Fans in front of TVs back home were excited to see Yao Ming be the last one to enter, just like Zhang Yang, officially becoming the star of their home team.
At Tuhang Stadium, during the pre-game interviews that followed the entrance ceremony, Zhang Yang and Yao Ming received questions from reporters about this very topic.
After the interview, Yao Ming remarked, "It's been over five years, and though I don't care about being the last to enter, I'm still very excited at this moment; I'll remember it for the rest of my life."
Zhang Yang had just heard the reporter mention it was Yao Ming's first time being the last to enter, and was quite surprised.
But when he thought about it, it was indeed true.
In his first and second years, Yao Ming was only the third option. He was not only not the last to play but not even the first. Francis and Mobley were the top dogs.
