Chuck Hayes is well respected in China. People there know him as Sea Lord because he's from overseas and has a lordly presence. Unlike Americans, people in China respect hard work and thick legs.
Actually it's because he's like seas covering 80% of Earth. (The other 20% used to be covered by Yao Ming, but he's retired.)
In a team of ****ty defenders and jump shooters, Chuck Hayes was the one bright spot. He didn't shoot jumpers or flail around and get stepped on. Good thing he left though. I'm sure many people told him he couldn't make it into the NBA as a center because he was too short. Now he's a top defender, making money, and proving those people wrong.