The Napa Valley Wine Company Scores 95 and 97 with Its Inaugural 2009 Vintages

ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA, May 16, 2012 – Yao Family Wines, the Napa Valley wine company founded by Yao Ming and launched in 2011, received high scores for its inaugural 2009 vintages in Wine Enthusiast Magazine. YAO MING® 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon received a score of 95 points, while the YAO MING® 2009 Family Reserve received an exceptional score of 97 points. The wines were rated by well-known California editor, Steve Heimoff, in the June issue of the magazine.

“We are extremely honored to receive these high ratings from Wine Enthusiast Magazine,” said Yao Ming. “These scores reflect our strong commitment to creating wines with exceptional quality and balance. While we are a new face in this industry, we are dedicated to producing world-class wines that are a true reflection of Napa Valley and the vineyards. With each vintage we aim to improve even more, and I am proud to share our wines with my friends, family and lovers of fine wine in China and all over the world.”

Mr. Heimoff raved about the YAO MING® Family Reserve, noting its palate “bursts with upfront, delicious blackberry, crème de cassis and dark chocolate flavors that are wildly sweet on the midpalate, but then finish thoroughly dry.” He also noted that this inaugural release “immediately establishes itself among the elite Cabernets of Napa Valley.”

The YAO MING® Cabernet Sauvignon was additionally well received. The tasting notes commented that this Cabernet was “richly attractive and deeply flavored in blackberries, blueberries and black currants,” showing “a dramatic structure marked particularly by firm, smooth tannins, and it finishes dry.”

“This rating celebrates the quality of wines we are producing, and I am extremely proud of what we have done,” said Tom Hinde, President and Director of Winemaking for Yao Family Wines. “These scores are confirmation of the great wines we have created, and reinforce our mission to further establish Napa Valley as a first-class wine region in China.”

The full reviews and ratings can be found in the June 2012 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, available now.

About Yao Family Wines
In November 2011, Yao Ming, global humanitarian and recently retired NBA star, announced the establishment of his new Napa Valley wine company: Yao Family Wines. The company released its inaugural wine under the brand name YAO MING®. Yao Family Wines appointed Pernod Ricard (China) as its sole and exclusive importer and distributor of the YAO MING® wines in mainland China. Yao Family Wines sources the grapes from prestigious Napa Valley vineyards with a reputation for excellent fruit and selects individual blocks to blend for flavor and texture in its world-class wines. For more information about Yao Family Wines, please visit www.yaofamilywines.com.

Yao Family Wines Receives Top Scores From Wine Enthusiast Magazine

You need to watch more Rajon Rondo. Maybe you already watch Rondo; maybe you’ve watched him for years; maybe you’re trapped under a sheet of ice in the NHL playoffs. But something stirring is happening with the Boston Celtics point guard. Rondo, 26, has been an elite player in the NBA for a few years; he’s already won a championship ring; but lately, he’s been pushing into a level of virtuosity that’s new and rare and wildly entertaining. The triple-doubles and funny-number stat sheets are accumulating (Rondo closed the season with 24 straight games with 10 or more assists) but his quirky talent must be witnessed to be understood; there are at least four or five times in every game that he does something that no other player can do quite like him. Maybe it’s that behind-the-back pass that isn’t really a behind-the-back pass, but a fake behind-the-back pass, which freezes a defense, like a Hanna-Barbera cartoon, allowing Rondo to recoil a long arm and drop an easy dish. Maybe it’s the way he plunges into heavy traffic toward the basket, full-speed, almost reckless, before emerging on the other side for a layup—a sports car zooming through a covered bridge. Rondo is one of those athletes for whom the action appears to unlock itself a beat-and-a-half faster. He can be exhilarating.

That’s not the complete package, however. Any Rondo observer knows that the thrilling highlights are just one aspect of the 360-degree Rondo Experience—he also comes with a funhouse of inconsistencies (free throws, perimeter shooting) and a lack of caution that sometimes can result in costly turnovers. Six years and three All-Star teams into his career, Rondo remains a player capable of taking a brief sabbatical from common sense. Sometimes he takes an even longer sabbatical. (He has already been suspended a game in these playoffs for bumping a referee.) These reasons are why Rondo remains underappreciated; why he’s not considered the best point guard in basketball; you can argue among yourselves if that’s Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Regis Philbin or someone else.

But I’d argue it’s this roller coaster that makes Rondo so compelling—the genius swirled in with the shortcomings, the baffling sputters that follow jaw-dropping maneuvers. Rondo delivers something different—more elusive, unpredictable, an acquired taste not for shy stomachs. He’s an electric enigma, and he may be the least boring player in the NBA.

