"I just don't understand English back then" - Yao Ming assumed Michael Jordan trash-talked him in their first duel

Yao Ming did not have many duels with Michael Jordan during his time in the NBA, but sure enough, he'll never forget the very first time they clashed on the court. Like any other player, Yao also experienced Jordan's competitive nature, which often included playful banters. Perhaps that's how he understood it.

Everybody knew MJ was the master of psychological games intended to throw players off their rhythm. According to Yao, "His Airness" said something to him, but his English was bad at the time, and he didn't really understand what it was. Despite being confused, "The Great Wall" just assumed Mike was talking some trash.

"I don't understand. I don't understand," Yao told Graham Bensinger in an interview in 2016. "I just don't understand English back then."

Yao was honored to have faced MJ

Even before becoming an NBA star, Yao was already a celebrated player in China. Nevertheless, he is still honored to have shared the NBA hardwood with an icon like Jordan.

Yao and Jordan's careers overlapped for only a brief period of time. Whether it was wholesome or competitive, "The Great Wall" definitely cherishes every moment he had with MJ in their few duels.

"I played against so many superstars. Obviously, Michael is (at the) top of them in my first year. … I have the fortune to play, not many, but one or two games (against them) in the beginning of my career in the NBA. That's amazing," the legendary center reflected.

Yao never talked trash

As an exceptionally talented 7-foot-6 big man, Yao had the right to talk trash. However, he had a unique and different approach to competition.

Unlike Jordan and some of the most savage trash-talkers in the game, Yao was always cool and never engaged in trash talks with his matchups. Instead, "The Great Wall" treated every foe with the utmost respect and would even say something nice, which sometimes got them doubting if he really struggled with his English.

"F***ing tall, but cool as s***," two-time All-Star center Brad Miller said on All The Smoke. "Cool as f***, man. 'I don't speak no English.' Bulls***. That motherf***er just wanted to get a job for a translator, it was cool as s***...He never said nothing. Literally, he didn't say nothing. And then he would say something, and you're like, 'Oh, you good.'"

The NBA is an environment where players often talk smack and exchange insults. That said, Yao served as a breath of fresh air when he proved that true greatness doesn't require any talking.

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