事實(shí)上，姚明剛一退役，NBA（美國職業(yè)籃球聯(lián)盟）就向姚明發(fā)出了名人堂邀請。

時(shí)隔五年，姚明正式入選NBA名人堂。姚明是入選美國籃球名人堂的中國第一人，也是獲得這一榮譽(yù)的亞洲第一人。

“讓我第一個(gè)上臺演講，我還以為你們搞錯了…”作為名人堂頒獎儀式的第一位演講者，姚明又一次展現他的風(fēng)趣。短短14分鐘演講，他將東方智慧和西方理念完美結合，嚴謹而不失幽默。

Mr. John Doleva, Hall of Fame Executive Committee, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

約翰-多利瓦先生，名人堂執行委員會(huì )委員們，女士們先生們，晚上好。

When I heard that I was speaking first tonight, I thought that someone made a mistake. The first speaker should be the great Allen Iverson. I need practice more than he does.

當我聽(tīng)說(shuō)今晚第一個(gè)演講時(shí)，我想是不是有人搞錯了。第一個(gè)演講應該是偉大阿倫-艾弗森。我需要比他更多的練習時(shí)間。

First of all, I would like to thank you for giving me this great honor. Your recognition has made tonight a most memorable moment for me. Although perhaps my career ended too soon, for me I treasure each and every moment. I am grateful for my time on the court, and for your recognition tonight.

首先，我要謝謝你們給我這樣一個(gè)偉大的榮譽(yù)。今晚，你們的肯定與褒獎給了我人生中一個(gè)難忘的時(shí)刻。盡管我的職業(yè)生涯很快就結束了，但是我珍惜每一個(gè)時(shí)刻。我很感激自己在場(chǎng)上打球的時(shí)光，也感激今晚你們對我的褒獎。

I would like to thank my sponsors.

我要謝謝我的良師益友。

Bill Russell. I will never forget that you invited me to dinner at your house in Seattle when I was a young rookie. That evening, and all of your advice since, really built up my confidence and made me feel comfortable in a new country.

比爾-拉塞爾。我不會(huì )忘記在我還是一個(gè)年輕新秀時(shí)，你邀請我到西雅圖、到您的家里與您共進(jìn)晚餐。在那個(gè)夜晚，你所有的建議幫助我建立自信，有助于我在嶄新的國度里安定下來(lái)。

Bill Walton. You supported me all the way. Thank you for your advice and encouragement. You were the first one who called me when I woke up from my foot surgery. You told me to stay positive. I will never forget that.

比爾-沃頓。你一直都在支持著(zhù)我，謝謝你的建議以及鼓勵。當我做完腳部手術(shù)醒來(lái)后，你是第一個(gè)打電話(huà)給我的人，你告訴要保持積極樂(lè )觀(guān)，我永遠也不會(huì )忘記。

Dikembe Mutombo. I put you last because you are the oldest of the three. We played together for five years and had so many memories on and off the court. Nothing can peak the bond between us — not even all those elbows you gave me in practice.

迪坎貝-穆托姆博。我把你放在最后是因為你是三人中最年長(cháng)的一位。我們一起征戰五年，場(chǎng)上場(chǎng)下有著(zhù)太多回憶。沒(méi)有什么可以阻斷我們之間的聯(lián)系，甚至是訓練中給我的那些肘擊。

As you know I am from China, and my journey began there.

眾所周知，我來(lái)自中國，我的職業(yè)生涯起始于那里。

My parents were basketball players back in the 1970s. I heard so many great stories about them, about how they played and how good they were. More importantly, so many people know how good they are as people. I am very fortunate to be your son. The gift I had from you was not only height. It was much more. You taught me how to think, how to make decisions. And of course, my soft touch on the free throw line. Which is why I am happy to say I am entering the hall with a career 83% free throw percentage — just a little better than Shaq’s.

我的父母是70年代的籃球運動(dòng)員。我聽(tīng)說(shuō)了非常多關(guān)于他們的偉大故事，出色的球技以及為人。更重要的是，他們是好人。我非常幸運成為他們的兒子。父母賜予我的不僅有身高，還有很多很多，如何思考，如何做決定等等，當然還有我在罰球線(xiàn)上柔和的手感。這也是為什么我能有生涯83%的罰球命中率，比奧尼爾稍稍好一點(diǎn)。

My wife Li. We met when we were high school age. You know how much you mean to me. Thank you for being my life partner. Our lovely daughter Amy is a treasure to both of us. We wish she could be here, but she is in her first week of school. And she has to live with the consequences of choosing soccer over basketball.

我的妻子葉莉也在現場(chǎng)。我們在高中時(shí)期就認識了，你知道你對我有多重要。謝謝你能成為我的妻子?？蓯?ài)的女兒Amy就是我們愛(ài)情的見(jiàn)證。我們希望她今天也能來(lái)到這里，但是很可惜她已經(jīng)開(kāi)學(xué)，她選擇了足球而非籃球，她就需要與足球一起成長(cháng)。

My basketball journey began on the back of coach Li Zhangmin’s bicycle when he gave me a ride to my very first practice on the basketball court. I would like to congratulate you on a great career as you retire this year. So many kids have benefited from you and your work.

