Yao and Colin story

April 4, 2003

Yao puts words in his mouth
By DAVID WEINBERG Staff Writer, (609) 272-7186, E-Mail

EAST RUTHERFORD - Colin Pine's role as Yao Ming's interpreter has grown to include a lot more than just talking the talk.

He is also a confidante, video-game rival, dinner companion and close friend for the Houston Rockets' 7-foot-5 rookie center, who faces the 76ers today at First Union Center (7 p.m. CSN).

"Our relationship has really grown since the season started,'' Pine said. "And that has made this experience that much more fulfilling for me.''

The experience began last October, when Yao's agent selected Pine from a list of 400 applicants to work as his interpreter. Pine, a 29-year-old native of Baltimore, believes he got the edge because in addition to being fluent in Chinese, he is also an avid basketball fan who grew up as a University of Maryland fan.

"I love basketball,'' he said. "I wrote on my application that (Rockets guard and Maryland product) Steve Francis is my favorite player. I think that impressed them.''

His background also helped. Pine graduated from Virginia's James Madion University with a degree in English literature, but had become intrigued with Asian culture through his friendship with several classmates. Upon graduation, he attended an intense Chinese language program at Middlebury College in Vermont, and then headed off to Taipai, where he lived from 1996-99.

Upon returning to the states, he was working for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. translating newspapers, magazines and Web material from Chinese to English when a friend showed him an e-mail from the Rockets.

"I've always been one to seek out new adventures,'' Pine said. "So, I decided to go for it.''

The Rockets also wanted someone they could trust. Presiding over Yao's interview sessions is just a small segment of his role. He has also been responsible for helping him make a smooth adjustment to life in America in general and the NBA in particular.

The two are constantly together. Pine lives with Yao and his parents on the outskirts of Houston. Yao's mother, Fengdi Fang, cooks Pine's favorite Chinese meals for them when the Rockets are home.

"His mom's a wonderful cook,'' Pine said. "But Yao likes pizza and chicken wings.''

Other aspects of America have been harder to digest. According to Pine, Yao does not care for American pop music or rap. When he straps on ear phones and a Walkman in the locker room before a game, he usually listens to popular Chinese pop singer Jay Chow.

Pine has also spoon-fed him other phenomenons. For instance, Yao has been in the U.S. since October, but has yet to see an episode of "Survivor,'' "American Idol,'' "The Bachelor'' or any other reality TV shows.

On the road, Pine usually stays a few doors away in the team hotel, but they usually eat dinner together and play video games - Yao's favorites are "Counterstrike'' and "War Craft 3'' - before leaving for the arena.

"Colin's done a great job of helping Yao get acclimated, but they are also great friends,'' Rockets forward Maurice Taylor said. "You never see one without the other. Colin is like Yao's right hand.''

Taylor and the other Rockets have helped, too, though not always in constructive ways. Yao's English vocabulary now includes a variety of curse words.

"I guess you could say that some of the stuff we're teaching him is not very productive,'' Taylor said with a laugh. "But we try to steer him in the right direction, most of the time. Sometimes you don't realize it because of his size, but he's just a kid.''

Being a 7-5 kid has its drawbacks, however. Yao stands out in a crowd to the point where he can never go out in public without being the center of attention. As a result, he seldom ventures from the hotel, which not only shields him from the public, but also cuts down on Pine's private life.

"The travel is hard and I don't have much of a personal life,'' Pine said. "But I don't mind because I see how hard it is for Yao. Steve Francis can put a hat on and hide in a movie theatre for a couple of hours. But not Yao. He can't hide anywhere.''

On the court, Pine is every bit as much a part of the coaching staff as Larry Smith, who is leading the Rockets while Rudy Tomjanovich is on sabbatical with cancer.

During last Monday's game against the New Jersey Nets, Pine stationed himself directly behind the Rockets' bench at Continental Airlines Arena. During each timeout and between quarters, he was always next to Yao, ready to decipher Smith's instructions if needed.

"Colin is a big help in the huddle,'' Smith said. "Yao is able to understand English very well, but during timeouts, I'm talking and saying things all at once, so I need Colin to relay the information to make sure Yao gets it right.''

It's especially important in close games. Pine was not needed in that situation against the Nets, who led by as many as 30 points in the fourth quarter, but his ability to interpret Smith's instructions in the last second can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

He takes the job seriously, usually scribbling down Smith's words on a notepad before relaying them to Yao in Chinese.

"Colin has been a big help to me,'' Yao said with a big smile while an embarrassed Pine dutifully relayed his comments after the game. "I'll definitely recommend him to the next Chinese player in the NBA.''

With that, Yao playfully patted him on the shoulder, and the two walked together down a hallway toward the team bus.

Some actions really do speak louder than words. And they never get lost in the translation.

To e-mail David Weinberg at The Press:

DWeinberg@pressofac.com