Indazone
08-01-2008, 01:35 PM
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/photo_servlet?contentId=6027171&version=1&locale=EN-US&subtype=MIMG&siteId=1013&isP16=true
Yao Ming
FOX 26 News
HOUSTON -- While Houston Rockets center Yao Ming prepares for the 2008 Olympics with his Chinese National team, he wants the world to know that he is thrilled to have Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest as a teammate. Artest was traded to the Rockets Tuesday in a multi-player deal that cannot be confirmed by the NBA until Aug. 14.
"I would tell him that he is very welcome to join our Houston Rockets," Yao said. "He's the guy we need right now to make our team stronger."
A report earlier this week quoted Yao as being worried about how Artest would affect team chemistry and concerned that Artest would continue to have off the court issues. Yao said Friday in an interview with FOX 26 Sports from Nanjing, China that he believes his thoughts were blown out of proportion.
"If something I said would make Ron feel uncomfortable I apologize," Yao said. "I'm really sorry about that.
"Because I still don't know him very well. Still by the time we stay together obviously I will fix it."
The two men worked on just that during an international phone call yesterday.
"I talked to him last night China time about (a) misunderstanding on the report," Yao said. "It's better when we have a chance to sit down and talk face to face.
"Before training camp, before the season, we have a lot of time. I think we can be good friends."
When asked about how he felt Artest will affect the Rockets' team chemistry, Yao said, "I think it's going to be okay.
"The Rockets locker room is one of the best in the league. I think the chemistry should not be a big problem.
"It's not a big deal for me. We are grown men. We played long enough in this league. We all know what is our goal. We come together and know what we are fighting for.
"So that brings us together."
Yao is not only the face of the Houston Rockets but also the face of basketball in China. Having to deal with all of that, plus the controversy that raged around the country because of the initial perception Yao was unhappy with the Artest trade, has not been easy for the Chinese superstar.
"It's a little bit hard right now," Yao said. "A lot of pressure because of the Olympics and the people count on us in China.
"Right now the Rockets made a good trade for us and we got a good player. Maybe I say something because I'm too excited."
Yao heard that Artest called the Rockets Yao's and Tracy's (Rockets forward McGrady) team. On that point the two men do not agree.
"It's our team," Yao said. "We play together.
We unite together as one. Maybe I should say 15 as one when the season starts."
Then Yao paid Artest the highest compliment a new Rockets player can get.
"Ron joining us as a teammate I think that can put (our) team in the next level," Yao said.
When you consider the Rockets have not been able to get past the first round of the playoffs in a decade, that's a lofty compliment.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=7116540&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1
Yao Ming
FOX 26 News
HOUSTON -- While Houston Rockets center Yao Ming prepares for the 2008 Olympics with his Chinese National team, he wants the world to know that he is thrilled to have Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest as a teammate. Artest was traded to the Rockets Tuesday in a multi-player deal that cannot be confirmed by the NBA until Aug. 14.
"I would tell him that he is very welcome to join our Houston Rockets," Yao said. "He's the guy we need right now to make our team stronger."
A report earlier this week quoted Yao as being worried about how Artest would affect team chemistry and concerned that Artest would continue to have off the court issues. Yao said Friday in an interview with FOX 26 Sports from Nanjing, China that he believes his thoughts were blown out of proportion.
"If something I said would make Ron feel uncomfortable I apologize," Yao said. "I'm really sorry about that.
"Because I still don't know him very well. Still by the time we stay together obviously I will fix it."
The two men worked on just that during an international phone call yesterday.
"I talked to him last night China time about (a) misunderstanding on the report," Yao said. "It's better when we have a chance to sit down and talk face to face.
"Before training camp, before the season, we have a lot of time. I think we can be good friends."
When asked about how he felt Artest will affect the Rockets' team chemistry, Yao said, "I think it's going to be okay.
"The Rockets locker room is one of the best in the league. I think the chemistry should not be a big problem.
"It's not a big deal for me. We are grown men. We played long enough in this league. We all know what is our goal. We come together and know what we are fighting for.
"So that brings us together."
Yao is not only the face of the Houston Rockets but also the face of basketball in China. Having to deal with all of that, plus the controversy that raged around the country because of the initial perception Yao was unhappy with the Artest trade, has not been easy for the Chinese superstar.
"It's a little bit hard right now," Yao said. "A lot of pressure because of the Olympics and the people count on us in China.
"Right now the Rockets made a good trade for us and we got a good player. Maybe I say something because I'm too excited."
Yao heard that Artest called the Rockets Yao's and Tracy's (Rockets forward McGrady) team. On that point the two men do not agree.
"It's our team," Yao said. "We play together.
We unite together as one. Maybe I should say 15 as one when the season starts."
Then Yao paid Artest the highest compliment a new Rockets player can get.
"Ron joining us as a teammate I think that can put (our) team in the next level," Yao said.
When you consider the Rockets have not been able to get past the first round of the playoffs in a decade, that's a lofty compliment.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=7116540&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1