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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.]
AC dropout,
I can see why you have the tag "Drop out". Why didn't shaq carry the magic to the championship games? He did carry them to the eastern finals during his earlier years, I am not sure if its his rookie year or not but I do know he carried them to the finals. Nonetheless, HaKeem was a 10 year vet with all the tricks (along with a monster team of Drexler, Cassell,Ellie Horry and Maxell) that did in Shaq. Hakeem also did in Ewing, Zo and Robinson. Shaq was still a close 2nd to Hakeem nonetheless. Once Shaq left Orlando, they stunk. Even penny Hardaway couldn't accomplish much without him. Just look at the lakers record without Shaq. For the sake of your arguement, you gonna say Yao sucks cause hes not gonna carry the rockets to the finals this year? Give me a break buddy. Shaq might be ignorant but hes still the most valuable player in the NBA. Even my boy Yao would vouch for that. Just because Yao is asian doesn't mean he should be treated any differently from any of the players in the NBA.
Also, Shaq badmouthed his team mates because they were slacking. If you're the leader of a championship team,you'd expect better. Shaq wanted to push his team. Alot of football coaches or any sport for that matter do that to motivate their team (see bobby knight).
Also, Phil Jackson is considered a genius because of the talent hes always had access to. Some coaches like dale harris can't covet it and some can. Don't be a dumbass and say some stupid shit without backing it up with some actual evidence such as Shaq is nothing without Kobe.
Azn,
I know Shaq weighs 340, but you can also make the same arguement about Yao being 7'6". Shaq has tremedous speed and agility for a person who is 7ft 1" and 340lbs. As with Yao, who is 300lbs and 7'6". You can't simply make the "what if" arguments because you can apply it to any argument.
Yao is my favorite player as of now, it used to be Dirk Nowzitki but I am in love with Yao. He doesn't act arrogant like AC drop out and makes all these stupid half assed statements like "shaq is nothing without Kobe or Shaq didn't carry the Magic for their championship during his rookie year." I am sure alot of people would rise a brow at Yao if he was actually stupid enough to say that including myself. Yao is smarter than that and he's out to prove that asian males aren't like AC drop out.
And I thank Yao for that. :)
Big Dave
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 01:09:35 (PST)
[172.136.243.86]
I am really upset and mad that Shaq could say such ignorant phrases about Yao Ming. Black people are reaping the advantage because they dominate professional athletics such as football and basketball. I see a lot of blacks bashing Asians and A-Americans in general. For example, the 1992 Los Angeles riot. Come on now...they [blacks] claim that Korean liquor store owners get on their case...horse manure!! Then they go on a rampage destroying all the hard work they [Korean] earned...HARD WORK!!!
Getting back to the topic of Yao Ming, I would like to ask Shaq, would he like it if he were called names, especially using the N-word? Shaq...please think twice.
Hot_Kimchee
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 00:13:24 (PST)
[66.171.53.194]
Shaq did apologize. I saw it on TV. But, there was a moment he wanted to burst into laughter by that smile he had. So, I question his sincerity in this "apology."
Get this, he is planning on saying sorry to Yao on Jan. 17 when they play each other. But, he is going to say it in Chinese. In the L.A. Times, it states he is going to say: "Toy inchee" to Yao. First of all, I know he is trying to say it in the Cantonese dialect (duy mjuerh). You see, he entirely (if not deliberately?) mutilated the correct pronunciation. More importantly, Yao is not going to understand because he is a Shanghai native with their own dialect. He should try Mandarin instead (dway buchee). Anyways, Yao himself speaks English very well. He will understand a simple and straightforward: "I AM SORRY."
Shaq is only going to make a fool of himself by trying to "perfect his Chinese" again. It ain't humorous.
I was disappointed that both Yao and Wang Zhizhi forgave Shaq so easily or downplayed the event. Yao said he understood Shaq was only joking, but that the Asian people here probably would not understand it. Wang said he never even heard of this incident.
Of course not, because they ain't Asian-American like us who go through that kind of crap everyday. They make their own money and fame, but they shouldn't have to put up with this insult either? I bet they get that from their own teammates too.
Shaq has unconscious and subtle black supremacist views. Otherwise, why would the Nation of Islam and Farrakhan be invited at his wedding?
