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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.
Yao Ming
David or Goliath?

     What's wrong with this picture?
     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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yao is tall. yao is good. yao is respect,

Asians aren't that great in sports b/c most of asia is just beginning to develop it's sports system. It will get better as time goes. Blacks however only dominate sports in america, but in africa, they're worse than asians. They worry more about fighting to stay alive than some stupid basketball or football game. This country, "America" really provided blacks and others the opportunity in sports. Asains are new, so the opportunity is less to grab but it will change with time.
Fredirrick Dougoulous
   Monday, August 26, 2002 at 07:03:58 (PDT)
Steve:

If you think Anderson from Canada could stop Yao, you're wrong. He was basically doubled team most of time in the game with Canada, but yet still went 6-6 100% FG with 17 points! If you call that stopping then you're pretty smart for a two year old! I would like to point out that Yao's a good passer. In the NBA, and yes I say NBA not the Chinese National Team, teams will PAY for double-teamming on defense!!! Ask Shaq whether it's true or not.

For those of you who don't know, Yao leads the Chinese team in points scored, FG%, rebounds, block shots, AND ASSISTS! Aren't their point guards pathetic?
MikeM
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 21:29:43 (PDT)

Jing Cha,
"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."

Women are better than men in gymnastics? Why you say that? Do you know that there is the women and man gymnastics, they are to different things. You said you could prove that, prove what? Prove that women are better than men in gymnastic? If so then go ahead. I want to see you prove it.
You also mention that racism and scientific evidence are two different things. Ok, if so then what ever you wrote in your last post is not scientific evidence, it is racism 100% if you don't agree with me, then go back and reread your post. What kinda scientific evidence are you talking about? It's it that blacks are better in sports than asain? If this is true then scientific evidence also show that blacks are dumb. Don't you agree? Sorry if I brought it up, it's just scientific evidence.
Chuck Noris AKA Wesly Snips
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 21:28:02 (PDT)
Some of you who still aren't impressed with his performance with 13/11/6/3/3 then you just don't know how to judge basketball talent! If those numbers are his season averages, he WILL DEFINITELY win rookie of the year! Besides those numbers, he also changed a lot of shots that caused the opponents to miss. If you saw the game and notice that when Ming is on the court, US players rarely went inside to score! This is a big impact that he has on the game!

Those who say that he couldn't create his own shot either didn't watch the game or are just idiots. Evidently, he didn't score his points from assists--so doesn't that mean he scored on his own?

20 A's and one C does not make someone a C student! One missed dunk does not mean Yao can't dunk! Shaq, Dream, Jordan, and many great players missed many dunks in their careers!

To think that his performance in the exhibition game is the limit of how good/bad he'll be in the NBA just shows one's myopic mind! He's playing with a bunch of bad players against, although not the best the US has to offer but, an all-star team. If you kow about Yao's character AND if you can picture him with good coaching, proper training, and with Houston's team, you will see how he will be good... real good!
MikeM
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 21:20:22 (PDT)
Book'em,
When all you do is play soccer, you better be good. After all is said and done, Brazilians still have to go back to their poor country while richer nations who are also good at soccer can do other things (like spend money).

About blacks dominating NBA, NFL etc. See last comment.
huu76
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 18:17:36 (PDT)
Under the cover of an ESPN magazine two years ago, you'd see a picture of Yao Ming and then the Name of Steve Francis on the bottom right of the front cover. Two years later during the draft lottery, Steve Francis, the starting point guard of the Rockets who represented the Rockets during the lottery dresses up in a ravashing suit. And guess what. The Rockets got the number pick. Don't you see a correlation? If the Chinese government had released him last year, he would be playing for the Washington Wizards where there are not many Asians and where Yao would not be happy. There are things that are just meant to be. For years, the Rockets have been searching for the answers to their prayers to have a young center who has potential and can block shots and replace their aging center, Cato. And of course there's the market where the Rockets finished last or almost last. It was predestined where Yao would end up just like it was destined for Jordan and Pippen during the championship runs years earlier. Without Jordan, Pippen has not been the same player.
And also with Horace Grant in the equation, a former Laker two years ago during the Laker's 1st championship season, he will be able to give pointers on how Shaq plays which in turn turns the advantage on Yao. Shaq has not changed his game much, relaying on the intimidation factor and dunks most of the time except maybe some lucky free throws last season. Don't be surprise if his free throw percentage slumps this season because you can never teach shooting touch, which is one side of which Shaq is not gifted on.
50% free throw shooting is a sign of poor shooting touch. Whenever Shaq goes further then 10 feet away the basket, he can't shoot, therefore, he always has to intimidate and bulk up every year. He is afterall not the best center who ever lived. I have seen him being outplayed by weaker guys in the NBA. Just look at the incident in Chicago this year. I mean he was so furious of this white guy who was playing fairly good against him that he had to throw a punch, resulting into his suspicion. That is a sign of a man who gets frustrated a lot. Just look at Mutombo who's consistantly purposely being hit by his elbow. He'll tell you. Shaq got rejected by Bibby, a 6'1 guy during the Western finals. What does that say? If there's a will, there's a way. Shaq will try to elbow and try to hurt Ming as humanly and unobviously possible just like he always does against other centers. He's a bully cause he has that tough look in his face as he shows off by flexing how big his muscles are. Ming on the hand represents that good guy image with an innocent face. Ming and Shaq will bring the best of each other because Shaq has not played anyone with the same touch and as tall as Yao and Yao has not played anyone as dominating and strong as Shaq. That good guy bad guy rivalry will surely sell out and attract more watchers worldwide. It is not only good for Shaq and Ming but good for basketball.

