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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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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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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
Metal-Deer-Solid
If I was a center playing shaq. And he gives me an elbow. I'll be doing some Bruce Lee stuff for real, wat.....ta....Some Jee kune do, is what Bruce Lee called it. And the next thing you know, shaq will be on the floor.
As Bruce Lee would say, "wood don't fight back, be like water", waaaa.... ta. Bruce Lee is the man, the legend, no doubt
AznPride
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 07:53:13 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
"Yao Ming, George Muresan, Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol go on a cross country trip..."
....in a brand new 2002 Mini.
Hehehe!! Imagine that.... no leg room. Or head room. They'd have to roll back the steel roof like a tin of sardines to get some breathing space.
Let's start that game where we formulate a story by completing the ends of each other's sentences. =D
Funny
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 06:36:43 (PST)
[128.253.186.46]
[No, the cuteness must end here. --Ed]
What's up with the Yao Hater here, did Yao do anything to them?
Answer, NO,
So why do we have haters.
Answer, jeoulousy and fear.
Why Yao hater in here?
Answer, no life.
Why Yao hater watching Yao's game if they are not his fan?
Answer, lunatic stalkers.
Why Yao hater in here when they are not Yao's fan.
Answer, dumbo who's a loser
Yao hater wants Yao to fail with a passion?
Answer, Yes because Yao is a threat.
Yao is the man who, [look at my title], like a cackroach.
StompYaohateronthehead
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 22:12:39 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
"By the way, How is it that people call Yao Ming a rookie?
Basketball = Basketball.
If you are so tall that you can easily make points, I'd say your rookie status is just a cover for the fact that you suck."
erm...i don't think anyone with an mental age of a 10 year old should be allow to post ...anyone agree?...
too many idiot posts here
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 21:02:07 (PST)
[195.92.168.167]
Another stellar performance for Yao Ming, but bummer for Iverson.
Yao - 18 pts, shot 8-11 and 12 rebounds.
Iverson - 11 pts, shot 5-19
FOP
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 19:18:35 (PST)
[65.147.88.37]
Finally, we see Mengke Bateer in action with the Spurs. But, I am afraid his playing time situation is woefully similar to Wang Zhizhi's right now.
Asian basketball
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 17:28:14 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
To all the haters in here. We don't really care much of what you think and who your fans are. Yao Ming already has enough fans, he has half of the people in the world. 1.3 billion from China is more then enough then all the hater. shaq, kobi, iverson don't have more fans then Ming do. Ming rocks and no doubt he is the man.
Billionpep behindMIng
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 16:48:01 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Metal-Deer-Solid
Rook = rook, they don't come with sizes fool. What else you have to say but to say little s*** about my man Yao Ming, that he sucks. If he sucks so much then david robinson tim duncan and iverson is much worse. They all lost to Yao Ming and the rockets. Think before you talk, fool. I think your retarded. Go home and cry to your mommy little boy or go and play with your elmo.
Kobiii Jordan
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 16:38:47 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Actually, it is foolish to compare
Wagner, Iverson, and other small players
to Yao. Think about it. Most of these
guys are shooting or point guards and they have to shoot the ball more cause
the coaches reinforce them.
Centers usually get rebounds and at times shoot when open. It is their job
to do so and guards should be known for
their excellent shooting.
That is why Yao is so unique. He can
shoot the ball unlike the traditional
center.
If it were just a shooting frenzy between Yao and Shaq, Yao would win, but
the NBA game is not played like that when you're a center. And if it were an
arm wrestling match, Shaq would win.
As some would disagree, Shaq is not a good shooter. He relies more on his strength and dunks to intimidate people.
On the other hand, Yao has grace who is
a threat inside and out because of his
good shooting touch and height and passing skills.
It is foolish to compare Yao to smaller
players cause they do not play the same position and are not 7'5 of 7'6 tall.
Comparing Wagner and Iverson to Yao is like comparing Ice Cream to Oranges.
Wat up with that?
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 15:28:08 (PST)
[68.96.110.59]
[Stop hitting the return key after every line! You're wasting our time. --Ed]
"By the way, How is it that people call Yao Ming a rookie?
Basketball = Basketball.
If you are so tall that you can easily make points, I'd say your rookie status is just a cover for the fact that you suck."
Metal-Deer-Solid
------
Well, after I read this post, I just had to ask myself, "Is this guy freaking retarded?" Let me be as plain as possible; rookies in this league are basketball players who are playing in the NBA for the first time. And really, the rest of your response just goes to hell in terms of making sense, which is something you're obviously not very good at.
Against the sixers:
Yao Ming slammed Francis's reverse dunk back in. That was a remarkable display of atheleticism and skill made still more incredible when taking into consideration the fact the most 7 footers lack the coordination required
to tie their shoes.
And AI was a woeful 5 of 19 from the field. Get that loser off the court, please. Yao Ming shot 8 for 11. Need I say more?
chinatown
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 15:07:41 (PST)
[67.98.161.91]
"By the way, How is it that people call Yao Ming a rookie?
Basketball = Basketball.
If you are so tall that you can easily make points, I'd say your rookie status is just a cover for the fact that you suck."
