Yao Ming Plays in China with the Houston Rockets

Two U.S. basketball teams—the Houston Rockets and the New Jersey Nets—are in China for two pre-season games. The NBA teams played each other in Beijing on Wednesday and will face off again on Saturday in the southern city of Guangzhou.

China’s best-known basketball player, Yao Ming, plays for the Rockets. Wednesday was his first game in his homeland since recovering from a broken foot. He scored nine points, and his team won 91 to 81.

[Yao Ming, Houston Rockets]:
“Now every game is very important for me. They are one-by-one footprints on my way to recovery. They are my step-by-step efforts. I hope I can make contributions to the team.“

Yao Ming played for just 18 minutes because of his injury, but teammates are happy to have him back.

[Shane Battier, Houston Rockets]:
“Well, I’m excited, it makes my job a lot easier. It’s just good to have him back. It’s great to have him back. He’s such a great teammate, he’s such a great leader on our team, and he’s going to make our team better.“

In 2004, the NBA became the first American professional sports league to play games in China. This year’s fixtures are now the fifth set of pre-season games NBA teams have played in the country.

On Tuesday, children at one elementary school in Beijing got a special treat when Nets players took some time off from practice to teach them some basketball skills.

Foto: NTDTV