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Artest responds to Yao’s comments about the trade

July 31st, 2008
by John

Since Yao Ming is in China, he hasn’t had the chance to talk to Ron Artest yet. Regardless, I liked Artest’s response to Yao’s quotes yesterday (some provided below). Artest seems like a mature dude (see the Chronicle article here for the story), as represented in this statement:

“This is Tracy (McGrady) and Yao’s team, you know. I’m not going to take it personal. I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto. That’s not going to change. I’m never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don’t think he’s ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture.

“Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he’ll understand what I’m about. But really, he doesn’t have to talk to me, because to me, I’m going (to Houston).”

There might have been some who thought Yao wasn’t excited about Artest coming to the Rockets. Here are some of Yao’s quotes from yesterday, then directly below I provide my perspectives on each:

“For some reason, I like (Artest). Because in the games we play against him, I hate him.

This is a compliment, not only because he uses the word ‘like’ in the first part, but also because he thinks Artest is a formidable opponent. It’s kind of like if Manu Ginobili became a Rocket — I ‘hate’ Ginobili, but he’s a helluva player I wouldn’t mind having on my side. Same with Larry Bird — I ‘hated’ him when he played, but man, he was awesome. ‘Hating’ an opponent is actually a sign of respect, IMHO.

“When I text messaged with Luis (Scola), we talked about team chemistry. That’s only what worries us.

“We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don’t mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time.

“Also, he was the biggest part of a team in Sacramento. He was a star player. We need more chemistry and more communication.”

“There’s worry.”

I think Yao’s use of the word ‘worry’ may not be translating well to Americans. Yao is a natural worry wart, but not to the point that it tears him to shreds inside. That’s why he works so hard because he feels like he’s never good enough. I think the phrase that he might have been thinking to use that Americans would better understand is “we’ll be working hard to integrate.”

The part that was really interesting to me that had nothing to do with Artest was when Yao said, “We need more chemistry and communication.” This is more of an indicator of what Yao thought was a weakness last season, which is surprising since they won 22 games in a row and had a pretty decent year. So maybe something is awry in the locker room already that we don’t know about?

I’m guessing it may be the relatively laid-back attitude the coaching staff might have compared to the micromanagement of the Jeff Van Gundy era. Yao may feel more comfortable in an environment where the coaches control everything, like under JVG or previous coaches he’s had in China.

“Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands.”

I bet when Yao provided this quote, he had just been informed of the trade by Fran Blinebury of the Chronicle, the interviewer for the story. So he was most likely speaking off the cuff, and who DOESN’T think about the Pistons-Pacers brawl when they hear Artest’s name?

In addition, Yao is a very literal guy when he speaks in English and doesn’t understand American ‘political correctness’ to the fullest extent (many Americans don’t, either, which isn’t a bad thing).

I remember when he mentioned to the media after a game that he had ‘diarrhea.’ Most Americans wouldn’t admit that to people not close to them — instead, they would just say something like “stomach problems” or “intestinal flu.” Again, another difference between Yao’s native tongue and culture, and the one in which he is still assimilating after 6 years. That said, his progress thus far has been remarkable.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 1:06 am and is filed under *Interviews with Yao, Rockets' off-season. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

Viewing 10 Comments

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    John,
    What I see from Yaos statement is, that he is really embracing his leadership role at the Rockets. Previously, he in the CNT and the Yao at the Rokets were like two different characters-he was very diplomatic and carefull talking about the Rockets in comparison to calling things out at the CNT. But now, he is starting to talk in a similar way about the Rockets as when he is talking about the CNT.

    For me, this is a good thing. I know from myself that it is not easy for Asians to directly assume leadership roles (as like calling things out openly) in the western culture - not because of lack of ability, but because we are carefull not to do the wrong thing. It takes awhile to put down the reserveness, but it seems Yao has gotten over it.
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    Yeah, it was just the cultural difference in the two languages, I think you've addressed it perfectly. Yao is not worried, he's just saying that the team chemistry is an area that needs to be worked on by everyone (including himself).

