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Artest: Yao's Bought Into The Propaganda
"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said, according to the Chronicle. When asked about those comments, Artest said Yao had bought into "all the propaganda" about him, according to The Sacramento Bee. "I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about." "If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed." Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Artest Will Only Join Rockets If He Gets A Commitment
Artest's comments about commitment stem from Yao Ming’s wariness of the trade. Ming is happy with the deal but is concerned for team chemistry. “We’ve still got to make sure there’s still a commitment,” Artest told the Sacramento Bee. “That’s the main thing. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets organization, we’re going to find out how much they really want me there.” “For some reason, I like (Artest),” Yao said, “because in the games we play against him, I hate him." “When I text-messaged with Luis (Scola), we talked about team chemistry. That’s only what worries us. We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team, and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don’t mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time." “There’s worry. Obviously, yes. ... Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands. ... I have to find a way to talk to him and see what we can do as a basketball team. He has a history, but we know he is a physical player. He is a good player. He really can help us.” Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Australia Beats China, Holds Yao To 14Australia's defense overwhelmed China in the Boomers' 67-55 win on Wednesday, holding Yao Ming to only 14 points in the process, the Associated Press is reporting. The Houston Rockets center was 5-for-8 from the field in 30 minutes. Yao had few touches as Australia forced 25 turnovers. "We have a lot to improve on in a short time, but we will do our best," Yao said. General Basketball, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Rockets Jul 2008 Archive
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Yao Ming expressed concerns about team chemistry to the Houston Chronicle and referenced Ron Artest's involvement in the 2004 brawl with Pistons' fans following the news that the former Pacer and King had been dealt to the Rockets.