China's Yi Jianlian (right) fights for a rebound in an AsiaChampionship match against Japan in Wuhan, Hubei province, onWednesday. Yi scored 18 points to help China win 84-58. China topsGroup F after the second stage of the tournament and will faceLebanon on Friday.
Yao Ming's TV broadcasting is turning out to be nearly as big a draw as the gamesthemselves
WUHAN, Hubei province - Yao Ming doesn't have to play in a game to be one of its biggestattractions.
The retired Chinese basketball icon is back in the limelight at the FIBA Asia Championship,rounding out CCTV's broadcast team for eight of China's games as a color commentator.
Make that an overwhelmingly popular color commentator.
Qi Xin, chief of the CCTV crew that's broadcasting the event, credits Yao with a spike in thetournament's ratings.
"He's made a big difference," Qi told the Basketball Pioneer. "He's definitely attracted eyeballs.Audiences always want to hear him. No matter what he says, it will become a headline.
"So far, he's done a great job. I will give him 90 points."
Qi said the TV ratings for Yao's first game - China's group matchup against Bahrain - climbedto 1.3 percent on Sept 15, while the NBA Finals usually peak at 1.1 percent.
Yao doesn't just bring his knowledge of tactics and techniques to the broadcast table. He alsouses his trademark sense of humor to keep the TV audience entertained.
After China veteran Wang Zhizhi dunked powerfully Monday night against Syria, Yao joked withWang saying "The last time you dunked the ball, your 6-year-old son hadn't been born yet."
Making fun of opponents' attempts to guard Yi Jianlian, Yao suggested "they could try usingpepper spray on their hands and wave them in front of Yi's face when he posts up."
After the games, Yao conducts interviews with his former teammates and offers advice for thesquad's improvement.
His close ties with the team nets him betterinterviews - players tend to talk more freelythan they would with regular reporters.
"Yao did a great job. He is veryknowledgeable," TNT's leading commentator,Kenny Smith, said on his micro blog recently.
Inside the stadium, where spectators can'twatch the TV broadcast, the "Yao factor" is alsoin full effect.
During game breaks, fans stare at Yao'scommentating box at the top of the stands whileshouting his name fiercely in a salute to their idol.
Some supporters gather around the box after the last game every day, hoping for a closeglance of the giant.
Still, Yao isn't planning his future around a career in broadcasting, stressing "I've just come tocheer for the Chinese squad."
"I won't copy Kenny or (Charles Barkley's) way to shine on TV after retirement," he said. "I justwant to share my experience with the audience. Let the fans know players' real feelings on thecourt and what really happened there.
"TV commentating is actually as tough as playing on the court for me.
"I've got a lot of homework to do before each game's broadcast, just like the daily training I hadbefore."
Yao arrives at the venue hours before the tip-off and collects each team's scouting report. Heeven asked friends in the NCAA for some naturalized players' background information.
"He is so dedicated to do this job, even though it's just for this event temporarily. With this kindof work ethic, I believe he could do every thing well in the future," Qi said.
Sports-China
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