Q&A with Yao (on just about everything ;)

NL Rocket · Feb 26, 2013

Remember Kordell Stewart? He was the Steelers' quarterback in the 1990s and early aughts who was known as "Slash," because he was a quarterback/running back/receiver/kick returner. Less than two years after his retirement, Yao Ming may take that moniker. The former Rockets' center is a student/vintner/politician/animal rights activist/owner. Try getting all that on a business card. But the 32-year-old is doing all of those things since foot injuries cut his NBA career short. During All-Star weekend, Yao returned to the city and the franchise that took him with the first overall pick in the 2002 Draft and for whom he played all eight of his often injury-plagued seasons. He got the key to the city of Houston and watched the All-Star Game seated next to, and towering over, Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.

It was a brief respite for Yao, who wears a lot of hats these days, from owning the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association to studying for a degree at Shanghai Jiaotong University, to starting a line of boutique wines in Napa Valley, to sitting on the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as an advisor on how China can improve its athletic programs ("I'm still not very comfortable with that word politician," Yao said). He remains curious, friendly, ribbing a producer with a thick New York accent ("I do not understand this English you are speaking," he said. "What is that? Old English?") and he still is quite accommodating; he spent nearly an hour going over his career, his regrets, and his future. What follows is an abbreviated transcript of the conversation.

http://www.nba.com/2013/news/features/david_aldridge/02/25/morning-tip-trade-deadline-recap-kenneth-faried-stand-q-and-a-yao-ming/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6e#qanda
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Yao's really funny as always. He's not that close with Tracy anymore apparently, must have something to do with his behaviour in China and how he left Houston and did he just say he might come back

haoafu · Feb 26, 2013

Nice read.

kevC · Feb 26, 2013

He needs to have like ten sons and give draft rights to all of them to the Rockets.

Roboman · Feb 26, 2013

kevC said: ↑

He needs to have like ten sons and give draft rights to all of them to the Rockets.
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What are we gonna do with 10 centers tho? lol. I say we get a son from Yao and the Dream :grin:

SwellyExpress · Feb 26, 2013

such a class act and a great guy. maaaan what couldve been

kevC · Feb 26, 2013

Roboman said: ↑

What are we gonna do with 10 centers tho? lol. I say we get a son from Yao and the Dream :grin:
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I'm accounting for bust rate , bound to be a few Cooper Mannings in the lot.

NotApollo33 · Feb 26, 2013

kevC said: ↑

He needs to have like ten sons and give draft rights to all of them to the Rockets.
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That could be a basketball team.

Can you imagine if he married Maya Moore

rox4lyf · Feb 26, 2013

As always Yao with the dry sense of humor. I loved his take on the Jeremy Lins and Chuck Hayeses of the world and how they should be admired. Wish Yao could suit up again.

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Q&A with Yao (on just about everything ;)

NL Rocket Member

haoafu Contributing Member

kevC Contributing Member

Roboman Member

SwellyExpress Member

kevC Contributing Member

NotApollo33 Member

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