|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar?
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 04:38:56 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?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
Here we go again. I was hoping that Yao Ming will not have to face this racial bickering. Now people will be complaining about him like they did Tiger Woods for not representing their race and opposing perceived racial slights and taunts. Please remember Yao Ming is a basketball player and sports should not be dragged into politics. He will always face racism because like it or not, there are always racist people around. And Yao Ming will get it all the time because like Tiger Woods, he is a bright young star succeeding in a sport that used to be the domain of another race. The only way Yao Ming can combat this, is to be best of the best like Tiger Woods. I sincerely hope that he will be strong enough to do this but for himself not for a whole race.
Best wishes for Yao Ming
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 23:34:26 (PST)
[203.103.156.210]
I'm Chinese-American and I'm sure there are a lot of other Chinese out there who could tell Shaquille was just being a joker. Didn't he once say he was an expert in "Shaq Fu." He called the Sacramento Kings the "Queens." He called the San Antonio Spurs a great "WNBA" team. Yao shouldn't mind at all. If Shaq makes fun of somebody, it can only mean one thing. He's good. Ha ha.
People, relax
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 17:46:15 (PST)
[12.236.45.59]
First, you need to make the distinction between asians and asian-american. For me, its the same. However, you refer to the impact on asian-americans even though yao is purely an asian.
In terms of asian athletes, some countries have traditionally excelled in many sports.
Have you ever watched the olympics? If so, then you have seen how the korean wrestlers have dominated many other athletes, to include the american team. Maybe a sport like wrestling is not mainstream, but in terms of physical prowess, mano-a-mano is the best way to determine who is tougher. Korean wrestlers are widely recognized as among the top tier, along with the russians, turks, iranians, cubans and americans.
There are many other sports that the same argument can be made. Japan excels in judo, Korea excels in wrestling and boxing along with tae kwon do and judo, China excels in weightlifting. Between these three countries, they have won a disproportionate number of medals in their respective sports.
Basketball is a nice sport, but it's just not that physically demanding. The frequency of concussions, knockouts, broken limbs, blood, etc. is very rare in a passive sport like basketball as compared to the original "war" sports of boxing and wrestling. Therefore, it can be concluded that basketball as a metric for sports prowess is only relevant when trying to attempt to gauge abilities in passive sports. Basketball is closer to ballet dancing than it is to boxing or wrestling.
I remember in high school, the star basketball player for our team was about 6'6" but could only bench about 200lb. Everyone on the wrestling team that weighed above 160lb could bench more than 300lb. Tennis falls in the same boat as does diving.
If you are looking for a measure of true physical athletic prowess, look to the hard sports of boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, judo and taekwondo as performed in the olympics. You, as an asian-american, will be surprised.
reality check
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 16:31:34 (PST)
[24.90.168.112]
[Does a superstar Asian athletes playing in the U.S. have an impact on the image of Asian Americans? Think before you type. --Ed]
To Check the Facts
Regarding ballot stuffing, I think it's more analogous to why Vince Carter is going to start (something I pointed out earlier). Based on performance alone, it's hard to make an argument that Yao and Carter are the best players in their respective positions in their respective conferences. Yao's in first place based on a combination of a lot of things not necessarily pertaining to what's going on the hardwood, e.g. being a big media personality, Laker resentment, etc. And let's not be completely naive: even if it only accounts for a small percent, say 10 or %15, there are a lot of people voting for Yao only because he's Chinese. Likewise, I'm sure a lot of people are voting for Shaq because they think there is no way some guy from China could possibly be better than any African-American, let alone the 3-time playoff MVP.
Azn-
Building on what Big Dave wrote, what if Yao were only 6'11" and 250 lbs? Would he still be the number one pick in the draft? Would NBA scouts have salivated over him as much as they did? Shaq and Yao are both physical freaks, and talented, which make them both fun to watch. Not very often to you get to see humans that big be so quick and coordinated. Shaq's got great footwork, sees the court well from the post position, has a few low post moves towards the hoop, and has nice touch with the 8 foot hook. Same goes for Yao.
And for the record, I love watching Yao. Watching Shaq isn't as fun, because his repetoire isn't as full, but he's still a marvel. You have to give both men their due as athletes, even if one is a big ignoramus.
"Shaq is a racist midget."
Who all wished they could be a midget, too?
