[PICS] Yao is working his butt off, looking determined

I agree. To much is made of Yao not being strong enough, but in reality he's more limited by his stamina. You can't blow him up with weights to much because he already weighs over 300 lbs and it would hurt his mobility. If he puts on too much muscle is might lead to more lower body injuries due to the extra weight.

He just needs to be a little stronger in the hands and arms to keep smaller players from stripping the ball away from him. It's nice to see the coaches and staff from the Rockets spending time with him in China and taking a more active role in his development. As an added bonus the Rockets staff seem to be helping out the other NT players as well.

 

17 seconds? Ouch... I think I could easily outrun him on crutches...

 

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

 

But if you carry an extra 100 pounds to be close to how much Yao weights, Yao will beat you on walkers...

 

Juan Valdez
Supposedly English letters are supposed to be really cool in China. Sometimes you see billboards there w/ English words that they didn't do a very good job translating but use them b/c they "look cool". I guess it's the same as when you see guys here with the Chinese characters on their hat or something...

 

That's true. I've noticed a lot of tatoos of Chinese characters.

 

Looks like Falsone recognizes this also, his training seems to be more focused on Yao's stamina and less on making him look like Hulk Hogan. Couldn't agree more about his hand and arm strength, you can do specific exercises for those as well.

 

They're in China, not Egypt!

 

That is Yi Jianlian wearing it. He looks damn good too. Houston can land him 2009?

 

Don't squeeze too hard Yao.

 

Falsone looks like a 10 year old kid next to Yao

 

I don't think they put English on their shirt just to make it look cool. I think they have to use English as a sort of standard language in international competition so most people can understand it. You don't see Croatias put their language on their shirt or Germens or Egyptians for that matter. Teams use Chinese letters on their shirt when they play in chinese league.

 

Judging by the pic, Falsone looks to be around 5'6-5'7. (two head lengths) I always assumed he was taller, like maybe 6'1.

 

that pic w/ Yao doing sit ups looks like he has a big gut.

J

 

I agree, Yao does have good footwork for a guy 7'6'', thats whats seperates him from the other big men in China, that and he can make a mid range jumper. And are you talking about the Shanghai Shake? or the Dream Shake thing under the hoop practically? If the latter then Yao has only done that like once. And when your rich, you can get anything custom made, even if your 7'6'' and in China, so finding shoes is no problem for him. He must have chosen to use those.

 

What is this world coming to when 10 yr olds are bald

 

Looks like Yao is saying: "Keep eating your wheaties and training and one day you can hold my jock for me."

 

Let's see. I had all my hair cut when I was 10 year old. A 10 year old monk definitely doesnt have hair. I guess the world is bald.

 

Nope, just big ribs.

 

Well, it looked like he just ate some big ribs for lunch before practice...