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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar?
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:56 AM)
he sweetest moment for Asian men in American sports came on June 26, 2002 at Madison Square Garden. The Houston Rockets had just spent their number one overall draft pick on 7-5 Chinese center Yao Ming over 6-2 Duke guard Jay Williams. The largely black crowd of draft prospects and their contingents booed. They had reason to be displeased. For the past quarter century black athletes had dominated pro basketball and they saw Yao as a subversive force, an alien threat. Even Charles Barkley -- Yao's basketball idol -- sniped at Houston's choice and hinted at bad consequences.
David or Goliath?
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In the global sports scene blacks have come to represent all-around athletic prowess. Asian athletes, on the other hand, have been painted as disciplined and skilled but lacking power and size, able to excel only in sports no one cares about. For an Asian to get the top pick in a black-dominated sport was heresy.
To appreciate what Yao represents to Asian American men requires a quick trip down memory lane. And we do mean quick. The lane is short and sparsely populated.
In the beginning there was Sammy Lee, the first Asian American to win Olympic gold. He did it with 10-meter platform diving at the 1948 London games and again in 1952 at the Helsinki games. Not exactly a marquee sport, but inspiring nevertheless at a time when Asian Americans hardly knew what to call themselves.
Then came Michael Chang whose 1989 French Open championship has passed into tennis legend. Cramping and down two sets to Ivan Lendl in the round of 16, the 17-year-old phenom dared to discombobulate the Ice Man with moonballs and an underhanded serve. The ploy worked. The proof that Chang's nerves and speed were real came in the classic 5-set finals victory against Stefan Edberg. But Chang's recent ignomious descent into tennis twilight raises the suspicion that he simply lacks the size and power to stay in the power game.
It wasn't until Hideo Nomo joined the Dodgers in 1995 that an Asian athlete was able to inspire sustained frenzy in one of the big-three sports. Nomo's martian windup and delivery proved so effective that he set Dodgers strikeout records, made the All-Stars and inspired Nomomania.
By 2001 when Ichiro Suzuki joined the Mariners, Asian imports taking Rookie of the Year honors had practically become a Major League tradition. But none had done it with Ichiro's flair or sunglasses. It wasn't enough that he led the game in hitting and basestealing, he seemed determined to make it look easy. Sex appeal had finally come to the image of the Asian male athlete.
But the image still lacked something in many AA minds. Sure, for a leadoff hitter Ichiro hit his share of home runs, but he was known for speed and finesse, not power. Having chafed so long under stereotypes denying them size and strength, AA men longed for a star who could knock those assumptions back into the last millennium.
Eyes turned longingly to football as the obvious arena for the ultimate stereotype smasher -- and saw only Dat Nguyen of the Dallas Cowboys. As a promising linebacker, Nguyen doesn't enjoy the cache of a star offensive back. And at 5-11 and 240 pounds, Nguyen isn't exactly in the 99th percentile in terms of size and power among football players.
Asian American eyes were drawn to basketball by a trio of giants known collectively as "The Great Wall". They were very big for the Chinese national team. First to make his NBA debut was Wang Zhizhi (7-1, 220 pounds) in April 2001. As a center for the Dallas Mavericks he has averaged 5.5 points per 10.6 minutes of playing time per game. A respectable stat for any rookie but disappointing for those who had hoped for an instant Asian star. Then came Mengke Bateer (6-11, 290 pounds) in February of 2002. Despite 15.1 minutes of play per game as a center for the Denver Nuggets, he too disappointed some with an average 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Enter the Dragon. At a height variously described as 7-5 or 7-6, Yao Ming, 22, is at once the tallest and youngest of the trio. In the past two years his weight shot up from 255 to 295 pound -- and he's still growing. His gifts extend beyond size, however. He moves a foot shorter. Born to a pair of former stars for the Chinese national teams, his court instincts and skills are practically dyed-in-the-wool.
And yet Yao isn't a lock to defy the darker prognostications of his prospects as a Rocket. He was regularly outplayed by Wang Zhizhi when both were playing in China. Even with Yao, Wang and Mengke, the Chinese national team routinely lost to second-tier powers like France and Lithuania. Yao has never gone up against the likes of Shaquille O'Neal. The adjustment to life in the U.S. will be long and difficult. In short, Yao Ming is ideally positioned to become the biggest disappointment in the history of Asians in American sports.
