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Yao Ming's Take On Rockets' Chance in Playoff

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by pryuen, Mar 12, 2008.

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pryuen Member

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Saw this one on Titan Sports, an exclusive interview of Yao Ming by Wang Meng where he talked extensively about the Houston Rockets's current winning streak, his feelings, and his outlook for the playoff.

ENJOY !!

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2008-03-12/10333526899.shtml

Reporter Wang Meng of Titan Sports reports from Houston

Fading out of the media limelight and far away from his fans eye-sight, Yao Ming was compelled to try to accustom to live a very tranquil life. Every day, the bed, the television and books became his most intimate partners. That big man who had been accustomed to run up and down the court and play 30 to 40 minutes untiringly day-in day-out could only now move around in his home and backyard garden with the help of his crutches. Meanwhile, his team playing without him just kept on advancing triumphantly, and he could only watch those exciting scenes/moments from the television.

As he was receiving the following interview from Titan Sports, it seemed there was not a single moment that his team Houston Rockets was not in his mind and heart.

TITAN Sports: How is the restoration of your left ankle going? Are you moving around relying on your wheelchair?

Yao Ming: The restoration went well. I just had the stitches removed from my wound today; the doctors will come to inspect me once every 1 to 2 weeks, and everything went according to plan. Remember (what I’ve told you). Definitely I don’t want to sit on wheelchairs, and regardless where and what occasion, you won’t be able to see me sitting on wheelchairs. I try to be not moving as far as possibly I can; if I really need to move around, I will stroll along slowly with the help of my crutches.

TITAN Sports: So are you watching television every day at home? Now the team morale (of Houston Rockets) is at an all-time high, and very soon, they could be reaching a 20-game winning streak. How do you feel when you watch them playing on the television?

Yao Ming: I felt bitterly sour deep down inside. I saw the team kept winning and everybody celebrating on the court, and I thought, I should also be one of them there. This is such a great and rare feat for winning that many games consecutively; we had some very rough and tough team-gelling process earlier in the season, and we had been struggling with some bad results. Now finally when it comes the harvest time, I was the one down with injury.

TITAN Sports: So seeing your team continuously winning, how do you feel in your heart?

Yao Ming: I felt great, very gratified, and actually very happy. I watched them play and keep on winning. I could not stop myself calling them up; I called Uncle Mutombo to congratulate him on delivering so many block shots; I called Shane Battier to compliment him for playing that great in defense. When our team was struggling and sinking earlier in the season, it was I that led my team mates and shoulder this team to bring it back altogether. Now it’s time we win back all those games that we lost earlier in the season.

TITAN Sports: Now there are a lot of noises back in China; they said the Houston Rockets play much better as a team without you. So what do you think about this?

Yao Ming: Well, I’m already so used to hearing such criticisms. It is impossible to rebuke every criticism and challenge others’ opinions. For people that know and understand me, my spirit will always be there (with the team). If people don’t want to see my team playing well after I’m down and injured, then tell me, what do they want to see? You have to think it this way. If once I’m down with injuries, and this team was finished and started to get battered and beaten into pieces, it might seem to manifest my value to the team. But then, tell me what hope is there for such teams? A team can only be considered genuinely strong when everyone can step forward (when one of your star players is down and injured). If we can continue with our current footsteps and momentum, just wait for my return in the new season, and we shall be a genuine championship contender.

TITAN Sports: Then what about this season? So how far this Rockets team playing without you can go?

Yao Ming: I believe this team could pass the first round and realize the target that Tracy and I had not been able to achieve together last season.

TITAN: The Western Conference is so strong: LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz. Amongst all these opponents, which team do you think the Houston Rockets can trample and step over their bodies (to get past Round 1)?

Yao Ming: Utah Jazz. If we are to be matched up with teams with genuine big and traditional centres, we possibly will be at a disadvantage, because after all, I will not be around, and Uncle Mutombo could not sustain long play minutes and our other guys are too short. But if we are to be matched up with Utah Jazz, I feel with our new-found team work and initiatives in offense this year, we should be doing much better than what we did last year, just relying on me and Tracy in offense. Even though I will not be around, you see currently every of my team mates had all stepped up and playing with high self confidence; just take a look at them; they are so dissimilar with the team we had last season. Utah Jazz is very strong tactically and a well-disciplined team, and we are now a great read-and-react offensive team. We can beat them; after all now every of my team mates can play in offense. And I call this the Adelman’s victory.

TITAN Sports: So when can you return to court to cheer, rave and support your team mates?

