This article is from the New York Post that came out in early April. It talks about what impact Yao could have from the perspective of a former NBA player & Ming's teammate on the Shanghai Sharks: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/13702.htm BENOIT SAYS MING CAN MAKE HUGE IMPACT IN NBA By MARC BERMAN April 4, 2002 -- PORTLAND - Former Net David Benoit is still trying to get back in the NBA, possibly with the Knicks, but for now he can help GM Scott Layden with special insight on 7-6 Chinese center Yao Ming. The veteran Benoit, who played for Layden in Utah, signed three weeks ago with the Shanghai Sharks as a hired gun for the playoffs to help Ming bring the city its first Chinese Basketball Association championship. After being Ming's teammate since early March and talking English with him on the plane, there's no doubt in Benoit's mind Ming will be an NBA All-Star, and even compared him to Shaquille O'Neal. "I'm amazed by him how agile he is, how he is able to move and run the floor," Benoit told The Post in a phone interview Tuesday from his Shanghai residence. "He's not like Shawn Bradley. He's the exact opposite. If anything, he's more like Shaq. He's not a 7-5 stiff. He can really move. He's got great feet." Benoit also said he believes Ming will be released from his contract to play in the NBA next season only if Shanghai wins a championship. NBA commissioner David Stern, speaking on MSG Network's "Angles" Tuesday, is concerned Ming is waiting to see which team picks him. Reportedly, Chinese officials want him in a big market with a sizable Chinese population, such as New York. "I really believe we have to win a championship for him to go," Benoit said. The Sharks are in the best-of-five semifinals, leading the series 1-0 over Jilin. The Chinese Army team has won the last five titles and is expected to meet Shanghai in next week's final. Benoit, 34, says he was signed because Shanghai wanted a defensive small forward against the Chinese Army as a complement to Ming. Ming, 22, is expected to be either the first or second pick in the June 26 draft. Benoit predicted Ming should be No. 1 over Duke point guard Jason Williams. The Knicks can assure their lottery reservations tonight with a loss in Portland coupled with a victory by Indiana. "These guys don't come along every day," said Benoit, who played for the Jazz from 1991-1995 and again last season. "He's an agile guy like Shaq. He shoots 3's like [Arvydas] Sabonis. And if you're not careful, he'll dribble by you. It's a nice package. He's so big, his head is right there by the rim. I don't have to go for a rebound, I just go back. I'm amazed every day watching him." Benoit doesn't think it'll take Ming more than one season to elevate to All-Star level. "[The physical game] would be the only thing I see he'd have to work on," said Benoit, who played for John Calipari's Nets from 1996-98. "It will take a year's time to make that adjustment. It won't take him long. He's a smart kid. But he'll still definitely make an impact his first year.
Wow, excellent find, ron413, thanks. Finally, a report from an NBA baller who speaks english who has played with Ming and has no alterior motive- at the time of the interview they weren't even sure if Ming would go to the draft, or who would be in the lottery. I have to agree, I think Ming will make an immediate impact. I think he might be pushed around on defense, might not be able to play well one-on-one D with NBA big men at first, might get into foul trouble quick. But That's all I can think of for problems in the first year or two. Who in the whole NBA is going to stop him from grabbing multitudinous rebounds? Who in the NBA could block his shot? I think he'll be unstoppable offensively, unless fouled. There could be nothing better than combining this guy with Francis and Mobes.
reading the thread subject, i thought this was about Benoit Benjamin and was gonna say who gives a rat's arse about what he thinks?
no love from the Rockets Pimp on that article huh?........i thought you more than anyone would not mind me pimpin' that article again, but noooooooooo..........dont hate da playa, hate the game! .........just kidding, but that was a great article and it deserved to be seen by Rockets fans again in case they missed it like I clearly did......It will not happen again, only current articles from now on!
Benoit thought that he would have a big impact on the NBA also, so I think we have to put his scouting skills into perspective.
Well, I'll say one thing for that Benoit guy, to say something like that, he sure has some balls... er... nevermind.
