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[Chronicle] Rest not at top of Yao's 'to-do' list this summer

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rob English, May 10, 2006.

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  1. Rob English

    Rob English Member

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    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3852710.html

    Rest not at top of Yao's 'to-do' list this summer

    By JONATHAN FEIGEN
    Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

    As always, Yao Ming arrived at Toyota Center early, fighting the Katy Freeway traffic to reach the court by about 9:30 a.m. Before long, he was back on the court, dropping in shots, one after another, with the touch too soft for a player so large, still so remarkable even after four years of evidence in the NBA.

    He was different, though. He looked short.

    Yao, still wearing the boot to protect the healing of his broken left foot, had taken a chair to the court and launched his shots while sitting, if nothing else, finally perfecting Rockets assistant head coach Tom Thibodeau's command for the low-post fundamental, "Sit down."

    There probably is not much to gain in working on his shot from a chair. But Yao just couldn't stay away.

    More to the point, he doesn't want to.

    After all this time, that is the part of Yao that people just don't get. He is blessed with his size and abilities, driven and responsible. But he also just loves to play. He does all this because he knows he should, but also because he wants to.

    Playing for pride

    So when those who would want Yao to spend his summers resting for Rockets seasons to come, especially now while he heals from his injury, they ignore Yao and what he wants. They also ignore that the best never devote their summers to resting.

    Even China does not always get this. Beijing does not have to force or pressure Yao to play this summer. It does not have to tighten its grip on him for fear that he would lose his devotion to the cause.

    If Yao skips the World Championships it would be because he has to. And he would be, he said, "very frustrated."

    "The final goal before I came to the NBA was to play for the national team and for my country in the Olympics," Yao said. "Now that I am in the NBA, that is still a very important goal for me. Here (in the NBA) you play because you are a professional and you have fans. If you play for the national team and they didn't pay or they didn't have fans and if they even put me on the bench like a role player — I wouldn't care because it is an honor to play for my country.

    "My first time wearing the China national team jersey, I was 17. The first day I got that jersey, I just put it on in front of a mirror like a model or something and just looked at it. The jersey was really big on me then, but it was just an honor to have that name on my chest."

    Work could be best

    If you asked Yao in March or April, when the wear of the NBA season shows, he would happily imagine a summer spent putting his feet up. He still considers sleeping to be a hobby. But let a week or two, maybe a month of rest invigorate him, and the court calls to him.

    If Yao is able, he will play. If he is right and ready for the World Championships and the demands of a grueling tournament, he would not want to miss it.

    It might even be best for the Rockets. He would train hard, get the work in and be ready for training camp and the season. If he starts next season the way he finished last, the Rockets might not get off to their usual horrible start.

    Beyond that, anyone who wanted China to allow Yao to play for the Rockets, should let Yao play for China. Those that decry Shaquille O'Neal for not playing, cannot also blame Yao for playing. And Beijing has no need to concern itself with Yao's intentions if he and his doctors believe he can't play or just are not sure. Let him go. He'll always come home.

    "I don't think the fans here care so much if I play in the World Championships as long as I am ready to play for the Rockets next season," he said. "I have fans both here and in China. I have to be good for both sides."

    Either that or he can just be good for himself. Then both sides will get what they want.
     
    #1 Rob English, May 10, 2006
  2. Hydhypedplaya

    Hydhypedplaya Member

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    Houston has been blessed with two great centers that are very humble and have a good character. The way Olajuwon succeeded is the same way Yao will succeed. Hopefully :p
     
    #2 Hydhypedplaya, May 10, 2006
  3. pryuen

    pryuen Member

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    A very moving article from Jonathan Feigen that should remove all the doubts and suspicions from CBA authorities that Yao Ming had faked the injury so as to shun responsibility for playing the World Championship this summer, as well as STFU for those that insist Yao Ming should take rest and not play the World Championship this summer.

    How can one not adore and admire such great player like Yao ??? :D
     
    #3 pryuen, May 10, 2006
  4. ccjj

    ccjj Member

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    What a guy.

