I think this belongs in the Rockets forum, since it's yet again specifically about Yao Ming. But if someone moves it... I'll get over it. http://sports.sohu.com/20040824/n221699747.shtml (Translation mine, ED notes mine) In the press conference room, Yao Ming sat comfortably on his leather chair. He sat quietly, listening to Harris speak... suddenly he reached up, and gently rubbed the beginnings of his facial hair, revealing a small mysterious smile. A reporter finally asked: "Can you finally shave now?" Yao wasn't done playing, saying: "Are you saying I don't look good with a beard?" Question: A lot of your teammates cried, but you didn't? Yao: No, I saw everyone with their red eyes... I wanted to cry, but ultimately no tears came out. Question: In the arena just now, what was the most thrilling moment? Yao: It wasn't on the court. It came when we walked into the press conference room just now, and all the Chinese reporters inside applauded, welcoming us. This to us is the ultimate sign of respect. A friend told me... two years ago, when we lost to New Zealand in the World Basketball Championship, there were only 3 New Zealand reporters in the press conference room. But nonetheless, they cheered loudly for their team, leaving the many Chinese reporters there in complete silence. Today, I finally got to enjoy that applause... I feel like we've been able to make all Chinese proud. Question: This was the World champions, even if they were short Divac/Peja. Before the game, did you really think you could win? Yao: I really did think it! Didn't I tell you last night? I told Harris after practice yesterday, we practiced well, and we definitely had hope for a win. Go ask him if you don't believe me. Question: 2 days ago you lost by 37 points; in the blink of an eye, a collection of wimpy cowards were transformed into a gang of heroes. How did this happen? Yao: I've been thinking about it myself... this whole thing has been so weird, but it must have something to do with having the fighting spirit. Playing basketball is really just one long breath... if you stop for even a moment, you can lose by any number of points. But if you can hold your breath, you can finally bite someone. Everyone on the team gave their all. Question: Have you read "Wolf Totem"? (Ed: I haven't read it, but apparently a popular recent Chinese novel, a collection of stories about heroic wolves on the Mongolian plateau.) Yao: We have to play just like a pride (Ed: herd? group? gang?) of wolves; I'm the head wolf, but everyone has to be positioned together, and everyone must attack/defend together. My deepest lasting impressions from "Wolf Totem" is the vision of the going to war united, and their blood-thirsty nature. (Ed: Every Rocket fan should be excited about this.) If one of the wolves is injured, it would never drag on the hind-leg of the larger group... it would rather allow itself to be used as fodder by the other wolves, being eaten is another sacrifice for the war. (Ed: Hmm, I guess Mobley should feel lucky he was just traded, instead of being eaten.) On the court, everyone must bring out everything they have within themselves; today, we reached that lofty goal. Question: When the buzzer sounded, everyone jumped together and hugged in the middle of the court; what did you want to say the most? Yao: I don't know, my brain was totally blank, I really can't describe the way I felt. Maybe it was just, the realization of a dream... I realized another dream. Today, I can finally beat my own chest and proudly tell others: Brothers, joining the Chinese basketball program wasn't a waste! We no longer have to be envious of the elite 8 performance of the previous generation (Ed: Atlanta '96). Question: Today should be your most memorable day on the basketball court... even more enjoyable than the first time you beat Shaq? Yao: What can I say about beating Shaq... it was just a single game, after all. But today was definitely not just a game, today's contest will be written into Chinese basketball history. The last time I was this happy was after our win in Ningbo, when we (Ed: Sharks) beat the Rockets for the CBA crown); it felt as if we had passed one of the most important challenges in life. Over the past two years, this is the most thrilling. Question: Who're you going to call? Yao: Parents, friends, still not sure yet. I originally thought that if we lost, I have to call (Ed: two of his ex-teammates from past National Teams). It was the two of them that beat South Korea in Harbin by scoring 17 in the last quarter, earning us the right to play in Athens. But although they practiced and worked so hard, they were left off the team. Now, if we played today like we had the past couple of days, I really would've felt like I had failed them. But now, I don't have that... I don't owe anyone anything, they're just as happy as we are tonight. Question: In the arena just now, a lot of Chinese reporters and fans shed tears... did you see them? Yao: I didn't see them.... but I can imagine. Just now, Eric Zhang (Ed: Yao's cousin/team Yao leader) called me, telling me that he had persisted in watching my last few games live... but after losing by 37, his heart was broken. So today, he couldn't build up the courage to watch it... but after seeing the final score, his heart was broken again! Finally, Athens is different from Sydney and Indianapolis. When our basketball team returns to Beijing... you think they can break tradition and let us get off the plane from the front gate? (Ed: Traditionally, only gold medal winners are allowed to disembarck from the front, where they're mobbed by the media and adoring fans. Everyone else has to go through the side gate.) End of translation folks, what an amazing day for Chinese basketball!
