Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar? | Asian American Issues

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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.

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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In Yao's second game, he did a much better job avoiding fouls, but scored only two points, but grabbed seven rebounds. It is obvious that he's still nervous, but he will feel more confident when there are people cheering for him, which was the case everywhere he played in China. And he was accustomed to starting in China. Even Jordan admitted that he does not like coming off the bench. Rudy Tomjanovich stated that when he is ready, he will be the starting center, but right now he is still learning.

It is evident that Yao needs to dunk the ball more and be more selfish because with all the players getting onto him and wanting to prove that he's a fluke, he needs to work harder than anyone. He has also been overworked. He just came to this country eleven days ago and missed most of training camp.
The previous #1's were not in the same position as him because he has more to prove.

One thing is obvious though. His presence in the court is undeniable. When he entered the game, many of the players from the other team were forced into turnovers. AS the players from the other team double-teamed and triple teamed him, his team mates were left open more.

Yao is not the first to struggle in his rookie year. Kobe, Jordan, Mcgrady, Olajuwan all struggled early. Alot of things differ though. Most of these guys were not #1 except Olajuwan, but he was not as well-knowned as Yao on draft night. So it is expected that Yao is going to get picked on early in his career, partly because he's Chinese, he was #1, and many players are jealous of him for receiving too much attention, therefore, they are giving him a harder time than anybody else in the league.

People who judge him in two games is an idiot because they do not understand how much pressure they're putting on him; they do not know how tired he is; they do not know how it is to play in the NBA; they do not know the situation he is on; and most importantly, they do not know how it is like to be 7'6.

It was already expected that he was going to struggle early so no big surprise there. He is still growing as a player and physically. He needs to build more upper body strength and is still growing. It is just a matter of time that he reaches 7'7 or 7'8. I personally do not want him to grow any taller because he's as tall as it is.

Give Yao at least 30 games to improve and adjust to the speed and physicality of the game.

Remember that he was drafted because of potential just like KWAME BROWN was, who is now a starter and plays like he was worthy of the #1 pick and not because of how good he currently is.

Those who talked smack on how lousy Kwame Brown is a sore loser. For one thing he was drafted out of high school and that he had alot of maturity to do; they did not know the situation he was on; they are not him; and they do not know how it is to play in the NBA. Look at him now. He has matured alot and is playing like a star and it took him over a year for people to see his true potential. Yao is in most part in the same situation as Brown was. Give him time. Give him time. Give him time....
A man with sense
Saturday, November 02, 2002 at 07:19:29 (PST) [68.96.110.59]

In the eyes of counter puncher, every Chinese person is a liar...thus, "Chinese Liar" on his part is a title that is of very little significance. Through his narrow-minded low-brow outbursts alone, we can dismiss his rantings entirely.
If we avoid harping on this issue, there is still a plethora of others to choose from. All in all, counter puncher is a silly fellow who is not too keen nor composed.

Yao Ming... 1 of 5 from the field, 7 boards. I have a great deal of faith in his success. Just taking a look at how he plays, it's obvious that the only hindrance to his success is something quite petty; Ming simply isn't making the shot during the various opporunities he's had, but they are good shots none-the-less.
chinatown
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 22:43:19 (PST) [67.98.161.143]

Counter Puncher, you are such a racist. You are the liar. You should be ashamed of yourself. Your posts indicate that you look down on Chinese. Well, racist, why don't you join up with the KKK in the U.S.? You are nothing more than a Nazi; a racist. You make all Koreans look bad.

Xenophobic racists such as yourself are nothing more than insecure losers who have no true value in a society and world that is becoming increasingly global. So, Racist, you will get what is coming to you. Eventually, all racists fail.

Loser!!!! Racist!!!!
Realist
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 17:50:34 (PST) [203.198.2.7]

Counterpuncher and Truth,

I find it funny that when Iran beats Korea in soccer, it is luck; but when Korea beats China in basketball it is skill. GIVE IT UP!!!!!! Korea, with its World Cup lineup, lost to a bunch of 21 year olds from Iran. Korea also had home field advantage. That is pathetic!!!!! DO you really think Korea is better than China in basketball? If so, you are either really, really stupid, or have no clue about basketball.

