Word: yao
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...bows to a different God than the rest of us do, but as Michael Jordan, 39, limps toward retirement (he swears he means it this time), Yao appears to be the answer to the league's prayers. You see, in addition to his vast potential as a player, Yao Ming has a personality--and an appealing one at that. Despite his temporary reliance on an interpreter, Yao's English already reveals a sly, self-deprecating sense of humor. He loves Starbucks, computer games, action movies and SUVs, and when his Great Wall of a face cracks a smile, arenas light...
...Yao was ready to start his global journey years ago. Chinese officials, however, were hesitant. "They knew he would play in the U.S. eventually," says Ronzone, now director of international scouting for the Detroit Pistons. "But you have to understand, they're a proud people, and he's a national treasure. They wanted him playing at home until they understood the American landscape." In 2001 the Chinese sports authorities allowed two accomplished but lesser players, Mengke Bateer and Wang Zhizhi, to test the NBA waters. Meanwhile, Chinese officials huddled with international scouts to determine whether Yao would...
Last May Houston--a city with 104,000 Asian residents--was awarded the first pick in the draft, and Chinese officials decided it was time to negotiate Yao's release. (The NBA may schedule Rockets preseason games in Beijing and Shanghai next year; the Rockets paid Yao's Chinese professional team a $350,000 transfer fee, and Yao will give at least 50% of his salary to various Chinese sporting bodies while continuing to play for the Chinese national team in international competitions like the Olympics.) When Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson finally met the future of his franchise...
National-team commitments kept Yao in China until nine days before the NBA's season opener. When he finally arrived in Houston in late October, Yao had little idea what his teammates were doing on the court. "In the first practice, we could see that he had a lot of skill," says Rockets forward Maurice Taylor, "but he was lost. Brand-new system, brand-new rules--he was a rookie, plain and simple...
...Yao's first six games were a disaster. He averaged fewer than 4 points and was frequently out of position on defense. He made highlight films the world over when a crossover dribble by Phoenix Suns guard Stephon Marbury fooled him so badly that he crumpled to the floor like a shot giraffe. Then in a November game against the Lakers, Yao came alive. He hit all nine of his shots, scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal, with an injured toe, missed Yao's coming out, but Shaq was back by the time the Rockets...