Metal-Deer-Solid
------
Well, after I read this post, I just had to ask myself, "Is this guy freaking retarded?" Let me be as plain as possible; rookies in this league are basketball players who are playing in the NBA for the first time. And really, the rest of your response just goes to hell in terms of making sense, which is something you're obviously not very good at.
Against the sixers:
Yao Ming slammed Francis's reverse dunk back in. That was a remarkable display of atheleticism and skill made still more incredible when taking into consideration the fact the most 7 footers lack the coordination required
to tie their shoes.
And AI was a woeful 5 of 19 from the field. Get that loser off the court, please. Yao Ming shot 8 for 11. Need I say more?
chia
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 15:07:34 (PST)
[67.98.161.91]
Metal-Deer-Solid,
*DAWG* look, lets just use our imagination for a second. Lets say if you just started a job or a new school. New environment, people, and everything. So how do you feel about the place on your first day or week and how long does it take you to get adapt to the new surrounding making new friends and fitting in. How long does that take you, not very long I would think.
And also, just because some one is smart but if they not concentrating, would they know what their doing?
Ans, NO.. Same thing with Ming, a rook is a rook. If I lost you then you must be a dumb f***.
koko
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 11:30:54 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Asian basketball,
You sense what I'm sensing. I smell sell-out somewhere in this room. And your right, the coach is a fool.
noger
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 11:06:25 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Andersen Ex,
ya, flaunting it. That's how kobe does it and all it does for him is being seen by the public as pure arrogance. Not many people like kobe and shaq. Reasons why, both play too rough, especially shaq. This guy shaq knocks people around, that is why other players are complaining about him. And kobe, well he is just too arrogant. Lucky 76ers went down the other day against the rocket, other wise Iverson will be one arrogant baster as well. I'm dead serious, NBA player are way too arrogant, they don't care for their fans. All they care is this, STATUS AND FAME. Yea, they make big bucks and all think they are the world.
nobilliiii
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 09:33:39 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
David,
Your right, I want to see him in McDonald commercial soo. Then things will really be changing for the better, no doubt. Yao is the man.
SuperMing
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 08:32:06 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Zhan Yi
Andersen X
Thank You for your Stats. Iverson is my favorite and will be my favorite for a long time.
I also perfer The Lakers to the Rockets. Yao Ming is ok but the rest are way better.
By the way, How is it that people call Yao Ming a rookie?
Basketball = Basketball.
If you are so tall that you can easily make points, I'd say your rookie status is just a cover for the fact that you suck.
Andersen- You're so right. I like Shaq and Kobe bryant as well as the 3 pointers.
Metal-Deer-Solid
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 02:31:50 (PST)
[211.156.18.84]
Ming is on a roll. Tonite he made his third consecutive double-double game. He is on his way to being the most visible and well-known Asian athlete in the world.
Ming Dynasty
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 22:35:35 (PST)
[209.232.22.41]
chinatown,
Yup, your right about iverson [he practically takes about a thouson shots and only makes like a 100], 76ers lost its last game against the spurs. And the guy iverson shooting 9/30 from the field. This guy needs to shape up soon or NBA is gonna kick him out and replace me in there. I'm dead serious, with his shooting percentage that low, it's killed the play. I guess they lost to the spurs because of iverson poor shooting.
noboutie
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 08:06:12 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Davdi, one word:
Wheaties.
Let's get that foo on the box.
Yao for Wheaties
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 04:51:21 (PST)
[128.253.186.46]
Yao Ming, George Muresan, Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol go on a cross country trip...
dd
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 03:52:29 (PST)
[198.81.26.235]
To nobilli:
You're right, Vlade Divac is probably the best passing center in the league. But it's also true that Shaq IS one of the better passing centers too, maybe he doesn't do Vlade's fancy behind-the-back jobs, but because he gets double-teamed so often, he has become very adept at holding the ball high to prevent a steal and whipping it to the open man.
And you're right, Shaq is not playing all that well right now, but he just came back from surgery on his toe. He missed the entire preseason. But they still have 60 some games till the playoffs, and that's when Shaq will turn up his intensity. Trust me, he's the most dominant player in the league and can impose his will upon a game like only the best players can do. And what's wrong with using his physical stature to his advantage? Should you take anything away from Kobe because he can jump 4 feet in the air? Or Iverson because he's the quickest player in the league? If you've got it, flaunt it. Yao's 7'5
Andersen Ex
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 20:38:53 (PST)
[12.249.142.184]
wagaling,
I really want to see you out there playing. The Clippers coach is a fool. Just look at how many points Rooks and Parks have combined in over 40 minutes. Wang at least had a basket in only 4 minutes. The guy can score, but no one trusts his defensive skills nor his heart to play.
Asian basketball
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 20:08:44 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
So far DaJuan Wagner of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been scoring lately with higher PPG. But this guys shoots the ball two or three times more than Yao Ming and makes the same amount of baskets as 'Ya Man!' Yao Ming.
But I hope the Rookie of the Year votees look at the essentials and not just how many points one puts up. YM has higher shooting %, winning games for his team, good offensive and defensive player, and a team player.
Yeah any player in a lousy team could light the scoreboards. If he is that good they should be winning. Heard that Wagner? Of the rookies only YM has made his team win.
comparing rookies
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 17:53:15 (PST)
[67.117.131.12]
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