Found this interesting article, just want to share it. Interesting to note that there r going to be more big foregin players coming to the league. Hopefully, they will redefine the game of big man, like what Yao Ming is doing now. Fitnese vs power. It is good to see. Guess NBA is moving inline with the trend of globalization in the economy scene. OK, the article.... Who Will The Dynasty Conquer Next? Words Chris Tao There was a time when many people, including myself, doubted Yao Ming's ability to defend the league's elite big men. Every body who doubted him was proven wrong. I thought he was going to have trouble against the San Antonio Spurs. After all, the Spurs have two of the best big men in the league now, Tim Duncan and David Robinson. So why weren't the Yao detractors going to celebrate after the game? Duncan, last year's MVP, was no doubt a tough assignment for Yao. The Admiral, albeit declining, still posed a tough assignment for Yao. But Yao proved to all his detractors wrong by leaping over the Twin Towers. Even the most obdurate people had to admit that he played well against good competition. He not only proved that, but he proved that he has the skills to be one of the greatest big men in the game today. On December 3rd, 2002, against Duncan and Robinson, Yao put up 27 points on 10-18 shooting, 7-7 free throws, 18 rebounds, 33 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 assists. Not only did Yao dominate by floating jumpers and throwing down the rock a few times, he served up a facial on David Robinson and Tim Duncan as well. Yao simply outplayed Robinson and Duncan. How many guys have done that? The breakout game that Yao had a few weeks back was discounted because it was against a stick otherwise known as Shawn Bradley. Yao won the battle 30 to 0. Even Stick Boy talked trash before the game, claiming that if Yao was 7'5", then he was 10'. But Stick Boy had to recant everything he said after Mt. Yao erupted in his face, forcing him to the bench with early foul trouble, pounding him inside and serving up a facial on him that is sure to be on the next issue of SLAM magazine's SLAMADAMONTH. Not only did he outplay Bradley, but he outplayed Dirk Nowitzki as well. When Dirk came over to help Bradley out with Yao, Yao just drove an already-dejected Bradley further into the post. The Mavs had no answer for Yao, as even Dirk picked a foul or two. Yao demoralized Bradley, his confidence, and his string of good play prior to the meeting by two of the league's tallest players. I think Yao has played well, but he has played especially well when the opposing center was actually formidable. Yao seemed to step up and rise to the occasion. Against Bradley, Yao wanted to prove that his game and his skills were light years ahead of Stick Boy's. Against Robinson and Duncan, he wanted to prove that he could play with the big boys of the NBA. Did he ever. So many people have doubted Yao, but have jumped aboard the Dynasty's bandwagon. When Yao was struggling, many people who I knew would publicly diss Yao about how he was a stiff. Oh how wrong they were. Not only were those ignorant detractors proven wrong, but they couldn't even talk to me or look me in the face. They didn't dare mention Yao, for fear that I would stick it to them. I didn't stick it to them because I had more class than that, but inside, I felt so great. Those who still denied Yao argued that Bradley was inferior competition and that he could do nothing against the elite big men. Yao proved those stubborn detractors wrong again by outplaying the Spurs' front line. On to the Shaq issue. I'm tired of people who keep ragging on Yao about the upcoming game against Shaq on January 17, 2003. It's being televised by ESPN, and there is no doubt that there will be much publicity, as Shaq has discounted Yao and Yao has called Shaq "another mountain to be scaled." Shaq will score more, but Yao will be able to hold is own. Yao could hit turnaround fadeaways over Shaq all day. Perhaps Yao will be dunked on by Shaq, but as ESPN funny man Scott Stuart put it in a recent ESPN the Magazine column, all NBA players, including Shaq would be afraid of being posterized by Yao. Yao could make it interesting by serving up a facial on Shaq and getting fouled in the process. If Yao did that and made the ensuing free throw, he would really send a message to Shaq. I hate the Shaq comparisons. To set things straight, Yao is better than Shaq at the same point in their careers. Shaq didn't have Yao's repetoire when he was 22 years old. It's only fair to give Yao some time to develop into a dominant center. Yao's getting my vote for the NBA All-Star team ballot. As a visitor to FanHome's Basketball Forum so eloquently put it, "If I have to watch Vlade play in the All-Star game, I'll be really po'ed. Especially if I have to watch Vlade instead of Yao, who is actually fun to watch." I totally agree. