Yao Ming apologizes for his absence from press conference

The Chinese men's basketball team suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Philippines in the semi-finals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, missing out on a spot in the tournament final. This loss has sparked controversy and heated discussions among fans and netizens alike, with many questioning the team's performance and leadership.

One key figure in this drama is Yao Ming, a legendary basketball player who was recently elected as president of the Basketball Association in 2017. As the leader of the Chinese men's team at the recent Asian Games, Yao has been heavily criticized for his absence from a crucial post-game press conference.

According to Weibo video by Maisongela, several famous commentators had blamed the coach for the loss, without mentioning the players' ability issues. This led to an inflammatory remark by a netizen who asked, "Are they so afraid of offending players?" This question was met with many likes and shares on Weibo, indicating the widespread frustration among fans towards the team's performance.

Yao Ming later apologized for his absence from the press conference, stating that everyone left in a hurry after the game and he had to turn back with coaches and assistants to allow all players to have dinner and rest before returning. Zhao Jiwei, another key figure of the team, also admitted that the coach had assigned many requirements but players did make mistakes on the court.

The Weibo video by The Press in the Deeply pondered Yao Ming's role as president of the Basketball Association and his responsibility for the team's lackluster performance. They questioned whether Yao's departure and Zhao Jiwei's apology would lead to new team selections or changes in leadership.

The Chinese men's basketball team had previously performed well at the 2018 Asian Games but faced struggles in recent years, including an almost-win against Poland in 2019 and a collapse in the second half of most games during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. These setbacks have been attributed to issues with team spirit and mental attitude by some observers.

Fans and netizens on Weibo have expressed mixed reactions towards Yao Ming's apology. Some believe that Yao should not be held accountable for the team's performance, as winners and losers are a natural part of sports. Others argue that specific issues in the team's performance should be addressed, with more attention paid to mental training and taking every game seriously from a mental perspective.

However, other netizens have been more critical of Yao Ming and the team, calling for his resignation and questioning why the team could not play seriously in the fourth quarter of the game. They feel that DaYo, as a professional player, should take responsibility for allowing such poor performance from CBA players.

In conclusion, the loss at the