Ming has a name that opens doors and provides instant recognition.

If his mother, Fang Feng Di, and his father, Yao Zhi Yuan — both former basketball players — weren't restricted by the government policy of just one child per family, it's conceivable they could have put a starting five into the NBA. Yet their lone child has already had a considerable reach with his play on the court and his demeanor away from it.

"Yao Ming is the giant who will look you in the eyes," said Big Xu. "Most big men in the game look over your head. But he connects. He doesn't just answer questions; he asks questions, too.

"I say Yao has actually made himself bigger by portraying himself as smaller. He always talks of the things he must do. He points out weaknesses. He brings himself down and therefore brings you in. It is really quite clever and has been part of his overall effectiveness."

What the Chinese — not to mention his American teammates and coaches — seem to admire most about Yao is that manner that allows him to fill the role of ambassador as if it were a custom-made suit from a Shanghai tailor. He does not tower over the game or his teammates but lifts everyone up to his level.

"I love the way he plays the game, and I love the way he acts on and off the court," said new teammate Juwan Howard. "This is a thrill for me."

How big is Yao Ming?

The official sale of tickets for the two China games — the second is Sunday in Beijing — had Chinese fans willing to camp out in the streets for the privilege of paying more than $100 face value. Those tickets are now being resold before the game for as much as 5,000 yuan (roughly $625) apiece.

It is, in a way, validation. The Chinese have been reluctant to proclaim any of their own players as worthy of the same praise showered upon Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan. A few years ago, when Nike started an ad campaign that featured Chinese players, it brought sneers.

"You cannot fool the fans of China," said Big Xu. "They know the game. They know the real thing."

How big is Yao Ming?

His replica jersey has been, naturally, the No. 1 seller among Chinese fans for the past two years. But the No. 2 seller? None other than Steve Francis, simply because he played with Yao. Now it is Tracy McGrady's turn to bask in the reflected glow.

Image is everywhere
Yao could no longer ride his bicycle through the streets of his hometown without setting off a commotion, even in a city where tumult seems to be part of the civic fabric.

Yao's image is on huge billboards scattered throughout distant neighborhoods. When arriving international passengers at Capital Airport in Beijing first step outside the terminal, they come face-to-face with a smiling Yao pitching mobile phone service. Giant posters of Yao are hanging from the classically European-looking tourist area along the river called "The Bund." Life-size cutouts of Yao stand outside pubs and nightclubs.

"I don't ever drink beer during the season," said Yao. "That makes me look like I am in every bar."

Or just constantly on everyone's mind.

Turn on one of the state-run television channels — CCTV — in the major cities, and you're likely to see a grinning Yao dressed up in different scenes as a waiter, a chef, a bartender, a bus driver. It's a tourism campaign with the theme: "One Shanghai, thousands of Yaos."

The truth is, there are not.

How big is Yao Ming today?

Not as big as tomorrow.

fran.blinebury@chron.com

 

A day in the life of a cultural icon
Often mobbed but always adored, Yao busy at home
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
News Services

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2846778

SHANGHAI, CHINA - The instructions were direct and not open for discussion.

"Walk quickly and get on the bus," security ordered. "Once Yao Ming is on, the door closes."

With the door closed, it seemed logical to assume Yao would be safe. The madness of the crowds waiting just outside the gates to his old school would be on the other side of the bus' walls and windows. His Hard Day's Night moment would move to the next scene.

Instead, it was not possible to ignore the scene on the other side of the glass. Shanghai had been gripped by Yaomania.

A whirlwind tour
Yao had just played his part Wednesday in the NBA's "Read to Achieve" event, itself a scene of hero worship but more innocent and charming. He already had been to the Rockets' morning meeting, practice and lunch with sponsors. He then returned to the No. 1 Gao'an Road Primary School, where his arrival drew gasps and cheers from students and teachers who poked smiling faces through windows and filled balconies.

He was then rushed with a police escort to the unveiling of the Reebok Yao's House, a courtyard filled with new basketball courts, and on to the Shanghai Media Group studios to see a promotional video. Then it was back to the hotel to change before scurrying to a China Games reception.

"I would like to go for a walk, just relax," Yao said moments after the bus pulled away from the school. He could do neither.

"I'll be your bodyguard," quipped Rockets assistant manager of media relations Tracey Hughes.

Yao laughed but seemed serious when he answered, "It would take an army."

Carefully scripted
Each moment was scripted Wednesday. If there was a temptation to ignore the madness, every exit offered a reminder of the excitement and delight Yao inspires in his homeland.

After the Rockets' practice and news conference, Yao remained in the locker room until every member of the team and traveling party, every basketball and every shoelace, was on the bus. Then he was hurriedly whisked through walls of security and past a crowd of fans.

When he left the school, the bus was momentarily engulfed by crowds screaming his name. An old woman was overcome with emotion, bursting into tears at the sight of Yao before she was helped away.

Yao's favorite homecoming event might have been the dinner he and his parents hosted for his team the night before.

"He worked hard to make us feel at home," Rockets teammate Bostjan Nachbar said. "But he wants me to try the snake and stuff, and I want to try, but I don't think it's the best time of the year to do that. I have a game to play."

Instead, Nachbar ate crab meat. Tracy McGrady raved about the roast pig.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy "stuck with the American food."

"What I liked was the band," Van Gundy said. "It was retro. They played Hello, Dolly!, Wonderful World. I felt like Yao took us into a time warp."

Amidst it all, Yao reveled in his role as host.

"He and his parents were smiling the whole time," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said. "It was a time to ask Yao about the city and for him to tell his teammates about his hometown."

jonathan.feigen@chron.com