REPORT: Yao unsure of move to States; wants to play for Jazz
Aug 24, 2018 17:55:30 GMT
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Post by TimPig on Aug 24, 2018 17:55:30 GMT
Leo Daniels
Chinese Correspondent
TMBSL Gazette
SHANGHAI -- The first overall pick in this year's TMBSL Rookie Draft looked like a no-brainer.
After dominating the Chinese Basketball Association as a member of the Shanghai Sharks a couple of seasons ago, scouts really began to take notice of 7'6 center Yao Ming. Yao solidified his status as an elite prospect during Shanghai's championship run this past season, averaging 32.4 points and 19 rebounds per game on 72% shooting.
"He's not a perfect player yet by any means," said one Eastern Conference general manager. "For his size, he's a surprisingly poor rebounder, and he can barely elevate off of the ground, but he has a TMBSL-ready inside game and is an excellent defender."
Therefore it wasn't a surprise when Hornets general manager Fecta Kepla took to the podium to call Yao's name, going overseas for the second year in a row with the first overall pick.
But also, for the second year in a row, there now appears to be controversy surrounding the pick.
In an exclusive interview with the TMBSL Gazette, Yao's agent stated that he was hopeful that he'd somehow get selected by the Utah Jazz, the only team in the league with a general manager familiar with Chinese culture.
"It's going to be a difficult transition without a doubt," said Yao's NBA agent, Bill Duffy, as told to him by Yao's Chinese agent, Lu Hao, as negotiated by his negotiator, Erik Zhang. "He really wanted to go to an organization that celebrates cultural diversity. Somewhere he could walk into the GM's office and tell stories of home over a Tsingtao."
"Charlotte is...none of those things. I asked their general manager if they had any Chinese players or staff to help ease Yao's transition and he responded 'Yes ! Giannis is from pretty close two their . I'm sure the to of you wood get along good!' Needless to say, our conversation raised some red flags."
But with the Jazz, Yao felt a different vibe.
"猶他州總經理了解中國的一切。 在他贏得20個冠軍後的某一天，他將退休並成為美國駐華大使。 我確定," said Yao.
Jazz general manager Ank Lee has been known to have his finger on the pulse of the Chinese Basketball Association for years after spending much of his youth meditating in the Guangdong Province. Many believe that this has given him an unfair advantage when it comes to recruiting top-tier Chinese basketball talent.
When asked to comment on the story, Jazz general manager Lee simply commented, "fecta ygm".
Chinese Correspondent
TMBSL Gazette
SHANGHAI -- The first overall pick in this year's TMBSL Rookie Draft looked like a no-brainer.
After dominating the Chinese Basketball Association as a member of the Shanghai Sharks a couple of seasons ago, scouts really began to take notice of 7'6 center Yao Ming. Yao solidified his status as an elite prospect during Shanghai's championship run this past season, averaging 32.4 points and 19 rebounds per game on 72% shooting.
"He's not a perfect player yet by any means," said one Eastern Conference general manager. "For his size, he's a surprisingly poor rebounder, and he can barely elevate off of the ground, but he has a TMBSL-ready inside game and is an excellent defender."
Therefore it wasn't a surprise when Hornets general manager Fecta Kepla took to the podium to call Yao's name, going overseas for the second year in a row with the first overall pick.
But also, for the second year in a row, there now appears to be controversy surrounding the pick.
In an exclusive interview with the TMBSL Gazette, Yao's agent stated that he was hopeful that he'd somehow get selected by the Utah Jazz, the only team in the league with a general manager familiar with Chinese culture.
"It's going to be a difficult transition without a doubt," said Yao's NBA agent, Bill Duffy, as told to him by Yao's Chinese agent, Lu Hao, as negotiated by his negotiator, Erik Zhang. "He really wanted to go to an organization that celebrates cultural diversity. Somewhere he could walk into the GM's office and tell stories of home over a Tsingtao."
"Charlotte is...none of those things. I asked their general manager if they had any Chinese players or staff to help ease Yao's transition and he responded 'Yes ! Giannis is from pretty close two their . I'm sure the to of you wood get along good!' Needless to say, our conversation raised some red flags."
But with the Jazz, Yao felt a different vibe.
"猶他州總經理了解中國的一切。 在他贏得20個冠軍後的某一天，他將退休並成為美國駐華大使。 我確定," said Yao.
"Utah's general manager knows everything about China. Someday after he wins 20 championships he will retire and become the United States ambassador to China. I am sure of it," said Yao.
Jazz general manager Ank Lee has been known to have his finger on the pulse of the Chinese Basketball Association for years after spending much of his youth meditating in the Guangdong Province. Many believe that this has given him an unfair advantage when it comes to recruiting top-tier Chinese basketball talent.
When asked to comment on the story, Jazz general manager Lee simply commented, "fecta ygm".
