Yao Ming thinks China's young team can still win a medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics despite being knocked out of the world championship in the second round. "I'll go back to NBA," the 7 ft 5 in Houston Rockets centre said in an interview with Basketball Pioneers newspaper. "I can promise I'll be better in two years but I need my team mates to become better. I only made five attempts (on Sunday) and we can't win if I only get five attempts." "What our guards lack, sometimes, is a little bit of courage and basically we need physical strength," he said. "That's what I've learnt in my time in the NBA, to live on your strength. Look at my arms." "To sum up, it was a tournament in which we can see more hope, more than those in Indiana or Athens," the 25-year-old NBA All Star told the paper. "Our performance in the group stage was better than I hoped. However, the last game left me with some doubts. I hope it was just a blip." Link= http://www.eurosport.com/basketball/wch-japan/2006/sport_sto952890.shtml
I always love to hear Yao when he speaks his mind. He's slowly but surely becoming Americanized. "Look at these arms" is indeed classic. Probably the last thing I'd ever expect from that guy lol.
Wow,agreed DaDa,so Dreamlike!Yao saying "look at my arms" and cranking out the "more hope than Indiana or Athens" smack about their upside.I like his reference to the Association too.Yao is "unbeatable".I really admire him for tellling it like it is.Calling out the system and his teammates.Letting them know what it will take.Being a leader. At the moment,I'm waiting for the equivalent of "SEVEER FAAAZZE JHOB".
He is truly the leader for CNT and he has confidence in his comments. I have never heard or seen Yao the way he is. Even during 1 game against USA team when he was called for charge he was furious and argued alot with the referee. Before he was just be upset over the call and not say much but now he shows frustration and argues the call. Lot of changes in his attitude and shows more confidence which is good for the Rox.
http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2006-08-28/12502423955.shtml Anyone wants the full article from Basketball Pioneers?? It is getting late here............. I'll see if I can translate this tomorrow.....a very very long article.
with the way they ride Wade and Lebron, I don't think Yao will ever win MVP with those numbers. besides, I think Lebron would put up better numbers all around anyways.
I am glad to see that Yao Ming shows more confidence and believe that ROX will be better next season. Five attempts and 10 points per game is not his real performance. The guards even could not pass the ball to him. I really admire USA cause they have Chris Paul.
Agree, hard to win the regular season MVP, but when Rockets win the champion, he can pick up the final MVP. Wait ... dmn, he still has a competitor whose name is T-Mac That would be the most friendly and happiest competition in NBA.
Steve Nash wins MVP putting up inferior all-around numbers. If the Rockets and Yao are dominant, he has as good a chance of winning as anyone.
Yao would be my preseason pick for MVP.The way he dominated in the second half....and with a healthy team around him.Best case scenario,the Rockets coast with a healthy Yao and TMac resting often down the stretch. I don't think their record is as important as if they are peaking as a team.The Rockets could roll into the playoffs from 48 -58 wins.With this team it doesn't really matter....gotta stay healthy.
