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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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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
Time to school you
--Have I been there? Im an ABC dammnit! Im right here now in Beijing. communal VCR? I havent seen vcr cassettes, only VCDs. what are yoooooooou talking about? Communal Vcr? What? Your kidding yourself and boring me. Yao Ming isnt the only 7'5 in the NBA and certainly not the tallest. Check the other tall guys and see how they are doing sometime why dont you
Metal Deer Solid
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 18:18:23 (PST)
[211.156.10.214]
This is what I like about this guy. Yao's scoring average is growing. Like I have said, give the guy a chance to adapt himself in this country and the Houston Rockets.
dsfbcbsijbdax
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 11:47:41 (PST)
[24.90.37.100]
ddl,
From looking at what his team mates and coaches are describing him. He is a humble, not yet cockey, and team player kinda guy. so I would think he would have some heart to do something, if he improves his english more, he'll be able to be a public speaker. He may do it.
lokiloki
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 09:27:50 (PST)
[198.105.45.18]
coach41,
Actually, at the risk of sounding vaguely homosexual, I think Yao is a pretty handsome guy. Sure, he can look a bit goofy when he smiles, but he has that square jaw and angular face that women love, especially non-Asian women. He is huge, and can be muscular if he keeps working out. I can totally see where that female journalist is coming from.
I'm NOT gay though... haha, ferrealz!! Just anaylzing objectively....
Yao is "hot", LOL!!
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 18:06:25 (PST)
[128.253.186.46]
coach41,
I have seen many excellent and gifted Chinese-American and Asian-American high school ballers. They are systematically ignored and not scouted. But, that time will come too as we are seeing the younger generation get taller and more athletic.
Asian basketball
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 17:50:28 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
I love Yao, but I'm a little concerned about what kind of an impact he will make beyond the court. Could he be a hero and a spokesman for all Asian people, or is he going to play basketball, make lots of money and then go home. I'm sure a guy like Michael Chang who had the spotlight on him for a decade playing tennis, not once having commented on any significant Asian issue, has some regrets about his silence. So many important issues about Asian and Asian Americans could have been brought to the forefront by him and it was all squandered and wasted. I used to idolize and admire him so much, now when I look at him, I just see another self-absorbed, selfish athlete.
ddl
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 12:19:47 (PST)
[152.163.189.134]
Metal Deer Solid (teenage video game player eh?),
You are an idiot. You haven't been to China, have you? If you had, you would know that even the poorest areas have communal TV sets, hooked up to -- listen up -- the communal VCR!
You've got some strange ideas about the Chinese, boy. They are much more resourceful than you imagine, and probably more resourceful than you are.
Time to school you
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 11:53:58 (PST)
[207.214.44.147]
Andersen Ex,
yes, iverson, brayant, tim duncan, David Robison, Nowitzki, Nash are all good players. iverson lately is not doing so good. Maybe, he will do better again in his next game.
Duncan, shaq, and robinson were some of the top picks that did good.
Duncan helped the Spurs improve 36 games from the previous season, Robinson helped them improve 35 games and O'Neal helped the Magic get better by 20 games. But david robinson had the highest rookie scoring average at 24.3,
What all this really means is that Ming isn't bad either, considering that he is only a rookie. And also how he handle tim Duncan and david robinson who were some great players. Now it would be ignorant to say cruel things about Ming, not knowing what he can do.
Jordan
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 09:54:01 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
FOP's rambling
A score of yrs ago, when FOP was still attending elementary in HK, he was told that Chinese/Asian would never make it in western professional sports cos we did not have the physique. Then along came china's participation in olympics for the first time in 1980, we kids got to see those towering Chinese basketball players in the Chinese national team. However, the notion still was we might have tall players, but we did not have the talents and agility.
Fast forwarded to presence, Wang Zhizhi, Menge Bateer and Yao Ming all entered NBA one after the other. First, Wang recieved lukewarm reception and Menge remains to prove himself. Sceptics are dubious about their or Asian abilities to play NBA basketball. But then come Yao who rises like a meteor after a tepid start, muting skeptics game after game.
I hope we Asian will continue to break new grounds. Maybe someday we will see an Asian quarterback or even a heavyweight boxer.
FOP
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 00:17:45 (PST)
[199.182.194.147]
whoever said Yao Ming wont dominate in the nba, you're wrong, he's eating them alive!
esdfsd
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 21:16:42 (PST)
[64.231.142.193]
What's up with the Yao Hater here, did Yao do anything to them?
Answer, YES, he cost me $50 on a Shanghai Sharks game.
So why do we have haters.
Answer, jeoulousy and fear.
Why Yao hater in here?
Answer, the exact same reason yao supporters are here. To make their voices heard despite the fact that no one really cares.
Why Yao haters watching Yao's game if they are not his fan?
