Maybe this shouldn't be a main thread, but I was just wondering why there are so many people here down on Yao (not everyone of course). A. there are so many gifted, contributing international members of teams in the NBA that I don't know where to start. B. His international numbers are great, which is atleast as valid as almost any college players' numbers. C. I feel as though if we had taken any number 1 pick who wasn't Chinese who had comparable numbers at a USA university everyone on here would be totally psyched. .....I am not saying there is even a majority of people on the BBS who are skeptical of Yao, but I do think that there are way too many that are. Yao is clearly a special player, think of what the Rockets have done without such a high pick (horry, cassell even though we will overlook the not so great picks the rocks have made).......I am not chinese by any means or even a minority, but I do feel that some people on this thread are being unreasonably critical and I don't understand why. A number 1 pick with Yao's capabilities I wouldn't think would undergo this type of scrutiny if he were anyone else. I can't be anything but excited about someone of his calibur and experience and talent on this team, lets atleast try to be atleast open minded about his international/chinese basketball experience, even if people want to deny that it seems like this is an issue. M
I agree it is an issue, but it was an issue when Hakeem was here also. I don't know why some people act the way they do. Maybe they feel threaten in a way only they can undserstand, by a player not being from America; oh well. I don't agree with all of the negative comments that are made, but you have to accept them and to some extinct respect them; because they have the right to speak their mind. No matter how dumb founded they may sound to you, me, or anybody else.
Hakeem was the MVP of the NCAA finals despite his team losing (I think he still remains the only player with that distinction). Hakeem played four years of college hoops and was a star then. Yao has played against NBA talent only recently. Say what you want about him lighting it up in international play, but that doesn't translate when you come to the NBA. Finally, Yao is very tall and thin, and in the NBA, there's a long history of tall, thin, unproven players who became busts. Just because people are waiting and seeing doesn't mean their a cultural bias....it just means they are skeptical with good reason. Even Yao admits he might be a total bust.
Yao will have his chance to prove everyone wrong. I think he will. He has a fire for the game. He wants to learn and develop as a player, but also realizes that the team comes first. He could be a poster child for the real "game" of basketball. A team player first who wants to win. I love his attitude and think it will translate over to the court and his play.
Fancy you having the gaul to be on this Forum and have the audacity to call yourself 'YEW YORK'.Only in America would this happen, its an afront to all Rocket Fans!! You KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT YAO MING, yet you spout your erroneous remarks about him being thin and thin players etc.... Yao Ming is built the opposite way arround to the majority of other very tall players. He is extremely strong in the legs and abdomen, only his upper body is thin. Others with big upper bodies and thin legs were the ones with all the injuries eg:-Ralph Sampson. You also need to read the reports of USA NBA players on what they said about Yao Ming after the WBC. Amyway you will just have to be patient, if he ever gets here, we will wipe the smile off you face, when we trounce New York twice this season!
Mr. New Yorker, Ralph Sampson was listed a 7'4" and 230 lbs. Yao at the official NBA weigh-in at Chicago was listed at 7'5.25" and 296lbs. That's a SIXTY-SIX POUND difference. Why don't you follow the Knicks? Got nothing better to do?
there's a long history of big, bulky players who became busts in NBA. So what did you say about Shaq when he came into the league?
<b>Hakeem was the MVP of the NCAA finals despite his team losing (I think he still remains the only player with that distinction). Hakeem played four years of college hoops and was a star then.</b> Garnett, Kobe, guys like that never played against college stars or made deep runs, yet people were praising them when they came into the league <b>Yao has played against NBA talent only recently. Say what you want about him lighting it up in international play, but that doesn't translate when you come to the NBA.</b> Again, guys out of high school didn't play against NBA players, yet people praise them and say they can be stars, yet many people think Yao will be a bust. <b>Finally, Yao is very tall and thin, and in the NBA, there's a long history of tall, thin, unproven players who became busts.</b> The guy is 300 pounds. <b>Just because people are waiting and seeing doesn't mean their a cultural bias....it just means they are skeptical with good reason. Even Yao admits he might be a total bust. </b> Yao is talking championships, I don't think he seriously thinks he'll be a bust. But again, people are skeptical of Ming, yet they praise high school players, or players who come into the draft after playing one year of college ball.
Oh, Are you Yao's agent? I guess you have analyzed his body and come to note that his physique is adequate to take the punishment of NBA players 82 games a season. By the way, I was a Rockets fan probably before you were born. And I don't know what you mean by "YEW", but don't make yourself look like an idiot. I was living in New York and rooting for the Rockets in 94, while seats were empty at the summit (it's what's now called the compaq center). What is the deal with you people? If you can't deal with a fan from New York, what are you going to do when fans from China start pouring into this board!!!! Get this chip off your shoulder people. And realize that fans don't have to blindly worship their teams. Geeeezzzzzzzz.