The end of Tuesday’s Game 5 versus Atlanta offered a perfect example of Rondo’s fickle brilliance—the Hawks were up 87-86, and had the ball with 10.9 seconds left. Atlanta’s Josh Smith inbounded the ball toward teammate Joe Johnson. Rondo had his back turned—he never looked at Smith, and yet he sensed the ball coming and spun and collected it for a steal. With the clock ticking away, Rondo raced down the court, drove left, and then…it…all…unraveled. With Atlanta’s Al Horford playing aggressive defense, Rondo lost his handle, recollected the ball and spun a limp pass to teammate Kevin Garnett that was batted away by Smith.

It was briefly amazing. Then it wasn’t. It was like watching a ballerina trip and fall into a laundry basket. And while it was hard to not feel some exasperation—Rondo was so close to one of the great playoff moments!—it was a window. This was the 360-degree Rondo Experience, in miniature.

Despite flashes like the Atlanta steal—and epics like his Game 3 triple-double, or his 18-point, 20-assist, 17-rebound jaw-drop against the Knicks in March—Rondo can be undervalued, sometimes even on his own team. Part of this is the fact that the Celtics possess three veteran superstars—Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, who in their dotage still absorb much of the team’s spotlight. But it’s bizarre to think that Rondo spent most of the season confronting rumors he was on the verge of being shipped out of town (which the Celtics consistently denied). Even Garnett has referred to Rondo as “our leader,” and it’s obvious Rondo is the energy on the floor. “Rajon’s the most fun part of watching the Celtics,” says Ben Osborne, the editor in chief of Slam magazine.

Still, there’s no cheery deluge of Rondo commercials; no Rondo-Mania that approached Linsanity; he’s well-known to basketball fans and Bostonians, but he’s at best a household-ish name. He possesses a sense of humor—a couple of days ago, after his suspension against the Hawks, Rondo wore a sly ANGRY BIRDS T-shirt—but there’s also an awkwardness the NBA’s old guard seems to enjoy poking at. After Tuesday night’s loss, a TNT camera operator caught an annoyed Rondo asking him to stop filming in the hallway. Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, the league’s Statler and Waldorf, responded by ridiculing Rondo’s multi-patterned jacket.

On Wednesday morning I spoke to Doug Bibby, who coached Rondo for three years in high school in Louisville, Ky. He described a young player who possessed all the dazzling pieces he shows today, who showed up as an eighth grader and unlocked the playbook faster than Bibby’s seniors. Bibby, a math teacher, also had Rondo in his sophomore honors geometry class; Rondo took it as a freshman. Though he often appeared bored and seldom brought his textbooks, he aced his exams. Bibby described Rondo as “one of the smartest players in the game” but also said Rondo was quiet, and never acted like the big man on campus. “You wouldn’t notice him,” Bibby said.

Maybe that’s how Rondo prefers it. In an age of oversharers, Rondo remains a mystery. The 360-degree Rondo Experience may bring highs and lows and perplexing interludes, but like any great mystery, it’s worth following—for the simple reason you never know what is coming next.

Rajon Rondo: The NBA’s Least Boring Player

Steve Nash, a two-time National Basketball Association MVP, was named Tuesday as general manager of Canada’s senior men’s basketball team, with a clear goal in mind.

Reaching the podium at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“Steve’s passion, drive, thoughtfulness and profound basketball IQ give us an absolutely incredible opportunity to leverage the wealth of emerging talent to get back to the Olympics and make some real noise once we do,” Wayne Parrish, president and CEO of Canada Basketball, said at a news conference Tuesday.

“We believe this is our equivalent to the moment more than a decade ago when Wayne Gretzky took charge of our hockey fortunes leading up to the Salt Lake City Olympics. In a basketball context, this is one of the most important moments in the history of the sport in Canada since the day Dr. Naismith invented the game.”

Canada hasn’t qualified for an Olympic men’s tournament since the 2000 Games in Sydney, when Nash was captain of the team. He was on the 2004 national team that failed to qualify for the Games.

Nash, 38, said he is up to the challenge of turning the program into an international success.

“I’m thrilled to be able to take on this challenge. We have lots of work to do and I’m excited to get started,” he said. “With the talent we are developing in this country, Canada has an opportunity to become one of the top basketball nations in the world. There is no reason why, if we nurture and support these great young players and give them the tools they need, that we can’t be a medal contender at the Olympics.”

Nash has been one of the top point guards in the NBA for 16 seasons, being named to eight all-star teams. In 1,152 career games, he has averaged 14.5 points and 8.6 assists per game.