Nothing else on tv at the time.
Why Yao haters in here when they are not Yao's fan?
Saw the thread on Goldsea, came in, heard the ridiculous ranting and got personally offended.
Yao haters want Yao to fail with a passion?
Answer, Yes...I put money on a Shanghai Sharks game and I lost it. I figured if he's that tall hes gotta be good. bad reasoning.
Yao is the man who (look at my last entry) cost me $50.
stompyaoonthehead.
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 17:48:44 (PST)
[211.156.5.212]
1.3 billion from China is more than 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
There are 1.3 billion people in China but lets not forget that many of this 1.3 billion cant afford to own televisions, are forced to rely on cctv 9 to see the game and/or come home from work too late to see the games.
Remember, China is 12 -13 hours ahead of US time. When a game is being played at night in the US, it is early morning in China. There are no televisions at work.
Metal-Deer-Solid
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 17:30:57 (PST)
[211.156.13.142]
AznPride
perhaps you forgot, Sega Genesis released a game back in the early 90's called "SHAQ FU".
Obviously Shaq is ready for Yao Ming. If Yao even breathes wrong Shaq is gonna go into Pi Gua or Escrima mode and when the smoke clears, Yao will be 5 feet tall, bleeding and unable to be a father.
Metal-Deer-Solid
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 17:26:25 (PST)
[211.156.13.142]
To Nobilli:
You're right, a lot of people don't like Kobe because they perceive him as arrogant, and he is one cocky bastard. Even a couple of years ago, most of his teammates didn't like him because he wasn't very sociable in the locker room. But he is the best perimeter player in the game (although some would prefer McGrady). He's very tough to defend, plays great defense, and is not afraid to step up in crunch time. A lot of people don't like Shaq's style of play, cause he just out-muscles everyone. But his strength and power is a large part of why he's the most dominant player in the game (impossible to guard one on one) and he makes 30 Mil a year doing it. If I had all of Shaq's strength, I'd too use it to make myself an All-Star and make a bajillion dollars a year. If Yao was a foot and a half shorter he wouldn't be in the NBA either. The point is the same: a large part of being an athlete is being born with the physical gifts. It's not Shaq's fault he's stronger than everyone else, and it's not Yao's fault that he's taller than everyone else.
And people, don't hate on Allen Iverson. It just shows how much you don't know about basketball. The man took his team to the NBA Finals two years ago. Sure, he does shoot a lot and not at a very high percentage, but when he's on a roll he's as hard to contain as any player in the league. He also plays with a ton of heart and is as competitive as anyone in the league.
As far as Yao, I love what he's doing and hope he continues to progress. I'm just saying that maybe people's expectations are too high. It seems like some people on this board see him have a good game and automatically proclaim him the best player in the league. First of all, there's a ton of great players in the NBA (Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, Kidd, Iverson, Pierce, Walker, Webber, Francis, Nowitzki, Davis, Nash, etc) and a lot of very good players. Like I said, if you average 20 points and 10 boards in the league, you're one of the top 15 or 20 players. Yao's not gonna get 30 and 15 every night. Wilt Chamberlain once averaged 50 points during one NBA season, but those days are over, along with a player averaging 20 boards a game. Give Yao time to learn and get stronger and more physical and more aggressive: basically, let him get comfortable with playing in the NBA.
One thing that I'm impressed with is his defensive ability. Already he's proven himself to be a difference-maker in the paint, a physical presence that makes opposing players wary of taking it to the basket. That allows Yao's teammates to take more chances on defense, play the passing lanes because they know they got big guy back there to protect the basket. I'm also happy to note that he's not getting into as much foul trouble as I thought he would. He's playing smarter and not taking so many unnecessary fouls as he did in the preseason.
Andersen Ex
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 17:04:42 (PST)
[12.249.142.184]
I think Yao Ming will redefine (in a small way) how people look at Chinese and/or Asian men in general.
Yao, in his brief career, has shown some brief flashes of being a solid player and that will help change some of the perception of Asian men.
But Yao may be more than that. He seems, by all media accounts, a pretty funny fellow with a decent sense of humor.
But if anyone in the Bay Area reads the SF Chronicle, one of the female writers commented on Yao's "sex appeal." I personally can't comment on the sex appeal side. But I think Yao is a decent looking guy and from what I have seen, he is also a pretty snappy dresser.
Of course, Yao's going to have to keep playing at a reasonable level to attract more attention as well.
Wang and Bateer are big guys and that helps, but they haven't shown much in their time in the NBA. Plus they have rather stoic personalities that isn't favorable for the media conscious NBA.
We'll see how it goes. I think China will have more NBA players in time. What I really would like is a pure born Chinese - American to hit it in the NBA.
coach41
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 16:25:10 (PST)
[207.214.71.15]
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