Yao's quotes from the 76er's game On the Rockets becoming one of the best defensive teams in the league ”I don’t know. I still think that the Kings are better defensively than us.” On the Rockets passing “I think the passing is one of the big reasons we are able to get a big victory tonight.” On his getting more offensive rebounds lately “I guess it’s just luck, but a lot of them just fall into my hand. But it all cannot be attributed to luck.” On his boxing out opponents better “Actually I still don’t think I box out well. A lot of times even when I get the rebound I’m not that close to the basket.” On his playing only 27 minutes tonight “I had quite a few fouls early.” Doesn't he have any positve comments to say? I don't think I've heard anything positve from this guy. He's always point out the bad things about his game and what he does wrong. Also, I don't like how he puts the kings on top of the rockets. Not to bash the fellah but why can't he say something good about Hawkin's defense or Cat's defense?
It's called hunger. Something the Mavs lacked when they got spanked by the Lakers in the 4th quarter.
Yao is a very humble person. Not a bad trait to have, especially for a dominating rookie. Id rather hear Yao say things like that instead of hearing Steve call out a team that handed our butts to us a week ago,
He doesnt want to ruffle any feathers by seeming rude or arrogant. Humble is the best way until you establish yourself. Once youre a superstar, you can and should start talking trash to intimidate opponents. Yao is doing it right.
True.....but he approaches everything with room for improvement attitude. He's not complacent and that's a good thing. Until the Rockets start winning more than two in a row, it's good not to let it get to one's head.
Because he knows he is not where he wants to be. He has set very high standards for himself, and he's going to have to be honest with himself to reach them. I wish all the Rockets were like him.
This is the cultural difference: Traditionally, Chinese always believe in keeping low profile, being humble and avoiding claiming credits for good works done.
He sounds frighteningly like a more articulate Hakeem from the latter part of his career... which is a good thing. Yao's a guy who you want to route for... but good enough that you're not just a fan because he's a nice guy. I'm soooo glad the Rockets got this guy. A franchise C who can shoot, pass, play the post, rebound, block shots, and is a decent human being. Ain't many of those.
The questions were about his game which he gets ad-naseum. I don't see anthing negative here at all, he anylizes his game at an extremely high level and it's quite impressive for a rookie. You don't like him putting the Kings defense over the Rockets? You dont like reality. I bet if Yao was asked more questions about the team as a whole you'd really find this guy depressing. I guess you're another fan who just can't enjoy this team in it's current state of development without denying how far we have to go. And that's not being negative, and by the way every Rocket so far has said Yao had brought a "positive vibe" to this team even before he started playing well.
I was a huge Hakeem fan but always found his humility to be somewhat disingenuous. On the one hand he said all the right things, on the other he wanted contract extensions and feuded with management because his ego was too big and his wallet too light. Yao seems much more genuine. Of course he could become jaded later - which is not an altogether bad thing if kept in moderation.
I agree with you RIET, but Dream brought way too much to the Rox and I respect him way too much to ever say things negative about him. As for Yao, I don't really think it's being pessimistic. I just think he's the only one that's being level headed. Our record is still not THAT good and Yao seems like the only Rocket that knows both his game and the Rox game are not nearly where they can be. That's a good thing to be realistic. The Kings are an awfully good team and when we can play with the chemistry they have that's when we'll dominate. I don't think Yao will ever become jades (at least not as much as SOOOOOOO many others). The guy's too humble and got too much class to be like that. His game is definitely getting better though.
I think we are too accustomed to today's trash-talking narcissistic NBA players. Yao's attitute toward the game brings a refreshing change.
Definitely a cultural thing...chinese ppl tend to be quite critical of themself and self-deprecation is considered a virtue.. it has lots to do with our upbringing...when i was in grade school back in china, if i got 95 on a math test, the first thing my mother would say would be 'how did lose the 5 point?'...maybe that's why i have such a low esteem these days.. LOL
I don't think he's being pessimistic. He seems like kind of a perfectionist type that is never completely satisfied no matter how well he plays.
I think he's trying to temper wild expectations with realistic ones. He's also trying to remain level when everyone else is acting as if he's Wilt Chamberlain. If anyone can tell you how well Ming's doing, it appears to be Ming himself. He has the most rational responses of anyone I've read commenting on him.
