http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15647497/ Didn't see it posted anywhere else. Mods, please lock if inappropriate. edit: Yes, tis a crap article. However it was the first one on Yao in the national media as of late (since the season began), and I thought I'd share.
That was an aweful, aweful article. I haven't found one senstence speaking of facts rather than pure perception, after read 2 paragraphes! It's even easier to get paid a lot for doing nothing in "news/analysis" than in IT or Finance industry.
I agree. I cant believe people expect him to be Wilt Chamberlan and score HUGE massive numbers. What more do they want? He has done nothing but dominate for the second of last year's season and the first few games this year. Barring injury I dont see him stopping here, but rather going forward.
wtf this is a shXtty article someone who question the all star vote over internet. didn't David stern confirmed that majority of the vote for Yao come from paper ballots and US IP? I believe Yao and Tmac will bring championship back to Houston
Tis sad that the perception that Yao is 'soft' still endures, along with the notion that the only reason he makes it to the all star game is because of the internet vote from China. I can't wait till writers like this guy eat crow when Yao does bring home the championship. Unfortunately, they'll probably just come up with a new reason to belittle his accomplishments.
Not only that, I absolutely can't stand people talking about 1.3 billion people in lock steps this and that, and all the national pride crap, like they really know something about it. Besides, it's really getting old about that empty "changing the game, changing the way opponents play, inserting fear or confidence" crap. If you have a reliable 20-10 or 24-8 guy who demands double team night in and night out, you just changed everything in a game. How much copy and paste is allowed in any sports writing?
ANOTHER Rockets hating writer. Michael Ventre is a clear dousche. Just because Yao doesn't dunk on everyone like Shaq doesn't mean he's not as good. WTF are these writers' problem??? He called Yao a "Dork"!!!! WTF then I call him a waste of life. Just die. May you get hit by a truck on your way home, and all your children to so your seed does not spread. Here are some stupid quotes: Anyone wanna comment on that? Why would he want that? Shaq can't shoot worth lick. Yao came from a TOTALLY different system. He was brought up in a game where dunking was considered inpolite. Kareem never had to adapt like Yao did. He had an easier transition from college ball to the pro's. Look, I'm not knocking on Kareem, he's one of the greatest to play.. but to compare Yao to him during his early years in the NBA is absurd! Again. He played ALL HIS LIFE in a totally different system. Ventre, you try playing softball all your life then suddenly forced to play in the Major Leagues. Yao is a nice guy, what's wrong with that? Ventre needs to quit comparing Yao's game to Shaq's. They are totally different. Yao has more finesse, where Shaq relies on his aggressiveness under the rim. Ventre is a blind Laker's fan. All he talks about is how Yao isn't gonna be as great as Shaq. Shaq this, Shaq that. Then he even compared him to Bynum, who has a game similar to Shaq. Do us a favor and stick to your stupid Lakers. Go suck on Kobe's penis and keep away from the Rockets.
This article might have been more fitting had it been written 3 years ago. Averaging 22/10+ last season and starting this season at 24/8 while shooting over 60% (nearly 90% FT) and giving us nearly 2 blocks isn't good for a first round pick? Wow. That's cool. Let people sleep on Yao while he continues to destroy the league.
The guy is from LA. Only Houston can argue that they have had as many dominate centers as LA. LA: Mikan Wilt Kareem Shaq Houston: Hayes Malone Sampson Dream Yao Of course he wants Yao to fail...but I bet he was one of the ones hoping LA would find a way to sign Yao away from the Rockets a couple of years ago when all of the LA people kept claiming that Yao would not extend his contract in Houston but sign in La
Stats aside, there are some conflicting observations you can make about Yao. 1. He has yet to prove that he alone can will a team to wins. 2. If MJ was playing with last year's squad with all the injuries, I don't think the record would be signficantly improved. 3. Yao DOES change the game when he is in it, not just as a single player who can score 25 ppg and grab 8-10 rpg. But on the defensive end, other teams ROUTINELY are impacted by Yao being on/off the court. There's a reason why he has a +17 roland rating/PER (topped only by Mutombo on teh Rockets, but Deke has barely played).
This is why you don't read articles from people who don't understand the fundamentals of winning a championship... teamwork. They say Yao will never be great because he doesn't have a big mouth, or a chip on his shoulder, and because he's a "nice guy". Depends on how you rate great... the one thing that the guy had to pick on for this season... Yao's rebounds. How pathetic is that, when our team outrebounded their opponents in the last four games?? This is a stats man, the only thing that defines great to this Ventre guy, is high stats and playoff wins. Yao already has the high stats, by the end of this season, my guess is he will have the playoff wins as well.
For him to say Yao has all the "physical gifts" to become the next Shaquille O'neal is just lunacy. The only real advantage Yao has physically is his height. Shaq's strength, mobility, quickness, coordination, agility, etc. was just freakish for a big man. This is the same tired crap we've been hearing from Yao haters ever since he entered the league. Yao needs to transform into the 2000 Shaq, perhaps the most dominant player ever, to satisfy these dimwits.
A lot of people are simply jealous of what Yao has. I agree that only Championship ring can shut them up.
