From the Oakland Tribune: http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%7E10835%7E648841,00.html Ronzone says Ming truly is the real thing By Jeff Faraudo STAFF WRITER The basketball world is blossoming with instant experts on 7-foot-5 Chinese prospect Yao Ming. How many of them had dinner with Yao on his 18th birthday at his family's home in Shanghai? "It's one of my all-time experiences," said Oakland native Tony Ronzone, a scout for the Dallas Mavericks when he dined with Yao and his parents three years ago. Ronzone, now director of international scouting for the Detroit Pistons, was in China putting on a series of clinics when he met Yao for the first time. After watching a workout in the gym with the young Chinese prospect, Ronzone, Mavs assistant coach Donnie Nelson, a couple of Nike representatives and an interpreter got a dinner invitation. In the family's modest one-bedroom, 12th-floor apartment, Ronzone visited with Yao's father ("very shy") and mother ("she smiles a lot") and dined on food so spicy he perspired through the evening. "Yao kept giving me a towel to wipe my head," Ronzone said. "He told me, 'You sweat more at the house than on the basketball court.'" Ronzone got to know Yao better still on two subsequent trips to China, including last May when he served as an assistant coach on the Chinese national team that played in the East Asian Games. "He's a rare guy. I would take him No.1 if I had that draft pick -- he is that good," Ronzone said. Addressing a popular comparison, Ronzone said Yao is better than Shawn Bradley, different than Shaquille O'Neal. "He's a true five guy (center) with a European influence who can step out and do some things," Ronzone said. "In my opinion, he's a franchise player. He can run the floor, can block shots, he's got a great passion for the game. "Everything he can't do can be taught. When Dirk (Nowitzki) came over they said he couldn't do this or he was too slow. It's a stereotype. For me, it's a no-brainer."
I know. It was so tiring listening to people talk about Yao like he was some great UNKNOWN. Scouts, coaches, GM's and many others in the basketball world have known about him for at least 4 or 5 years. He has played in camps in the U.S. Played with Jordan even, and played in international competition for quite awhile. We know exactly what we're getting. He would have been the #1 last year and probably the year before, too. It's time to get excited if you're not yet.
right1, you hit it! yao ming has been watched for 2-3 years now. in that time, without hardcore coaching, he has learned the baby hook, a spin move similar to Hakeem, but no as quick, the pick and roll...what else will this guy learn under some of the best coaching in the world? if this guy were coming out of college, there would be no doubt about it. sure, Bradley was sough out of college, but there were series doubts about him...the doubts about Ming seem to focus on government issues, shanghai team issues and that he gets pushed around on the block by Mourning and Shaq....everyone does...this guy will have one of the best strokes in the NBA and is athletically there for the Rox....
Baqui, at least he's a scout. Scouts are paid to assess talent. It's much more credible than some hack on this BBS that says Yao sucks and can't play without ever seeing him.
RIET: at least he's a scout. Scouts are paid to assess talent. It's much more credible than some hack on this BBS that says Yao sucks and can't play without ever seeing him. nod