He was MVP honours in 2005 and ’06 and was named the Lou Marsh Trophy winner in 2004 as Canada’s top athlete.

It’s unclear whether the hiring means Nash is going to retire from the NBA.

Nash’s appointment comes after a Canada Basketball review of the senior men’s program following the resignation in September of head coach Leo Rautins after seven seasons.

“We could have just gone out and hired a head coach — we’ve had overtures from a number of world-class candidates — but we really wanted to take the time to review our overall approach to the program,” Parrish said. “In that process, we came to understand that in order to compete at the highest level internationally we needed to strengthen the entire structure, from both the personnel and financial perspectives.”

Former national team player Rowan Barrett will act as assistant GM and executive vice-president of the senior men’s program. Maurizio Gherardini, meanwhile, will retain in his role of managing director.

Steve Nash is the new GM of Canada’s men’s basketball team

When Yao Ming brought down the curtain on his larger-than-life career in the NBA last year, he said, “But one door is closing and another one is opening.” Little did we realize at the time that basketball’s 7-foot-6-inch ambassador would be opening so many doors in such a short time.

The former All-Star just completed his first year of study at Shanghai’s Jiao Tong University. He also joined the city’s top political advisory body, launched a winery in Napa Valley, while overseeing his hometown Shanghai Sharks basketball team and ramping up his charitable projects to support underprivileged children.

His latest venture announced on Saturday is a partnership between his Yao Foundation and Rare, a U.S.-based non-profit group that promotes conservation. During a press conference, Yao said they were in Hong Kong to begin raising funds for the tie-up that seeks to raise environmental awareness and encourage sustainable living habits.

The Yao Foundation was established in 2008 in response to the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan province. Yao donated 2 million yuan ($317,000) to set up the foundation and support the quake’s victims as well as other poverty-stricken people in China.

For the past four years, the Yao Foundation has been funding the construction of 14 schools through the Hope Primary Schools program that will eventually benefit some 9,000 rural students in China. Last month, Yao launched the Hope Primary Schools Basketball Season to teach basketball skills to Chinese youth in the hopes of improving their self-confidence and sportsmanship.

By: Forbes

Yao Ming’s Latest Venture: China’s Big Man Turns To Conservation

- Ratiopharm Ulm’s John Bryant is the “Most Valuable Player” of the main rounds of the 2011-2012 season. Bryant leads the lead in effectiveness and rebounding. Bryant is only the second center to receive the honor of being MVP, along with Jovo Stanojevic (formerly ALBA Berlin).

- Vladimir Jankovic, a Panionios forward, is characterized as the most improved player of the season in Greece. For the 2011-2012 season he averaged 8.7 points per game while shooting 46.2% inside the arc. Evidently, his motivation has paid off this season.

- Justin Burrell was MVP of Japan’s professional basketball league. He averaged 18.7 points per game, and lead the Yokohama B-Corsairs to finish in second in the Eastern Conference. With Burrell’s leadership and talent, the Yokohama B-Corsairs have a chance at winning the championship.

BDA International Updates

For the second year in a row, Amir Johnson hosted “I Roll with Amir”, inviting 50 of his most passionate fans to the ultimate fan experience. The group of fans were invited to a pre game meal followed by free seats to a Toronto Raptors game to watch Amir in action. After the game, the fans joined Amir for a dinner. Each fan also left with pictures and autographs from the power forward.

Watch more here: http://www.nba.com/video/teams/raptors/2012/04/17/RWEB120417ROLLWITHAMIR-2069663/index.html

Follow Amir on Twitter: www.twitter.com/IamAmirJohnson

I Roll with Amir II

Preston Jackson, an active nine-year-old who one day dreams of playing in the NBA, endured a harrowing experience exactly one week ago. Wearing his Rajon Rondo jersey, Jackson ran upstairs to his bedroom to grab something before leaving with his family for the afternoon. He never imagined that during that trip to his room, a stray bullet would pierce through his favorite jersey mere centimeters from his body.

When news of Jackson’s ordeal broke, Rondo’s heart went out to him and the point guard knew that something needed to be done.

Preston Jackson and his sister met Rajon Rondo before the Celtics faced the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing on the news when they reported what happened to Preston,” said Rondo. “Preston was the victim of a senseless act and I didn’t want his love of basketball to be affected by what happened.”

To that end, Rondo immediately made sure that the Jackson family could attend the Celtics’ next home game, which happened to be against the Miami Heat. Rondo’s objective to turn this negative incident into a memorable experience for Jackson was realized as the youngster’s smile broadened the moment he met Boston’s All-Star point guard prior to the game.