This part is complete speculation on my part, but I think Yao's as polite as he is because he's still pretty much Chinese property. He needed permission to enter the draft, he pays the gov't half his salary, and he still has to report to the national team, etc. I think he feels a lot of pressure as an ambassador of sorts for his homeland, and always try to put forth his best face. On top of that, you know what happens when rookies spout off at the mouth? Rookie stars are always targets. Motormouths are as well. Rookie motormouths? That's really asking for trouble. If Yao verbally put down Shaq, he'd not only have the Big Fella after him, you can bet that Rick Fox, Devean George, Brian Shaw, et al will declare the next game open season on Houston's rookie star.
MrMacross
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 15:44:50 (PST)
[12.248.3.210]
Hot_Kimchee,
"I am really upset and mad that Shaq could say such ignorant phrases about Yao Ming."
The fact is we African-Americans are going to have to respect this Asian guy and other Asian guys for playing in American sports. I get really irritated and frustrated with racism in America. I'm not a basketball fan; I love baseball and football, so I don't follow Yao Ming's b-ball stats.
If we make ignorant remarks about Asians, we can only expect for it to come back and haunt us.
Yao Ming is playing like a professional athlete and a gentleman.
Let the guy play basketball without all the added BS.
Hey, he's leading Shaq in All-Star voting.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB08@aol.com
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 14:05:30 (PST)
[172.172.73.5]
MrMacross,
Yao is restrained by the fact that he is considered playing the role of Embassidor of China in the NBA.
If Yao started making fun of Black people in the Media, or handed out fried chicken to the audience when he played the Lakers, what do you think the media would say?
You think they would cut him the same amount of slack as Shaq?
Anyways I attribute the success of Shaq at the Lakers to Phil Jackson. Not to Shaq per say. Just like Jordon great performances were also do to Jackson's coaching and leadership of the Bulls.
But those are my views on the subject.
However, Yao is handling the PR very well so far on Shaq lastest verbal attacks.
I just wonder how the game will turn out. Will Shaq try to be physically abusive on the court as well against Yao?
Will the refs treat both star centers with kids glove in their first match up?
AC Dropout
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 13:04:40 (PST)
[208.59.247.9]
Big Dave,
Don't mistake my ID with other posters. Those quotes you attribute to me came from other poster. Read the IP addresses in the future, like you read a score card. And maybe you might not sound like such a dumbass.
Kobe is a steak...As for B-ball team I observe them like I observe any other corporate oganization. So I too disagree with Kobe pairing with Shaq comment. Since there are 3 other team mates on the floor on any given time.
Let's see why the mental midget, and now physical midget Shaq sucks.
Sure he took the Magics to the finals. Only to be swept.
It was only Phil Jackson who was able to coach Shaq to become a dominant player. Without Phil Jackson, Shaq admitted he would not work to improve any aspect of his game, not even his free throw abilities.
To the credit of Phil Jackson and his ability to lead and strategize just look at the other NBA team he coach which dominated. Now look at the ex-Bull players without Phil Jackson.
His 2nd attack at asians that I am aware of also makes him a moron. If I was an owner of that franchise I would have repermanded that employee like there was no tomorrow. First taking sick leave at the beginning of the season. Bad mouthing my management in the media. And to top it off ruining my PR in a city with a large asian presence.
Yes asians come in many flavors. So what is your point. You can't handle a asian male who's not afraid to be in your face. Get use to it Big Dummy.
AC Dropout
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 12:56:10 (PST)
[208.59.247.9]
Yao is an individual willing and ready to take charge.
" At one point, after a spectacular follow dunk by Theo Ratliff, Yao slammed on Ratliff but was hit with a technical foul for, of all things, taunting.
'Man, they're teaching him too much,' Ratliff said. "
chinatown
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 10:54:01 (PST)
[67.98.161.82]
This is what Yao said about the incident in the Houston Chronicle:
Jan. 11, 2003, 6:59PM
Yao takes high road on Shaq's comments
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
ATLANTA -- Ever the diplomat, Rockets center Yao Ming passed on an invitation to join Friday's raging debate over whether comments Shaquille O'Neal made in June were racist. Yao instead chose the high road.
He artfully dodged the heat of the debate, instead returning to his now familiar role as an ambassador -- part gracefully serious and part comic.
...
"I think," he said, "I'll have to go ask Shaq."
high class Yao
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 10:51:34 (PST)
[64.130.235.33]
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|