NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson talked to reporters during the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament.
Question: Mr. Iverson, what is the difference between competing on the basketball court and competing on the golf course against Yao Ming?
Allen Iverson: For me, that is an easy question to answer. I have a huge respect for the guys that play that game. It is such a hard game and I never knew how hard it was until today. Playing gave me a whole other respect for the guys that play- especially the very talented ones.
Question: What sport would you, Allen Iverson, challenge Yao Ming at?
Allen Iverson: Definitely not weightlifting. Maybe basketball or a game I thought I had a chance of beating him at.
Question: What do you guys (Yao and Iverson) talk about?
Iverson: Nothing in particular - we joke around about games or on the golf course.
Yao Ming (chipped in): We mostly talked about how bad our teammates were making us look because of how talented they are.
Question: Who is the better player between the both of you (Allen Iverson and Yao Ming)?
Iverson: Yao is the better player. This is my first time. I can tell he has been playing.
Question: Mr. Iverson, what other sport would you like to compete against Yao Ming at?
Allen Iverson: Weightlifting; no, definitely not weightlifting.
Question: How are you feeling about your first trip to Hainan?
Allen Iverson: I come to China every year, a couple times a year. This is my first time here in Haikou, it is somewhere in China that I had never been so I was interested in coming here. Everything has been great. They definitely rolled out the red carpet for us. Mission Hills has the greatest hospitality. The only thing that I'm having a problem with is that I didn't bring my family. So I will make sure that next time I come I will bring my family so they can experience this too because this is an experience I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.
Question: Is it common practice for NBA stars to take up golf in retirement?
Allen Iverson: Yeah it happens a lot. A lot of guys play during the season, they don't have to be retired to get out there. A lot of these guys play during the season because they love the game. I was never a fan of it the way I am now. Just getting out there today and trying it was exciting. It is that excitement, the fact that all of these guys are really talented, that' s what makes me want to come back and get better. You have to be very talented to be good at this game.
Question: Since this was your first time playing golf, have you been able to get any tips from the professional golfers you have been surrounded by?
Allen Iverson: Yes I did. I can't wait to get home to brag about John Daly teaching me how to hold a golf club. I can't wait to get home and play against my friends because I know I am now a little bit better than they are. I'm definitely better than I was before I left. This is something that I really want to learn how to do because obviously it is fun, but it is not that fun when you can't compete the way that you want to. Boris (Becker) was saying earlier that we are all competitors. To be able to play something, I don't care what it is, we could be playing cards or anything, I am a competitive guy. If I play something I want to be the best at it. So I obviously have a lot of work to do and it is something that I am going to work on when I get home. I had a lot of fun out here with these guys and I can just imagine being out on the golf course with the guys I grew up with and how fun that would be.