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Juugie · May 2, 2002

Not a killer workout

May 2, 2002

BY JAY MARIOTTI SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Sharp guy, Yao Ming. He hasn't been in this country four days, and he already has perfected the American art of blackmail. ''I look forward to taking each and every one of you to dinner some time in the future,'' he wrote in a six-paragraph release, distributed to reporters Wednesday after his workout/dog-and-pony show.

''But the check is on you if your reporting makes me look bad.''

The waitress better give me the tab, then. Because Yao clearly is a hype creation who is being stretched and spun into something he's not. Is he a unique project who can develop into a 10-year NBA veteran? Yep. Can he run the floor, hit a jump hook, locate the open cutter? Yep. Does he have calves bigger than my arms? Yep. Will he eventually score his 15 points, grab his seven rebounds, block his couple of shots? I assume. Is he the best Chinese curiosity since the fire drill? Absolutely.

Yet through the blurry blitz of magazine covers, TV features and media madness, let's get something straight: Yao is not going to stalk the game like a beast from a science-fiction movie. He is more novelty than reality, and it would behoove Jerry Krause, who was pacing the sideline during the one-hour Yao on Parade exercise at Loyola's ancient Alumni Gym, to avoid the 7-5 tower on draft night. As it is, concerns abound over the Chinese government's threats to take most of Yao's paycheck and restrict his NBA availability. The last thing the Bulls--or Donald Rumsfeld--need is Krause squabbling with Beijing and causing international incidents. Having now seen Yao perform up close, along with 100 media members and a who's-who of basketball cognoscenti, I can safely conclude he's a double-edged risk.

If you don't believe me, ask Jerry West. He was almost as big a story as Yao, having come out of hibernation this week to run the Memphis Grizzlies in a coup for team owner and Chicagoan Michael Heisley. While praising Yao's friendly demeanor and surprising technical knowledge of the game, West also made it known Shaquille O'Neal has nothing to worry about. Offensively, Yao will contribute. Defensively, he might disappear. As we've seen with other foreign players, he lacks the hard-core temperament to battle the league's brutes. When Yao said this last week of O'Neal--''It's not football. He should go to the WWF. He's too strong.''--wasn't he admitting he's already intimidated?

''His biggest challenge will be on the defensive end,'' said West, the finest talent evaluator in the business. ''He'll bring a unique presence to our game, but we have to see him adjust to the level of competition. It won't be easy for him.''

Such doubts may or not faze Krause, who huddled with replacement-in-waiting B.J. Armstrong and coach Bill Cartwright in the stands. It is hoped he doesn't succumb to the hype and draft Yao, particularly after the player's entourage listed Chicago as one of his most desired destinations (with New York, Washington and the Bay Area) and granted the Bulls one of three private workouts. Privately, Krause's operatives are sending signals they would prefer Jason Williams, the do-everything Duke point guard. But you never know about Secret Agent Sleuth, who just a year ago drafted teenager Eddy Curry as his supposed big man of the future. ''What we do with our draft picks is our personal business,'' he harrumphed.

He may not have a choice, depending on how the Ping-Pong balls shake. If the Bulls don't land Williams, the best idea might be drafting Yao and trading him to a team that covets him--say, Dallas. That way, with a hodgepodge but somewhat talented nucleus, Krause might acquire a veteran or two who finally could push the Bulls toward the playoffs in a 98-pound-weakling conference. This franchise simply has too many projects to take on another.

''Would I take him No. 1? I'd beg off. It's too hard a call,'' said P.J. Carlesimo, who ran the workout. ''Would he be in the hunt? Certainly. But I don't know if I can unequivocally say he's the guy.''

Face it. The reason we gathered in the gym was to experience the Yao intrigue. The NBA, straining for attention and ways to promote the league globally, turned what should have been a private session for executives into a media circus. Press passes were issued, with reporters shunted to a second-floor running track while a potpourri of executives stared at Yao like an abstract painting. If he were facing better competition than a 7-2 Oregon center named Chris Christoffersen, maybe I'd be more excited.

To his credit, Yao's poise was impressive. Imagine boarding a plane in Shanghai, landing Monday in a strange city, working out for the New York Knicks on Tuesday, then walking into judgment day in front of the sport's most influential people and media. His knees could have been knocking, but they weren't. Never changing facial expressions, Yao went about his business. He made some shots, missed some. He made some defensive plays, blew some. And when he was finished, he waved to awe-struck Loyola students as he climbed into one of several black Town Cars that provided a caravan back to his hotel.

His statement was almost too good to be true. He spoke of the NBA as ''a dream'' and said he's consumed by ''a sense of joy that words cannot describe.'' He told NBA executives he was ''honored'' by their presence and hoped he did not ''disappoint you with my performance.'' He blew another kiss to the media, saying he admires our ''resourcefulness and work ethic.'' Then he thanked ''fans of basketball everywhere'' for giving him ''the greatest job on earth.'' To that, I have two words: Just wait.

He is a nice young man and an interesting basketball player. But the hype is killing me. ''Yao Ming doesn't belong to any team,'' said one of Yao's translators. ''He belongs to the world.''

Please. Until further notice, he's an 18-minute-a-game backup.
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DearRock · May 2, 2002

As they say "Only in America."

I have difficulty with the tone and message of the article. The idea of a workout and an open one at that is very appropriate. The guy plays down in China and many have not seen him and I do not see the need to have him hidden like Jordan was hidden, last year. What is the downside to having an open workout?

People forget that GMs are being asked to pick a #1 player. Last year it was Kwame Brown and Kenyon Martin , before that. It was not Shaq in those years and it is not Shaq, this year. So to say Shaq has nothing to worry about, is a useless sidetrack. GM's have to find the best overall talent for Basketball, not soccer, based on the pool of players available now. Funny how he did not mention that he shot 20 out of 22 free throw while the JWill cannot shoot 60%. If I was a GM, including Krause, in this situation, I would prefer to be wrong with "Wow" Ming than to be right with JWill.

Believe2000 · May 2, 2002

How many 6 foot whatever Points do we have in the league who can take a game over? I say at least 6 or 7.

How many 7 foot 5 (plus whatever) Centers do we have in the league that can shoot consistently, grab a significant amount of boards, oh yeah and block a few shots? ZERO.

I know what I would do.

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