[ IMAGES: Images ON turn off | ACCOUNT: User Status is LOCKED why? ]

Wisdom and Candor and some Class from Chairman Yao
Author Thread
Paladin55
Posts: 24321
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/6/2008
Member: #2098

7/22/2010  1:52 AM
Yeah, its not Knicks related, but I read the article and he impressed the hell out of me- in stark contrast what I frequently feel when I read comments from U.S. born players.

Full article here- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2010-07/22/c_13409563.htm Most of what I have here are his words and any significant lead up to them:

This guy is a giant in more than one way, and he seems to be a man the entire nation of China can be proud of. You can look at him as the Chinese Jackie Robinson of the NBA, and in China he must seem like a true King to them. I wish that American players had the perspective and dignity that this guy has. Hope he recovers.

BEIJING, July 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Yao Ming has managed to come back from devastating injuries before. Every time, the All-star center has returned to his Houston Rockets to be the backbone of the NBA team. But now, at the age of 30 and still recovering a serious foot injury, China's greatest basketball player doubts he will ever reach such lofty heights again.

"I have no idea if I can return the peak of my form," the seven-time All-star center told China Daily in an exclusive interview on Wednesday in Beijing.

"I have not been tested. I have not played competitive basketball since the injury even in the training. I cannot answer if I will return to my best."

He admits he is racing against time to get fit for the new NBA season, which starts in October.

"The intensity of my training is going up gradually because at least I feel good about my injury," he said. "But talk about recovering my form is nothing but nonsense and will only be realized if I can get through the next season smoothly. Then, you will see results after that season."

...The injury, a stress fracture to his left foot, turned out to be more serious than previously feared and Rockets team physician Tom Clanton, at the time, claimed it could have ended the 2.26m center's career.

"I know I will retire one day. My career will end sooner or later. Even if I can play until I am 36, I have to accept that fact," he said.

"The only problem is that 30 is the golden time for an athlete, but for me it's sudden death and I find it hard to accept that."

Yao also doubted he will be able to play for China's national team again, although Chinese officials obviously want him to come back.

"It just depends on how well I recover from the foot injury. If my foot can survive the whole season and require no surgery in the summer, I will probably play for China again," he said.

"I think I can still help the Chinese team. But, realistically speaking, I am not the future of China basketball due to my age.

"China needs to have a new generation of players to take the responsibilities (from me)." "I have heard of several new players emerging from CBA. They have passion, talent and creativity. I hope they can keep those qualities."

Now the ultimate task for Yao is to win an NBA championship with the Rockets, who surprisingly posted a winning season with a 42-40 record without Yao.

"Even some of my close friends bet there was no way for the Rockets to win more than 30 regular season games last season. Just have a look at how much they won," he said. "I have faith in the team."

(Source: China Daily)

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
AUTOADVERT
CrushAlot
Posts: 59764
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/25/2003
Member: #452
USA
7/22/2010  2:03 AM
I like Houston a lot. I heard Morey interviewed today and he is a really bright guy. I loved that they got Buddinger last year in the second round. I think Houston is a team that is built around character, defense and heart. Yao if he is healthy can change everything. Battier is one of the most underrated leaders in sports in my opinion. Morey talked about how hard the Rockets had to work to get Scola and how excited he was to get him.
I'm tired,I'm tired, I'm so tired right now......Kristaps Porzingis 1/3/18
Wisdom and Candor and some Class from Chairman Yao

©2001-2025 ultimateknicks.comm All rights reserved. About Us.
This site is not affiliated with the NY Knicks or the National Basketball Association in any way.
You may visit the official NY Knicks web site by clicking here.

All times (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy