Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Yao Mingis a Chinese retired professional basketball player who played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Associationand the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He was selected to start for the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, and was named to the All-NBA Team five times. At the time of his final season, he was the tallest active player in the NBA, at 2.29 m. He is also the only player outside of the US...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth12 September 1980
CityShanghai, China
CountryChina
I think I am upsetting the coach.
Sometimes it can feel like there are a billion people on my shoulders.
My American strength coach said he liked me better before I could speak English.
Embarrassed journalists ask me embarrassing questions, and they get embarrassing answers, and then hand out embarrassing stories to the embarrassing editors, who put them to the front pages of newspapers. When is this going to end?
Friendship first, competition second.
To me, first and foremost, basketball is a fun sport. It is a hobby, an interest. And second, it is a profession. I feel that I am very fortunate that I can find a professional job that I really, really love.
Basketball, in America, is like a culture. It is like a foreigner learning a new language. It is difficult to learn foreign languages and it will also be difficult for me to learn the culture for basketball here.
I think I'll stick to what I'm used to, my principles, and that is team Number 1 and individual Number 2.
Sport is the best means of communication between people from different religions and countries.
No matter whether you are new or an old team member, you need time to adjust to one another.
Sports teach you how to be quick. Injuries teach you how to slow down.
If you're going to learn a new language, you can't try to be perfect. You'll stop yourself from talking. You just have to let go.
I have Mr. Alexander's trust and the chance to play in Houston,
Maybe it's the best thing for me and when I come back I'll be stronger.