Yao talked about his rookie season in a loooong interview

I watched it on TV. This is an excellent interview.

 

sweet!

get to crackin' on those translations, gotta stockpile the haterade for the fall.

 

There is absolutely no need to translate the transcript here (a Rockets BBS). This interview is just Yao Ming-related, not Rockets-related.

Plus it's better to watch it on TV in which you can see Yao's expression at the same time than read the words. It's on CCTV and will be replayed for many times.

 

That logic is evidently flawed.

 

Just evidently?

 

wow what a great interview!
really gives insight on what goes through a typical overseas chinese youth's head these days.

yao is a good kid.

i would translate this, but it is DAMN long, and i've got a plane to catch... let's hope some yao fans would have the heart to give it the time. it's the sort of thing that really gives his image a shine.

 

How flawed? This is a Rockets BBS, not a Yao Ming BBS. This is fact.

 

Yao Ming IS a Rocket, therefore it is Rockets related.

 

LOL, last time I checked anyways. Or has he been traded to LA for Shaq?

 

This type of thinking is flawed on so many levels. I want to know about all of the Rockets, past, present and future. Yao is a Rocket and now and forever he will always have a link to the Rockets so any insight or new info on Yao is always welcome and also expected.

 

Here's the first part of the interview.

I = interviewer,
Y = Yao Ming

I: Your voice seems to have changed, it's deeper.

Y: Do you think I'm taking drugs?

I: Are you?

Y: Just vitamins.

I: A lot of people think you've changed, Have you really changed, or are people just looking at you differently.

Y: I was watching a DVD about me made by a tv station. They included an interview of me (When he was 17), and I wondered if it was really my voice.

Y: I think my voice was better back then, now it's kind of raspy.

I: Is it because you've grown up.

Y: Yeah I've grown up.

I: Do you like yourself before, or now.

Y: This is a very hard question to answer. People ask me all the time what kind of music, movies I like and I have a difficult time answering. It all depends on my mood, for example, if I'm in a really good mood, I wouldn't want to see a sad movie, it's not worth ruining my mood. So listening to music, watching movies is dependent on my mood, as is comparing my present self and younger self, changing is a part of life, the most exciting part. ( I think that's what he meant to say here)


Part II

I: You could've just stayed in America, could you have not come back? Was this a possibility?

Y: (Joking) You're saying this in the center of Chinese basketball!

I: There's a reason: SARS.

Y: I was pretty worried about SARS. I think the stories about SARS were a bit overblown, they made it sound like everyone was wearing masks everywhere, you weren't afraid of being robbed, but of being sneezed at. But I missed home.

I: Don't your parents live with you (In Houston).

Y: That's different, I've said before that I have built a home in Houston. My parents are there. But when I come to China, there is a certain feel, a certain smell that you can't get anywhere else.

I: The smell of home?

Y: The smell of home. When I was young, I had to pass a food market to get to school, the marked had all types of little concession stands, selling all types of breakfast. It's the smell of the fried snacks that drifts out, that's the smell that I identify with home, It's part of the smell of China, I don't think you can get this smell anywhere else. (Probably not in America, but alot of asian countries, Singapre, Malaysia, should also have this type of thing, just a note)

I: Your mom's in America, you still can't get the smell?

Y: The smell is not just from cooking, it spawns from the gathering of large crowds shuffling through life together. And when I woke up in the morning I would hear the ringing of bicycle bells, it's very beautiful.


Part III

I: When you knew you were going to the NBA, how did you feel?

Y: I felt the pressure, I wanted to turn back, I didn't want to go.

I: Really?

Y: Yes, I've never faced so much pressure. It's like I could barely breath, I felt like I was suffocating.

I: Where does this pressure come from?

Y: The farther I traveled along the my path, the greater the pressure grew: ahead came pressure from America, behind came pressure from China, I was stuck in the middle.

I: Can you tell us what the pressure from America is from?

Y: The last two first overall picks (Kwame Brown and Kenyon Martin) did not do very well. That was the pressure from America. As for the pressure from China, it was the heightened expectations. (Note: I think he meant Brown and Martin's first seasons, remember that Martin had a broken leg and neither was in the running for ROY.)

I: Describe your feelings back then in one word.

Y: Petrified.

I: Was it so bad?

Y: It was, I felt like I was living in total darkness. It was like I was stuffed in a box, I couldn't feel anything around me, but the air just kept rushing at me from all sides.

