http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2004-07-21/09041012671.shtml (Chinese) He said when the 4 Nation tournament first started that he was at 60% (or 80?, someone pls verify). His toe is almost fine now too. He also says that he expects his cooperation with T-Mac will be "very pleasant", but he misses the guys traded too.
Anyone else get the feeling Yao does not like this trade? I'm sure he'll like it once hep lays with T-Mac, but I hope it doesn't come up during contract negotiations.
Here's my interpretation: "McGrady is a great player, a two time scoring champ, it will be a pleasure playing with him. Of course I will miss the players we trade away." Yao Ming is annoyed that the CNT had to play 3 other really weak teams, that level of competition in his opinion isn't the most effective. I guess tougher teams will be better but he needs to keep in mind that without him the team almost lost.
not really, I feel he's not being vocal out of respect for Steve (notice how he usually mentions that he will miss former teammates when asked about Tmac), but also he is preparing for the olympics, with the NBA not on his mind. In his American interviews, he's very business-like, and downplays emotion. His Chinese interviews have a little bit more emotion and show more of his personality, but overall he seems to keep a high standard of professionalism, and treats his Rocket teammates as co-workers more than friends (although not exclusive). His life-long friends, based on interviews, are those on the CNT, he refers to them as 'friends', refers fellow Rox as 'teammates'.
How would that affect contract negotiations in any way? "You traded guys i liked to help better the team, so i want more money." He's going to get the max regardless. please explain what you mean.
The NBA is a player's league, in which franchise players possess so much power that sometimes their content level can decides the future of an entire franchise. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for the GMs/owners to deal with the pain in the ass stud players such as Kobe, Shaq, Carter, Malone, Pippon and in a way, T-Mac (I'm sorry, but it's true). If I remember it right, reports are saying Yao was "consulted" by JVG on a personal phone call before the trade took place. Of course, this is all just symbolic gestures shown by the franchise to its franchise player that they care about what he thinks. Yao maybe not be completely happy, but he's not a bonehead that thinks he should decide the future of the franchise, so he gave his "bless" to the trade. However, this is not the case with Vince Carter, who thinks he does have a say in the future of the franchise. Carter was not "consulted" on the hiring of the new GM, and the drafting of Rafael Araujo, so he felt he was "disrespected" by the franchise and thus is demanding a trade. Whether it happens or not, it brought tons of trouble to the Raptors. I hate the fact that this kind of thing happens, but with the way the league is set up, it is just the reality. I am glad that Yao is not one of those pain in the ass guys whose ego must be massaged every 10 seconds. I don't think the Rockets will have too much problem dealing with him in the future. T-Mac, on the other hand, might bring problems. I hope it doesn't happen, but you just don't know.
Yao was upset with the Moochie trade. Trading places, like in the NBA, is clearly not in his Chinese league histories.
I think Yao is all giddy inside about playing with T-Mac, he just hides it well. He may even be singing to himself: 'Ding dong, Stevie's gone........'
Not me. IMHO, Yao is culturally used to less change than we are in our culture. He is reacting as most of us would in a unfamiliar business/social environment....cautiously.
yeah some of you guys are a little crazy, posting pictures of his legs, chest, naked etc. and if Yao found out that these weird men are looking at him this way he'd be just as weirded out as I am
