http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2002/11/07/burning_questions/ Yes. Way too early. Hey, the Great Wall of China wasn’t built in a day. Sure, Ming was averaging only 2.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.25 blocks through his first four games. And yes that was Jerome James of the Sonics schooling the 7-foot-5 rookie in the low post the other night. We’ll even concede that Yao has been a disappointment in the shot-blocking department, the one area in which the Rockets expected him to be able to contribute right away. But, c’mon, the guy just arrived in the U.S. a few weeks ago. He barely knows his own teammates, let alone the rest of the NBA. He understands English better than he lets on, but he still has to learn the lingo and terminology. (At first he didn’t understand when teammates said, "Wazz up? He thought it sounded like, in his words, a "common profanity in Mandarin.") Yao has shown enough signs to keep the Rockets from cursing their decision to make him the No. 1 overall pick. He had seven rebounds in 13 minutes during his second game. He was 4-of-7 from the floor the following game. He’s still getting pushed too far out from the basket, but the Rockets are working with him on it. Like Kwame Brown, last year’s top overall pick, it might take a while for Yao to get used to the size and speed of the NBA game. The Rockets are preaching patience. They know that Yao’s only 22 and in the meantime, he’s not going to get any shorter.
I wonder how bad things got in Washington last year regarding Kwame. It's all about fair-weathered fans that want results way too fast. Talks about "give this guy time" have been exhausted. But that's all we can do. If you're going to judge him negtively already, do so. But don't jump back on the bandwagon next year. But when ya'll do, don't go around saying, "I believed in him the whole time." He wasn't this slow and tired in the World Championships, and you heard what players were saying about him then, and what they continue to say. If people are going to take anyones opinion to heart, take the player's opinions. Someone on his level. This guy is legit, and he WILL get better.
4 real, ppl need to bak off yao ming, who cares if he is only avg,ing the same as dan langhi, or that he looks like shawn bradley. just the fact that we are drawin sum attention and that this means more allstars in htown(steve and MOBLEY) ... btw give him by december.,. i say he will blow up, and beast all y'all haters PEACE
Well, if yao only averages 4 p.a.g. then I will consider him a bust, but I am seeing him break out around the break.
It will take me till 10 games into NEXT season to consider him a bust. That is, of course, considering he's been training in the offseason and practicing with the team.
hes a young rookie that has been playing a while and he missed most of preseason and training camp....
No it's not too early. David Carr was a bust after his first INT, Jeff Bagwell was a bust after his first strikeout and Hakeem was a bust while playing 2nd fiddle to Ralph Sampson.....
I'd have to admit it is a little frustrating to see a number 1 pick not dominating straight away.. but look at it this way.. hes improving cato just from being on the bench heh
A better word would be "contributing" vs"dominating".... How many number one picks dominate in their first year?
Most of the above is true...we must be patient. I've watched every game and Yao has not gotten into the pace of the NBA. He looks like a kid who likes to drive fast thrust into his first NASCAR race. With some more experience and court time he'll hopefully pick up his game. Kwame looked like a fish out of water much of last year...some said a bust. Kwame has looked good last preseason and then lost in the regular season. When he had another good preason this year, critics were skeptical. He has proven hiself to date...although he's not consistent as DC would like...everyone can see he's got superstar potential. He worked hard this summer because he wanted to be better. Yao's got decent court sense...I see it in his passing. However, he's not nearly aggressive enough for the NBA game. Part of that can be attributed to being new and learning a new style, team, way of life, etc. I think he'll need a couple of years to really feel comfortable...he wants to be better...thats the key and will be the driver to his success one day.
I think they CAN call him back for the Olympics qualifier in September. But if it's against an Asian team, I wouldn't be surprised if they just did it without Yao. Now that they've seen the effects of Yao's late, and fatigued arrival, they will probably think twice about flying him all over the place.
Not a chance. Those at CBA are mechanical bureaucrats. If they did what you said, Wang Zhi Zhi would have been a starter in the NBA now. I very much wish I am dead wrong here. Just get my fingers crossed. And do hope the Rockets organization will stand up to them when push comes to shove, not like the gutless Mavs.
What qualifier is this you refer to? We hashed this out last month, and determined that there are no Chinese NT obligations on Yao Ming next summer/fall. look here for the info provided...look towards the bottom of the page where Gater and myself did all the research about when and where YM will be needed by the NT.. can you provide anything more concrete to support your supposition?