Is Yao Ming the next Asian superstar? Or is he more likely to reinforce the image of Asian men as also-rans in power sports?
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WHAT YOU SAY
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Not impressed with the hype,
In china's exhibition game with the U.S. Yao made 13 pts, 11 rebound, and six block shots in 34 mins. This is quite impressive for any Rookie. Not mention he is playing against all-stars, some veterans too.
you,
"He has zero post up moves, and he barely stays alive in 3rd quarter. He blew a dunk and cat is 7 foot 5."
Comment,
Who said he has zero post up? I didn't hear or read anything about that. Infact the U.S coach, George Karl said, and I quote "the kid (Ming) is pretty good".
The U.S team were really aggressive and physical with Ming, they didn't let him have an easy catches. And yet he did fairly well. Ming is no doubt in my mind and the coach's mind, a major factor around the basket.
Yes, Ming at time gotten double and triple b/c the CBA's point guard wasn't a threat. This however is very unlikly to happen in the NBA game with the Rocket b/c he will have help from those good point guards.
You said he barely stay alive in the 3rd quarter. Yes, your right b/c he's gotten double and they were really agressive against him. During the game, Ben Wallace even landed atop of him and Ming still survive. Lol. At the end of the game Ming even joke about it and said, I hope he [Ben wallance] was hurt more than I did and laugh.
you;
"What disgrace. Only fans with no knowledge of the game would fall into the hype."
comment,
o0o, does that mean you have any knowlege of the game? Looking at your post, it sure seem like you don't at all. All you do is just talk, without any reasonning and details to back-up any of your argument. WoW, what a man you are!!!
Again I repeat, the players were really tough on him. Over all performance he earn my respect as well as many of the NBA players and coach's respect. A quote by Michael Finly on my part, "Fundamentally he did some good things offensively. Like coach said, we had to play him a little bit tougher and make him work for those shots" then Finly went on and said, "He’s a lot better than what I thought personally. He has a great touch from outside and if he continues to improve I think he can be a lot better. "
For you to know this is just one player's view of how he play. There are other view as well. I don't have the space to put each player's opinion about him, it will take too long.
Azn-Pride
Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 09:05:53 (PDT)
AC Dropout
"God your such a racist. That's like saying I've never seen a black person be good at gynastics or martial arts. "
Racism and scientific evidence are two different things. I feel that because of differences in body size, women are better than men in gymnastics. I could prove that.
"Compare the biggest black martial artist movie star, Wesley Snipes, to Jet Li and Jacky Chan. He's clumsy and two left footed in comparison. Not to mention his choreography sucks."
At least Wesley Snipes has grossed higher in most of his movies than Jet Li has. Jet Li's highest grossers were The One, Romeo Must Die and Lethal weapon 4 (of which he was a supporting actor).
Wesley Snipes with: Blade, Murder at 1600, Passenger 57, Blade 2 and Wild Kats, EASILY outgrossed JEt li.
No one cares about choreography. They wanna see the ACTOR.
I CAN TELL no one really discriminates GOOD movies from Bad because SCOOBY DOO opened over one weekend with 32 million.
Your a racist that shouts racism and you through epithats around because you know you wont ever run into me. You live in NYC, I LIVE in NYC. let me meet you and ill hand your ass to you.
"------Your logic is like trying to state Blacks dominate sports involving jumping and running. Because of generations of jumping fences and running away for white men. Stupid and racist. Stop promoting the sterotype of the DBG (Dumb Black Guy)."
Well if Blacks dominate sports becaus of that, then the Chinese should be EXPERTS considering how much they run from ¾¯²ì. You think I dont know what goes on there?
JING CHA ¾¯²ì
Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 07:55:14 (PDT)
chinatown
Ill post with whatevr name I want to skippy. DEAL WITH IT.
JING CHA ¾¯²ì
Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 07:45:01 (PDT)
Jin Cha
Your logic is like trying to state Blacks dominate sports involving jumping and running. Because of generations of jumping fences and running away for white men. Stupid and racist. Stop promoting the sterotype of the DBG (Dumb Black Guy).
