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Yao Ming Meets With Media In Canada(another version)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by aznlincolnpark, Aug 16, 2002.

  1. aznlincolnpark

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    Aug. 16 - Yao Ming, the first overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, met with the media in Vancouver, British Columbia. The 7-6 center is in Canada with the China National Team as it prepares for participation in the 2002 World Championship Games. The following is a transcript of the media's interview with Yao and China National Team Head Coach Wang Fei.

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    What things are you looking forward to when you begin living in the United States?
    Yao: "The pace of life is much faster (in the U.S.) than where I live in China."


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    How do you approach meeting the high expectations that are being placed on you?
    Yao: "Everyone needs to understand that I have not played in one single NBA game yet."


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    How do you feel about the excitement of Houston Asian community's over your arrival?
    Yao: "If it is like that there, then I will be very excited as well."


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    Do you think you will have an impact right away?
    Yao: "I think it will be impossible for me to get used to everything right away. Basketball, in America, is like a culture. It is like a foreigner learning a new language. It is difficult to learn foreign languages and it will also be difficult for me to learn the culture for basketball here."


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    What do you know about Houston?
    Yao: "They have won two NBA championships and the head coach of that team (Rudy Tomjanovich) gave me trouble in the Olympics, causing me to foul out in the first 15 minutes. He better think about that. (laughs)"


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    What do you fear the most in making the move to the NBA?
    Yao: "I haven't made any real important steps yet."


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    Which Rockets player are you most excited about meeting?
    Yao: "Steve Francis."


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    What does Yao Ming need to work on the most as he prepares for the NBA?
    Wang: "Yao Ming is still Yao Ming. Right now, he's not an NBA player, he's just the number one pick. He has many things to learn about the NBA."


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    What will be the biggest adjustment for him?
    Wang: "Everything. Language, practice, schedule, travel, many games and hard practices."


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    Can you describe what type of person he is?
    Wang: "Because of Yao Ming's personality, I feel he can grow up faster than other players might."


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    What kinds of skills does Yao Ming have to help him live up to the high expectations?
    Wang: "Yao is facing a lot of things he hasn't faced before. He must keep a good balance mentally."
     

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