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes If you're xenophobic and hate foreigners, then you'll have a big problem with the new influx of talent coming into the NBA. Promising European big man Darko Milicic is projected to be either the first or second pick of the NBA Draft of next year or the year after that. And there are plenty of Chinese prospects on the way like 7'1" center Tang Zhengdong, 6'8" small forward Zhu Fangyu, 6'1" point guard Zhang Qingpeng, 7'1" Xue Yuyang, 7'4" Sun Heo Hua. The best Chinese prospect is 15 year old Yi Jianlian. The 6'11" Yi has been raved about by American scouts while he was in America playing in adidas ABCD Camp. Yi was impressive, showing nice post moves and a jump shot. Unlike Yao, Yi has not been groomed for a life of basketball. But after scouts found him playing basketball in a street court in Shenzhen, China, CBA officials may reconsider Yi and develop him. Yi is being compared to a young Kevin Garnett. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post Script It'd be intriguing to see the world's tallest man, Myong Hun Ri play in the NBA. Ri is a 7'10" North Korean player who has not had the opportunity to showcase his sheer size in the NBA because of diplomatic problems between the United States and North Korea. If things get sorted out, Ri may be able to come to America to play. The 28-year old is already in the prime of his career. Ri will be past his prime when and if he comes to the United States, but he will still be decent. One comparison is Arvydas Sabonis, who came to the NBA years after he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Who is Chris Tao? First off, this author is heavily biased, as evidenced by his frequent use of the nickname "Stick Boy" for Bradley. I noticed multiple typographical errors including crediting Yao for 33 assists in one game, which is particularly an embarrassing error. And finally, I haven't heard Shaq say anything but praise (albiet, backhanded compliments perhaps), so it's a little odd that this author would imply that Shaq has "discounted" Yao while providing no quotes to back this statement up.
Dunno who he is, but has written quite a number of articles in this web: The part that I find most interesting in the whole article is the thing about the influx of foregin talents into NBA. Just wonder will bball overtakes scoccer to be the most popular and 'globalized' game in the world?? Also noted about that 15 years old kid, Yi. Has seen this name being mentioned in few places, has anyone seen him live in action? Another Yao Ming in making?
A bad article and this particular section was ridiculous. Shaq was a dominant center the first game he played.
didn't shaq say "yao who?" when asked about yao earlier on in the season when he was struggling. and there was also another article in the houston chronicle that clearly showed shaq underestimated yao. article shown below. June 21, 2002, 4:25PM Shaq dismisses Yao mania LOS ANGELES -- There is culture shock. And then there's culture Shaq. Both await Yao Ming, with every intention of leaving their mark. Caught up in his version of Yaomania, the league's most unforgiving test for a slender center said he was looking forward to welcoming the 7-5 Chinese center to the NBA. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, 7-1 and 335 pounds, almost sneered about the interest paid to Yao, the presumed favorite to be the Rockets' first pick of the NBA draft. "I'm a working-class hero. That's all I am," O'Neal said. "Guys are trying to make a superstar out of a guy from the Shanghai Sharks, make a phenomenon out of him already." O'Neal went on about his similarity to "the construction workers, the police officers, the firefighters," explaining he does not need accolades. "Don't give me the MVP like you gave it to Tim Duncan," he said. "Don't give me nothing. Just give me my fair share in American, because I'm American." He did say he would introduce the NBA to Yao by introducing Yao to his elbows. "Street," O'Neal said of what is awaiting Yao in the NBA. "Playing in a gym, shooting jumpers and all that ... that's fine. But I'm street. I'm how to take a 'bow to your nose and (make you) think about what I'm going to do next time down." -- JONATHAN FEIGEN
Ri is 7'8 and some not 7"10 and he was 29 back in 1998 according to this article http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9809/25/nkorea.player/
Okay, fair enough, but that was 6 months ago. Remember when Yao scored 20 on the Lakers and then had 30 & 15 vs. the Mavs? Before that Mavs game, Shaq was saying things like (and this is NOT an exact quote) "Yao's the best center in the league right now" and other praise.
