FOXSPORTS: Melvin Ely's perspective on Ming

http://foxsports.lycos.com/

Melvin Ely can offer a lot of perspective on the 2002 NBA draft:

He's one of the few players in this draft who's actually guarded China's Yao Ming, the 7-foot-5, 21-year-old who more than likely will be the first name read at the podium in Madison Square Garden on June 26. And he's one of a vanishing breed — a possible lottery selection who actually played four years of college basketball at Fresno State.

Most college players' exposure to Ming has come through television footage of his May "workout" for NBA teams in Chicago, or late-night highlights of China's game with the USA during the 2000 Summer Olympics. Ely, though, has seen him face to face.
In fact, he's played again him — face to breastbone.

The 6-foot-9 (without shoes, as measured by the NBA Saturday in Chicago) Ely hooked up against Ming during the World University Games in China last August. And Ming blocked an Ely shot attempt in the final seconds that would have won the gold medal for the U.S.

"He's definitely a presence, especially defensively," Ely said, smiling. "He can actually move (well) and that surprised me. He's not 7-6 (Ming was measured at 7-5 by the NBA in May) and a stiff." Ely believes that Ming will be a defensive presence immediately in the NBA. His offensive effectiveness, at least immediately, remains to be seen.

"Everyone from overseas needs to get used to this (NBA) game," Ely said. "Everyone says he's going to be the one to 'calm' Shaq down but that's a myth." However another myth, Ely believes, is Ming is more likely to end up "another Shawn Bradley," a center of massive proportion who hasn't been anything but a backup in the league.

"That's not a fair comparison at all," Ely said. "(How good he will be) is totally up to him as far as how hard he wants to work, because he certainly has the talent. When I was out there again him, he seemed to be playing hard." Ming also seems to have a pretty advanced hoops sense of humor.

"I was head-butting the hell out of (his) collarbone (while trying to guard him)," Ely said, laughing. "I was just putting my head in the middle of his chest, trying to push him out (of the lane). The ref said 'stop' and I said 'I don't know about this 'stop' — he's too big!' And he (Ming) just looked down at me and started laughing."

Like everyone else, Ely is anxious to see just how Ming fares against Shaq and every other big man who's going to take their pops. "He's going to be a nice player," Ely said. "I can't wait to see him (in the NBA)."

And Ely can't wait to see another guy in an NBA uniform, too.
That would be himself.

What impressed me about this article most was Ely's view that Ming will be a defensive presence right away. People talk about his offensive skills and his passing skills and how is quick on his feet but rarely do you hear that he is a good defensive player. In fact mostly it's the exact opposite, that he will be a liability. Well it seems that is another myth.