Thanks for the excellent (I think) translation. It was an entertaining read. Hopefully Yao will bring bloodthirstiness to the Rockets in October/November.
************ dot com has a great picture of Yao celebrating. Yao sure looks like he has some fire. Maybe Yao is going to be our leader in that regard once he gets a little bit more comfortable with American culture and his teammates.
Actually, I'd say that fire is coming from playing in the US and adjusting to the American culture. Hopefully, he can get in some people's faces this upcoming season.
Oh my God. I knew it. Can't you see what he's trying to say? Pack of WOLVES.... As in TIMBERWOLVES??? First LA and Golden State, now THIS? We're doomed. Congrats China.
Question: 2 days ago you lost by 37 points; in the blink of an eye, a collection of wimpy cowards were transformed into a gang of heroes. How did this happen? what kind of reporter calls you a collection of wimpy cowards ?? haha
If Ming plays with passion during the upcoming NBA season, the Rockets will be serious contenders. Passion is what has been missing from his game. A passionate Ming is unstoppable. Getting the ball at the right time in the right position will also help. Last year, poor guard play often frustrated and exhausted him.
Reminds me of that 45-win Rockets season when Francis and Mobley were flashing their wolf-pack sign to symbolize their swarming defense strat. Great year.
The difference is that Yao takes his playing bball in the NBA as his JOB while playing for the CNT as his honor and duty. He considers the Rockets his employer while CNT his team. There will be a day when he will take the Rockets as his team and winning in the NBA as his duty. Until then, you will not see Yao having the same kinda passion and emotion playing for the Rockets.
It's REAL hard to be passionate throughout an 82-game season. I can only think of 1 player who puts out that kind of emotion/energy every game: KG. I think it's safe to say Yao will never have that kind of stamina. As Rockets fans we just need to hope he has gas in the tank in the playoffs, so he can unleash his head wolf. Anyway, CONGRATS TO YAO and the CNT!!!!!!!!!! It's great to see him represent his country and find success!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well Yao still a competitive person. And I've seen him play with emotion in big games last year. But the 82 game grind makes it difficult to play "up" all the time. I was disappointed that he didn't elevate his play in the playoffs, but I think he has it in him to do.
So True, but he has to get up for big games, the playoffs, and critical points in every game. I think he can do it, if he decides to. Hopefully, he has improved his physical stamina. He came up "short" in last years playoffs, which is not acceptable under any conditions other than severe injury. The NBA season is a grind, but if you love the game, you can turn on the fire. I played basketball for hours a day for many years for free. I loved it, couldn't get enough. Still love it.
I laughed when I read that too. Perhaps the Chinese media is modeling itself after Dave Letterman. That was a great translation and read heech. Keep it going.
Hopefully, this gets Yao out of any hot water he might have been with the Chinese officials. Controversy, what controversy? All is forgiven!
Controversy, smontroversy. Those chinese officials are probably like: "Yao, if you beat Lithuania, then you can chastise Hu Jintao* next." *I almost put down Jiang Zemin until I did a google search and found out he isn't the Chinese Prez anymore.
There was this one play where some guy went at Yao and Yao swated the ball out of bounds, he was screaming and pumping his fist. Thats a fired up dude, if he pulls that routine here, I can imagine a silent arena in shock LoL
