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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.]
I wonder what you guys think of Shaq's recent controversy...how he mocked Yao with mangled Chinese gibberish and then later, when a writer from Asianweek criticized Shaq in a column, openly refused to apologize and instead insisted that it was all a joke. You can tell that he is going to infer that all Asians who protest against him have no sense of humor.
Some joke!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/01/10/shaq_yao_ap/
kam
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 08:21:53 (PST)
[140.247.73.199]
I can't verify it, but I heard that Shaquille O'Neal has recently made yet another offensive racial remark directly aimed at Yao Ming and indirectly to all us Asians.
I think it was one of those "ching'chong" statements again.
If so, it has been twice this happened within the past year and nothing has been done.
blacks, black NBA players and the white-dominated US media are all in conjunction with this familiar kind of anti-Asian racial bashing.
But, the fair-minded game goer in the NBA (of all races) knows this and that is why they voted for Yao to start the NBA All Star game.
We need to do something as a collective group.
Shaq is not bigger than life. Heck, a lot of his income comes from us going to his games and buying his shoes, CDs what have you.
We need to take collective action to show him what we really got and make him pay for his dirty mouth and mind.
Asian basketball
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 02:36:14 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
Lately, Yao Ming has been getting a lot of physical abuse from his undersized center match-ups. The likes of Theo Ratliff have been giving him nit-picky fouls that aren't called because he is such a big guy (A better way to put it is that Yao is starting to get fouled the way Shaq is getting fouled -- a more subtle "Hack-a-Shaq", if you will.).
Today, Yao threw down a two-handed jam in Theo Ratliff's face after being harrassed for the first 3 quarters, and screamed an obscenity in his face, in Chinese probably. =) On ESPN, I think they said "he speaks Chinese, English, and smack." Hahaha.
I think that people are starting to get the idea that Asian guys are no pushovers, ever so slightly and slowly.
I'm proud of Yao
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 22:47:59 (PST)
[172.174.196.95]
Just a few comments from a first time poster:
I'm thrilled to see that Yao will get to start in All-Star game, but perhaps the biggest reason is that a lot of people are being homers, particularly the "hordes of China." Shaq is still the marquee center in the league, and is a pretty popular player. Statistically, he has clear cut advantages over Yao.
Shaq: 26.5 ppg, 11 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 2.8 apg, .582 fg%
Yao: 13.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.9 apg, .552 fg%
I don't want to make too many generalizations, but it doesn't appear people are voting for Yao because of what they are reading on the stat lines. They have different agendas, some pretty obvious agendas.
Like many sports fans, I hate to see ballot stuffing for All-Star events, and this is a classic example (I won't even touch the Vince Carter fiasco...). What would be best for the NBA if people from China (or Argentina, or Yugoslavia, etc.) follow the league, determine who's performed the best and who's most deserving, and then vote.
One last thing: I read some people say Shaq is nothing without his size. Don't forget, one of Yao's greatest gifts is his size, and part of what makes him as great as he is is his ability to do something with that huge body, unlike the Muresans, Bradleys, and Bols. Shaq is similar in that matter; there have been big strong players with similar builds (e.g. Stanley Roberts, and to a lesser extent, Kevin Duckworth), but no one has had Shaq's total game. It's fine to like Yao, but it doesn't help by trying to praise him by putting down his counterparts.
MrMacross
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 17:31:53 (PST)
[12.248.3.210]
Big Dave,
You don't know jack about B-ball.
"He carried the lakers franchise to 3 straight victories."
You can kiss my asian ass. If he was so great why didn't carry the Magics to victory for 4 years.
I tell you why, its Phil Jackson that's the freaking genius in B-Ball. He got more rings than you got IQ.
We'll see in a few days who going to play who in the Center position. The recovering Shaq or the up-and-coming Yao.
"He changed the rules of the game"
He sure did. You can now bad mouth your own team mates on national TV withot being fined by the NBA.
AC Dropout
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 15:38:24 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
Could somebody please tell Yao that he has done what no other rookie has ever done in NBA history: he changed it.
Someone explain to him that his name is synonymous with: giant, touch, talent and perhaps even hope? Add to that it's happened instantly.
Dissapointment?
Nah. I've seen him shake and bake angainst some of the best in the league. He can defend, pass, shoot from 19 feet and make it look easy.
His jumpshot, have mercy, extends him to what?... 8 or 9 feet? at least!! in the air?
He is scaring people, folks. As a fan of the game I am glad to see someone play with so much confidence in his pasing abilities.
Shaq may talk alot of crap, but I can't see how anyone can defend him. Wait until he bulks up.
Wang Zhi Zhi has made a grave mistake. No post up game. Yao has that.
Be ready.
Maorza
Maorza@spurscentral.com
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 15:30:41 (PST)
[24.160.146.84]
To people who say Yao is averaging only 13 and 8:
That is for the whole SEASON. If you knew the facts, then you'd realize that Yao was a little-used backup when the season began. Subtract those games and his averages climb.
