Word: yao
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...becomes evident that for McClintock and Byrne, the Year of the Goat has begun about three weeks early. "The players that we invited from the U.S.A. are not doing well," says Sharks coach Liu Qiuping after practice. "Usually we bring in one tall American and one short one. When Yao Ming went to the NBA, we got two tall guys to take his place, but it didn't work out as we had wished. They do not play as if they are in a war. They should be full of spirit and energy. Instead, they are not very smooth...
...past, the Shanghai team gained the upper hand in the center position because of Yao Ming. And his extraordinary capability in defense also made up for the errors his teammates made. The team's weaknesses have all surfaced since Yao Ming left the team...
...young Chinese players talk about Yao all the time??Oh, I wish he was here'?and I tell them that it's a waste of time talking about him. Look up at the ceiling, boys: There's his jersey. He's retired, and he's not coming back. Let's take care of our jobs. Forget him. Work hard today...
...This is not to say that the young Sharks wish they were Yao. "They all want to be Kobe," Ma says. "None of the big guys' shoes sell well here." Ma contends that he is not jealous of Yao. But doesn't Ma wish he were the one in the NBA?even for one game? "Just one game would resolve everything in my life," he says, sighing. "I would know that I could play with the best. It would make my dream come true." And he begins to silently...
...Sharks win 122-108, and for an instant Yao Ming is just a memory...