The reason he said it, is very simple. Americans are easily some of the most ill-educated people in the world when it comes to other cultures and traditions. We think that our way of life IS the world's way of life. If it is not, we expect it to be! It is sad, but it is a fact and only reflective of our ignorance about world affairs. When we disagree with someone, we either embargo them or fight them. In most Eastern cultures, like China, they believe in talking things out and good-natured people. They still believe in the goodness of man, which something our society has lost. I was born in the U.S.A. and have traveled the entire world, or close to it, spending time in Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, Kuala Lampur, and other places in Asia mainly as part of my job. It is astounding to me when I talk to regular people in China and I see how much they know about Americans, yet when the opposite conversation takes place, you can see the vast vaccum of knowledge that most of us, rather sadly, present. I did not want to make this a lesson on cultural sensitivity, but it seemed to be echoed much in this particular thread. Chinese culture is vastly different than ours, we have to get over it. Just give yourself a couple of hours a day to read about the history of China as well as the culture of China, you will find it surprisingly enlightening and will show in your posts. A mind is a terrible thing to waste!
I find it amusing when people who are obviously either teenagers or have the mentality of immature teenagers start bashing a person (in this case Yao) for missing home.... Maybe you ought to try moving out of your parents house and living in an apartment down the street before you begin to criticize a man who is thousands of miles away from home missing a culture and a society that he grew up in. Well, the people I'm referring to here probably can't even parse that last sentence. But, basically what I'm saying is: Leave Yao alone. The man is barely 22 years old, and he is thousands of miles away from home -- a home which is so different from anything in the States that he is getting homesick. It shows that the man has heart and true feelings, something that indicates maturity and decency. Thank you.
Ignore him, Prlen, I suggest. I get to a point after reading several of his posts that he is totally biased without reasoning.
I too feel sorry for Yao, I'm sure he is very homesick. I'm sure he does feel really alone. Sometimes I would see other teamates on the Rockets joke around with each other and it seems as though Yao still doesn't quite fit in. This could poss. be due to the language and cultural barriers. For all those who bash him for being a sissy, just imagine yourself going off to college for the first time and when you get there feel like you don't quite fit in. In Yao's case it's 100 times worse, so cut the man some slack.
LOL. I'm sure a lot of teenies here don't have a clue of what being on your own is like. "Mommy can I get on the computer and make fun of Yao Ming...PLEEEEEASE!"
your posts are more biased then mine. you even feel the need to post 5 consecutively to convince others of Yao's greatness. the day Yao becomes a great player, i will praise him. so far i think he's a waste of talent.
what do you mean by good basketball city?? Do you live in houston?? THis city produces alot of talent from their high schools.
Yep. For all our education, Americans can be very shallow thinking about other cultures. I see it in the Iraqi war, Afghanistan, you name it. That's what happens when one is the lone superpower. Self-centeredness sets in.
I don't feel sorry for Yao - he is just being truthful, and being a bit homesick is perfectly normal - if you wanted to be the best it is a necessary (albeit uncomfortable) step to get through. Besides, he has his parents with him! I truly believe that Yao will take every up and every down to improve himself. I know that he will be loyal to the Rockets, make it his team, try his best and see how far he can go. Waste of talent? It is probably a bit early to suggest that yet. SS999
China has one of the worst human rights record in the world. The government censors the media and tightly controls religion so it doesn't overshadow the government. That would be news to me if they still believe in the "goodness of man" if the govt has to resort to these methods to control the masses...
I don't think lack of Freedom of speech or other freedom and the Goodness of Man are mutually exclusive. The Chinese culture has been through thousands of years of turbulent history, to say that they don't have the belief of the basic good of man is surely misinformed. Are you saying that the people in China are evil because their government is totalitarian? This is simply illogical. SS999
I think the Rockets should trade Yao to Golden State for two 1st rounders and Dunleavy. Yao will be much closer to China, and he will be in an area which will be very supportive of him due to demographics. I think he has a personality in which he performs better on the court when he is comfortable. Rockets better trade Yao before he just leaves for Golden State. Rockets can immediately put Dunleavy in as the starting SF. JJ can be a bench guy. I still think the team needs a good passer with solid shooting ability. Keeping the ball in Steve's hands as the point will bring failure to this team.
Actually, that is not a bad idea trading Yao and relinquishing Steve's PG duties. But that basically takes a gamble in rebuilding the team. It is not often to have opportunity signing players with such a great potential as Francis and Yao have. Alos, to certain extent, they have been established as, at least, a good NBA player. If I were CD, I am not sure I dare to do that unless the first round draft picks could turn into something really solid.
Just because he may want to leave for Golden State doesn't mean the Rockets have to trade him to Golden State. I'm sure there are other teams that could offer a whole lot more for Yao.
