Yao Ming Mania! ~ View topic - Official Thread on Yao Ming's Summer Activities 2006

Quote:

Reporter: What kind of player the Rockets should add (next season)?

Yao Ming: I think we need players that don't get injured easily. We have many things that required to be enhanced. But if we had not had these many injuries and sicknesses, we are actually a pretty strong team this season.

Reporter: The probability of the Rockets getting the #1 draft pick is 2.3%. If the Rockets gets the #1 pick, who will you choose ? If it is draft pick #8, then what will be your choice ?

Yao Ming: To be frank, I knew nothing about the picks. But I would tend to think whoever is useful to our team, then he will be a good player.

Reporter: You are on the Top 3 of players that General Managers (of every NBA team) want to trade for. What do you think ?

Yao Ming: I am very surprise and I felt flattered. I think I have to thank the many General Managers that endorsed and recognized the personal efforts I have put into improving my games for all these years. I felt the value of particular players should be manifested in a particular team's game plans/strategies; I place more emphasis on whether a player can win a championship or bring extra to a team. From this perspective, the above ranking really does not have much significance to me. Moreover, I just hope the Houston Rockets won't trade me away.

Reporter: Will you continue to play the role of the core player in the Rockets?

Yao Ming: I always cannot agree to this debate of whether I or Tracy should be the core player of this team. Player's function is more important that just player's star status. Each player has his own role on a team; for example, a role player has his support role in the team. I thought if the team cannot win, then this whole debate of so-called core player becomes meaningless. We have to remember that basketball is a team sports, and every player has his own role function and responsibility.

Reporter: When do you think you will peak in your career?

Yao Ming: I don't know when I will peak. As long as my body conditions won't go down hill, then I look forward to improve and raise my game on a year-to-year basis. As far as I'm concerned, I surely do not wish I will peak too soon, as it will mean that I will go down hill once I have reached my peak.

Reporter: Has there been any psychological changes in your second injury compared to your first injury within this season ?

Yao Ming: I should say not much difference. But this injury had let me realize I should pay more attention to protect my own body; moreover recovery from an injury takes time and is a strenuous process that you need to put in tremandous effort; moreover, I was not as nervous in this surgery when compared to the previous one. I have learnt that I will have to treasure my own body in the future and I surely hope I will have a much healthier body from now on.

Reporter: If you can't take part in the World Championship, who do you think is your best repacement ?

Yao Ming: If I have to pick, it has to be Wang Zhizhi.

Reporter: What do you think is Da Zhi's best position? Centre? Power Forward ?

Yao Ming: Da Zhi can play power forward or centre. I think he is competent in both positions.

Reporter: If you are really to miss playing in the World Championship, have you considered to use any other means to help the national team, for instance as its consultant, or as its cheerleader ?

Yao Ming: Any means is possible, and I think it has to be decided by the coach, and this is his job. Personally I will be extremely eager to go to Japan. Even if I cannot play, I will be there to rave and support the national team by the courtside. Of course the prerequisite is that I would not take up a player's slot.

Reporter: What is your personal expectation of the national team for this World Championship? In what particular areas you think the national team require improvement ?

Yao Ming: Personally I think it is more difficult to reach the Final 8 than before, but my personal goal is the Final 8. I think the changes/improvements need to come in 3 aspects: 1. No more injuries and sicknesses; 2. The players need to train more assiduously; 3. The national team must play more (in international tournaments) with strong teams from USA and Europe.

Reporter: Do you anticipate teaming up with Da Zhi in the 2008 Beijing Olympic ? What is your target (position)?

Yao Ming: I very much look forward to teaming up with Da Zhi. Every of the players (in China) are improving, and I am so full of confidence about the Chinese team. However you can't just dream about (but you need to fight for) higher positions. As long as we as players improve our game/techniques, our physical strength,and gel as a team (to play to our best capabilities), the results will come naturally.

Reporter: Other than training your body, what do you do while you are recuperating?

Yao Ming: Surfing the Internet; reading and listening to music. Mainly just relax and rest.

Reporter: Rafer Aslton said all the Rockets players have no reasons for their summer vacation. So did they tell you they will train hard throughout this summer ?

Yao Ming: I have never relaxed and not to train assiduously. You don't worry about how a professional basketball player spend his summer vacation. Everybody will think about how to sharpen their strength and skills in the summer. As for myself, as long as my body permits me, I will continue to strive hard and increase the intensity of my training in order to become better.

Reporter: Sometimes earlier, there were reports in some of the domestic media about you and Ye Li plan to get married this summer.

Yao Ming: I never discuss my personal affairs in the public.

< Yao on the court, and his most recent game ~ Official Thread on Yao Ming's Summer Activities 2006