AC Dropout
Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:24:42 (PDT)
PAHAHAHHAAAA...oh man, I got a belly ache! You don't know s*** about soccer so stop commenting on it. Brazil is the most successful traditional soccer power, dominated by Brazilian blacks. Actually Spain and Portugal has never won the World Cup.
I do agree with you, Ming is overhyped by some of these Chinese. But i can't help to detect your "blackman's superiority in sports" attitude. No doubt blacks dominate basketball and football but is it genes or economic motivation? I hear to make it to the NBA, its an one in million shot. And an average NBA player lasts only few years. That means all those young black kids with potential besides ball playing skills clamouring for just one spot per million. I don't think that's a good use of human potential, especially in the black community which needs it the most.
More you open your mouth more we understand how truely hypocritical blacks are.
book'em
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 20:58:06 (PDT)
When you're that tall like Yao Ming, it is almost impossible to be guarded effectively. Imagine Shawn Bradley having his shooting touch. His shots will be unblockable. The thing that amuses me about Yao is that he hops when he blocks shots and obviously has good reflexes. Imagine if he jumps.
If you had the number pick, would you pick Williams over Ming? I don't think so. Williams is just too short and will not be effective defensively, but will do fairly well in the weak Eastern Conference. By the way, Williams is not 6'2, he is 6'0. He stood next to Bateer who stands at 6'11 and he looked like a midget. After all, NBA players are known to exaggerate their heights. I've seen some and trust me that they are not intimidating at all. Why draft Williams when you already have a point who's even better by the name of Steve Francis. The Rockets stated that Yao will resume the starting center position, but Cato, an NBA veteran has played decently enough to earn some minutes.
It's silly to think that Yao is going to be an all star in his first year. Give him some time to develop the NBA player mentality as he gets bigger and bigger; he is going to get bigger with NBA training just like Shaq did years later. That's what people need to realize. Give him some time.
"You're drafting for the future," says Charles Barkely. " When you draft now, you're drafting for the future. That's what the people of Houston need to realize."
Ray
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 20:50:36 (PDT)
It is hard for guys to first go in the NBA. This is the organization that has the best players in the world. Yao ming must be given time to get used to his new enviornment.
FYI kobe bryant had two lakluster years when he first joined.
SOG
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 19:42:49 (PDT)
Just a thought to ponder.
Since Yao was a sellout attraction, and most of the crowd "apparently" was cheering for China. Do you think the NBA finally realizes the market potential of Asian Americans? You know, the ones who can buy "good" seats and spend "real" money on their crap?
huu76
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 17:17:12 (PDT)
I'm a sucker for marketing! Believe the hype! I'm no b-ball expert by the way.
Cool, so far so good. His numbers were average I guess, granted he was playing against an all-star team. The reports show that the U.S. player's numbers weren't much better. I can only assume Yao will post better numbers when he has NBA calibre players tossing him the ball and receiving his passes.
What amazes me more is that the U.S. only beat China by 30 points. That's not exactly impressive considering the U.S. is supposed to smoke everyone.
If Chalupa man and Yao don't play the same position, China probably would've done better since they'd have two 7 footers to worry about.
Anyone know if there's a rematch scheduled anytime soon?
huu76
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 17:15:03 (PDT)
What happened when Ben Wallace started guarding the 7-5 china guy? that china guy only had 2 points. Any way you want to say it, the fact is clear, and that is he got contained. Shut down. Stopped. Denied. Slapped. Used. and Abused.
They can only hype, but they cant produce
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 15:27:18 (PDT)
Phil The Thrill ,
Ming's obviously STOPPABLE...... VERY STOPPABLEEEEE... just put a short heavy man on him.
Steve
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 11:31:59 (PDT)
Ray,
"Do you want to know something funny?
Before the draft, you'd hear Tom Tolbolt, a former NBC NBA analyst talking who's currently with ESPN smack about Yao.
Now you hear him complimenting him."
Tom Tolbert complimented Ming? Where did you get there? When asked by Jack Ramsey what he though of Ming, TOlbert shurgged his shoulders in a negative way and just held back criticism. He compared Ming to the high school kids. That's hardly a compliment since the high school kids, especially the # pick last year, sucked so badly.
