Yao Ming, his father and his headcoach of Shanghai Sharks at the sendoff and celebration at this morning (Houston time).
Not yet. Now it's night at Shanghai. I think he will leave at tomorrow morning (American time tonight).
I (for the fist time) hope you're wrong. I hope he's already boarded and is on the way. But, your most likely right.
Remember that he gains a day. Leaving tonight, which is Sunday his time, he will arrive on Sunday here.
It not sunday yet there. Its about 9:00 pm Saturday. Flights usually leave in the morning and it should take about 12-15 hours not including lay overs. He will gain about 12 hours so he will get here in the afternoon. This goes along with Old schools scoop of 4:00 pm sunday.
If you check back you can find him with a smile! He only smiles when he has something to smile about. He is Chinese and they dont smile so often like Americans.I expect he will arrive on the 4.45pm flight from San Francisco,on United.
I like it that he doesn't smile. He has that stone cold look on his face and other plays might just find that intimidating. Unlike Shawn Bradley, who looks like Opie Taylor. Im interested to see how Yao responds on the court emotionally. Will he not hesitate to pump his fists when he throws down a dunk? Will Steve Francis teach him Hanging on The Rim 101? I think he will be almost Tim Duncan-like in his on court demeanor. Very professional and I think that will only help him gain respect more quickly.
It's now Saturday in China past midnight and I think he is leaving in a couple of hours and it will take him at least 18 to 20 hrs before he arrives here in Htown!
Ming visited the Sports School of Shanghai, where he began his bball training, at the morning of 19th.
Since Yao can grab the rim standing on his tip toes, I don't think he'll be very successful at that Hangin' on the Rim class! If Yao develops a Duncan type demeanor, it will fit really well with the enthusiastic natures of Cat, Steve, & Moochie. Now that I've thought about it, there are quite a few Rockets with a very focused no nonsense game attitude - EG, KT, OT, T,Mo, and Boki. Although for some of the "rooks", it just may be nerves. Darn you, Doc Rocket...now I can't get that Eagles song "James Dean" out of my head. Except I keep hearing them sing "Yao Ming, Yao Ming...so hungry and so lean...".
Thanks Wind and Sea for posting these (and previous) pics of Yao. Really gives you a sense of the guy, plus the significance of his move from China to the US and NBA. I hope that the fans, media, and organization takes all this into account while he starts his career with the Rockets. I am really happy Houston selected Yao in the draft, since it seems he is a really good person and player and I think Houston is the type of environment where he will find the transition easier (than places like LA, NY, Chicago, SF).
