What can Yang Hansen learn from Yao Ming s experience back then?

Since Yang Hansen signed into the NBA and played for the Trail Blazers, there have been surprises. At the same time, both fans and the media have also talked about a lot of questions about him.

But if you are an old fan, you will find that the problems Yang Hansen currently faces in the NBA, such as insufficient physical confrontation, lack of physical reserves, defensive incompatibility, too many fouls, language barriers, and tactical role adjustments, were all experienced by Yao Ming when he first entered the NBA. In a flash, that was already 23 years ago.

After watching the game between Xiao Yang and the Jazz yesterday, I watched a documentary while eating takeout: "THE YEAR OF THE YAO" (THE YEAR OF THE YAO). This nearly 90-minute film was released in 2005. It left a deep impression on me. The first time I watched it was in an Internet cafe... It records Yao Ming's first season after joining the Houston Rockets as the No. 1 pick in the NBA in 2002, covering his process from being questioned, to adapting, to breaking out. There are many classic scenes, such as: 1. Barkley once mocked Yao Ming for not being able to score 19 points in a single game, and kissed a donkey's butt in public after his bet failed. 2. Yao Shark duel. 3. In Dayao's first home game after landing in the NBA, the Compaq Center decided to invite an internationally renowned Chinese singer to perform as a guest performer before the game, and finally chose Coco Lee, who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in San Francisco. 4. At the All-Star Game, Kobe asked Yao Ming to relax and took the initiative to massage Yao Ming to relax. 5. Translator Colin Pan played a key role in Yao Ming's adaptation to the NBA. 6. Yao Ming was knocked down by Marbury. ...

The time has arrived in 2025. If I revisit "Yao Next Year" again, in addition to sighing that things have changed and people have changed, the deeper feeling is that in the context of that era, Yao Ming is a symbol of China's greater openness. With humility, humor and tenacious personal charm, he broke cultural barriers, allowed the American public to understand China more intuitively, and also inspired the Chinese people's enthusiasm for the NBA and basketball culture. He is a true pioneer and a bridge that promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding. If it’s high-level, I won’t go into details. What I want to express most today is that the challenges Yang Hansen faces now are strikingly similar to the difficulties Yao Ming experienced back then. Although times are different, the way the NBA plays has also undergone tremendous changes. However, the structural obstacles brought about by the differences in the basketball environment between China and the United States are the same. Aren't they all players from the CBA... In other words, Yang Hansen can learn a lot from Yao Ming's experience. After he shed tears and experienced such emotions, he needed to watch "Yao Next Year" again.

What can we learn from it? For example, Yao Ming mentioned a few days ago how Chinese players should integrate into the NBA. Dayao's core idea is: "Whether it is domestic or foreign, language is just the surface. Taking everything seriously is the key to winning trust." For example, actively participate in team activities. Integrate into the group by playing games, chatting, etc. Language is not a barrier, actions and attitude are the key. Yao Ming is able to establish himself in the NBA not only because of his skills, but also because of his ability to integrate with American players. This is the most outstanding thing, and it is also what many Chinese players lack. In addition to his own efforts, it must also be said that Yao Ming met a "noble man": Francis. The first week after Yao Ming arrived in Houston, the Rockets held a charity golf event, and Fu was willing to drive him. You know, at that time, Yao Ming had not played an NBA game or even participated in training. Standing up for him on the playing field and giving guidance on the training field are just one aspect. More importantly, he helped Yao Ming integrate into the United States. Dayao has always been very grateful for this. At his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017, he insisted on inviting Francis, who had committed a lot of things, to attend. For this reason, Fred asked for leave from prison and showed up in Houston. Yao Ming used this move to repay the friendship...

From another perspective: Chinese players want to gain a foothold in the NBA, whether they are Yao Ming or Yang Hansen, they need to go through many tests, and the test is not just at the basketball level. The new season is about to begin. I hope Yang Hansen will be prepared physically and mentally. I hope he can also meet "noble people" in the Trail Blazers. It is even more hoped that he will have a better basketball public opinion environment by then. It's normal to play poorly at the beginning. What level is Yao Ming in the CBA? Walk sideways. But in his Rockets debut, he had 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls. The game that fulfilled Barkley's "kissing a donkey's ass" bet was the eighth regular season game of his NBA career... What else can Yang Hansen learn from? The NBA is famous for Yao Ming's hard work back then...