It's funny how some dumb people interpret the obvious things.
"Also on a radio broadcast, a broadcaster stated that the Legendary Michael Jorden who meet Yao three years earlier during a workout praised him saying," I knew that you were going to make it, boy." "
That quote was sooooooo 1998. Welcome to 2002. We've been here... for like awhile now.
We all have ESPN.
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 09:26:42 (PDT)
Ming was okay at times, but he was pretty awful in his debut. He was advertised as a 7-5 center that can run the floor, shoot over anyone at anytime and rebound, but apparently, he's only a 7-5 center that can shoot when he's wide open. The 11 rebounds he had were not really that impressive because those were lucky ones. Most of the time he was standing far away on the perimeter and they just so conveinently landed near his hands, but I recall there were moments where he just stood in the paint and get completely boxed out of any position by smaller guys. I was looking for a more lethal offensive arsenal from Ming, but he didn't really show me any. I didn't see any amazing moves nor any hook. And when he was guarded heavily, he wasn't really able to score at all. He blew a relatively wide open dunk, and he nearly got jammed by one of the US players. The fundamentals weren't really there. He committed horrendous travelling violations and made extremely blunderous passes. I thought he had Court vision?!? Where?? For now, he's pretty stoppable because he has no strength and he has no stamina. He was really dying out there in the second half. I think he only had 1 bucket in the second half. His overall game is far from what most people expected. Little guys like Shawn Marion and Paul Pierce and even Baron Davis kept on attacking the basket and taking it up to Ming. He obviosuly wasn't an intimidating force to anyone. I think the Houston Rockets screwed up severely in thinking they drafted a gem. Ming can probably be an ok bench player, but he's definitely no Olajuwon nor Duncan nor any great center. I think Michael Finley had some kind words for Ming, but that's probably because Finley's used to playing against teammate Bradley, which doesn't really say much. Oh well, getting blown out by almost 40 points and only scoring 2 points in the second half is not really an impressive performance. Ming proved doubters that he really has less game than what was preached. Chinese basketball has a long way to go before it becomes recognized in the world.
Ming is not ready yet
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 08:19:16 (PDT)
hahah look at this excuse by PP...man that is lame...like i said "ALL STAR WORTHY TEAM"...man im not writing in this anymore...make to much excuses even when he does good...probaly u people dont even play basketball...probaly play warcraft 3 instead...or counterstrike...typical asian nerds...hahahhah...ive noticed something...i think the ABC's are hating on Yao Ming cause he's not ABC...jealous b/c a import from china made it...all the asian athletes are imports...ABC's are useless nerds who play counterstrike all day in some net cafe and call it a day...
phil the thrill
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 07:02:04 (PDT)
International Presence at ABCD Camp
By IRA BERKOW
ACKENSACK, N.J., July 8 — At one point during a game at a basketball camp with some 250 of the best high school underclassmen to be found here and abroad, the coach waved to one of the players to draw his attention, got it, and went into a half-crouch and rose up a bit. He then drew a finger across his throat.
The player nodded. It was the signal by the coach, Jason Fawcett, to Yi Jianlian, a 16-year-old from Shenzhen, China, in the only language the two had in common — the universal hand language that meant: "It's not a good idea to do that again."
Yi had jumped while going for a fake — he had reached a good height considering that he is 6 feet 11 inches tall — and when he descended he found that the man he was guarding had vanished toward the basket.
...
jj
Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 01:00:15 (PDT)
Brian Kim,
Don't get jealous b/c Micheal Ri didn't make it into the NBA and Yao did. Michael Ri ain't even a good baller anyway. He sucks, he can't compare with yao. So, show some respect to the chinese dude for making it in the NBA. Your just jealous.
So you hate asain import, may I ask why? Self-hating I guess, Kinda like how all the Korean Women don't have pride in themselves and choose to date non-AM. Guys like you, with bad altitude will surely drives the korean women away. You need to make a change for your self.
