Rockets’ trainer in China — comments on Yao’s progress
August 8th, 2006by John
Houston Rockets’ trainer Keith Jones, part of the USA Basketball delegation in China right now, gives an interview and talks about Yao’s progress as a player in the past and this off-season.Raymond has provided another translation of an interview that appeared in Sina.com with Rockets’ trainer Keith Jones, who is in China with the USA Basketball team as part of the China Basketball Challenge.
Sina Sports: Keith, can you tell us the body condition of the players of this US team that have come to China to compete? Any major injuries or sicknesses?
Keith Jones: This troops are fine. They are feeling great and everyone is healthy.
Sina Sports: After Yao Ming’s return to China, have you been following up on the status of his rehabilitation?
Keith Jones: I have. Continuously. This afternoon, I will have the opportunity to see Yao Ming. As far as I know, he has begun training again, and started playing. He might feel a bit sore, but it looks like he will go full force in his preparation for the World Championship.
Sina Sports: Yao Ming used to have these problems with his strength and stamina when he first entered the NBA. What do you think of him now?
Keith Jones: Yao Ming is getting stronger and stronger. He has been working hard with Anthony Falsone in the off seasons, and coupled with the help from the strength and conditioning coaches of the Rockets, Yao Ming has vast improvement in his body and physical strength. Now you can see the new Yao Ming on the court; he has completely changed to be extremely formidable and very aggressive. Moreover, he is very young, and he works very hard.
Sina Sports: Regarding his rehabilitation, what will you suggest?
Keith Jones: Just work as hard as he can. Yao Ming is a player of great self discipline, and he has no bad personal habits. He pays great attention to his own diet, and he works very hard; basically everything he did are deferred to a very high standard that he sets for himself. Like all you guys here in China have high expectations of Yao Ming, our Rockets team has also very high expectations of him. Yao Ming himself also has very high expectations of himself.
Sina Sports: In what areas do you appreciate Yao Ming most ?
Keith Jones: Yao Ming craves to become a great player. He works diligently to improve his footwork, speed and strength. He also practices his shooting tirelessly, regardless of whether it is hook shots or jump shots. He is fully aware of where his own deficiencies are. He just keeps on improving himself on all fronts in order to become an outstanding player. For Yao Ming, you don’t need to give him any suggestions. He is a very diligent player.
Sina Sports: What about the other star on the Rockets, like Tracy McGrady? We heard that he is also rehabilitating well.
Keith Jones: Tracy is doing fine. He has had a great summer. His back is 100% rehabilitated. Now, he comes to visit me 2 to 3 times every week to recieve therapy for his back, and also works on his strength and conditioning. We will see a more healthy Tracy McGrady in the new season.
Sina Sports: Regarding the new season, what do you think are the keys to obtaining good results?
Keith Jones: If we can keep our current team, no more trades, and no more injuries and sicknesses, then with the addition of players like Shane Battier and Kirk Snyder, I firmly believe, that if we can play the full season as a team, we will become a very strong team. Even though it is difficult to predict what will become of the Rockets in the new season, I believe, health is instrumental to our dream (for the championship). This is particularly true for the health of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.