Yao Ming's condition lost in translation
( 2003-09-09 10:46) (www.hoopsworld.com)
The Rockets' star center was said to be suffering from hypertension, but new
information points to that being an error in translation on the part of the
Chinese.
After hearing over and over again how "tired" Yao Ming was last season,
Rockets fans were less than enthused at the news that broke a little over a week
ago. The latest report out of China said that Yao Ming was suffering from
hypertension and was considering cutting his professional basketball career
short because his body could not take the pounding of both the NBA and Chinese
schedules. The report said that Yao Ming was having issues with blood pressure
and exhaustion, but the real problem seems to have been lost in translation. In
order to clear up the confusion, Yao Ming recently released the following
statement:
"As I'm sure many of you have heard, it's been reported that I have high
blood pressure. Well, I wanted to reassure all of you that my health condition
has been greatly exaggerated in the news and rumors that I suffer from
hypertension are false. I have been traveling with the Chinese National Team
nonstop for 3 weeks, playing every other day in a different city throughout
China and Hong Kong. I have been exhausted because of the grueling playing
schedule and the poor security on and off the court. But now that I am back in
Beijing and have had some time to rest, I feel back to normal."
This comes as welcome news to Rockets fans, but there is an underlying
concern that is not being voiced. How long can Yao Ming endure the arduous
demands of life in the NBA and playing these kinds of games for China, as well?
It certainly does not bode well for the longevity of his career. Realize that
Hakeem Olajuwon developed all kinds of health issues late in his career, and he
was not playing a strenuous summer schedule. Shaquille O'Neal's body is already
starting to tell him the end is near, and he is not playing another full season
of basketball during the NBA's off season.
It would seem that sooner or later Yao Ming is going to have to make a
choice. He's going to have to either play exclusively for the NBA or give up his
dream of playing in the world's best league to pursue a secondary career as a
Chinese national player. It's hard to imagine a player giving up the dream of an
NBA championship to play second-rate ball in a lesser league, but China's hold
on Yao Ming may force him to take that course. Whatever he winds up choosing,
the Rockets or his Chinese team, it is certain that this particular issue has
been avoided. The Chinese reports of Yao having high blood pressure and
suffering from hypertension were little more than errors in translation. The
Rockets' best hope of making the playoffs will be in uniform when the team opens
its new arena in October. I know I'll sleep easier knowing
that.
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