This question might sound unintelligent, since we can never get an answer based on the few games we've seen from him, but heck, we Rockets fans can just do it for the sake of good discussion(maybe intoxicating day-dreaming), and here is the reason I am asking it. Yao is almost the PERFECT BASKETBALL PLAYER. He has size(7'5'', what can you say?), shooting touch(great shooter, leads the league in fg% as a rookie), passing skills(saw the pass to Franchise in the Kings' game?), rebounding ability(averaging about something like 14 rpg now), shot blocking ability(3 bpg recently), killer instinct(keep making shots that count), personality(likeable beyond imagination), background(very well-educated and has one billion fans(2 billion now, if you count all the new converts) behind him), basketball iq (one of the smartest player in the league) and work-ethic(hardest working guy on the team) somehow packaged into one body. This is as close to THE PERFECT BBALL PLAYER as you can get. Granted, he lacks strength, experience and stamina, but here is the fact that will make up all of this, and is the most scary of all, HE'S A DAMN 22 YEARS OLD ROOKIE!!! If you are the second best center as a rookie, I can't imagine what he's gonna become when he's 30(ehh, number one?). I don't think "sky is the limit" is enough to discribe his future ("heaven is the limit?"). Ok, this might not sound smart, but does he have a chance to become the MOST INFLUENCIAL PLAYER EVER? Even more so than MJ? I think it's a possibility, although it's a long shot. I know I am day-dreaming here, but welcome to my dream if you want to join me and smile. If you want to wake me up, do so with a reason.
I think he will be great but he will probably not average more then 10 points and 12 rebounds for his playing days. Just kidding I go with the heaven statement.
He will be one of the most influential player for sure. But for MJ, his move were just fit the TV commercial better, and that brings no basketball lovers on tha table more.
How is he the hardest working guy on the team? Do you go to every practice? I've heard a lot of stories of hard work, but Yao has never come up. Don't post crap that you don't know is true junior.
I remember reading a thread here that Steve Francis said yao was the hardest working guy, first to come to the gym, last to leave, something like that.
Yao is indeed a hard-working person. It is true that he is the first one in the gym and last one out 'cause that's what he said on the internet when he chat with chinese supporters on a big chinese web site. He always goes to gym at least an hour earlier than the rest of the team. And Yao's father is so worried about him being too tired. Yao's father said sometimes when Yao came home, he would go straight to his bed without talking to him cause he was too tired to speak.
Personally, I think Yao will raise the bar for first tier basketball players. Will he be as big as Michael Jordan? Well, here's my thoughts. From a marketing standpoint. Yes. With over 1B Chinese overseas and all adjacent Asian markets, it doesn't take much imagination to see just how big an economic impact he will make. Unlike Ichiro, I feel like Yao has greater potential "global" appeal. Call it a hunch. A few months/years ago, there was an article in Fortune magazine taking about the economic impact of Michael Jordan and the wellspring of wealth he's created for so many organizations. Economically, i think "Yaomania" will top that. From an achievement standpoint, it's too early to tell. Yao has all the makings of a champion. Coupled alongside another franchise player in StevieF, we have every reason to be giddy about taking home the trophy. However, lots of "ifs" in the equation, not least of which is "health." Moreover, the Rocket organization has to keep up its good work of lowering turnover and preserving this fine team and fine coach. Longer-term... the NBA is always looking for the next BIG thing Who knows? Maybe we see an agile, sharp shooting, fleet footed 8 footer someday. But for the next decade, the future is truly bright for Yao. I would also say that unlike Michael Jordan, who is unique in most EVERY respect, Yao's achievements will be linked more to Rocket achievements. Philosophically, you can see how Yao thinks. He is a TEAM PLAYER. That alone suggests that Yao is NOT about to take 20 shots a night and seek out individual accolades. But that doesn't mean he can't be effective. Anyone watching tonites' Sac game knows this. With Pippen and Jordan, I think (and I may be wrong) that most people associated the 'success' of the Bulls to Jordan. With Yao, I feel like it will be a shared 'success' with Francis, CAT, Mooch, and everybody else that we, as fans, can also partake in. So when that day does arrive when the Rockets do win a trophy, I wouldn't be surprised if many "fans" of opposing teams choose to respect, rather than, despise us as many do about the Lakers. theSage
You cracked me up. Franchise said Yao stays in the gym longer than anyone. That's not hardest working guy? He missed pre-camp, but he is the fastest progressing guy in the league, that's not hardest working guy, SON?
I will forever consider anything Don Grahamleone says to be considerably less valid simply for the fact he is a senior member who stooped to the level of calling someone "junior" to stress he has been on the board longer and so his knowledge is superior. UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! I'm not going to tell you that I'm the most knowledgable rockets/basketball fan here by any means. Since I finally got access to this board a week ago some of you guys have been blowing me away with your insight. I'm loving it because all of my friends are casual sports fans at best and I never really have good two way basketball discussions. And being a senior member, that's great, but it honestly has very little to do with how superior your basketball IQ is. Rudy Tomjanovich himself could sign up to the board today! What then? I'm sure you'd just love to call him junior, Don....
Excellent post sagehare6!! I agree w/you 100%.....if Yoa Ming stays healthy throughout his career he will without a doubt be the biggest thing in all of sports!
jamal, Welcome to the board, but ease up on the new threads. 3 new threads out of 16 total posts is a bad ratio. Try and find threads that are already going to make your points. Again, welcome.
Ming said himself to a newspaper that he was 7'5 at 16. He think he is not growing anymore in height. He will bulk up in strength most definitely though.
This is, bar none, the best first post I have ever seen. Succinct, informative, and to the point. Welcome to the board, distence! And please ease up on don gram, new folks. he is just blunt (see my signature), and he made a good point about using *superlatives* this early. We can easily say that Yao works very hard, and that's good enough.