I'm not saying that Shaq is a bad person. He is a kind and generous person in reality, but the stereotype plays a big role in his image as being a muscle bound bad guy. Ming on the other hand plays the innocent part because of the stereotype that Asian people are all nice and gentle.

We all have ESPN,

I was pointing out that Tom Tolbert had more respect for Yao. It's obvious that you were making up things.

During the broascast of the exhibition game, Tolbert kept on stating that if I had Yao on my team, I'd always pass the ball to him. That, my boy is a sign of respect. After the game, Tom Tolbert was interviewed on T.V. and said that Rik Smith's is a decent comparison. Before, he never even considered him on the same level. You are nothing but a racist or a self-hating Asian whatever you are. He may not be totally convinced, but he did have a little more respect now.

Everyone,

Ben Wallace could not even get a shot in the basket when Ming was there to challenge him. I mean hop to contest his shots. He's just jealous of his height and hopes that he could be as good as Yao because he was not gifted with a shooting touch. This bashing against Ming from NBA players is understandable because who would not be jealous. Ben Wallace was defensive player of the year because he played in the weak Eastern Conference. The Western Conference is twice as good and twice of the talent. EASTERN CONFERENCE IS TOO WEAK.

Other people don't like it because the game is what they have. As stereotypes might add, Black people are known to be athletic, being thugs, and being tall. And the other end, Asians are known to be smart, law-abiding, short, and more respected in terms of academic status. As for whites, they are known as body builders, tall, average academic status, and men who love Asian women. That's their stereotypes. The image of sports is a strong thing.

Take Ichiro Suzuki for example: Many white and Hispanic women and even black women actually find him very sexy as you might put it, which in turn leads them to the conclusion that Asian men can be very sexy as well. The same thing happened to black men in sports years earlier. If you add Bateer in the equation, he bangs into those NBA big men like they were babies. The NBA kept secret on how much he bunch presses, but by the way his presence is being feared in the court, it is obvious that he is stronger than most of the men he played against with. Other 300 pounders bounce like they were 150 pounds. Why with all the secrecy on how strong Bateer is? Again, it's the fear of breaking the stereotype kind of thing. Women see those aspects and finally realize what they have been blinded on for years. They come to the conclusion that not all Asian men are short and weak, but some are strong and tall as well.

Ming is everything Asian stereotype is not. The NBA is starting to realize that Asia has some ball talent afterall. As you all know, there are plenty more of Asian players to come in the NBA. MING, WANG, and BATEER are just the first three, but the most heavily scouted are underaged. In two years though, there is another Chinese center by the name of Xue Yuyang likely to join the three. He is wide and plays alike like a full center and does not attempt shots from 18 feet. He is among the many others.

Many young athletic hopefuls also fear that these factors will make Asian men more appealing to the white public and black public. This actually decreases their hopes in landing a spot in the NBA by three more, which makes it much difficult to prove oneself in the pros.
European countries are also being scouted more often than before, which only decreases more of their chances.

It also came into a shock that a foreign player could ever be selected number one. Jealousy is a factor of course. 2004 is projected to be a year of foreign players with the first pick projected to go to a White European. That will strike fear into many of course.

I don't actually blame those talking trash about Ming. Instead, it just makes me laugh on how far people will go to publicize their own race.

Brian Kim,

I have to agree with the other guy about Michael Ri though. Ri is 32 years old and is passing his prime. But many scouts said that he would be very effective considering that he is 7'10 1/2.
Ray
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 17:33:20 (PDT)
phil the dill,

"probaly u people dont even play basketball...probaly play warcraft 3 instead...or counterstrike...typical asian nerds...hahahhah"

"ABC's are useless nerds who play counterstrike all day in some net cafe and call it a day..."

Obviously, the real nerds are the ones who can actually name the titles of the computer games. Look at what you posted, dumb ass. You've exposed yourself as a retard, phil.
phil got smacked on his on quote. hahah
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:54:05 (PDT)
I don't know what the makeup of the Yay and Nays, but I sense some resentment. Maybe some feel that one of the last bastions of "manliness" is starting to be invaded by the brainiacs of the world.

What about all the other current NBA players who aren't as good as YAO? Remember, he was being guarded by the Elite of the NBA. Flip side though, how many points did the rest get when Yao was guarding them (if he's supposed to do that that is, again, I'm no expert)?
huu76
   Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:45:28 (PDT)

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