I: Your first game, you had no points. Then you didn't play for ten games, how did it feel sitting on the bench and watching?

Y: Those ten games aren't like you described it. I did actually get off the pine. It's just that from the first to the sixth game, I didn't get alot of playing time. Rudy T. told me then that since I had missed so much practice, he didn't have to many expectations for my rookie season, he did say that.

I: Do you accept the label 'Rookie' ?

Y: Even if I don't accept it, people still call me a rookie, so I let it be.

I: Why?

Y: That's just what they call all first year players. (Note: the translation of rookie in chinese is actually a term that isn't too flatering.)

I: Did you feel like a rookie?

Y: Well I'm not going to be next year anyway.


Part IV. (Talks about Shaq)

I: Many people like to compare you two (Yao and Shaq).

Y: Competing against Shaq is a new feeling for me. I feel like I can't surpass him, it's the first time I've ever felt this way.

I: You still feel this way now.

Y: Yeah, I feel this way, but it's just a feeling.

I: Why?

Y: Basketball is about seeing who's better. I don't think I can get to his level, really.

I: Why do you feel this way?

Y: When I first started, I felt the game was all about skill, about moves, about how to mentally play the game. I didn't feel that power and physcical strength was a huge part of the game. But i have learned the importance of how to utilize the body. A real basketball player takes full advantage of his physical gifts. I don't think I have the physical gifts to combat him, I'm just taller than Shaq, when I play him, my moves and tricks are all shut down by him, they don't work. I may improve in the future, but I don't know if I'll be as good as him.

I: Are you being modest?

Y: How?

I: It's not like you don't have a chance to surpass him.

Y: The feel of him playing the game, I don't know if I can get there.

I: Is it a physical or mental thing?

Y: Physical, but the physical leads to the mental.

(To be continued)

 

sbyang, thanks for the translation so far! great job and i can't wait for the rest of it!

 

Part 2 of the interview.

Part V

I: How do you feel now? (compared to his answer before)

Y: I'm relax after the pressure went past. I always hope to relax myself more, I try to put up a protective shell around myself, at least I feel lighter inside the shell. I think the biggest thing I overcame in America was the pressure. I feel proud that I was able to withstand such pressure.

I: Some have said that your growth is like sitting on a rocket, do you feel like it's too fast?

Y: I am a little worried. They say the higher you climb, the harder the fall. But fast is fast, what are you going to do about it. It's already happened, so I have to accept it and get used to it.

I: About your being an All-Star starter. There were different opinions about whether you should have been the stater, some feel that it's because of the chinese internet vote. How do you feel about that.

Y: First, I have to say that this was a gift from the heavans, it's an unexpected prize. I never thought that I would get to do it. I want to thank all the fans that voted. Second, I want to say that I didn't steal anything from anyone else, that 's what I want to say.

I: What was your most disappointing game of the season?

Y: The Grizzlies game, second to last before the end of the season.

I: How was it disappointing?

Y: Disappointment is a feeling, a feeling toward the game. At that time we were out of the playoffs, I didn't play well, I felt like it was already time for the offseason. The captain of the team, Mobley, was very upset. He told me,"Do you still want to play? If you don't want to play just sit down." That was in the first half, I played better in the second half.

I: What caused this? This type of thinking, of giving up?

Y: It's probably a rookie thing, this is the first time I played 82 games in half a year. On average, I played one game every two days and switched cities every four days. I never experienced this kind of life and felt very tired at the end, I was tired of fighting in my heart.

I: How do other players deal with this?

Y: I can only say this, I didn't play up to 100% of my ability toward the end of season, I don't know why I didn't play well.

I: That's why some people say you aren't very professional.

Y: That's why I was a rookie.

Part VI (ROY)

I: Do you feel bad about not getting ROY?

Y: I was disappointed.

I: How?

Y: Well I didn't win.

I: Did you feel it was fair?

Y: Yeah it was fair.

I: If it was fair, then why were you disappointed?

Y: It was something I was competing for, I didn't get it, of course I'm disappointed.

I: Why did you not get it?

Y: Because we didn't make the playoffs, that's the biggest reason, we lost to the suns by one game. Maybe it's hard to see a difference with just one game, but they're in the playoffs and we're not.

I: What if you did make the playoffs?

Y: I would have had the ROY.

I: Next year you can compete agains everyone, what are you chances of winning?

Y: You mean the MVP? It's too early to talk about that. I don't think I have much of a chance these two years.

