Here is what Marc Stein had to say on Yao and Bonzi on his Weekend Dime: Yao Ming got a rough ride from the TNT guys Thursday night, with Reggie Miller (in particular) saying he needs to see Yao do what he's been doing for (close to) a whole season -- and, along with Tracy McGrady, win a round in the playoffs -- before he gets too excited. Well, yeah. It's tough to dispute any of that. But I still say we're seeing a better-than-ever Yao, even if the Rockets are routinely blowing big leads and still crying out for an in-shape Bonzi Wells … which, incidentally, I'm told isn't that far off. It's not, for me, strictly about overall stats … or hanging 34 and 14 on Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning … or how he compares to Shaq at this point. If I'm the Rockets, what would please me most about Yao's start is simply the way he's carrying himself. He just looks like he believes, more than ever, that he belongs as a franchise player. Yao joking with Shaq -- as an equal -- as opposed to showing too much respect before the opening tip. Yao ripping a rebound out of Juwan Howard's hands -- even though they were the only two guys in the area -- because he knows he's supposed to be Houston's leading board man. Yao responding to Shaq's early physicality -- and looking reasonably fresh in the fourth quarter -- instead of backing down or wearing out. They're all examples of things we didn't see from Yao in his first few seasons.
i wonder what he meant by the bonzi comment. stein even though he is a dallas backer has been one of the more reasonable national writers i've seen with his analysis of teams
thats about the best thing coming close to a compliment...he has said about Yao... here is how we win... why don't we have Tmac hand feed Yao easy baskets... until the 4th Quarter... then Tmac can take over and be the hero... just like Wade did with Shaq... Yao is very efficient in getting his points... why not have him play a half... score 28 to 36 points... then sit him... for a quicker player... in the 3rd and 4th
bonzi not too far off, huh? well i hope that he can work out here because he would be an awesome addition to the bench. he would definitely help keep those big leads that the starters are so good at getting.
I like the logic of "Yao has to play three successful seasons with those stats and win a championship before I admit he is domimunt. Therefore, Dwight Howard is the best."
being Asian myself... I think it comes down to respect... be honest... how much repect do you think Asian American man gets in America...???? I think in America... to some.....Yao will always be "Hop Sing" on the Ponderosa working for the Cartwrights.... Bonzi needs gets fat ass into shape... and play... if only to get more money when he goes back on the block
A lot more than you're giving him credit for getting. He is the atypical image of an NBA player and the majority of America credits him for not continuing the (stereo)typical image America has of NBA players as being gangstas and thugs. He's no "Hop Sing" to the majority of the public. If he is, that's one damn big ass high-paid cook on the Ponderosa.
I don't think it is so much about respect, but about old habit, or old stereotype. It is hard to agree and admit that an Asian player, one who does not traditionally play this sport, is the BEST "anything".
What info do you want? Yao Ming claiming to be 7'11? JVG brawling with Bonzi? Les buying the Mavs? NK launching nukes?
