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Yao stands toe to toe with O'Neal, off court and on

China's Yao Ming has on more than one occasion been the recipient of some stinging comments from Shaquille O'Neal.

Yao usually takes the diplomatic high road, but this time he couldn't resist a jab of his own and it marked one of the funniest moments of All-Star Weekend.

During a locker-room interview prior to Sunday's All-Star Game, Yao was approached by Shaunie O'Neal, the wife of Los Angeles Lakers' center Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaunie, who is working as a "special correspondent" for entertainment broadcaster Access Hollywood asked Yao about finishing ahead of her husband in fan voting for the All-Star Game.

The exchange went like this:

Shaunie O'Neal "Hi, I am Shaquille's wife. What do you think about starting ahead of my husband in the All-Star Game?"

Yao (through an interpreter): "I don't know who is more jealous -- you or Shaq."

Shaunie O'Neal: "Well, I would have to say probably me because I enjoy seeing my husband."

Shaunie O'Neal: "What do you think of the All-Star Game being in Hollywood?"

Yao: "When there are lots of people around I feel more normal."

Shaunie O'Neal: "So you don't like it?"

Yao: "No, I like it."

Shaunie O'Neal: "Oh, so you like all the attention. You just kind of like being first all the time."

Yao's response drew a chorus of laughter from those in the West dressing room who were within an earshot.

Shaq hasn't always been gracious in his opinions of Yao, especially after Yao outscored him 29-24 in the Houston Rockets regular season victory last Wednesday.

"I hate when you say, `You against Yao,'" O'Neal said during All-Star Weekend.

"Don't say `[Shaq] against Yao' when I got four defenders on me. I'll always play him one-on-one. I don't think he'll ever play me one-on-one. Ever, ever, never. Never, ever, never."

Yao finished with 16 points in just 19 minutes of playing time in Sunday's showcase game.

In a Forbes Magazine study, Yao was identified as the most popular celebrity in China, beating out movies stars and musicians.

In 2003, Yao earned US$14.8 million, more than any Chinese citizen.
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