    Obviously Ron is not taking offense to the comments, so it is not a big deal. I'm sure once the Olympics are over, or perhaps in the next few days, Yao can give Ron a call and really expresses his excitement.

    Let's hope Ron will pay this site a visit in the near future to see how excited Yao and Rockets fans are.
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    "I think that quote by Yao saying " I hope he's not running into the stands punching people" sounds like he was just joking around, and Fran Blinebury, the great person that he is, twisted Yao's words and made it sound like he was being serious."


    ^ QFT above from another forum. Another updated article below:


    http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kin...

    In true Ron-Ron (or is that Bill-Bill?) fashion, he didn't take long to change his stance in the latest mini-drama.
    After our conversation this afternoon in which he was clearly not thrilled with the comments made by Yao Ming, he went on with KHTK's Carmichael Dave this evening and reported that the issue has been resolved.

    Among the relevant revelations...

    * Artest said Yao called to clear up the matter and proclaimed himself "a Yao Ming soldier babyyyyyy!."

    * He admitted that Yao's comments regarding the brawl "hit me in the soft spot when I read that."

    * He said he's even considering a trip to China support Yao with Team China, then quickly made it clear that he is rooting for Team USA for the gold.

    * Asked if there was anything he would change about his time in Sacramento, Artest said he would have found a way to convince the Kings to re-sign Rick Adelman.
    "I wish I would have know that Rick was leaving, because I would've intercepted that phone call with a missile from Korea," he said with a laugh. "I'd be like, 'Hold on, let's work it out.'"
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    It's great that the comment by YaoRon clears things up a lot. Yao usually says all the right things, but it is harder to do it in a non-native language. I am glad that Yao called Artest to clear things up and hope this doesn't become an issue later on.
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    This reminds me of the 90's when Dennis Rodman went to the Chicago Bulls to join Michael Jordan and Pippen!
    Of course I am not comparing Jordan and Pippen Championships to T-Mac and Yao...but it's almost similar!

    I hope Artest can teach Yao to be mean and bad on the basketball court...and Yao teach Artest to be nice off the basketball court!!!
    It's like Ying and Yang!!!
    Let see what happens!!!
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    It's that Fran guy from Houston Chronicle who wrote the first piece, since he's in China. I never liked him and his article stirred this whole up in the first place. That's what reporters do. There's not that much news in the off season, and they have to create news whenever they can.
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    This trade will give Rick some interesting options down the stretch in games. T-Mac can possibly move to point, Battier and Artest will provide disgusting defense plus Shane is a great spot up shooter and Artest is no slouch, Yao, and one of our 4's depending on the situation. What you'll be left with is a group of guys that can play excellent 2-way basketball for short stretches, and because they won't be together for extended minutes there won't be any bickering about there not being enough ball to go around.

    Artest also gives Adelman a lot of defensive options. Rick didn't appear to be too high on defensive switches(i.e. Battier onto a hot player) like JVG did during his tenure, but if he makes good use of Artest you've got a guy who can guard 4 positions depending on who's on the floor for the opposing teams. I could see him doing a great job on Deron Willims or Carlos Boozer and Kobe or Odom. Battier is really only good for guarding the 1, 2, or 3 and Scola got killed by Okur and Boozer in the playoffs and Odom in our last game against L.A.
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    Yao is stupid to have made such comments about a new teammate. Whatever his past, we need to show encouragement and support for the new comer, at least in public.
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    http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/video...

    Don't know if you guys have seen this, Ron responds and lets everybody know that he doesn't see the Rockets being stopped.

    I think we need to show RonRon some love man, the dude just wants to win! Ron if you ever read this, you are way welcome to the Rockets family man. Best of luck!!
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    A lot of people think it is a lopsided trade given Artest's talents. The truth is that many GMs and coaches don't want Artest on their team because he is a headcase, who had a long rap sheet. People forget that, other than the Palace melee, Artest has had his share of problems with his coaches and teammates. Without Adelman's amiable history with Artest, this trade would not have been made. This is Artest's contract year. Are we getting a good Artest or a bad Artest? It is trick or treat. When he is good, he is good. When he is bad, he is really bad. So I understand Yao's concern.
 
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