China
Yao: I will not play at Worlds
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-12 09:01
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Yao Ming has played his last World Championship match for China.
The 29-year-old NBA All-star confirmed yesterday he will miss this year's World Championship in Turkey and was also in doubt for the London Olympic Games, which are still 2 1/2 years away.
"I cannot catch up in time for the World Championship because I will not be able to get on to the court and start training until July," Yao said during an interview with sohu.com.
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"As for the Olympic Games, it's still too far way and hard to predict."
Yao, who was diagnosed with a broken foot after Game 3 of last season's playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, asked fans to pay more attention to the China team than himself.
"Basketball is a game of unity rather than individualism. I hope people pay more attention to the sport and the whole national team rather than one or two individuals."
Yao was also in danger of missing the 2006 Word Championship due to an injury at the end of the 2005-06 NBA season.
He required six months of rest and recovery before the start of the tournament. In the last game of the preliminary round he had 36 points and 10 rebounds in a win against Slovenia which led China into the Round of 16.
Official from the sport's governing body says they respect Yao's decision and concedes China now have to rely on the next generation.
"We have mentally prepared for Yao's absence," said Hu Jiashi, deputy director of the Basketball Administrative Center. "We respect Yao's decision. His long-term health and career are more important.
"It's a huge loss for the national team but we have to face the reality and give more chances to our younger players."
Busy 'Boss Yao'
Apart from aiming to return to full fitness, the giant center has been busy off the court in China.
He took over his former home club, the Shanghai Sharks, last year and "Boss Yao" has watched several CBA matches around the nation over the past couple of weeks.
Yao claims he still needs more time to get used to his new role.
"I am still adjusting myself to the job," he said. "You have to pay extra attention to a club after you make an investment. I am yet to get familiar with this. But I'm willing to take on more responsibilities."
What the big man said ...
About being a father
Q: A boy or a girl, which do you prefer?
A: I do not have any bias. I just hope the child will be healthy, happy and sound.
Q: You have had some good news over the past 12 months; you have become a boss, will be a father and are successfully recovering from an injury. Which is the most pleasing to you?
A: The No 1 job is to get rid of the injury. You also have to face challenges to be a boss but I think my greatest happiness will be to be a father.
About the All-Star Game
Q: Do you feel sad about missing the NBA'S All-star Game this year?
A: I have no regrets at all. Actually, I feel a little lucky to be excluded. Every time I play an All-star Game, it's a little bit torturing. I thank the fans who have been supporting me and voted for me to play in All-star Games in the past but I feel I'm not the right player for the All-Star Game. I cannot run that fast and jump that high. It's a game of entertainment; for players to show off. But I don't fit that style.
Q: You would definitely get enough votes to play the All-star Game when you return to full fitness. Would you be willing to play in it again?
A: It's difficult to say. I would rather take a break if I could. I am not an energetic person and cannot focus on different things at the same time. It would be a challenge for me to be an All-star again because it would distract me from the regular season.
About his NBA career
Q: Reports speculate you could have the chance to team up with LeBron James. What do you think?
A: I have never seen those reports. Every team in NBA wants him. Every team tries to link itself to LeBron. You won't know until the last minute.
Q: Your contract with the Rockets will expire after this season. Are you going to stay in Houston? What kind of contract are you expecting?
A: I will not think about it until I'm fully fit. Injury is a big issue in a contract and it's too early to talk about it.
Q: If you had to make a choice between a big-cash contract and an NBA championship title, which one would you choose?
A: I want both.
Q: A report states about 70 percent of players in the NBA have a gun. Did you know this?
A: One thing I can assure you is I do not have one. I know some of the players in the NBA have guns but the percentage is not that high with the Rockets. (Teammate) Carl (Landry) was shot and I told him not to go home in the dark after the incident.
