Hey guys, Someone translated this Clyde Drexler interview from Yao Ming's website.... http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/p/2005-01-09/15151341860.shtml On January 9, 2005, one of NBA's 50 Greatest stars, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler arrived into Beijing once again. Although this was already Drexler's fourth visit, the amiable, courteous and elegant Drexler is still crowded by a lot of admiring fans. The purpose for Clyde Drexler's visit was that he will sign as the image spokesperson for a domestic sports brand "Athletic". After the contract singing ceremony, Drexler entertained an exclusive interview by Sina Sports, in which he chatted about Yao Ming, the Rockets, and his past legend in NBA. Sina Sports: Are you still taching at the University of Houston ? Do you go to watch the Rockets play frequently ?? Drexler: I've already stepped down as head coach for the basketball team of University of Houston. Of course, I go to watch the Rockets play frequently. My family is in Houston; Houston is where I live and is my hometown. Sina Sports: The Rockets now has the combo in Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Do you think they already possess championship strength and capability like the Portland Blazers in the early 90's or the Houston Rockets in the mid 90's?? Drexler: Yes, they are both strong and capable. But until they become truely a combo and serve and lead the entire team, then people can start to say they have the championship strength and capability. Sina Sports: You've mentioned that it will take 2 years for the MM combo to gel with tacit rapport and understanding ? Drexler: They have to find that chmistry between them because they are both players of great talents. It is now more important to excavate other players' potentials (to support them). Sina Sports: There had been big roster changes to the Rockets ever since the past season. What do you think about those transactions and their purpose/impact to the team? Drexler (smiling): The goals for those transaction were obviously to try to locate the appropriate partners for Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, in the hope they will find their chemistry and to finally send the team to the championship pinnacle. It is just like trying to solve your jigzaw by putting a major piece or a few pieces into the right places. The centre core (nucleus) of that jigzaw has already been in place: 2 apex players that fans have recognized and acknowledged: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Sina Sports: You may not be willing to comment on Jeff Van Gundy's coaching and game plan/strategies. What's your assessment of his work? Drexler: His guiding ideology is Defense comes First. I think Rockets needs to spend more time on improving its offense. They need to play faster, and they need to further cultivate the talents and potentials of the players. In addition, I thought they will need better luck. I believe their luck will come. Sina sports: Everybody now also realizes that they cannot expect the MM combo and the Rockets will obtain immediate success. They need time. Drexler: They are already very good, but not yet great. By the end of this season, they could possibly still be very good. But as of now, it is not even the All Stars week. The All Stars will be in February, right ? There will still be time after the All Stars for this team to become better. Sina Sports: The Rockets' winning ratio continuously fluctuates about 50%. Drexler: Well, actually that should be considered good, but we cannot say it is good, can we ? They need time to enhance (the winning ratio). That is the key of this question. Sina Sports: Last time you were here at the China Games in the preseason. You must have watched many games of the Rockets after you returned to Houston. Do you think they have made substantial improvement up till now? Drexler: I saw they have made progress; then they could have regressed. The question is you need to make progress unceasingly. You have to form your own style, and continuously making the baskets. I hope I can witness this team to score 120 to 130 points every game. Then, at that time, I would say they have truely made real progress. Sina Sports: Yesterday, the Rockets played and lost to the LA Lakers again. LA Lakers has always been considered a centre-oriented team. Do you think LA Lakers will be striving to snatch Yao Ming away (from the Rockets) in the future? Drexler: I think they will. In the history of LA Lakers, they had had dominant centres: Chamberlain; Jabaar, O'Neal. Yao Ming will become the most dominant centre in NBA. I have no doubt about this. But I don't think the Rockets will be willing to part with Yao Ming. (Laughing) Sina Sports: Last question. What were your feelings competing against Michael Jordan in the NBA finals? Drexler: Michael Jordan is definitely a Phenomenon. He surpassed utterly all your imagination. He is without doubts amongst the best ones. I extremely like to compete with his team, because they were really very competitive. Sina Sports: Thank you very much for this interview.
Wau, he has no doubt that Yao will become the most dominating center? well, first Yao needs to stop being so nice to his opponents. He can be baaaaad on the court but the nicest guy off of it. I read somewhere that Yao said he knew how to protect the ball (elbows out, rotate body) but was reluctant to because he would elbow people in the face....
Poor coaching job, just let Yao wear somekind of soft elbow pads. He'll be swinging his elbows like Mount Mutom.
Thanks for posting this. Now, can everyone who keeps bashing Yao hatefully, and those people who post trade ideas involving Yao, please shut the hell up.
Of course Yao will be the best center in the league once Shaq is gone, unless another great center comes into being, which is doubtful for another few years at least. I think Nazr Mohammed might be the only real competition a few years down the road, that kid is becoming good. But basically, Yao would become the best center in the league by default once Shaq retires/too old down the road. No doubt he will improve his consistency level as well down the road. Yao will be very good, and will probably win championships with T-Mac down the line, but the real question is: Will he be GREAT, not just very good? That is the key to Rockets' success in the future... --Tiger
WOW! I didn't know Drexler was God! Should we simply accept everything he says as fact? Nevertheless, I hope, nay, DEMAND that he is right! --Tiger
Clyde, in response to a Laker attempt to get Yao: "Drexler: I think they will. In the history of LA Lakers, they had had dominant centres: Chamberlain; Jabaar, O'Neal. Yao Ming will become the most dominant centre in NBA. I have no doubt about this. But I don't think the Rockets will be willing to part with Yao Ming. (Laughing) I just wish he had mentioned the Rockets history of dominant centers. I would stack it up against any franchise. Having said that, an interesting read.
I think he made some interesting points. a) He said hovering around .500 right now should be good. b) Said that he expects this team could be able to score 130 points a game. c) He has no doubt that Yao will become the DOMINANT center in the league. Hey, if JVG ever loses his job, I nominate 'The Glyde' as a candidate.
No, I WAS NOT serious. But, saying that, I wouldn't mind him filling an assistant coaching job with the team. Hey, if Ewing can do it..
