http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/01/16/head2head_yao/ Will Yao Ming make his mark on the NBA? Read both sides, then give us your opinion. Yes Yao's got the size and the skills. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images By Jennifer Cooper Yao Ming has been in the NBA all of 37 games, and he’s started 27. Yet his Friday matchup with Shaquille O’Neal, the league’s premier center, already is being billed as must-see TV. This early in his career, Yao is averaging almost 13 points and eight rebounds per game, not to mention being second only to Shaq in field-goal percentage (53.4 percent). Imagine if he had a full training camp and preseason under his belt. Imagine if he spoke fluent English and felt at home in his surroundings, or if the previously guard-oriented Rockets knew how to play alongside their 7-foot-5 big man. All those things eventually will happen. Yao will learn with experience, get the conditioning and training under way and settle into his new environment. The Rockets will grow accustomed to having an inside game again. Then Yao will be able to realize his potential, and that will have a tremendous effect on the game. The NBA is constantly evolving, adapting to the ever-increasing abilities of its players. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that European sharp-shooters were novelties. Like Wilt and Shaq before him, Yao has the size and the skills to change the game again. Just don't expect it to happen by Friday. No Yao's good, but he won't change the game. Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty Images By John Hollinger Yao Ming a star player? Sure, he’s already there. Yao Ming a perennial All-Star? I have no problem with that -- in fact, he’ll probably be named one this year. But changing the game? Really, profoundly, altering how the game is played? Sorry, but I don’t see it. Wilt Chamberlain changed the game. Know why you can’t go over the line on a foul shot? Because Wilt could dunk his free throws. Know why the 3-second lane is as wide as it is? That’s Wilt, too. Bob Cousy changed the game. Behind-the-back dribble. No-look pass. Running the break. Before Magic, there was the Cooz. But before Cousy, there was nothing. Shaq changed the game. Not just Hack-a-Shaq, either. The guy is so huge he hasn’t just changed how guys play the game -- he’s changed how referees call the game. Now that’s impact. Yao Ming? He’ll be a great player. His career likely will fall somewhere between Brad Daugherty and David Robinson, and there’s no shame in that. But change the game? I’m not seeing it. His game is more about a variety of skills than any new, unseen talent that he brings to the table. For that reason, he’ll have much more impact on who plays the game (as in, more Chinese players) than on how it’s played. The reactions from fans: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/01/22/yao_reactions/
Changing the game has to do with who plays and watches it also. That is why Jordan changed the game and that is why Yao will also do so.
Excellent point. I always have trouble with those "he'll be like ____ " or "his talent will be somewhere between ____ and _____". You can't know that. You can't even construe that from this season. Just leave the comparisons out of it for now. Damn, with all those blanks, I feel like Bob Eubanks... "Fellas, how would your wives answer respond to this: When we're making whoopie, ______ really turns her on."