*Obviously you're the one with no clue clown. Korea's World Cup lineup?? HAHAHAA!!! That's shows you're a dimwit who knows nothing about sports. Funny I thought most of Corea's World Cup players were over in Europe or in Japan with their teams?
Corean soccer team has brought much more respect and prestige for Asian sports than your pathetic basketball team around the world. Yao is nothing but all Chinese hype! You can't even afford to talk about Corean soccer as a Chinese,talk when your national team beats Corea in a major competition.
Hey dimwit Corean men's under 20 just won the Asian title again for the 10 th time. Where were the Chinese, on the plane back to China of course.

You call rugby a popular sport? Give me a break!!!!! Only a couple countries in the entire world plays it. Besides, Japan consistently beats Korea in rugby. Samoa and Fiji, also Asian countries, kick the crap out of Korea in rugby.

*I said popular or physical sport, I see you still can't read. Can you say ESL?? Funny Corea has beaten Japan two straight times in the Asian games for the title. Why even bring Somoa or Fuji? Corea is not even a rugby playing nation and STILL won the Asian games. Where are the Chinese?? Busy getting their butts kicked by Corea and Japan again. HAHAHAHA!

Judo, taekwondo? Ha, what a joke!!!!! Millions of people on a daily basis swim and go hunting (shooting). So on that basis, those sports are much more popular.

*Try justifying it all you want wuss. Taekwondo or wrestling is too physical for you, you'll break your nails.

Do you know who are embarassments to all Asians? YOU TWO. An Asian guy makes it to the NBA, and what do you do? Do you support him? No. Do you give him the benefit of the doubt? No. What do you do? You delve into yourselves and bring out your own racial insecurities and lash out not only at Yao Ming, but at all Chinese as well. You don't support the Asian just because he is Chinese. It is you who are pathetic. It is you who are racist. It is you who make Koreans look like xenophobic racists. You two are pathetic and ignorant. Ever heard of the KKK in the U.S.? You are like them!!!!

*HAHAHAHA!! AWWWWWWWW....now, now. I didn't mean to hurt your feeling but you really do need a dose of reality. I actually wish Yao will do well since it will only enhance asian image in sports but I have a problem with delusional smucks like you. Smucks like you who has never even played high school sports have a habit of hyping things up. Its guys like you who have build up Yao for a greater fall.

Wake up and smell the coffee: Koreans do not have a monopoly on sports. You are not the center of the world!!!! I hate to break this to you.

*Really? Who's assuming that?

I know it is tough to host the Asian Games and then come out second in the standings. I am sorry: I know it is hard to take, but you will never be number one. Why don't you show some sportsmanship and accept that fact? All you look like is a bunch of sore losers. Get used to it, China will only get better and better in sports as her economy rises in strength. It is inevitable. And you know what? There is nothing you can do about it. So keep getting frustrated!!!! I love it!!!!! I find it hilarious!!!! What a laugh!!!!
Realist

Garnering second most gold medals in the Asian games is a great feat for a small country with only 47 million people. In 1986 Asian games China only won ONE more gold medal than Corea! Look at China with over 1.3 Billion and still can't beat the Coreans in any physical sports. All the Chinese do is boost up their medal count in stupid wimpy ass sports no one even cares about. In which popular or physical sport are the Chinese world class?? NOTHING! Oh, maybe if lying was one, you'll definately be number one.
Now that's pathetic, LOOOSER!!!
Counter Puncher
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 17:03:12 (PST) [205.188.209.43]

Yao Ming is the biggest bust since Sam Bowie. Who was the last #1 overall pick to go scoreless in his first season game? Doug Collins in the 70s. He lasted all of 4 seaosns in the league.

good luck, ming. enjoy your stay because you're headed back to china soon.
Ming has no game
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 15:22:06 (PST) [66.107.44.253]

Realist,

"Besides, Japan consistently beats Korea in rugby."

Get your facts straight. Korea BEAT Japan in rugby at this years Asian Games and at the last Asian Games for the Gold!!!! Damn, you're a moron.

Rugby is a sport which requires toughness, determination, power and speed. That is why the Chinese will never be good at it.

