Didn't Yao once say that it's more important to play for the national team if he has to choose? Yao knows his commitment to the national team from the very 1st day he entered NBA. The world cup is coming up. This is definately a commitment Yao should NOT skip. He can handle it.
I don't think what Yao said is from the bottom of his heart. He went back to China during offseason not because he wanted to, but those corrupted Basketball Association officials wanted him to. The Shanghai Sports Bureau has been trying to get Yao back to help them win a gold medal in the 10th Chinese Natinoal Games so they can bragg about it or whatever. Thank god, Yao managed to escape from that one. (I guess the pressure from furious Yao Ming fans helped a lot) sorry i am going away from the thread
To whoever suggested the Rockets management to have Yao not playing for China, you are so don't get it. I know many of you here don't know this, but most of Mainland Chinese believe playing NBA games almost mean NOTHING when compare to representing their country, I know many of them, and I believe Yao is one of them. Let's all mind our own business, that's talking about the Rockets' on court performance, and leave everything else to the players.
Jerks from Shanghai Basketball Association wanted a piece of Yao and failed with shame. But, it doesn't mean Yao doesn't want to play for his own country. Both of his parents played for Chinese national teams in their prime time. Playing for China is almost like a family thing for Yao, born in his blood ... fortunately, Yao is proud of it! That is why Chinese love him, evey though a few haters always jumping around.