Shaq talks trash about everyone. I remember him talking about getting a Yao Ming doll and driving his car over it. What a classy statement, huh? You think someone would actually get intimidated by that? What's worst is that he publicly blames his teammates for their crappy start. Is that a definition of being a supportive team leader? Who's the one who delayed their toe surgery and got out of shape? When things are going good, he praises them. When things gets tough, he just opens his big mouth and shoots off. I'm not an idiot and love hoops. He definitely has been the most dominant player in the league for the past 4-5 years, but as far having something meaningful to say about anything, forget about it!
Shaq is smarter than his physical looking. I like Shaq although his playing of the ball is not beautiful.
Post Script It'd be intriguing to see the world's tallest man, Myong Hun Ri play in the NBA. Ri is a 7'10" North Korean player who has not had the opportunity to showcase his sheer size in the NBA because of diplomatic problems between the United States and North Korea. If things get sorted out, Ri may be able to come to America to play. The 28-year old is already in the prime of his career. Ri will be past his prime when and if he comes to the United States, but he will still be decent. One comparison is Arvydas Sabonis, who came to the NBA years after he was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers. [/B][/QUOTE] So where did you get this link from? I hope you didn't write this. Whoever this Chris Tao guy didn't do his research and don't know much about what's going on in the world of basketball. By the way, this Korean Ri Myong-hun is 35 YEARS OLD not 28 and he totally suck!!!
it was actually 30 points and 16 rebounds not 15 rebounds. also shown below is exactly what shaq said. its dripping with sarcasm. nobody can take what he said seriously. i bet he had no idea; yao would score 30 on bradley and 27 against the twin towers and actually make a case for best center in texas. he also said in a couple of years, yao shall be the man. shaq is well known for being sarcastic and silly. this is a guy who calls himself the big aristotle and says things on espn sportscenter like: "SHAQ, AAAHHH, he's the greatest in the universe." He calls himself LCL, last center left. he obviously had no respect for yao before. but now, he probably has a higher opinion of him than before. but shaq won't really respect yao until yao beats him. either that or slam dunk over him. "Phil told me not to talk," O'Neal said upon emerging from the Mavericks' locker room and heading to the Lakers' bus after their shootaround at American Airlines Center. "He said I talk too much. He told me not to talk anymore until I start playing." That lasted all of a few seconds. O'Neal couldn't resist talking when asked about the Mavericks' new and improved center, Shawn Bradley. O'Neal was asked if Bradley is the best center in Texas now. "Shawn's the best center?" he said. "Naw, it's Yao Ming." Then, an hour before the game, O'Neal added: "Am I scared [of Bradley]? No. Shawn's always been a good enough player. But Shawn's true test will be Yao Ming, not me." And where does O'Neal rate himself these days? "I'm just a peon from LSU," he said. "I'm nothing."
I'm not Chris Tao. I'm a Malaysian who has been a Rockets fan since the 3-point bombing days. The part of the article that I really feel interested is not that about Yao Ming, but rather the future influx of foreign talents who shall bring a different style of playing to NBA. Just look at those talented foregin players in NBA: Drazen Petrovic (the first great foregin player in NBA), Sabonis (imagine if he would join Portland below injuring the knee.... CLyde would have gotten his rings long time ago..), Dirk, Peja, Divac, Yao etc, do they process different type and style of bball skill? I personally feel that it is refreshing to watch this style of play being blended into the power game that most American palyers prefer. It reminds me of the 80s, where the games were more of a combination of skill, fitness and power. Isn't it great to know that the bball will evolute into a global game. Imagine Rockets fans r all over the world, just like the Manchester United, AC Milan or Real Madrid fans all over the world. OK, I just realise that I may have posted the thread on the wrong forum.