I know Shaq is not a true hatemonger, but people and kids look up to him. It ain't right for him to do that and think he can get away with it. It is pathetic how the media tries to sideskip this issue.
Remember the Jason Williams thing couple years ago? Compare him to what happened to John Rocker? Everyone gets on Rocker's case, but Williams is still playing and not seen as the bad boy image he deserves.
Look what happened to Dan Issel of the Denver Nuggets? One racist remark on Mexican people and he was history.
It seems like there will always be a double standard when we Asians get this kind of racist insult.
I remember John Franco once called Chan Ho Park: "Fu Manchu" when a reporter mentioned Park's name in an interview.
Park later had a brawl with Tim Belcher of the Angels because he thought he was targetted because of race.
We need action. shaq is not bigger than life!!! he needs to dunk all this filthy words back into his own mouth...
I want to see Yao do good for us on Jan. 17 as well as in the All Star game. The pride of us insulted Asians is in his hands.
Asian basketball
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 23:53:16 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
Yo Yo Yo, Mo Fo Vs Ching Chong Wah Yah Ah so.
Shaq can't shoot free throws
Shaq can't speak proper English. Everytime he is interviewed, the caucasian interviewer needs to take lessons in ebonics beforehand.
No audiences can understand him when he gives post game interviews on TV cos all he talks is some Yo Yo Mo Fo Ma Ma Yo gibberish
FOP
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 23:22:23 (PST)
[66.135.128.76]
This deal about Shaq and his so called
"racial remarks" will die soon...
Want to know why?
Shaq will applogize and shake Yao's
hand.
There are some people that don't want
Yao and Shaq to be friends.
Ever thing about that?
They feel that it's better that they start
up something.
But, sorry guys. It's not going to happen.
Shaq will say he's sorry, and we will
move on. This story will die.
Gizmo
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 22:56:02 (PST)
[68.55.212.155]
Just how "recent" is this "ching-chong" comment that Shaq made in reference to Yao Ming? The one that I (and several other Goldsea readers of this article) remember happened way back in September. In fact, it started a whole long thread of debates here, until finally the editor of this page told us to "get back on to the topic." Gee, that's funny. Why is it that now, four months later, this article is labeled as "Shaq racist attack on Yao Ming?"
If you can click the "earlier comments" button until you get to early-mid September, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Anyways, unless Shaq happened to do that "ching chong" bull**** again (I wouldn't be surprised), I'm disappointed that it took this long to get to the media. Four months? If Yao did monkey sounds or told Shaq to pick cotton, the sh** would've hit the fan as soon as he finished the sentence.
Four month waiting period
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 15:11:17 (PST)
[172.161.118.8]
Shaqs said in a mock Chinese accent:
"Tell Yao Ming, `Ching chong yang wah ah soh.'"
Yao
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 13:35:58 (PST)
[172.128.17.133]
Shaq time and time again has shown he is a malicious player.
When he was a punk rookie, he said that every time he faces Patrick Ewing he would "kill" him, to prove who is the best center.
Remember when he slapped Greg Ostertag in the face before a game?
Remember when he was suspended for 3 games for throwing punches at Brad Miller.
When he was fined for bashing NBA officiating?
Got into arguments with Kobe Bryant for not passing to him enough?
Notice Shaq's work ethic. In 10 seasons, he still cannot make his free throws. In the offseason he admits he does not work out. He has gained 45 pounds since his rookie year.
It is no suprise NBA fans are voting for Yao.
Shaq is whack
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 13:28:45 (PST)
[172.128.17.133]
"Like many sports fans, I hate to see ballot stuffing for All-Star events, and this is a classic example. What would be best for the NBA if people from China follow the league, determine who's performed the best and who's most deserving, and then vote."
Are you implying that Yao is getting voted in because of Chinese votes? We've already went over this. Yao's votes are all coming from the U.S. An NBA spokesman said that Yao is not only leading in Internet votes, but he is also leading in paper ballot voting that is available in electronics and sports stores through out the U.S.
Check the facts
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 13:14:21 (PST)
[172.129.202.162]
Yao Ming is a great player, but sometimes I wonder if he is too much of a nice guy for his own good.
The difference between Yao and a guy like Ichiro is that Ichiro is a little more media savvy and will rarely let stupid comments from the media and other players slide without a little retribution.
