Bill Russell "Yao reminds me of Jabbar"

This is the first I've heard from Russell concerning Yao.


http://www.nba.com/fedex/eng/yao.html

Yao Ming: Global Impact On and Off the Court

By John Hareas

It is an evolution. A process that is still in its infancy given the big picture perspective of the career length of some of the greatest centers to ever roam the paint in NBA history: George Mikan – nine seasons; Bill Russell – 14; Wilt Chamberlain – 14; Kareem Abdul Jabbar – 21 seasons; Hakeem Olajuwon – 19; Shaquille O’Neal – 13 (and counting). Passing the midseason portion of only his third NBA season, Yao Ming continues his ascension among the NBA’s premier centers in today’s game, tallying career averages in points (18.2), field goal percentage (.53%) and free throw attempts (6.5).

“He’s already the second-best center in the world and he’s just getting started,” said Bill Walton, NBA ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame center. “ He has everything the NBA could ever dream of. His chance to steer the course of history is what legends and legacies are made of. It’s all there for Yao Ming. He has arrived at the party. We are privileged to witness his growth, development and evolution. And unlike literally every other guest at this grand celebration, Yao Ming brings his own legion of fans. His contribution to the NBA is nothing short of spectacular.”

Russell, the five-time NBA MVP who led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented 11 titles in 13 years, agrees with Yao’s standing among today’s centers and says the 7-6 center reminds him of a champion who perfected the sky hook to six NBA titles.
“He’s right there at the top with the best but his whole potential is ahead of him,” said Russell of the 24-year-old. “We forget that he’s just a kid. In terms of skills, he reminds me of Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. He’s not there yet but that is who I think he’s most like."

Perhaps most impressive is Yao’s ability to continue his learning curve despite playing with 13 new teammates. Maurice Taylor and Scott Padgett are the lone holdovers from last season’s team that made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

Yet the Rockets’ chemistry experiment is starting to net results. Ever since reaching the .500 mark for the first time on December 31, the team posted a winning percentage for the month of January, receiving a boon from new arrivals David Wesley and Jon Barry along with a healthy Bob Sura.

"I just hope that I can continue to be consistent, and that I can help the consistency of the entire team,” said Yao . “We have a winning record now, [so] we just have to keep moving forward."
According to Walton, the next step for Yao to truly reach his potential doesn’t have anything to do with his physical skills but the mental approach to the game.

“One of the last and most difficult hurdles that Yao Ming will have to overcome in order to achieve his destiny is to find the level of coaching that is commensurate with his talent and potential,” said Walton. “The final step will be the mental training that will allow him to dominate at the highest levels, where the historically great players reign supreme every day.

The pressure and expectations for Yao to deliver peak performance on command on the court also extends off of it as well.
“What Yao’s attempting is unfathomable,” said Walton. “The NBA season is a brutal grind. It drains you in every way – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And he is also attempting to bridge two cultures that could not be more different.”

That impact was certainly apparent at the recent China Games, which the Rockets played the Sacramento Kings in Shanghai and Beijing , quenching some of the thirst for live NBA action as hundreds of millions of basketball fans saw their native son come home for the first time as an NBA player. Yao ’s impact and the overall success of the Games continue to grow, even three months later.

"I think it’s going to be similar to Babe Ruth and baseball,” said Russell of the impact of the NBA China Games. “ Yao is a genuine hero and he does it so well. The kids want to play the same game he’s playing. They don’t necessarily want to be that tall or that good but they want to play the same game. So, that’s why in China now you have more than 200 million kids playing basketball.”

It’s all part of Yao ’s enormous impact, both on and off the court. An evolution that truly won’t be measured until long after Yao hangs up his jersey.