I didn't say anything about Shaq, he dominated from day one. But again, Shaq proved that he wouldn't be a bust at least in college. There's a long history of any kind of player being a bust. But there's a more certain history of lanky players being a bust. And a more certain history of players without much experience being a bust. Like Shawn Bradley.
The NBA was not as physical 20 years ago as it is today. Ralph was a very soft player and as soon as people bodied him his knees went out. Yao lacks upper body strength, that will be an issue. Bradley got his weight up to 275, and he is still undersized and can't hold position. As for the knicks comment, get the chip off your shoulder, why do you and others have such an inferiority complex with New York?
There's a long history of great college players who were NBA busts. Need me to name a few for you? We do have same opinion on this one. Here comes the Shawn Bradley comparison again. I thought we have concluded weeks ago that only trolls would do that By the way. Is the Knicks board getting too boring so you came over here for some challenges?
People were skeptical of Kobe and Garnett...they were not #1 picks. You just don't remember because they turned into stars. Most of the players that come from high school end up as busts. Here's a name for you: Kwame Brown. The guys out of high school played against NBA talent before they were drafted. Yao had not. When you are 7'5 - 296 lbs still makes you thin. Reports are that most of his weight is in the lower body, but you need upper body strength to play the post these days. I'm 220 lbs and a foot shorter, and I'm considered lanky and thin. Yao has stated that he could be a total bust in the NBA, meaning he might not last. If he has doubt, then certainly I do too. What's the big deal, the guy will play and we'll see what happens. If he's a bust, then that will be no surprise, if he isn't then hey, that's great. Why don't you let him earn it instead of just assuming he's going to be the best? I think Yao at best can become like Sabonis, which is a pretty good complement. If the Rockets have a Young Sabonis, they'll challenge for titles. But there's also a good chance he'll just be the next Ralph Sampson. You don't know how good his knees are. People thought that Shaq would never be able to support his weight, or that he'd be too slow. Yao hasn't proven anything other then the fact he can dominate crappy players.
NewYorker, if your a long-time Rockets fan, then I apologize. I am as well. As for your comment on having an inferiority complex about New York, it's not true. I live in Austin and wouldn't want to live in New York OR Houston now. But I was born and raised in Houston and go there all the time. I'm a Homer (doh!!). And if you think we haven't already been swamped with Asian fans then you haven't visited here much since the draft. As for being born before most of the people here (as you say you are)... that doesn't apply to me. I remember the Rockets moving to Houston. I was pumped about Elvin Hayes coming back. (He didn't stay for long, unfortunately) I remember watching the Rocks in '81 and '86. I know a lot of people here remember '86. And as far as Yao goes... I guess Antonio Davis don't know squat (tha scrub).
Try again... Between camps and international competition, Yao Ming has faced more NBA talent than any high schooler. Even next year's savior, the new "Baby Jordan" LeBron James has not competed against anybody at that level outside of the occasional camp or scrimmage. To answer the question at hand, I think there is no doubt some of the questions concerning Yao Ming come from preconceived notions. "Asians are short and polite...they can't ball!" He will succeed (or fail) on merits, but there will always be a little of the "cultural bias" coloring how people interpret those results.
NEW YORKER I dont know how old you are but I bet I'm old enough to be your Grand Father. To me you are a recent entry as a Rockets Fan. Again you also made up your statement about Ralph Sampson, you are not accurate. Do you realise that we have many very young posters and you are not playing fair when you post information with half truths!
It's a small point, but the Rox began their 176 game streak of consecutive sellouts during the 93-94 championship run. I have no problem with you being a healthy skeptic, but if you got your facts right (attendance, Yao being skinny, poor level of Yao's competition, etc.), you would have more credibility. Frankly, I think Yao's conditioning is more of an issue than his strength.
Yetti-To be honest with you for an apparent adult you went overboard to try and insult our Yankee friend (just kidding bud) for his posting of the actual reason many people are disgrundled about Yao being our number one pick. I have seen you do this a couple of times to different posters. For God's sake act your age man. NYC I agree with your assessment. I doubted Yao, I still have my doubts to be honest, but he did show that he can play with the big boys at the WBC. Put it this way, I feel like a team with a player the way Yao has been desribed as should have fared better in the tournament. However, the play of his teammates getting him the ball was atrocious so I am left seeing some great things but needing more to form a concrete opinion. At this point I am glad we got the guy, although I am only ready to call him the best of the HUGE (over 7'4'') guys not in the same breath with the Dreams, Ewings, or Robinsons (those were the days......)