DECEMBER was the first month he started every game and played big minutes. His numbers in December were:
17.1 points
10.3 rebounds
2.73 blocks
52.5% field goal perecentage
86.7% free throw percentage
I'd definitely call these All-Star numbers.
Check the facts
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 14:48:13 (PST)
[172.139.57.139]
Did anyone catch the uproar over Shaq's comments about Yao? What exactly did he say?
Dontwayne Hakkan
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 13:52:05 (PST)
[68.37.100.115]
Did anyone here about Shaq's racially insensitive bombs directed at Yaoming? WE NEED TO GET ON THIS RIGHT NOW!!!
Hank Lewis
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 10:50:24 (PST)
[161.159.4.35]
Big Dave,
I agree that Shaq is a dominating player. Too bad it's only because of his size. Weighing 340 pounds gives him the ability to push other centers around and hit 3 foot layups.
If Shaq weighed only 260 pounds, he'd be just average.
azn
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 09:53:21 (PST)
[172.175.200.57]
to only 13 and 8. BIGDEAL?!?
So I see you're a numbers guy, so you must've thought magic was mediocre too.
Simple, nba players, coaches, and fans think Yao's impressive, namely, because they watch the game instead of the boxscore, but that'll be taken care of in due time.
Add that he has to play year round, then play his FIRST year vs NBA competition in a new country.
To quote the Burke and McGrady, "He's going to be one scary player."
"He's going to be a great player in this league once he gets some games under his belt,.And once he gets comfortable with the game he's going to be unbelievable."
need more? See below:
Mike (Los Angeles): Will Yao Ming ever reigns as the best center
in the NBA? I think in 2 years he'll be better than Shaq.
Fred Carter: Actually if you look at his overall skills, he is better
than Shaq. His feel for the game, passing, shooting, etc. It's all
right there for him. I have said before they have to build a new Mt.
Rushmore of centers and put Ming's face on it. He is very similar
to Bill Walton. Ming does everything well. Go Yao!!
ESPN analyst and former player Fred "Mad Dog" Carter Jan 9
2003
I tend to take them a little more seriously.
you wish
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 04:03:22 (PST)
[66.42.14.52]
let's hope his is a superstar, because like it or not, ethnicities are painted by their most visible members. Tangentially, aren't you sick of these dating shows that commonly match asian women with a euro american, yet of course you'd really have to dig to find an asian man in any role on those shows.
Tsup
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 03:45:45 (PST)
[66.42.14.52]
Either way you see it, the fact that Yao is going to have the chance to start, let alone play in the NBA All-Star game is an accomplishment for Asians here and abroad.
As an Asian, I salute him and for what he is doing for us.
I am proud
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 01:16:32 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
PuncherThe Counterman,
you obviously don't know jack about bball nor do you watch it.
Shaq is nothing without Kobe, I think it might the other way around. Hands down, Shaq is the most dominate player ever!! He carried the lakers franchise to 3 straight victories. He changed the rules of the game just so they can contain him! Yes, Yao is a very good player and I love him to death. But lets be realistic, Shaq is gonna have his way with Yao. Shaq does that to every center in the league. Yao will be no different. But we have to keep in mind that Yao is just a 22 rookie that speaks very limited english. I am very proud of him and what he has accomplished. Those jeers, taunts and all the negativity is very reminiscent of what our parents and old generations had endured to be a success.
Your insight on Mcgrady is just hows inept you are. He almost scores 30 pts at will. He shuts down star guards such as Jason Richardson and Finely, and drops 40 in their faces. Mcgrady is the only reason Orlando is not a lottery team. The entire Magic team is Mcgrady. No matter how bad he did against the Rockets (even though he scored like 27 pts), hes still the top 3 players in the league.
PS,
I am a huge hoops fan and an asian american,
GET REAL
Big Dave
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 00:43:59 (PST)
[172.171.170.59]
This is the hottest song hitting the airwaves of Houston, Texas and China:
Lyrics to the song "It's a Ming Thing," a tribute to Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, to the tune of the soccer-fan anthem "Ole, Ole, Ole:"
CHORUS:
Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming
Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming
Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming
Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming
Without the Dream no one thought we'd survive,
For too long we've been deprived.
The final piece of the puzzle has arrived,
The missing link of a championship drive.
CHORUS
Yao Ming bust on the scene with a bling-bling,
Dominating other teams, it's a Ming Thing.
Envisioning Houston's dream of a ring-ring,
Reinvigorating Clutch City, Yao Ming — Scream!
CHORUS
It's a Ming Thing
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 00:28:14 (PST)
[206.217.6.36]
The new Apple commercial with Yao and Verne Troyer is a hoot...this is a great step for Azns in basketball and America...i hope they run it endlessly on all the networks
Thomas
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 15:17:35 (PST)
[129.81.147.133]
yao is the man. No man go against him hes tha f***n great wall in a form of a man. If Shaq goes against him, then i give my best wishes towards Shaqs team cuz Yao can reck anybody. Hes the legend pplz better reconize it now before you become one of those laggin fans because Yao will be the man of the future of the NBA. Hes the real thing baby and u betta be reconizing it!
apaznboi
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 14:12:28 (PST)
[209.110.32.87]
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