Everyone talks about Ming's height, shooting ability, and good athleticism for a 7'5 player. His biggest strength will be his Anti-Shawn Kemp qualities. 1.) He won't be lazy. Those communists treat him as a thorougbred racehorse. Unlike in the US where star players get the royal treatment and cakewalk through life, the Commies probably made Ming work harder to develop his potential. Once they realized how tall he was - off to the gym to learn basketball 12 hours a day. 2.) He will be coachable. What do you think he'll say if the coaches ask him to lift weights? In China, "no" to an authoritative figure = Wok Duty. 60 Carbon Steel Woks by midnight or your family goes to jail. He is humble and respectful and will understand that just because you're tall and can make a jumpshot does not mean you know more about BBall than the fat, balding, drunk coach who's been in the NBA for 30 years. Im sure not only will he listen, but he's probably smarter than many Bball players who came from a poor inner city education system. I'll bet with his English skills right now, Ming could score higher on the SAT than Shawn Kemp. 3.) He won't father 50 children with 50 different women. Being a good citizen, Yao learned early on that 1 child in China = blessing, 2 children = jail. Hell, when the groupies start gathering around him, he'll need an interperter just to converse.
Riet, I think anti-Shawn Kemp is not Ming but you. We are not talking about off-court issue like work ethic, SAT, drug usage, and large family supporting responsibility. Can you guarantee that Yao can as much do as Kemp did in his prime ON THE COURT? Can he drag his team ito Final? - Kemp did. Can he be an allstar player for several times? - Kemp did. Can he hang around league for more than 10 years? - Kemp did. I think you are out of native chinese population, trying to find as many unnecessary facts to be supportive for Rox's daft for Ming. Thank you but no thank you. I will rather appreciate your information on absurd social atmosphere of modern china. We do not force Wok training, nor child birth regulation (One child=bless, two child=jail, this is terrible!!).
RIET, with all due respect, it sounds like you're taking off on blanket stereotypes of Chinese, Communist China, and disadvantaged racial minorities in the U.S. I recognize that we all have stereotypes and speak from them, but have you listened to yourself? I like Yao too; it sounds like he has good qualities, and I hope he comes here and succeeds. But some might take what appears to be your application of thoughtless generalizations almost offensive, even. If I seem overly touchy, I apologize. I think there are just little things in your post like the term "commies," "woks," conceptions of Chinese as humble, model minorities, SAT that while not offensive, bother me.
Don't worry about the comments. Your thoughts are intriuging. I just don't think putting down other players made your comments any more sustainable. No big deal. Hook'em Rockets
Come on, RIET, your thinking about China is still way back in the 70's when Cultural Revolution was at its prime. Refuse to workout and parents to jail? Even those radical guards in 70's wouldn't be that crazy. Now in China, if anyone ever goes 12 hours a day training, either he is willing or he is enticed into it. People in China enjoy far more freedom than you think. Forget what those stupid books tell you. Go to China to check things out! BTW, Yao Ming does have a fighting soul. It will surely be very interesting to see someone trying to dunk on him. I bet he will dunk back, and right away. That is his responses in CBA. Shaq? I bet he will at least try. And that will be very interesting. Also, I remember Yao Ming once told that he beat Gasol in training camps in US(Jordan's or Nike's, not sure). See what Gasol is now. If Gasol can make it, no reason a better guy won't. I can hardly wait for his performance in NBA.
since this is a ridiculous thread. . . let's continue This is very offensive.. . . . GIG'EM ROCKETS!!!!!! *grin* Rocket River
