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Following his historic 38-point outburst against the Lakers on Friday night, Lin revealed he is close to Yao and communicates often with the 7-foot-6 Chinese basketball legend, mostly by text message. Yao lives in Shanghai. “Yao cares for [Lin’s] well-being,’’ one person familiar with the relationship said. “He’s that kind of guy.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin, China 

Yao, 31, and Lin, 23, would see each other socially whenever Golden State played Houston. Earlier this week, Lin said had the Knicks waived him before his contract became guaranteed Friday, he would have looked overseas, though the Chinese Basketball Association is now in the playoffs and he would have had to consider Europe. “I wasn’t considering that just yet,” Lin said, “but I figure if I get waived before the [Feb. 10] deadline and there’s nothing left, you know, maybe I do need to go overseas, but God works in mysterious and miraculous ways.” New York Post

New York Knicks, Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin, China 

After his career-high 38-point night in the Knicks’ 92-85 triumph over the Lakers last night at the Garden, Jeremy Lin revealed he’s close to 7-fooot-5 Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, who retired more than a year ago because of foot problems and lives in Shanghai. “I actually talk to Yao after every game,’’ said Lin, the first Chinese-American NBA player. “He’s taken me out to eat when I’ve seen him. He’s obviously a role model, big brother and mentor to me. We keep in touch all the time.’’ New York Post

New York Knicks, Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin 

More people are watching the NBA in China than when Yao Ming played. The league said Thursday that its schedule of games during its Chinese New Year celebration was watched by 96 million viewers in China, continuing its strong performance there even after the retirement of the country's greatest basketball star. The first Chinese New Year event ran from Jan. 21-28 and featured a 21-game broadcast schedule. The games attracted 79 million viewers on the NBA's television partners in China, while another 17 million watched games and special programming on digital platforms. CBSSports.com

Houston Rockets, Yao Ming, Media, China 

The N.B.A. was far more popular, with higher television ratings and a huge fan base crazy about Kobe Bryant and other stars. The N.B.A. also had Yao Ming, the Chinese center who became an All-Star with the Houston Rockets and was so popular in China that domestic television ratings doubled and tripled for Rockets games. Those advantages are now fading. Unable to overcome injuries, Yao retired from the N.B.A. after last season and is a part of the C.B.A. as the owner and public face of its team in Shanghai. Television ratings for the Chinese league have jumped, partly because of the added star appeal of exiled N.B.A. players like Chandler, while ratings for the N.B.A. have declined since Yao’s peak years. The C.B.A. has also received a boost from its most surprising star, Stephon Marbury, who has proved unexpectedly adroit at public relations in China after his tumultuous time in the N.B.A. Perhaps the N.B.A.’s biggest challenge of all is that the C.B.A. is part of the Chinese government, under the control of the ruling Communist Party. New York Times

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, China 

When I asked Yao about the challenges facing the N.B.A. in China, he smiled and teasingly asked, “Besides losing me?” He quickly emphasized that his retirement wasn’t a “big deal,” because other N.B.A. superstars like Bryant and James are enormously popular in China. Still, he agreed that finding another Chinese star would help. “Of course, that would be the best,” he said. The N.B.A. once hoped it had found a successor in Yi Jianlian, but Yi has never risen above mediocrity, and the most promising young players currently in the Chinese league are not ready. The C.B.A. has still not found a formula to produce world-class players. New York Times

Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, China 

A former college professor, Li was known as a reformer who admired the N.B.A.’s business model. I spoke with Li during my season following the Shanxi Brave Dragons, and he recalled being stunned when he learned about Stern’s plans for an N.B.A. league. “He had never said this before to us,” Li said. “If he had said he wanted to cooperate with the C.B.A., then that would have been understandable. But he didn’t say a word, which meant he knew nothing about China.” New York Times

Yao Ming, China 

It didn’t happen. Months earlier, in an unpublicized meeting, Tim Chen, then chief executive of N.B.A. China, presented a proposal to Li Yuanwei, in which both sides would equally control a new eight-team league under the N.B.A. brand. C.B.A. owners would have the first right to buy a team for $50 million. Li Yuanwei, already distracted by preparations for the Olympics, flatly rejected the plan and postponed any further discussions until after the Games. Instead, when Stern returned to Beijing for an exhibition game, a month and a half after the Olympics, he discussed the N.B.A.’s plans to help develop and manage a network of new arenas across China. “If we do get to the point where we have that cooperative league,” he said, “we’ll have the buildings already.” New York Times

Yao Ming, David Stern, China 

The retired Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming has been looking for business opportunities in the film industry, but has not entered it yet, Yao's agent said Tuesday, responding to media's reports claiming that Yao will set up a film finance fund. Foreign media report that Jay Cohen, an American film producer, is setting up a film finance fund with Yao Ming, which has caught the attention of China's media and public. "Yao Ming and our team has not joined or set up any such organizations as the film finance fund," Yao's agent Zhang Mingji told Xinhua, adding that they are open to such kind of business, and are looking for good investment opportunities. CRI.cn