Yao is trying to be an ambassador and be a nice guy. Ichiro is an ambassador too, but he will respond to criticism with backhanded comments (notice that I didn't mention Ichiro as trying to be a nice guy). And Ichiro will use the excuse of bad translation by the interpreter to his advantage.
Yao politely accomodates the media (even when they badmouth him) and doesn't trash talk. Ichiro tends to refer to any negative media critic (usually a white guy) as "old man" during interviews and doesn't refer to him by name.
When other players question Yao's basketball skills, he just absorbs it and is actually complimentary towards his peers. When other players say that Ichiro relies on infield hits to boost his batting average, Ichiro responds by saying that he gets on base due to "bad fielding by the defense."
Yao goes to different arenas and cities, gets booed and cursed out and treats it as cultural misunderstanding by fans. Ichiro gets booed in Oakland a lot because he commented in his rookie year that Oakland and the A's fans can "f*** themselves." Ichiro goes to Texas, refers to the Dallas/Arlington area (home of the Rangers baseball team) as "a lot of nothing" but a great place to play baseball, and says that he doesn't wear cowboy boots because "I'm not a redneck." And when Ichiro went to Canada, he said that Canada has a nice national anthem "but it's too long."
And Yao needs an attitude adjustment. Yao comes into the league assuming that all of the NBA players are better than him and that there's a learning curve to adjust to. Contrast that to Ichiro's infamous "I'm just setting them up" comment regarding opposing pitchers, when Ichiro was supposedly having problems with the American pitchers during spring training in his rookie year. Yao needs to convey the image that he's better than the other centers (including Shaq) because he really is.
I guess my point is that Yao Ming needs to start backhanding his critics a little, even at the risk of possibly destroying his nice guy image.
Yaoza
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 11:54:06 (PST)
[168.156.89.124]
-------It's fine to like Yao, but it doesn't help by trying to praise him by putting down his counterparts.
MrMacross--
Well if you don't like Yao or have him as a fan then don't watch his game. And don't come here and talk shit. And go to a Shaq forum and praise him.
Bid Davee man,
Since you claim you love Yao so much.
Where were you when Yao needed you.
Did you hide in the bathroom and got scare by some bully here. lol
--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,--
You know what we mean by that, Don't act dumb.
Azn
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 11:07:38 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Shaq is a racist midget. He should be fined by the NBA for his crap
"Tell Yao Ming, [imitation Chinese garbage]"
AC Dropout
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 10:39:55 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
AC Dropout-
"If (Shaq) was so great why didn't (he)carry the Magics to victory for 4 years?"
This isn't a very fair statement. Shaq became a better player during his time with the Lakers than he was with the Magic. During his time in LA, he developed a few more low post moves, improved his footwork, and he's a better passer now than he was with Orlando. On top of that, Orlando never played defense as well as the Lakers did during their run. During the Lakers' championship run, they've consistently been among the league lead in fewest opponents' ppg and lowest opponents' FG%. Orlando never did this.
Those who remember the 2002 Western Semis between LA and San Antonio will recall how SA blew many 4th quarter leads. A lot of that is Tim Duncan's fault. Duncan would be fed the ball down low, but he would hold the ball so long that the Lakers would collapse on him and prevent him from making clean passes out to the perimeter or to slashers cutting towards the hoop. The 2002 League MVP couldn't make passes from the post, but Shaq almost always made that pass.
The Magic might've been swept in the 1995 Finals, but just imagine if Nick Anderson would've hit even one of those four free throws at the end of regulation in game one. Do the Magic take a lead and command of the series? I know it's just one game, but you never know. And facing "The Dream" at his prime is a pretty imposing challenge.
In 1996, the Bulls won 72 games, and crushed just about everyone in the playoffs (the Sonics managed to win 2 games in the finals, but not until after the Bulls were ahead 3-0). Anyone and everyone would've lost to them in the playoffs.
I'm not the biggest Shaq fan there is, but I just don't agree to praise Yao by cutting down Shaq. Shaq's the best right now, and Yao's got the potential to be up there with him. There's no shame in being second to Shaq; it'll just be that much more exciting for his fans when Yao does reach that level.
MrMacross
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 10:03:11 (PST)
[12.248.3.210]
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