幾天前，我終於有機會在姚明面前分享這個故事。雖然當年不喜歡被比較，但我也知道，他曾經帶給我的激勵有多大，能看到一位亞洲球員在最高殿堂站穩腳跟是多麼讓人振奮。他為我們闖出一條路，扛下了作為聯盟唯一亞洲球員的重量。因為他，那扇門被推開得更大，讓我有機會踏進去。他也是第一個在我進NBA後邀請我參加官方活動的人→他的慈善賽。

我期待有一天，亞洲球員在聯盟裡不再是少數，代表性不再是例外，而是籃球世界裡自然的一部分。

向姚明致敬，感謝你為籃球、為我、為我們所做的一切。

Growing up, being Asian and playing basketball, I would always get called Yao Ming by opponents. Back then, I’d think, I’m my own player, I’m nothing like Yao, I’m a point guard. I hated not getting to define my own identity and just wanted to be known for myself.

A few days ago, I got to share this story with Yao in the room. As much as I hated being compared, I also know how much he inspired me and how exciting it was to see someone Asian dominate at the highest level. He paved the way, carried the weight of being the Asian player in the league. Because of him, the door cracked open even more for me to step through. He was the first one to invite me to an official event - his charity game - after I joined the NBA.

I imagine a league where seeing Asian hoopers isn’t rare, where representation isn’t the exception but just a part of the game.

Much respect to Yao. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the game, for me, for us.

#yaoming #pioneer #Respect