And if you actually check the results of the Asian Games, you'll see that most of the Chinese medals were from the WOMEN. The men did gain medals in gymnastics, diving, table tennis, shooting, etc. Again, do you see a trend here? The argument all along is that the Chinese men are not good in sports requiring a combination of toughness, power, speed and determination especially when there is a talent pool of 1.3 billion. Chinese men are good at finesse sports like gymnastic, diving, etc.

I do however give props to the Chinese women. They are tough competitors. At least you don't need to make excuses for them.

Ponder this... you mention that China will get better at sports when their economy strengthens. How is it that the Chinese women already perform very well internationally right now? You continue to make excuses for the men's sub-par performances.
The truth
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 13:16:18 (PST) [63.206.24.50]

The mere fact that Yao debut games was reported on by all the sports channels, seems to me, alot of people are interested in his development.

Let's put it this way even Kobe Bryant sucked in the first game of the season, not to mention his debut performance when he made it to the NBA.

Don't worry I'm sure one day a Korean or Japanese national will make it into the NBA...till then no need to be down on Yao.
AC Dropout
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 07:01:55 (PST) [24.90.98.143]

Counter puncher,

Hello. Did you just wake up from a coma? What is the medal count for China at the Asian Games?

Wipe the "L" off your forhead, loser.
AC Dropout
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 06:56:34 (PST) [24.90.98.143]

He is paid millions to play badly for 11 minutes, some people should be so lucky. Yao Ming has already written himself into the NBA history book, so what if he turned out to be a fluke? He is only 22 and having the time of his life, living in a new country, learning new things, being interviewed and photographed constantly, and being where he always want to be - the NBA. So far he has been the best ambassador for his country. He is pleasant, polite, charming and obliging. I have only seen negative remarks about his skills. Most commentators called him a very nice, promising young man who doesn't has a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. And yet there are people who go all out to put him down just because they don't think he is good enough. Hey, it's not his fault that he is overhyped. He probably wish all the attention will go away so he can start playing better basketball. But it will probably never go away because of who and what he is - a 7-5 ft centre from China playing in the NBA. Actually I beginning to feel sorry for him, I do hope he will enjoy his stay in the US.
Go Yao Ming
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 05:01:26 (PST) [203.103.158.30]

shaking head,

That was just game 1 in his NBA career. By game 30 of his NBA career I think we will see marked improvements.
AC Dropout
Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 12:05:46 (PST) [24.90.98.143]

Counter Puncher and the Truth, I gotta tell you. I put one post down on how good Yao Ming is, and what do you do? You bash China and the Chinese people. Well, since you have spent the past several posts bashing China, let's talk about some major problems in Korea.
Realist

That's because you're typical Chinese LIAR that are rampant on this website. You guys make up lies as you go along. You and your comrades speak as if China is great in basketball and Yao is the next great player. Get a grip on reality!
China doesn't excel in any popular or physical sports in the world let alone in Asia.
Geezzzzzzz...I don't remember bashing Chinese society in any of my posts only Chinese sports.
Counter puncher
Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 09:10:54 (PST) [205.188.209.43]

WOW, Yao ming suuuuuuuuuuucked in his season opener.

7'5" can't defend a 6'2" guy. and yao had a whopping zero points.

He's an embarrassment to all Asians.
shaking head
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 20:49:10 (PST) [66.107.44.253]

If the Korean basketball players are so good, how come they are not in the NBA like Yao Ming hmmm, hmmm?

Look here girlie or gay guy. No Corean in his right mind would claim Coreans are on par with USA or even Yugoslavia in basketball. Only you delusional Chinese are claiming China is a basketball power. Project Yao didn't get off to a good start ZERO points in 11 minutes coming off the bench. I hope at least he'll score a point in his next game unlike the Chinese National soccer team...hahaha!!
What the hell is this guy doing taking 20 ft jumpers???
Counter Puncher
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 20:34:22 (PST) [205.188.209.43]

Guess who's the cover boy for this week's Sports Illustrated? The Yao hype is at its zenith right now. In case anyone was wondering, SI's general consensus on Yao is that he will be a game altering defensive presence, deft passer, and decent scorer in his first season. We'll check back in February.
Thomas
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 14:19:51 (PST) [129.81.147.133]

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