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CNN Live At Daybreak

Ming Dynasty: Yao Sir, Yao Sir

Aired February 07, 2003 - 05:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The basketball All-Star Game is in town this weekend in Atlanta, I'm talking about, and it has the potential to attract more fans than any All-Star Game ever. That's due to rookie center Yao Ming. He has a big following here and back home in China, and he is a huge man in stature and in height. We're talking about Yao Ming.
CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz joins us now live from China with more on the Ming dynasty. He is something else.

JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Carol, he is only in his fourth month in the NBA, and he is already taller, much taller and much bigger than his 7 foot 6 frame. He is celebrated in America and idolized in China.

On court, he averages about 13 points and 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Now, that's not a bad beginning, because after all he's just a rookie. And he's had to deal with, adapt with new teammates, a very physical game, a new culture and a foreign language.

COSTELLO: Oh, Jaime, you know...

FLORCRUZ: So, the Chinese are quite proud of him here.

COSTELLO: And Americans are, too.

FLORCRUZ: Yes.

COSTELLO: And you have to wonder about this, because here's a guy who can't speak much English, and he comes from a communist country, and he is beloved here in this country. We were trying to figure out what quality he has that Americans love so much.

FLORCRUZ: Well, Carol, I think that one is the quality of humility. I think that on and off court, his humble demeanor endears him to Americans, to the American media and the public. And of course, that quality is a rare commodity in professional basketball.

COSTELLO: Oh, you've got that right. You know, Jaime...

FLORCRUZ: So, I think that's one.

COSTELLO: Exactly, because the quote from him on him finding out that he was elected to the All-Star Game -- and he had more votes than Shaq. This is his quote: "I am very honored and hope I do well in the game." He is humble. FLORCRUZ: That is him. He is humble. And at the same time, the Chinese are very proud of him. The Chinese we talk with, you know, feel that there is this reflected glory in China. It's as if -- it's just like when they won the bid to host the 2008 Olympics. They are just that proud. And the fans in China can potentially see him play in some 280 million TV households in China. Four TV stations plan to cover this to have him, the first Chinese and the first Asian to play in the NBA All-Star Game -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, we're looking forward to seeing him ourself. Jaime FlorCruz, thanks for joining us live from Beijing this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired February 7, 2003 - 05:52   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The basketball All-Star Game is in town this weekend in Atlanta, I'm talking about, and it has the potential to attract more fans than any All-Star Game ever. That's due to rookie center Yao Ming. He has a big following here and back home in China, and he is a huge man in stature and in height. We're talking about Yao Ming.
CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz joins us now live from China with more on the Ming dynasty. He is something else.

JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Carol, he is only in his fourth month in the NBA, and he is already taller, much taller and much bigger than his 7 foot 6 frame. He is celebrated in America and idolized in China.

On court, he averages about 13 points and 8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Now, that's not a bad beginning, because after all he's just a rookie. And he's had to deal with, adapt with new teammates, a very physical game, a new culture and a foreign language.

COSTELLO: Oh, Jaime, you know...

FLORCRUZ: So, the Chinese are quite proud of him here.

COSTELLO: And Americans are, too.

FLORCRUZ: Yes.

COSTELLO: And you have to wonder about this, because here's a guy who can't speak much English, and he comes from a communist country, and he is beloved here in this country. We were trying to figure out what quality he has that Americans love so much.

FLORCRUZ: Well, Carol, I think that one is the quality of humility. I think that on and off court, his humble demeanor endears him to Americans, to the American media and the public. And of course, that quality is a rare commodity in professional basketball.

COSTELLO: Oh, you've got that right. You know, Jaime...

FLORCRUZ: So, I think that's one.

COSTELLO: Exactly, because the quote from him on him finding out that he was elected to the All-Star Game -- and he had more votes than Shaq. This is his quote: "I am very honored and hope I do well in the game." He is humble. FLORCRUZ: That is him. He is humble. And at the same time, the Chinese are very proud of him. The Chinese we talk with, you know, feel that there is this reflected glory in China. It's as if -- it's just like when they won the bid to host the 2008 Olympics. They are just that proud. And the fans in China can potentially see him play in some 280 million TV households in China. Four TV stations plan to cover this to have him, the first Chinese and the first Asian to play in the NBA All-Star Game -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, we're looking forward to seeing him ourself. Jaime FlorCruz, thanks for joining us live from Beijing this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com