http://www.examiner.com/sports/default.jsp?story=sp.krueger.1129w I believe that Yao's career path will follow that of another No. 1 overall pick, Joe Smith. The Warriors selected Smith prior to the 1995-96 season and he averaged 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in his rookie campaign. He battled inside the lane against bigger and stronger opponents during that season, but over the next five seasons, he gradually grew tired of getting knocked around inside and his rebounding and blocked shot totals have slipped every year since. Smith is still a solid NBA player who shoots well from the perimeter and has found ways to be effective, but he will never be a star. Yao has a great work ethic, has made huge strides in the last two weeks and he, too, will find a way to be effective, but unless he gets a lot stronger soon, he will never be a star. lkrueger@examiner.com
First Shawn Bradley...then LaRue Martin...now Joe Smith...who's next?...these sport columnists have never failed to amaze me.
A lot of these journalists seem to disregard the fact that Ming is already on a good team. He is putting up very nice numbers for a player that is barely the 3rd option on his team. I think the best comparison will be with how Tony Parker played last year. He didn't have mind blowing stats, but he helped his team the best he could. These journalists are comparing Ming to players that were the number one or two option on their teams. No wonder they think that Ming is going to be a bust...
The key to his argument is that Yao Ming will get tired of 'bigger, stronger' NBA players. The 'bigger' part certainly doesn't make sense, but for those who have watched all his games, are opposing players really a lot stronger than he is? I somehow don't really buy that.
Let me try to translate what this writer was trying to say: Ten years ago there was an undersized player who did not have the heart to play the center posiiton after one season. He was a bust. Therefore, unless Ming can put some muscles on his chest in a hurry, history will repeat. What an intelligent insight.
I can see how this guy finds them to be so similar. The comparison is uncanny except that they have very different styles, very different bodies and very different backgrounds. Also, Joe Smith did not have an entire countries support.(one that is bigger than ours)
One of these players is going to be a half foot taller than basically every opponent he faces. Care to take a guess?
I just can't stand those guys. Why would they want to judge talent so soon? You don't judge a rookie with such harsh words. You never know what will happen later.
I guess Mchale, Garnett, Jermaine Oneal, Bobby Jones, Ralph Samson and Paul Gasol(these are just the ones I can name) are all busts because of the lack of strength and weight?
Don't sweat it... Here's the quote.... "Yao has a great work ethic, has made huge strides in the last two weeks and he, too, will find a way to be effective, but unless he gets a lot stronger soon, he will never be a star." I think we all agree that Yao has to get stronger in order to dominate on a 82 game season. So, there's some truth to the article. I don't really consider this guy a "Yao basher." He really didn't say much new. He just kind of glazes over the past and gives us a history lesson of Yao's rookie season. Ho-hum...