    If Yao is really an end product of genetic engineering as some said, China should be the most dominating country already!!!!!
     
    #4 ccjj, May 10, 2006
  5. beerghost

    beerghost Member

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    Some products are defect<---That's what my mom call me :( .
     
    #5 beerghost, May 10, 2006
  6. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I'm surprised this is not a longer thread, given how many people disagree with Feigen's position.
     
    #6 JuanValdez, May 10, 2006
  7. aussie rocket

    aussie rocket Member

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    i think people are just over it to be honest mate

    i guess if Ming wants to play , and he;s feeling ok, then good for him. I hope it doesnt somehow blow up in all our faces though. :(
     
    #7 aussie rocket, May 10, 2006
  8. Believe

    Believe Member

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    Thats funny... even before I got to your post I was thinking the exact same thing about Yao remindiming me of Dream.

    So humble off the court.

    So sweet on it.

    Now if the Rox can just get some real SHOOTERS around him like they did around Dream... then I think the success will follow. :D
     
    #8 Believe, May 10, 2006
  9. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Feigan just reads my posts and then does his next article....friggen plagerizer !!

    ;)
     
    #9 DaDakota, May 10, 2006
  10. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    I seriously doubt that. We'll see when the next sina article about Yao's recovery is posted.
     
    #10 JuanValdez, May 10, 2006
  11. tikwanleap

    tikwanleap Member

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    Another great article by Jonathan Feigen. I enjoy reading his writing. :cool:
     
    #11 tikwanleap, May 10, 2006
  12. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    You are right. People here respect Feigen. If this was an article from sina, posters would pile on it no matter what it said.
     
    #12 Easy, May 10, 2006
  13. rrj_gamz

    rrj_gamz Member

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    I guess it is pride, but really wish he wouldn't rush it...
     
    #13 rrj_gamz, May 10, 2006
  14. DeAleck

    DeAleck Member

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    You know, Yao used to be my favorite player, but now, he's my role model. With those kinds of work ethic, there is pretty much nothing one can't achieve.
     
    #14 DeAleck, May 10, 2006
  15. RocketsMac

    RocketsMac Member

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    well, it should be... .. he shouldn't do what T-mac has done last season..he overworked himself and that caused him problems..
    btw, Yao is a great individual and a great basketball player.. he has a great personality and a hard-workers'mentality..I really admire the fact that he doesn't give up and he keeps up the hard work..but health should always be the top concern..
     
    #15 RocketsMac, May 10, 2006
  16. ShadowProphet

    ShadowProphet Member

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    If yao wants to play and is ready to play in the world championships, let him...it might not turn out to be a bad thing. It would give him extra time to get used to the ankle, get the rust off his game and get back into good conditioning against a real defense.
     
    #16 ShadowProphet, May 10, 2006
  17. arjun

    arjun Member

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    NO yao dont play in the world championships!! please
     
    #17 arjun, May 10, 2006
  18. compucomp

    compucomp Member

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    Finally an American comes to his senses and realizes that YAO HIMSELF WANTS TO PLAY BADLY FOR THE CNT. What a welcome sight.
     
    #18 compucomp, May 10, 2006
  19. wizkid83

    wizkid83 Member

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    Well, I was hoping Yao would rest this summer, let the young guys on the CNT develope, and then comeback strong this season.

    But if he trully wants to play, I don't think any body has the right to tell him not to, even if the Rockets pay his salaries. However, two players that rushed back from surgeries in my mind are Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill, both of those players would've easily being first ballot hall of famers but rushed back to play in the playoffs. It did not end pretty, lets just hope the same isn't going to happen to Yao.
     
    #19 wizkid83, May 11, 2006
  20. OddsOn

    OddsOn Member

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    Its this type of work ethic that makes good players great. Magic, Bird, MJ Hakeem, Malone, I could keep going but you get my point. All these guys approached the game the same way. Out work your oppenents in practice as well as on the court!

    Houston we have a champion!
     
    #20 OddsOn, May 11, 2006
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