Yao Ming: Maybe when the playoff arrives; when playoff arrives, I will go there leaning on my crutches; I probably will sit in the second row, and join all the others shouting, cheering, raving and supporting our team.
Click to expand...

#1 pryuen, Mar 12, 2008

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pryuen said:

You have to think it this way. If once I’m down with injuries, and this team was finished and started to get battered and beaten into pieces, it might seem to manifest my value to the team. But then, tell me what hope is there for such teams? A team can only be considered genuinely strong when everyone can step forward (when one of your star players is down and injured). If we can continue with our current footsteps and momentum, just wait for my return in the new season, and we shall be a genuine championship contender.
Click to expand...

well said!

#2 Ducky, Mar 12, 2008
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wow...another 5 weeks before he can even start attending the games...

#3 pippendagimp, Mar 12, 2008
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uncle mutombo can play 25 mins in play-off hopefully.

#4 jason2, Mar 12, 2008
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Damn. I miss Yao.

DO IT FOR YAO! LET'S SMOKE THESE FOOLS! F THE HATERS!

#5 rockmanslim, Mar 12, 2008
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92-93 Rockets hit 15 wins in a row, and next year Rockets hit 15 wins in a row as well, and win the champion!

07-08 Rockets hit... 19+ wins in a row, and next year Rockets will

#6 MYM[Moon, Mar 12, 2008
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uncle mutombo... come on

#7 timeschinatours, Mar 12, 2008

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Thanks for the interview! Yao is the MAN!

And I look for the day when he can be there to RAVE for the team again!! LOL, they always say "rave"

do they mean raving lunatic?

#8 Layupdrill, Mar 12, 2008
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I love the fact that Yao wants some Utah Jazz action.

#9 Bandwagoner, Mar 12, 2008
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pryeun, is there any word on when Yao (or even if he will) return to the bench to watch his team play and to cheer them. Maybe he can sit with his parents in their seats?

#10 heypartner, Mar 12, 2008
pryuen Member

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heypartner said:

pryeun, is there any word on when Yao (or even if he will) return to the bench to watch his team play and to cheer them. Maybe he can sit with his parents in their seats?
Click to expand...

You did not finish reading, did you?

TITAN Sports: So when can you return to court to cheer, rave and support your team mates?

Yao Ming: Maybe when the playoff arrives; when playoff arrives, I will go there leaning on my crutches; I probably will sit in the second row, and join all the others shouting, cheering, raving and supporting our team.
Click to expand...

#11 pryuen, Mar 12, 2008
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I don't know if this is a literal translation but I love it!

TITAN: The Western Conference is so strong: LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz. Amongst all these opponents, which team do you think the Houston Rockets can trample and step over their bodies (to get past Round 1)?

Yao Ming: Utah Jazz.
Click to expand...

#12 rocketsjudoka, Mar 12, 2008
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pryuen said:

Saw this one on Titan Sports, an exclusive interview of Yao Ming by Wang Meng where he talked extensively about the Houston Rockets's current winning streak, his feelings, and his outlook for the playoff.

ENJOY !!
Click to expand...

I appreciate and respect your efforts and translations. I enjoyed the read, thank you. I really got a kick out of this:
TITAN: The Western Conference is so strong: LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz. Amongst all these opponents, which team do you think the Houston Rockets can trample and step over their bodies (to get past Round 1)?

Play-off matchups will certainly be a challenge, as will matchups getting to the playoffs. Rox great matchup advantage is gone for this season so with great hope I envision the focus and teamwork will carry them forward.

#13 xiki, Mar 12, 2008

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Thanks, pryuen. You're the man!

I'm so thrilled the Rox continue to win and win big, but I really miss Yao.

#14 MyEyesSee, Mar 12, 2008
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"...which team do you think the Houston Rockets can trample and step over their bodies (to get past Round 1)?

Yao Ming: Utah Jazz...."

I think this is my favorite part of the entire article!!

#15 Humer, Mar 12, 2008
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I think I have a new signature for the rest of the season:...Miss you Yao. Get better.

#16 ROXRAN, Mar 12, 2008
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Yao's just a very very good person.

Well, not 'just'....

#17 Cohen, Mar 12, 2008
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Grade A teammate...

#18 cody, Mar 12, 2008

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So Yao doesn't think the Rockets can win a Championship this year ... just a series.

Thanks for that kick in the nuts.

#19 Tree Rollins, Mar 12, 2008
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rocketsjudoka said:

I don't know if this is a literal translation but I love it!
Click to expand...

LOL, that would be spectacular.

#20 Seven, Mar 12, 2008

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