Comments on: Yao Ming Cares More About the Beijing Olympics than the NBA

By: Ace

Ace — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:12:40 +0000

I agree with manny and ho9sier, i mean it wasn’t too long ago that we were bitching that NBA players didn’t want to represent this country in the olympics. So what makes Yao so different? We should be gettin on american players more since it’s this country that’s given them the opportunity to make the millions that they do, and they’re not proud of that? I’m sorry Larry, but our players do have their priorities out of whack.

By: h09sier

h09sier — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:29:35 +0000

I think it’s great. This is how it should be, in my opinion. I understand you’re getting paid money to play basketball, and it’s your job. But pride in your country should take precedence over that. I think it’s embarrassing when our players skip out because they’re afraid to injure themselves and miss out on the NBA season. The priorities are all screwed up. It should be a joy and the highest honor to represent your country on the national stage. I wish all American NBA players wanted to play, then we could show the world we are as dominant as ever. I do think we have something to prove. And I really wish our best players didn’t need to be begged to think the same way.

By: Manny

Manny — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:47:30 +0000

flip the script, what if China had the worlds premier basketball league and LeBron played there and got hurt. the olympics are around the corner and they are being held in Atlanta, if LeBron would have made the exact same comments as Yao he would be considered an American Patriot for his love of the country, but when a non-american shows his love and pride for their birth country people here jump on them. Such arrogant american BS, i just say get over it…

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:54:05 +0000

If Yao wasn’t being paid millions in the US, it would be noble. I understand where he’s coming from–representing one’s country is a proud thing, but its kind of like skipping a day at the office to watch the World Cup. No, that’s EXACTLY what it is. Rockets fans can’t be too happy, but they can’t be too mad either.

By: Gene

Gene — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:07:30 +0000

If you are familiar with the history of Yao and the Chinese government, you might recall that he needed their permission to even play in the NBA, and that it was conditional on his continuing to play for the Chinese international team.

China is not a democracy, by any stretch of the imagination. Yao has to be politically correct by saying that he regrets missing the Olympics most of all. To say otherwise might jeopardize his, and other Chinese players’ ability to play NBA ball.

Chinese players are not free to make the choices that US players are. This is one of the great differences between a free society and one that is not free.