Jackson, his sister and parents got a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena before sitting courtside to watch pregame warmups. Rondo then came out carrying two duffle bags filled with Celtics gifts for Jackson and his sister.

“It felt really good to meet Rondo. This was the best moment of my life. I’m always going to remember this,” said Preston Jackson.

Rondo wasn’t done with his surprises for Jackson, as he presented his new friend with an autographed jersey and a pair of his sneakers in the youngster’s size. Rondo took pictures with the kids and signed their new No. 9 jerseys.

“It was great meeting Preston today,” said Rondo. “He’s a strong kid and I know he’s going to get through this tough time. Everyone is rooting for him.”

One thing is for sure, Jackson will never forget the night he met his hero, and how the duo will always have a close connection.

By: Ashley Earle (Celtics.com)

Rondo Meets Fan Nearly Hit by Stray Bullet

Thompson has averaged 18.3 points per game since the trade, polishing his still in-the-works game to be more than just a pure shooter with great range. He’s shooting 44 percent from the floor and 42 percent from beyond the arc this season.

While the 6-foot-7 guard’s defense still has great strides to make, he’s putting the ball on the floor more, finishing at the rim with both hands and making opponents who run him off the 3-point line pay.

“I don’t know that he was comfortable enough to make that play earlier in the year,” Jackson said. “It’s definitely an indication of his growth.”

Thompson has always been a comfortable shooter.

Growing up as the son of a NBA player, he was constantly around basketball. By the time he was 13, his dad could no longer beat him in 1-on-1, moving on to H-O-R-S-E, which they play regularly during time off.

“I can still beat him with old-man shots,” Mychal Thompson said, chuckling. “Sleepy hooks from the 3-point line. That’s about all I got on him.”

Thompson led the Pac-10 with 21.6 points per game — 11th in the nation — as a junior at Washington State and also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He was in consideration for conference player of the year before Arizona’s Derrick Williams pulled away late in the regular season.

Thompson slipped in last year’s draft in large part because of his arrest after a game in March 2011 for investigation of marijuana possession. He was suspended for a game and made a public apology before the regular-season finale against UCLA, returning to score a Pac-10 tournament-record 43 points in a loss to Washington.

Others also wondered about his athleticism and quickness.

The lanky guard is not fast or flashy, and questions loomed about how he might get open against quicker NBA guards. As those around the league have quickly learned, Thompson’s touch has transitioned just fine, and he’s creating open shots that seem so fluid.

Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving appears to be a runaway choice for NBA Rookie of the Year, and Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio — out for the season with torn ligaments in his left knee — will likely land second. Where Thompson finishes is still to be determined, but it will almost certainly be higher than his 11th spot in the draft.

“Talking to some of the teams’ general managers and coaches throughout the season as we traveled around, they come up to me and said, ‘If they could redo the draft, he definitely would’ve been in the top six,’” Mychal Thompson said.

The younger Thompson, while still reserved, has forced himself to open up to some of basketball’s best past and present.

He has gained knowledge from the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller and Rick Barry this season. Most recently, he went around the arc twice shooting with Warriors Hall of Famer Chris Mullin in his ear a couple weeks ago.

Before a home game against the Lakers last month, Thompson’s rise came full circle.

He was shooting on the court about two hours before tipoff, mimicking Bryant almost shot for shot on the other end. The two talked briefly, bumped fists and Bryant gave the Warriors rookie a thumbs-up as he headed through the arena’s tunnel and into the Lakers locker room.

Quite a turnaround for a shy kid with a shooter’s touch.

By: Antonio Gonzalez (NewsOk)

Warriors’ Thompson Making Run at Rookie Honors

Grizzlies guard Mike Conley is doing his part to support Sickle Cell patients in need, as he will donate $100 per point he scores against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, April 21 to the construction of The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis.

Not only will Conley be making his personal donation, but the Memphis Grizzlies will also match his $100 per point to help raise funds for the Sickle Cell Center.

Through various donations and with a collaborative effort by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and other healthcare organizations throughout the community, Memphis can be home to The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. The Sickle Cell Center’s mission will include improving care and enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families. For more information on sickle cell disease or how to make a donation, visit www.sicklecellmemphis.org.

Fans who want to support Conley and the Grizzlies as they take on the Trailblazers can visit any Ticketmaster outlet, the FedExForum Box Office, call (800) 4NBA-TIX or go online to grizzlies.com.

