In honor of "Life of Brian" (or in this case, Life of Ming), this is a thread for the most ridiculous, embarrassing hype you've read or heard about Yao Ming -- his godlike perfection, his transcendent grace, his world-historical significance. The sort of comments that make you embarrassed for the person who said them and probably make Yao want to hide and/or barf. Here are a couple from today's Bloomberg story: “This is the biggest individual sports story of all time.” -- Les Alexander “He takes globalization to a different level.'' -- George Postolos
Yes, Les is going overboard. However, marketing wise, it is huge for the NBA. If you take Ichiro and add in an additional billion or so people, it's tremendous. This article is not saying Yao will be the greatest player of all time. It's saying that Yao's presence in China could make it a huge, huge economic impact in the most populated country in the world.
The article is so ridiculous and it is portraying Ming as if he's going to be "Air Jordan" right when he steps on the court... I'd give him 2-3 years and then we can adjust Alexander's comments to: “This is the biggest individual sports story of all time in Houston since the legacy of the Dream.” -- Les Alexander
It's Bloomberg, so you can pretty much assume that they are only speaking in financial terms. Given that, in the big picture of NBA globalization, when you combine Yao Ming's 'hype potential' with the size of the market he's helping the NBA to open, I think that Ming is the biggest thing since at least Vince Carter and Shaq before him for a.) The NBA's financial health (based on the new customers he brings) and the leagues marketing position as the first potential star to be from SE Asia (growing market for the NBA) from China (biggest potential profit/growth market for the NBA) and ethnically SE Asian (probably the largest unrepresented US 'minority group' for the NBA) Even if you exclude his appeal among 'core NBA fans' which IMHO seems to be as high as for a #1 pick since either Elton Brand or Tim Duncan, it's his appeal among an untapped consumer base that makes him a financial cash cow for the NBA, and for the NBA, the bottom line is the bottom line.
i say that he will be amoung one of the best ever to play the game. I don't know if he will be like wilt like some autor stated but he will be good.
I like that one. Virtual reality couldn't make Kelvin Cato a better player. The Wizard of Oz with a new heart for Kelvin the Tin Man couldn't make him a better player. And so Yao Ming's gonna do the trick? Yao meeting Cato for the first time: "It's good to play with you and I hope to learn a lot from you, Mr. Cato." Translation: "So you're my sucky back-up. Just get me a few minute's rest and you and me, we'll be fiiiiiiine." And we must forgive Les Alexander's hyperbole. "This is the biggest individual sports story of all time." Translation: "Ming's gonna bring me cha-ching and bling-bling. Cha-ching! in my pocket and bling bling in my trophy case."
RudyT: Do not try and bend the Kelvin. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth. Yao: What truth? RudyT: There is no Kelvin. Yao: There is no Kelvin? RudyT: Then you'll see, that it is not the Kelvin that bends, it is only yourself.
DUHHHH man haven't you heard “This is the biggest individual sports story of all time.” -- Les Alexander
From the Bloomberg Story: "Because Yao hasn't signed his contract with the Rockets, the NBA can't put billboards with his likeness around Houston, Shanghai or anywhere else. That hasn't stopped Yao from promoting himself, though." Huh? Arrr? Isn't that Yao's humongous dome on that billboard on the Katy freeway?
Steve Francis in 3rd person: "We were lucky to draft Steve Francis and Yao Ming." Actually, Will's and TheFreak's are better, but I can't resist repeating a 3rd Person reference in past tense. I'm not sure I've ever seen the past tense version before.
Not really. There are many about Lewis. Some on here think he is god. Then look at the Francis hype. He is either god or the devil depending on who's doing the talking. Also don't forget that the Cato haters are having their fun.
Air Jordan: Fans would probably greatly profit from a similar "He's not the messiah" thread on this player as well.
There is a HUGE difference between "potential" and "performance." Potential is what could be, performance is what is! Ming, Frances and the Rockets have enormous potential, but, so far, performance is marginal. Steve put up good individual numbers, but must still prove that he can lead the team to the next level. Ming hasn't played an NBA game, he has proven nothing. Mobley has potential, Griffin has potential, Taylor has potential, Nashbar has potential, and so on. Performance equals wins, playoffs, and championships. Let the games begin, then we will see if predictions can become reality.
