I have just one name for you guys: Ichiro. Yao Ming could very well be for basketball (and Houston) what Ichiro was last year for baseball (and Seattle). Of course, Ichiro was already at the prime of his career when he came over while Yao Ming's just starting to develop.. but in terms of overseas interest? I think it will be comparable. Houston's a great cosmopolitan city. I would expect hordes of Chinese fans to descend upon Houston over the years.
Hi, here comes another Chinese basketball fan! I posted this message on another thread, guess this thread is the right place. Sorry about the mess. I live in New Jersey right now. I have been excited these days and I think I root for Rocket already, of course, only if Ming will play in Houston. I didn¡¯t have many chances to watch Ming¡¯s play in USA, I read a lot of news from online Chinese newspaper. Some posters would like see the comparison between Ming and Wang Zhizhi, I¡¯ll say Ming is younger, taller than Zhizhi. He plays great defense in China league, he carries the team by his own while Zhizhi has much better support around him. That's one reason Wang is not as aggressive as Ming. One problem for Ming during his rookie year is he might often be in foul trouble. Ming's English is reasonably good, so he won't have the communication problem Zhizhi had in Dallas. Ming played water-polo for a while (1 or 2 years?) when he was a kid, so he has strong legs and good agility at his size. I believe Ming once logged 20 blocks in an Asia Junior Championship game (I¡¯m not sure but I think I read it about two year ago), when interviewed, he told a reporter, ¡°I¡¯d rather have 30 blocks than 30 points, that will scare my opponents to death¡±. Basketball fans in China have a lot of complains on Chinese sport authority already, they said Zhizhi should have been allowed to play in USA (NCAA or NBA) earlier. They feel like Zhizhi was basically on the same level as (or even better than) Norwiski back in 98. While Dirk flourishes in Maverick, Zhizhi almost idled and fell behind. So I think Ming will get green light this time. I believe Ming¡¯s cousin will persuade Chinese sports authority that if Houston picks Ming, it would be the best place for Ming because Rocket has a great coach in Rudy T, an all-star point guard in Steve Francis and the young nucleus (Mobley, Griffin etc). The problem to get Ming, I think, would his obligation to play for Chinese National team. He will have to play Olympic, World Championship, and Asian Championship during off season. Dirk Norwiski, Peja etc also play these games. But he also need play Asian Games (every 4 years, most recent coming is this Sep.), Chinese National Games (every 4 years, most recent coming is in 2005). The busy schedule might conflict with NBA summer league and training camp, or even worse. Ming may also get exhausted by these off-season games and become injury-prone. I think that¡¯s the biggest risk. Finally, I hope everything will be worked out for Ming, after the end of Asian Game (mid-October?), Ming should have no problem to join the NBA. It will be nice to hear the announcement: ¡°Here comes the Center, Yao Ming, 7 feet 5, from China¡¡±
welcome, netdummy. Appreciate your info. You provide a clearer picture of the issues involved with getting Yao here. Thanks.
netdummy and windandsea Do you see any comments by Li Yaomin in the Shanghai Morning News regarding the Knicks? Is that STV? Here's a link to the sports page at STV. http://www.stv.sh.cn/sports/sports.htm There is supposed to be a storty quoting the asst General Manager of the Sharks, yet I can't find it anywhere.
Hi Heypartner: I checked the STV headline and sports news, it has nothing related to Ming . I have another post in "Shanghai doesn't like Rockets". If the report is true, then why is it so difficult to find? Guess either nbadraft.net or Li Yaoming wanted Knicks's next five lottery picks to be revoked, hehe... _________________________ Best wishes, NJRocket, I live in Livingston. I'm a Knicks hater.
Windandsea, Welcome to the board. The internet certainly makes the world smaller in incredible ways. Really appreciate your comments and insights re. Ming. Was in China in 1989 (Beijing, Nanjing, Guangou and then Hong Kong) and actually in Tiananmen Square the day all hell broke loose. What a nervewracking experience!! Look forward to hearing from you regularly. Dallas Rocket
Anyone who can read Chinese: I usually go to this webpage to track the information of Yao Ming: http://sports.sina.com.cn/z/nbayaoming/ "Shanghai doesn't like Rockets"??? I cannot find this report in Chinese media. Shanghainess are so smart that they will never say anything like that.
Astounding! Yet another upside to Yao. . . we get to hear from new interesting people like windandsea and netdummy!
Dallas Rocket: I was at Tiananmen square at June 4th of 1989 too. Unforgettable experience for the whole life.
DallasRocket, Not to interrupt this thread, but maybe you could post something about your experiences in the other forum. Considering we're prob'ly about to draft Yao Ming, what you have to say brings on an extra dimension. Anyway, back to the thread, everybody...
I found this from the post of clutch: "Since Sunday evening after the #1 pick was had, 573 new accounts have been created. " I know some of them are Chinese or Chinese-American.
