There is more to this strory, but it the link isn't working on my computer.Go to WashingtonPost.com then to sports. Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that Yao Ming’s numbers may not have been stellar, but the players that opposed him know he’s the real deal. "He's solid, all around," said United States guard Paul Pierce of Boston. "He's very fundamentally sound for a guy his size. He's got a soft touch, he can run the floor and he's very agile. He has a lot to learn about the NBA but he's going to be a good player." Ming only scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in China’s loss to Team USA. Players from the U.S. squad said Yao's ineffectiveness wasn't so much because of what they did to him but, instead, what they did defensively to his vastly overmatched teammates. The Americans smothered the Chinese backcourt and didn’t allow them to get the ball into Ming. Yao only took six shots, two in the second half, and Team USA forced 22 turnovers, effectively executing the theory that keeping the ball away from the opponent's best player is the optimum way to make sure he can't hurt you. What will happen when he has Steve Francis breaking down defenses? "He'll be more effective," said U.S. center Antonio Davis of the Toronto Raptors. "We just have to wait and see how he's going to adjust to the traveling and the grind of the NBA. But you're looking at him now and how he's responding to different guys that are playing him and things like that and I think he's doing pretty well." Adjusting from the team-oriented play of international basketball to the individual style of the NBA will take some time, but Ming’s talent and skills should allow him to contribute while learning the game. "He has a great upside," Davis said. "It's just a matter of waiting and seeing how he's going to adjust. He's a very talented young man who's learning how to play the game and he's strong. He's a lot stronger than I thought he was. I thought he showed that he can shoot the ball and he has good hands. All he needs is experience."
Thanx for the link. Great article about Ming despite his limited performance. I think people are starting to really see the impact he will have in the NBA. I also like the fact that this US team is a first class bunch of guys. They are not cocky and are pretty poised for a team that's considered by the media vulnerable to losing against these foreign teams. Go USA!!! GO MING!!!
uh-oh, fuel for the Stevie haters! (hypothetical) - they're gonna say, "we don't need stevie, we got Yao, he can run the floor!" LOL
I think the lve is great! This demonstrates the willingness to show embracing of international folk...
This is great news, I couldn't believe how good that shot of his can be until I saw it the other day. Folks we have every position filled with the possible exception being the 3 spot. How ever we will see how good Bostjan Nachbar is this year, if he's everything thay I hear that he is, then this team is all set.
Good thing we don't have anymore draft picks to keep adding payroll. Wait, we'll get some when we trade Kenny or Mo. (Dangit!in Hank Hill's Voice)
Critics please stop saying Ming is weak. An all-star who matched up with Ming has told everyone of us that he's strong, strong, strong !!!
Yao will be one of the all-stars that everyone loves. Houston is going to get A LOT of bandwagon jumpers, A WHOLE LOT.
I love the idea that the world will love my team, but still...I think The true fans are the best! we will love them even if they suck!
But they won't. What'll really make you mad is the people called the Rockets all kinds of names during their injury-plagued season, will swear they've been a fan since day one.
Who cares when you became a fan, I am pretty sure I have been a fan of the Rockets as long as a bunch of you have been alive, but I think it is great that we will not only be getting national exposure, but INTERNATIONAL as well. The more fans...the merrier. DaDakota
Agreed, many people only know about the Lakers, Bulls and Shaq. Now with Yao Ming on board, we'll be known as the team with that Chinese guy (first real chinese star at least we hope). Hopefully with all the fair-weather fans coming back to give their support, the stadium will start to fill up again.. Some support is better than no support, so I don't care if those fans that ditched the team during the past few years come back.. as long as they make plenty of noise this season to make it all up.
well dud a guy tht big so young doing the things he does, of course anyone in there right mind woulod rave about yao.