Part VII (money)

I: Have you counted how much money you have?

Y: No, really I haven't.

I: Everyone knows it's alot, what does being rich mean to you?

Y: I was excited for awhile, that's all, then it went past.

I: Excited how?

Y: Just excited, I did ok in the earnings department.

I: Can you give an example?

Y: Well when I was young, I wanted to get lots of toys when I grew up and had money, buy lots of delicious food. When I grew up and had the money, I didn't want these things anymore, I felt that this dream was a bit juvenile. But it was these fantasies that made me study and train harder as a boy.

I: Let's talk about Team Yao, how did it come to be?

Y: It started as a few businessmen, they felt that I had vast appeal, but didn't feel comfortable about easily accepting commercials. They got a professor from the university of Chicago business school to join team Yao, he specialty is the market.

I: How many people form Team Yao?

Y: five.

I: Including you Mom?

Y: No not including her, she's the CEO.

I: Really?

Y: I'm joking.

I: Then my sources are wrong, I heard you mom is a part of Team Yao.

Y: No, but when we have important things to discuss, we do it at my house and my mom comes up with alot of ideas. So your sources aren't completely wrong, but not correct either.

I: What is Team Yao's main job?

Y: They take care of me from a business perspective. They establish my image, they deal with the media and take of communications with China and NBA basketball, those are their main responsibilities.

I: I hear they package you? How?

Y: Well the packaging is just what I talked about before, it's about landing commercials, making me attractive as an endorser. We want the advertisors to approach us instead of the other way around, it's better that way. We ask some U. of Chicago business students to study the Chinese market and determine what companies fit me. We then decide who to do commericals and endorsements for.

I: So what is the image that they made for you?

Y: That's a trade secret, I can't tell you.

I: Have you changed yourself to suit this image.

Y: There's no need.

I: Why?

Y: Well they said to just be myself, just do the things I enjoy doing. Of course they remind me about some minor details. For example, I like to wear workout clothes, they're comfortable and loose. My team tells me that I have to dress nicely for some occasions, don't just show up in sweat pants and tennis shoes. I'm not used to it, but I have to get used to it, it's something I have to do. That's pretty much the only thing Team Yao really forces me to do. Oh well, the NBA is like that too, alot of teams make their players dress, some teams don't even let you get on the plane or go to the arena in workout clothes.

I: I don't remember you in a suit.

Y: Yeah I don't like to wear suits. Luckily I'm with the rockets, they're famous for being relaxed.

I: Many people worry that your image of being a good boy will be changed through the control of these businessmen.

Y: I didn't know I was a good boy? What are you talking about?

I: You're cute? (This actually doesn't sound gay in Chinese)

Y: Where did I get that image? I can only say that the packaging is according to my personality. It's not like I try to change into something I'm not. The packaging only allows a clearer view of me, the original me.

I: Even though you are rich, your team is still trying to get more commercials and make you richer.

Y: That's what they do, and that's what I do. I am saving for the future.

Part VIII

I: It seems like you have more news off court than on the court, do you hide from the media?

Y: As a basketball player, I hope to be viewed as a basketball player and not a star off the court. But I don't think I can help it, people want to hear stuff, people want to write stuff, people want to follow me, I can't help it, I just live my life. Many journalists want to talk to me, so I'm talking to you. I said that I'm sorry but I came home to rest. I'll give the press one big interview session, for one or two hours, this is fair to everyone. That's what I said to the press, then someone went out and wrote a story that Yao Ming wants to be fair to everyone. I can't believe they would write about this, there's no where to hide.

I: Are you bothered by it?

Y: A little, I don't want to live under the glare of the camera.

I: I've seen some articles about your ability to handle the media in the NBA. They say it's one of your biggest gifts.

Y: That's a must in NBA basketball, Not even in the NBA, it's a must for professional athletes, it's a skill that you must master.

Part IX (Yao does go back to the media spotlight to fight SARS, he donates 500000 dollars and runs a telethon, but some say that it's an attempt to publicize himself.)

I: Some people rudely say that you're just endorsing yourself.

Y: I've reached my goal, I raised money.

I: We are very proud of what you've done. But how do you feel when you hear these negative thoughts?

Y: There's so many people in China and so many watched that everyone is bound to have their own opinions. Society is more individualistic now and everyone has their own way of looking at things. I can't refute each claim one by one, I'm too tired, just let them say what they want to say.

