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2003:
Seven foot, five inch Yao Ming was being out-rebounded by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal, even though the 22-year-old center from China had four inches of height on Shaq. He was also being being mauled, elbowed, and generally manhandled by the heavier American NBA legend. Yao is deeply embarrassed and beginning to show a little anger. He pivots in the slot, hooking the ball in a nearly flat trajectory straight through the hoop. Elegant, clean. Shaq could only stand and glare.
Yao is a ‘star’ in China, where the game is played politely as it was originally intended. It is a non-contact sport, and humility is a virtue, the team is the thing. He is a shy, self-conscious young man who feels the weight of representing billions of Chinese while becoming a huge celebrity in the US.
The young American interpreter who traveled with him and did press conferences and communication with the team et al is fascinating as well.
I don’t follow sports, but my wife and I were glued to this one. The film, Year of the Yao, covers his season with the Houston Rockets. It will be on IFC again April 23 8:10 AM EDT. For more information, visit IFC.com