For you buddy
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 18:09:40 (PDT)
Wang Zhizhi is a restricted free agent and I don't know what his contract limitations are at this point. But, if I were the man, I would put all hopes on signing with a team like the Golden State Warriors. It would be great for Asian American basketball fans as well as his career.
throw it down
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 18:06:59 (PDT)
I think people are so proud of yao ming because he symbolizes what most asians are not. most asians are short and weak and slow and bad in sports, but ming is a hero because he is not short. asians are just tired of being dominated by other ethnicities in athletics for countries. when was the last asian to ever win anything in the olympics besides diving?? well, asian are good in diving, but diving isn't really a real sport because any little girl can do it. anyway, if we're talking about physical sports, asians can finally look up to one of their kind on tv. no longer do asians have to struggle with finding a cultural sports identity that they can enjoy and cheer for because yao is one asian that doesn't suck.
yao is tall. yao is good. yao is respect
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 17:20:23 (PDT)
To all the naysayers: Ha! And please, don't use lewd and profane language in your responses to me...I don't use it against you (you understand puerilish logic, don't you? hopefully).
Yao Ming, is definitely NBA material. No question about it.
' "We talked about him at halftime...Our big guys all shook their head. He's pretty good.
"His size is very intimidating, both defensively and his ability to shoot and pass over people. I think he'll get better and better. You're going to have to get near his shot to make him miss it and that's a very difficult thing to do.
"He had a double double with a lot of blocks. No question he was a major factor around the basket. Offensively it looks like he's going to be very difficult to be covered. It looks like he always will be able to shoot and get over the top of you."
"His size reminds me of Wilt Chamberlain's size when Wilt Chamberlain had a lot of size on people," Karl said. "Wilt had that fade-away on the backboard. No one could block it. No one in the league could get near it.
"Wilt had more athleticism. This kid is not a bad athlete. He's more of a basketball player than an uncoordinated big man." '
-George Karl, USA's coach after the game on August 23rd, 2002, and comments about Yao.
Comparisons to Wilt chamberlain?? Wow, talk about unrestrained.
Yao had 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 34 minutes of play. Although he shot a comparatively dismal 5-12 as opposed to his 6-6 performance against Canada, he definitely showed bona-fide NBA skills and mentality. He did not back down, but rather, took it to the American players intent on testing the Chinese man. Despite the zealots (Ben Wallace, Antonio Davis, Jermaine O'neal) and their anti-Yao cause (which to supported passionately with determined physical play), Mr. Ming still triumphed.
So to all the doubters who had nothing good to say about Yao, I hope this has served as a lesson and a reminder that he is deserving of the number 1 pick, along with being a great player.
And Wang Zhizhi still has yet to show up...Chinese guards aren't very good, China lost 84-54, though little surprise there. That evening was all about Yao.
chinatown
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 15:54:03 (PDT)
He should have scored more. He was rarely double teamed. His offense is overrated somewhat because he can't create his own shots. He seems very slow at times, even tired to the point of exhaustion when he was literally walking up and down the court. His jumper is ok, but if you put a tough man in his face, it diminishes his shot. ming also needs to learn how to box out and play with more aggression. This aint china no more. It's time to face the big strong boys. Well, he did throw a few elbows and shove around one time or two, but he needs to do that consistently to survive the ocean of sharks. I think if he works really hard, he might end up to be a decent 6th man or role player for the rockets. And maybe in 3-4 years, they could make the playoffs. Adaption takes time. Anybody that expects immediate contribution and thinks Ming can halep the Rockets win the championship this year obviously has no clue about basketball.
Benson
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 14:55:11 (PDT)
Ming can't dunk?!?!
That was hilarious. Worst than jordan's miss in the all star game. The crowd really let him hear it after that, and they were all Asian.
damn. 7 foot 5 and can't jam
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 14:45:38 (PDT)
Maybe chinatown is on to something. Keep it real and no flagrant fouls guys ... you know I'm going to drain those freebie shots and get to keep the ball too, right? hahaha
Your prejudice against Yao because he's Chinese is weak. Do voice your honest opinion of his game, but what's with the hint of animosity of each other nationalities? The next time a Korean or Japanese (import or not) get drafted in the top 10 of the NBA I will fully support him just as I have with Yao. I think it will be a long wait, but I mean what I said. BTW, I'm not Chinese, just another asian super-duper hoop fan and like to think the glass is always half-full. LOL
Tay Trai
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 14:27:21 (PDT)
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