我之所以會(huì )走上籃球之路，要感謝我的啟蒙教練李章明先生。他騎車(chē)送我上了第一節籃球課。今年他即將退休，我要祝賀他有如此偉大的教練生涯，非常多的孩子在你的執教下受益匪淺。

Coach Li Qiuping you were my coach at the Shanghai Sharks. You led us to the CBA championship, and never gave up on us, even when you lost your wife to cancer that year. Thank you for your dedication and your sacrifices to us.

李秋平教練是我在上海大鯊魚(yú)隊的主教練。你帶領(lǐng)著(zhù)上海問(wèn)鼎CBA冠軍，從來(lái)不放棄我們，即使是那年您的妻子由于癌癥去世。謝謝您對我們的付出以及為此做出的犧牲。

I want to thank the city of Shanghai, the Shanghai Sharks and the CBA league for doing everything they could to prepare me. They raised me, trained me and helped me to be ready for the next challenges in my life.

同時(shí)我還要感謝上海，感謝上海大鯊魚(yú)俱樂(lè )部，感謝CBA聯(lián)盟，為我登陸NBA做好了各種準備。他們養育了我，訓練了我，幫助我去面對人生的下一個(gè)挑戰。

There is old saying in China that if the mirror is made of ponze, one can dress properly. If the mirror is history, one can predict ups and downs. If the mirror is people, one can reflect on one’s own weakness and strength. And now, I would like to mention a few mirrors in my life.

中國有句老話(huà)叫做“以銅為鏡，可以正衣冠;以史為鏡，可以知興替;以人為鏡，可以明得失?！毕旅嬲?wù)勎胰松械膸酌骁R子。

I want to mention Mr. Mou Zouyun. He was a basketball legend. Over 80 years ago, Mr. Mou came here to Springfield to study basketball. He went back to China and dedicated his life to Chinese basketball. Today, the CBA Championship Cup is named after him. This cup is the life goal that every CBA player can dream of.

首先是中國籃球傳奇牟作云先生。80年之前，牟先生來(lái)到斯普林菲爾德研究籃球，之后回到了中國，為中國籃球事業(yè)奉獻了自己的畢生心血。事實(shí)上，CBA冠軍的名字就是以他命名的，CBA冠軍是每一個(gè)CBA球員夢(mèng)寐以求的榮譽(yù)。

I am not the first Chinese man to play in the NBA. That honor belongs Wang Zhi Zhi. He was a pioneer for all future Chinese players who dream of coming to the NBA. He cleared the road for us and made so many sacrifices. I learned so much from him. Although he cannot be here today, I want to thank him.

我并不是第一個(gè)登陸NBA的中國人。這一榮譽(yù)屬于王治郅。他是一個(gè)開(kāi)拓者，為后來(lái)所有夢(mèng)想登陸NBA的中國球員掃清了道路，做出卓越的貢獻。我從他身上學(xué)到了很多。盡管他今天不能來(lái)到現場(chǎng)，但是我想謝謝他。

Many people know the story that began when the Rockets drafted me in 2002. Not many people know how much effort the Rockets put in before I arrived and throughout my career. Thank you to Les Alexander, Michael Goldberg, Carroll Dawson, Tad pown, Daryl Morey and Keith Jones for making me feel at home in Houston.

很多知道我的NBA生涯是從2002年開(kāi)始，那一年火箭隊選中了我。但是很多人不知道在我來(lái)到美國之前以及我之后的職業(yè)生涯，火箭隊做出非常非常多的努力。謝謝亞歷山大先生、邁克爾-哥德堡先生、達瑞爾-莫雷先生等火箭管理層，讓我在休斯敦找到了家的感覺(jué)。

When I arrived in Houston on my first day, Steve Francis gave me a strong high five and a big hug to welcome me. Steve has been the perfect big pother to me ever since that day. Cuttino Mobley invited me to his home for something called “soul food.” I thought he meant salty food. Thank you to Steve, Cuttino and everyone on my early Rockets teams for making me feel so welcome.

當我第一天來(lái)到休斯敦時(shí)，史蒂夫-弗朗西斯給了我一個(gè)大大的擁抱，從那天起弗朗西斯就是最棒的哥們。莫布里邀請我去他家，吃了soul food(美國南方黑人傳統食物)我當時(shí)沒(méi)反應過(guò)來(lái)，以為是salty food(咸食物)謝謝弗朗西斯、謝謝莫布里，謝謝我早期火箭隊的隊友，讓我在休斯敦感到自己是如此受歡迎。

Rudy T. is famous for saying, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” Rudy has demonstrated this not only on the court, but off the court too, especially in his battle with cancer. Rudy, you have always inspired me to be the best that I can be.

