Why not ask the same question of the poster who wrote "Stro", or the poster who wrote "Hakeem", or the poster who wrote "Deke"?
The reason I question texxx is I see some sports journalists/commentators are still using "Ming" instead of "Yao" in their writings which are supposed to be formal. Often in the same reports/articles you only see Bryant but not Kobe (likewise, O'Neal but not Shaq). This was understandable when Yao first came to the league. But after Yao's third season in the NBA, referring Yao Ming by his first name -- in a way that's not consistent with the styles of these writers -- makes you wonder what is going on with their mentalities. The only notable example I can think of in talking about a foreigner is "Saddam" when people habitually refer to the former Iraqi dictator by his first name. I know bigtexxx is not a journalist and I don't mean to single him out. Note the uses of "Stro", "Hakeem, and "Deke" are much like "Kobe" or "Shaq" in their respective contexts, but I am not sure "Ming" is the same. I would have no problem if "Ming" is a widely accepted nickname of Yao. It's not.
I cut anybody slack who is speaking English as a second language because I find it impossible for me to learn even Spanish. Despite earning college credit I can still only speak muy poquito. Freaking Chinese or Swahili, forget it. I really wonder though why some young athletes raised in America can't speak English after watching tens of thousands of hours of TV. Maybe it's a learning disability. (I probably could learn Spanish if I really gave a crap)
You didn't mean to single him out? So, does that mean you typed your response calling him on it by accident? Is it disrespectful to call a Chinese man by his first name in a forum such as this?
Yeah, you tell me if bigtexxx feels Yao Ming is so personal that he calls him Ming to express the affection.
It is very possible that many writers/commentators use "Ming" with the misunderstanding that that is his given name not his surname. In this case, it may take some time for this to become common knowledge and we may unfortunately continue to see people using "Ming" thinking that is his surname. It is also possible that they know this and still use "Ming" anway. If this is the case, then I don't see what the big deal is. "Shaq" "Deke", "Hakeem", "Lebron" are very commonly used in both commentary and print when it is known these are their given names.
Agree it's not a big deal, but how is 3 full year not long enough for people to realize? Just wondering ...
I don't believe there is a problem calling him Yao, or calling him Ming. Why should he only be allowed to be called more formally when other players aren't? Steve Francis, was called both Steve, and Francis at various times. Hakeem Olajuwon was called both Hakeem and Olajuwon. The list goes on and on. Why is it that Yao Ming can only be called by one name but other sports stars can be referred to by any name?
I think it is fine to call him either Yao or Ming, guess it is just more commonly done calling him Yao in the US.
I would have voted for the cookie monster were he an option. Instead, I voted for Van Chancellor. "Three bawl." 'Nuff said.
Only bigtexxx knows whether he called him by first name or made a mistake. No big deal to me, either way. One doesn't have to remember the starting lineup in the championship years to become a rockets fan. By the same token, one doesn't have to call Yao or Ming or Yao Ming by certain standard or even tell the difference, to stay as Rockets fan, or even like Yao Ming. By the way, can I put myself on the list for this poll?
FB, let me reiterate my position. If, after Yao's 3rd full season in NBA, in a (formal) sports article where every other present or former NBA player is referred to by his last name, including (Hakeem) Olajuwon, (Kobe) Bryant, (Shaq) O'Neal, (Isiah) Thomas, and (Magic) Johnson, but only Yao Ming is being called "Ming", then there is a problem. People may do it for different reasons: some are innocently mistaken; some are just being "lazy" -- in a sense they figure it is simply easier to pick up a last name from whatever comes last in a full name, despite being aware it's not correct; some are mischieveous -- trying to get into the heads of their perceived adversaries. A big deal? No. But a problem nonetheless.
