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Yao’s week in review

Monday, June 15th, 2009
by John

In case you didn’t know, Yao has a Facebook page that has been getting updated while he has been in Beijing with some good stuff. Make sure to check it out at Facebook.com/Yao and become a fan.

Also, Yao was interviewed after the Lakers and his Chinese National teammate Sun Yue won a ring. Here’s a video that Yao gave in Chinese (it may take awhile to play since it’s being hosted in China):

Raymond in China reports the following…

Yao congratulated Sun Yue on his achievement, but said he felt somewhat jealous/envious of him. He said if he didn’t feel envious or jealous, then he must be someone that lives without desire and expectations ????.

He said he felt the same when Mengke Bateer win his championship ring with the San Antonio Spurs. He joked that at that time, he just wished he could sit on the Spurs’ bench such that he would have received a ring.

He said players always should dream to improve and move higher. He believed that even now that Sun Yue had already obtained his first championship ring, he will not be satisfied and self-complacent in light of this. He thought Sun Yue will (work much harder and) hope he could obtain more play minutes as well as to gain more experience. After all, he thought the worth and value of a player is only manifested when he actually plays.

Aaron Brooks in China

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
by John

Aaron Brooks, along with Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, have been in Beijing for a couple of days for a Nike “All-Asia” basketball camp.

June 9th, 2009 - Aaron Brooks watches drills during the Nike All-Asia Camp in Beijing
Click here for more photos of Brooks and Rondo at the camp, including photos of their vertical leap!

Aaron and Yao have also talked with each other over the phone, and plan to meet up for dinner sometime this week.

Yao gets another award in China

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
by John

A couple of days ago in Beijing, Yao was the recipient of the Classic Icon Figure in Sports Award at the 2009 China Fashion Awards in a star-studded event. It also marked the launch of a broad new integrated multimedia brand called Enjoyoung for the Shanghai Media Group, China’s No. 2 state-run media firm after China Central Television.

June 6th, 2009 - Yao Ming accepts another award in China
Click here for more photos from the event. Click here for a video of Yao accepting the award.

Yao’s week in review

Saturday, June 6th, 2009
by John

Raymond has been busy in the forum this week with all kinds of updates from Yao. Here’s a summary:

Early this week, an interview of Yao was published in the Shanghai Morning Post where he summarized his achievement with the Rockets this season, who the leaders are on the Rockets, as well as a story he told about a rare speech he gave to the team after a blowout loss earlier in the season.

On Tuesday, June 2nd, Yao and wife Ye Li paid a visit to men’s and women’s Chinese national teams. Here they are pictured having some fun on the court.

June 2nd, 2009 - Yao Ming and wife Ye Li pay a visit to the women's and men's national team training center

Also this week, Yao did some voice-over work for a Chinese animated film called The Magic Aster where his character is an old Chinese herbal doctor.

June 4th, 2009 - Yao Ming in the studio doing a voice-over for a Chinese animated film
Click here for photos of Yao at the press conference where he promotes the film, which debuts June 19th.

Yao will donate his earnings from the film to the Shanghai Special Care Foundation, which he started with other people who worked for the 2007 Shanghai Special Olympic Games. Established in July 2008, the foundation helps mentally handicapped people and the poor. Part of the box office income from the movie will go to the foundation.

Yao visits with school kids in China

Sunday, May 31st, 2009
by John

On Sunday Yao made a rare appearance at a famous Beijing school, Shi Jia Primary School, and spent time with hundreds of school kids on the eve of International Children’s Day (June 1st).

It has become an annual tradition for Yao to spend June 1st with children. This time his wife Ye Li was with him, as well as other Chinese celebrities and athletes.

May 31st, 2009 - Yao Ming receives a gift from a Chinese school child
Click here for more photos from Yao and Ye Li’s day with the kids.

Yao and Ye Li back in Beijing

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
by John

After making a trip to Chicago, Yao Ming and wife Ye Li arrived in Beijing, their first trip back to China in months (since before the 2008-09 NBA season began).

May 23rd, 2009 - Yao and Ye Li arrive in Beijing for the first time since before the 2008 NBA season started
Click here for more photos of Yao and Ye Li’s arrival at the Beijing airport.

Yao is there for more charity work associated with his efforts to help rebuild schools that were destroyed from last year’s Sichuan earthquake. To read more about the details of Yao’s charity trip, click here for Raymond’s description.

Yao and Ye Li in Chi-town’s Chinatown

Friday, May 22nd, 2009
by John

On Thursday Yao and his wife Ye Li went to Chicago to help raise funds for victims of the Sichaun Earthquake, which occurred a little over a year ago.

May 21st, 2009 - Yao Ming and wife Ye Li visit Chicago's Chinatown

Click here for Raymond’s coverage of Yao’s visit to Chicago in the forum (lots of pictures).

A message from Yao before tonight’s game

Thursday, May 14th, 2009
by John

A few minutes ago Yao put on his Facebook page: “We have shown all year we respond well after a loss. Tonight should be no different. Go Rockets!”

If you’re on Facebook, make sure to become a fan of Yao’s at Facebook.com/Yao

And I now say, “Let’s go out and win this game!!!”

Live blogging: Game 4 Rockets vs. Lakers

Sunday, May 10th, 2009
by John

Trying something new tonight — live blogging

Friday, May 8th, 2009
by John

Since I’m here at the game, I’m going to try blogging live! Your comments can also be included after I review them.

If it turns out I can’t concentrate on the game using this thing, then I’ll go to the forum.