Grizzlies guard Mike Conley to donate to the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis

Green was never the best, nor the most important player on Roy Williams’ powerhouse teams, but he was always there. While teams were concentrated on shutting down Tyler Hansbrough’s accessto the lane, there was Danny Green; stationed in the corner waiting for a wide open three. While teams were fixated on containing Ty Lawson on the fast break, there was Danny Green; filling his lane, ready to receive and finish. And when teams rotated too quickly to stop a Wayne Ellington jumper, there was Danny Green; preparing for a swing pass and gearing up to attack the hoop. And if you thought you could score on the Tar Heels, there was Danny Green; an ACC All-Defensive Team member.

Green had a very good career at North Carolina. He was the only player in ACC history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 blocks and 150 steals in his college career. His 123 victories (in 145 games played) at UNC set a school record, breaking Sam Perkins’ previous high of 115. He joined Rusty LaRue, Tyler Hansbrough and Tim Duncan as the only players to ever win four games AT Duke against a Mike Krzyzewski-coached team.

In his senior season at Chapel Hill, Green averaged 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in just 27.4 minutes per game. He shot 47.1% from the field, 41.8% from three – raising his percentage in both areas for the second consecutive season – and 85.2% from the free throw line. At 6’6″ and 210 pounds, Green had prototypical size for an NBA shooting guard and his tenacity on defense and his rebounding ability meant he could occasionally slide to small forward as well.

But when you’re a senior and you’ve never been the best player on your college team, you usually don’t get selected very early in the NBA Draft – even if you’re coming off a National Championship. On Draft day, Green watched as teammates Hansbrough (13th), Lawson (18th) and Ellington (28th) were selected before him. He lasted until the 46th pick, when the Cleveland Cavaliers took him off the board.

Fast forward three years. After being waived by the Cavs in 2010, Danny Green is now on the San Antonio Spurs.

Green is not nearly the best, nor the most important player on Gregg Popovich’s latest powerhouse team, but he’s always there. When Manu Ginobili got hurt, there was Danny Green; ready to step up and be an important cog in the machine. In his 30 starts this season, Green has averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game. He has shot 45.1% from the field, 44.8% from three and 78.9% from the free throw line in those 30 games.

And now, when defenses are concentrated on getting the ball out of Tim Duncan’s hands in the post, there is Danny Green; stationed on the perimeter, waiting for a spot-up 3. Green has made 83 3-pointers this season, second on the team to only Matt Bonner. He’s become an expert at the shot the Spurs value most from their perimeter players, the corner 3. He’s made 34 of his 3′s from the corner and has connected at a 42.5% rate on the shot this season.

And now, when defenses are fixated on keeping Tony Parker out of the lane, there is Danny Green; cutting from the weak side and finding an opening near the hoop. Green tends to take only the most efficient shots available. He’s almost entirely eschewed the mid-range game; more than 75% of his shots come from downtown or in the restricted area. According toNBA.com‘s stats tool, he’s taken just 70 shots from locations on the court between eight and 24 feet from the basket compared to 204 shots from outside 24 feet and 148 shots from inside eight feet. His 55.3 TS% ranks 7th among shooting guards who have averaged at least 20 minutes per game and appeared in at least 40 games, according to HoopData.

And now, when the San Antonio Spurs need a defensive stop; there is Danny Green, taking the court with Duncan and Parker and the rest. Out of the Spurs’ top 13 two-man lineup combinations in minutes played, Green is part of the 1st and 2nd ranked combinations in defensive efficiency (Green-Parker and Green-Duncan). San Antonio’s defense is 3.2 points per 100 possessions better with Green on the court than when he’s off it.

Some nights he’s a big factor, others he’s more in the background. On any given night, Green might do any given thing. Maybe he starts (30 games), maybe he comes off the bench (28). Maybe he needs to score 24 points on 13 shots one night (January 7th against Denver), and maybe he won’t mind getting his minutes and shots cut and will find a way to chip in with six points, five rebounds and four assists the next (January 8th against the Thunder). Maybe he’ll get four steals and block three shots (January 30th against Memphis). Maybe he’ll hit fur 3′s (March 9th against the Clippers). Maybe he’ll play 36 minutes and be a big part of the game plan (April 4th against the Celtics). And maybe the next time out he’ll only play 15 and not factor into things quite as much (April 6th against the Hornets). But he’ll definitely be ready if called upon a few nights later (14 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks against the Jazz on April 8th).

You can do a lot of things with Danny Green. You can ask him to shoot, you can ask him to pass, you can ask him to rebound and you can ask him to defend. You can start Danny Green and you can bring him off the bench. You can yank his minutes around. You can run plays for Danny Green, but you don’t have to. You can ask him to fill in the blanks and you can count on him to make the right play. You can win games with Danny Green. That’s for sure.

By: Jared Dubin  (Hardwood ProxySm)

You Can Win Games With Danny Green