I wouldn't bet on it (them being close friends). This is the "real world," not Utopia or a "Rush Hour" movie. Whatever the case I hope they get over it and work well together...
you've never disliked someone before you got to know them, only to find out that they are an alright person after all? i have.
verse, I think from the Rush Hour reference what moomoo's saying is that blacks and Asians can only get along in Utopia and movies. Real nice, moomoo.
There probably be more news about yao ming when he plays in houston. All cameras on yao ming when he arrives in Houston.
I think he is going to be a good guy. He has the innocence of Hakeem (talking about the Hakeem after the religious experience w/ Islam). I don't want him to change from all that and get influenced/encouraged by crackhead Taylor or DWI Francis.
I didn't say that they wouldn't get along. Indeed, I implied that they would "get along" when I said that I hope they could "work well" together. But getting along, working well with someone, is not the same as being close and "buddy-buddy", a-la Cuttino and Steve. Pretty unlikely with Yao and any of the Rockets players, IMHO. Good on-court professional relationship? Yes, hopefully. In fact, anything less would be unacceptable from a pro-baller.
Moomoo :- I dont think you have thaught this all the way through! There are people in the Rox with whome Yao will relate quite easily. Les., Rudy,CD., Larry Smith,Nachbar, Oscar Torres, Cato,Collier to say the least.I ask why dont Oriental Asians get on well with Blacks? Do they not even if they are of the same standing Socially and Financially ? To me this would be strange if they have significant factors in common, besides being Human!
Of the players you mentioned, none of them are among the ones that matter (Francis, Cuttino, EG, etc.)...
moomoo, I wasn't going to bring this up again, but since you did... You said that this wasn't Utopia and it wasn't the movie "Rush Hour" so we shouldn't count on Yao developing close friendships with his teammates. Since Rush Hour depicts a black man becoming friends with an Asian man, there is only one logical conclusion to draw from your statement: Asians and blacks only become close friends in Utopia and in the movies. That is an ignorant statement. Period. You tried to defend it by saying, "hey, I didn't say they couldn't get along on court, but they won't get along off court." Ignorant. Period. I live in the real world, my poor simple friend. Houston, Texas, in fact. And even here in Texas I've seen real live Chinese people hanging out with African-Americans... just for the fun of it!!! Can you even believe it??? I even know some who are... gasp!... friends! Keep your racial stereotypes to yourself. I, for one, hope that Yao is embraced by all his teammates, both on and off court. You keep on living in the 50s if you must, but don't come around here acting like you've got some special insight into race relations. You do not.
For every Chinese person hanging with an African-American or an African-American hanging with a Chinese person, I'll show you a hundred more of either that are averse to such situations. BTW, for some perspective, I'm not one of them. I'm Asian and some of my closest friends at work have been African-American. I didn't say that "Asians and blacks only become close friends in Utopia and in the movies." You said it. And yes, it is "an ignorant statement. Period." I just said it wasn't likely. ("I wouldn't bet on it," which implies that probability is involved here.) At my workplace as at most corporations, you wouldn't be working there unless you were a relatively mature adult. Mature adults are more likely to transcend racial or cultural barriers in their personal/professional relationships. But my workplace is one thing. The NBA is another, in particular the Rockets. You've got these young black males with street mentalities, who grew up mostly in hard environments. You think they're gonna give a sh*t about Yao Ming's Chinese a**? Are they all of a sudden going to mature? Who's going to mature? Francis? After he stops vacillating on whether or not he's commited to the Rocks, because we don't draft another one of his "boyz"? Who? Cuttino? When he stops yelling "White Bread!" at the top of his lungs when a white player on the opposing team enters the game? Please...these guys will not mature, because they really don't have to. If I was in their position, I wouldn't. So to recap, Possible...but unlikely (am I ranting?)
Batman Jones:- Thank you! I thaught he was drawing conclusions without experience. When I chalenged, he was unable to give any real factual conclusions, to back up his statement!
Man, did I start something or what? I write a little hypothetical scene meant to be a humorous clashing of cultures.... So far we've seen a bit of his culture/my culture stuff...starting with Charles and Kenny, I suppose, on draft night. But Steve, Cat, and Yao and the whole Hee Haw gang will learn to get along just fine. They just have to be put together for a little while. I don't know if Steve will take Yao out for barbecue, or Yao will drag everyone to Tony Roma's; I hope Yao can stomach chicken and macaroni and cheese (no racial stereotypes here, Cat's mom cooks these foods for Steve, Cat, and Mooch...or she used to; Steve probably has a stricter diet now.) If Steve has any real problem, or HAD a problem, it would involve the fact that he doesn't want to be completely overshadowed. This is his team. To tell you the truth, he should mention something, as a friendly reminder: I consider myself a prominent part of this team, don't forget to hype me up, too; now where do I sign? Now, when's our Asian brother getting here so we can get a good look at him?
moomoo, I didn't realize you were Asian. Maybe that shouldn't change my reaction to your post, but it does. (I also think it should.) The fact that you're Asian and hold these opinions means that you are cynical due to life experience. I don't fault you that. I know that some stereotypes have basis in fact. I'd prefer to believe all that's past, but I'm white, you're Asian and that, to me, makes you the authority on African-American/Asian-American relations. I'm not taking your word on basketball players til I hear from one of them, though. I'm an idealist til someone makes me stop. I'm glad you've been able to bridge the gap. I hope the Rockets will do the same. No hard feelings, alright?
As long as Yao's play wins teammates' respect, he'll get along fine with them. As to becoming buddies, I'd say it's indeed very unlikely due to the language/culture barrier. I bet Yao would be dumbfounded when he hears Francis shouting to Van Exel "hey wassup son?"
None at all, Batman, it's all part of the game. (The BBS game, that is.) That's pretty much the gist of what I was saying, though maybe I did get a little overdramatic with the Utopia and Rush Hour reference, but still... In the end, all that should really matter and all that should be expected is that Yao have a good on-court working relationship with his teammates. Anything more than that, though unlikely D ), would be gravy.
