Chinese skeptical over Yao's injury Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2006 BEIJING Denial, anxiety and finger-pointing are some of China's reactions to news this week that Yao Ming may miss this year's World Championships because of an injury. The Houston Rockets' announcement of a possible six-month recuperation period for Yao's broken foot - sustained in an NBA game on Monday - was greeted with skepticism by China's top basketball administration. Perhaps reporters who covered the news had misheard, Hu Jia, deputy director of National Basketball Management Center, told a local newspaper. Yao's official cheering squad, Team Yao, was also in denial. "When I heard this news, I was very surprised," said one member, Zhang Mingji. "I wondered whether the American media had got it wrong." As China's team prepares for September's World Championships in Tokyo, Yao's left foot - and the doctors who treat it - will be under fierce scrutiny from China's sport fans. Yao's early exit from the NBA season caps the Rockets' injury-plagued year - but few Chinese fans are sympathizing with the team's situation. Houston's coach, Jeff Van Gundy, has been singled out for special online criticism, labeled "good for nothing" and blamed for playing Yao at the tail- end of a fruitless season. "He disabled Yao Ming!" one fan wrote. "He's more vicious than a capitalist!" Yao had been averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets this season, but the Chinese are reluctant to rush him back into the national team before he is ready. "Whatever the situation, the main thing is getting the injury right," said Zhang, the member of the cheering squad. "Although the World Championships are important, they are not as important as the Olympics."
Why do Chinese basketball fans care so much about the world championships? Even with Yao Ming healthy China's not going to medal unless they get some guards that can play. At least Yao not playing gives China an excuse for losing and a chance to see if anyone else can play.
...and before anyone asks why I said "continue", let's look at a few things...the Rox were drubbing the T-pups when all of a sudden they commit numerous offensive fouls/turnovers to allow Minny to win the game {Chronicle excerpt} After leading by 18 in the first half and as much as 15 in the third quarter, the Rockets made just two of their 15 fourth-quarter shots while committing nine fourth-quarter turnovers. They went the final 8:57 of the game without a field goal. Had the Timberwolves been ambivalent about winning, they did not have much choice. -You have JVG going out of his way afterwards to say, "The only thing you can control is what you do," Van Gundy said. "I would never, never do anything but play to win. -The Utah game...instead of a 3 to try and win, Rafer basically dribbles out the clock before passing to Juwan who waits until the red light comes on to fire up his "game-tying shot attempt" Now, Yao, who's obvoiusly seen the benefit of rest and is rumored to be getting married this summer, just got his whole b-ball slate wiped clean by the mysterious foot injury from an Okur kick/AK47 stomp/stepping on Deron Williams foot depending on who you ask... Oh well, the Texans just had mysterious injuries and late lost leads and they ended up with the #1 pick not to mention our illustrious Rockets history of taking our way to #1...could the Rockets do it again????
So... Yao is pulling a Carlos Boozer/Baron Davis? The Rockets/Team Yao orchestrated the whole skit. They got fake broken bone x-ray and everything... This is Hollywood material!
Well I assume and hope the Chinese NT will have their own doctors check out Yao's foot for themselves.
I get the feeling that some of these Chinese fans who claim to care so much about Yao Ming really don't give a crap about him unless he plays for the CNT, hurt or not.
Wow.... I'm impressed. Did they also call SFX the official cheering squad? Or Rob Pelinka the member of the cheering squad?
I’ve got a feeling, a feeling deep inside Oh yeah, oh yeah I’ve got a feeling, a feeling I can’t hide Oh no, oh no, oh no Yeah yeah I’ve got a feeling yeah
Its all real folks! "(Van Gundy) disabled Yao Ming! He's more vicious than a capitalist!" stormed one disappointed fan. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/13/AR2006041300205.html
When I said "some" I meant the fans who are skeptical of his injury and are going to want him to play anyway. Do you think that will help or hurt Yao Ming in the long run?