Yao Ming 

Lopez had played three seasons without missing a game. Then he broke his foot. He would be very happy not being reminded Yao missed just two games in his first two seasons and then missed 168 over his final five. So Lopez has heard it, but he insists he is not thinking — or concerned — about suffering a similar fate. “Really, I haven’t been worried about it. I’ve heard about that a few times throughout this process,” said Lopez, who has no timetable for his return, but hopes to be back in February. “It hasn’t worried me one bit because of the people I have taking care of me.” New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Yao Ming, Injuries, Brook Lopez 

Yao suffered chronic, repeated setbacks, but Lopez said with the Nets medical personnel (read: athletic trainer Tim Walsh) watching him like a hawk, he has put aside any fears he will re-injure the foot. “It’s because the guys behind the scenes are taking care of me,” said Lopez, whose inside presence has been desperately missed by the Nets as they turn to the 3-point shot more and more to compensate. “I took a few jump shots the other day. Where I actually jumped a little, you know? And they shut me down right away. They came and pulled me off. They didn’t want any jumping. “And I’m honestly not sure what Yao’s injury was.” New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Yao Ming, Injuries, Brook Lopez 

He would love to have a target date for a return, but he insists the Nets won’t reveal one. He can ask, they won’t tell. Figure after the All-Star break. But that’s guesswork. “Timmy hasn’t told me a date, I don’t know when it is,” he said with a shrug. “Sometime in February, but I don’t honestly know.” New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Yao Ming, Injuries, Brook Lopez 

There are few better adjectives to describe a great basketball player than "inspirational." If an athlete is truly great, he makes other people want to accomplish great things themselves. Where people take that newfound sense of purpose is anyone's guess — at some point you just need to accept other people's personal eccentricities. So, as you watch this video of a young woman painting a large portrait of Yao Ming with only a basketball as a brush, try to focus on what Yao inspired her to do rather than the act itself. Because, while this is really awesome, it's also beyond explanation. The reason she's doing it is "just because." Yahoo! Sports

Yao Ming 

Sam Amico: In celebration of Chinese New Year, thought I'd share this: Chinese reporter tells me China's interest in NBA has waned greatly with no Yao. Twitter

Yao Ming 

Retired NBA star Yao Ming has added another line to his post-basketball resume -- politician -- becoming a member of an advisory body to Shanghai's legislature. Since the 31-year-old Yao announced last July that injuries had ended his career with the Houston Rockets, he has become a university student and set up a wine business to go with owning a professional basketball team in China. SI.com

Yao Ming, China 

Photos in official media on Monday showed Yao at the weekend closing ceremony for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee. "There are about 142 members in the group, and Yao is the youngest," Kong Rong, who works in the service office of committee, was quoted as saying by the China Daily. The advisory committee does not have any real power, but the newspaper said Yao is supposed to attend regular meetings, and can make suggestions for the advisory body and government departments. Yao was quoted as saying "raising proposals is very serious business, and I do not want to be hasty." SI.com

Yao Ming, China 

Wine Spectator: How did you become interested in wine? When did you discover Napa wines? Yao Ming: I was so fortunate to be exposed to many world-class wines during my basketball career in the U.S. While I was on the road with the Houston Rockets, the players would go out to dinner together and some of them knew a lot about wine, and I learned from them. I learned a lot from my teammate Dikembe Mutombo. He loves great wine. I remember watching him at our dinners swirl and sniff his wineglass, and it definitely encouraged me to learn more about wine so I could do the same. Now, I am lucky to be surrounded by a lot of people who continue to teach me about wine. WS: What kind of restaurants did you go to with the team? YM: They have many great steak houses in Houston, because in Texas they love big steak. And Cabernet goes very well with a Texas steak. Wine Spectator

Yao Ming 

WS: Why did you decide to start a winery in Napa, specifically? Yao Ming: I saw a great opportunity to introduce fine wines from Napa Valley to China. Napa Valley wines are the wines I fell in love with when I lived in the U.S. I not only want to share them with Chinese people, but also share the culture and beauty of Napa Valley—the traditions of enjoying wine with food, and bringing family and friends together. Napa Valley is also one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. WS: How would you describe the wine-drinking culture in China? YM: The Chinese people are developing their taste for fine wine, and while French wines have made quite an impression already, people are starting to discover California wines. Chinese wine lovers are eager to learn about wine; they are knowledge-hungry. Wine Spectator

Yao Ming 

Retired Chinese basketball star and former NBA player Yao Ming has been elected vice-chairman of Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, adding another crown to his already swelling title list. China Daily

Houston Rockets, Yao Ming 

Former NBA superstar Yao Ming officially launched his wine brand today. Yao Family Wines introduced its 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is currently available in China and will be sold in the USA in 2012. USA Today

Yao Ming