I: How do you face it, it must have some effect on you.

Y: I sign and groan about how my effort doesn't bring any adoration. (A phrase in Chinese)

I: Is it going to affect you in the future?

Y: I do what I have to do. This was something that I had to do.

Part X (Yao suing Coke)

I: How do you handle this?

Y: I'm handling my duty as a citizen, standing up for my rights.

I: What is this about?

Y: I signed with Pepsi, not Coke.

I: How will this matter be resolved?

Y: It's better to ask Team Yao, actually it's not even in their hands, it's for the courts to resolve.

I: Did you decide to do this or Team Yao.

Y: I did.

I: How did you decide?

Y: We talked on the phone and decided.

I: Is there a compromise?

Y: We are not going to compromise. If there is a compromise, it shouldn't be us anyway.

Part XI. (Yao's training)

I: You're going to miss the summer leagues in the NBA. Do you miss the opportunity?

Y: Yes but the national team has a competition, there's no need to think about it further. I'm back, I said I'll play, so there's no need to think about missing this or that, it would affect my training.

I: Is it going to affect you next NBA season?

Y: I don't think so, I think it'll have some effect, but I'm going to do my best to make up for it.

I: How?

Y: I can only train harder, training is not about just practicing, but you have to mentally prepare too.

I: When you play for the national team, you are bringing the country glory and making everyone proud, but the NBA is your rightful place.

Y: Is this a conflict of interest?

I: Is it?

Y: I don't feel it is.

I: How do you balance it?

Y: I could balance it before I came back, but not now.

I: How did you balance it before?

Y: Well I try to follow the Rocket's training program for me even when I'm playing for the national team.

I: What plan did they give you?

Y: Some training progams, trying to train my stamina, body strength and developing some moves, there are some moves that I have to get good at, things like that.

I: Let's look at it a different way, if you were training in America, will this affect the national team's training, the actual competition?

Y: Yes, it will affect the team's training, but not the actual competition.

I: How does your not coming back affect the team's training, is it a big effect?

Y: When I first went to train on the national team, I raised my level of play against Beteer and Wang Zhi Zhi because I never played with players of that caliber before. My training with the national team should allow them to train better, they have a good player to train against.

I: What new things will you teach them?

Y: That depends on what they can learn from me.

I: Are you going to teach them?

Y: They will have to ask them, I won't just teach them.

I: What do you say to future Chinese players in the NBA?

Y: When you first arrive, try to think that the NBA is simple. As you progress, make it more complicated. Don't think about them as the NBA, remember that it's just a basketball game.

I: Like you have surpassed many others, many people ask if some future Chinese player will surpass you, will there be anyone?

Y: Yes, of course I hope it's my son. (Smile)

 

Yea, thanks a million. Keep it coming.

 

Great job, sbyang. I don't know if the literal translation was perfect, but it sure sounds like Yao, and your side notes were much appreciated.

I knew that Yao was feeling the pressure all year (obviously, there was no way he couldn't have), but I had no idea he thought of it like this. It's really amazing that he was able to do as much as he did, especially considering the cultural and language differences and the grueling NBA schedule. Next season, all of this will be much easier on the big guy, and I think he's going to really take it up a few notches. I don't think we'll see nearly as many games in which he's NOT on his game.

Did any of you catch the MSNBC interview with Yao a few weeks back? His English is actually so good that any of us could easily have a conversation with him. The interviewer asked him (in English) why he didn't go out drinking in nightclubs like the other players, and Yao replied (also in English), "Are you kidding? My mom would kill me!" Pretty funny, and it also points out the huge cultural cap between Yao and someone like, say, Eddie Griffin.

 

Oops, meant to say that I posted all of the interview already.

 

Is that the truth? I saw Calvin Murphy (spell?) wearing nice suits on TV.

 

Great interview and fantastic job, sbyang. Thanks for all the effort of putting together this outstanding translation.

This is definitely relevant to the Rockets forum. I remember hearing about that incident with Mobley before and I have to say it lets him appear in a more positive light to me.

Yao Ming has a very mature way to answer questions and you can tell he is a smart guy.

 

Y: Yeah I don't like to wear suits. Luckily I'm with the rockets, they're famous for being relaxed.


maybe under rudy t, but we shall see how relaxed the JVG rockets are. by midseason the entire team will be balding and have dark rings around their eyes like the coach.

seriously though, yao sounds really cool. very smart for such a young guy. he is an old-soul, if you will.