魯迪-湯姆賈諾維奇教練曾說(shuō)過(guò)“永遠不要低估冠軍之心”，你的場(chǎng)上場(chǎng)下都詮釋了這句話(huà)，尤其在他與癌癥抗爭的時(shí)候。魯迪，你給了我很多激勵，讓我成為最好的自己。

When Jeff Van Gundy arrived with Patrick Ewing and Tom Thibodeau, that coaching staff turned us into a tough defensive team, like he always does.With T-Mac, Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, we became a talented young team, especially with Dikembe. That team was not only competitive, but a team with a potherhood.

當杰夫-范甘迪以及他的教練組(包括尤因、錫伯杜)來(lái)到球隊后，你們把火箭隊打造成一支防守強隊。同時(shí)球隊還有麥迪、巴蒂爾以及阿爾斯通，我們組成了一支很有天賦的年輕隊伍。之后迪坎貝(穆大叔)的加盟讓球隊不僅更有戰斗力，同時(shí)大家更是親如兄弟。

I always remember Coach Van Gundy said once that, “The best chance also could be your last.” That is true in basketball and in life.

我一直記得范甘迪教練說(shuō)過(guò)的一句話(huà)：“最好的機會(huì )也可能成為最后的機會(huì )?！边@句話(huà)無(wú)論用在籃球還是生活都是真諦。

My last NBA coach was Rick Adelman. He helped us develop so many talented players like Carl Landry, Luis Scola and Aaron pooks. We had a great run in 2008-2009, but unfortunately my injury cut things short and ended my time with the Rockets too soon. I will always remember my time spent with the Houston Rockets as some of the best times in my life.

我的最后一位NBA教練是阿德?tīng)柭?。他培養很多天賦出眾的球員，比如卡爾-蘭德里、路易斯-斯科拉以及阿隆-布魯克斯。08-09賽季我們運作得非常棒，但是很不幸我的腳受傷了，使得球隊沒(méi)能走得更遠，而我也結束了在火箭隊的生涯。我會(huì )一直記得自己在火箭的時(shí)光，因為那是我人生中最美好的階段。

As a basketball player, I was one of the most blessed players on the planet. I played against some of the best athletes in the world.

作為籃球運動(dòng)員，我覺(jué)得自己是這個(gè)星球上最幸福的球員之一，因為我曾和最優(yōu)秀的球員打過(guò)球。

A great athlete not only has great teammates, but great opponents. Great opponents push us forward. Opponents like Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq: Every game we played reminded me of the old saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Thank you for that.

一個(gè)偉大的運動(dòng)員不僅有偉大的隊友，更有偉大的對手。偉大的對手能帶動(dòng)你前進(jìn)，比如說(shuō)沙克-奧尼爾。和你的比賽讓我想起“殺不死我的讓我更強大”。謝謝你對我的促進(jìn)。

I consider Houston my second home, so I want to say something to the people of Houston. You stood by me in good and bad times. You gave me strength to move forward. I will always consider you my family. I am a Texan and a Houston Rocket for life.

我把休斯敦當成自己的第二故鄉，所以我有話(huà)想對休斯敦人們說(shuō)。不管在我生涯的高潮還是低潮期，你們都在支持我。你們給了我前進(jìn)的動(dòng)力。我會(huì )一直把你們當成我的家人。在我的人生里，我會(huì )記得自己是一個(gè)德克薩斯人，是一個(gè)休斯敦人。

All of this would not be possible without the vision of David Stern and the NBA. Thank you to David Stern, Adam Silver, Kim Bohuny and everyone at the NBA for your kindness and support.

假如沒(méi)有大衛-斯特恩，沒(méi)有NBA，以上的事情也不會(huì )發(fā)生。謝謝大衛-斯特恩、亞當-肖華以及NBA所有的人，感謝你們的友善與支持。

Finally, to Team Yao. We all look older and fatter than when we first met.

最后，我還要感謝姚之隊。這么些年過(guò)去了，我們都老了，也長(cháng)胖了。

Ladies and gentlemen, I like to pay my respect to Dr. Naismith, to the 361 members of the Hall of Fame, and to everyone who has contributed to the game of basketball all over the world in last 125 years. All of these individuals are stars and together they form the galaxy in the universe of basketball. The game has inspired billions of people around the world. As one of them, I will do my part to continue to help grow the great game of basketball, and we all look forward to watching the stars of tomorrow emerge and shine.

女士們，先生們，我想對奈史密斯先生表達敬意，以及361位名人堂成員，感謝125年來(lái)對于籃球有所貢獻的人。你們都是全明星。在你們的努力下，這項運動(dòng)激勵了全球數億人，作為其中之一，我會(huì )繼續推廣籃球的責任，共同期待未來(lái)一顆顆綻放的新星。

Thank you for this great honor.

非常感謝各位給我這樣一個(gè)榮譽(yù)。