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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:50:34 PM)
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.]
Face the facts. We will be seeing Asian 8-footers in the NBA, probably within 10 years. Whoever said that 8 feet tall is correct that it is freakishly tall, but incorrect that it is unhealthy. You're forgetting an Asian basketball 8-footer, Ri Myong Hun from North Korea (actually 7'10"), is healthy, agile, and would be playing in the NBA right now if international politics didn't ruin his dreams of entering the NBA. Yes, 7'10" is Ri's natural height, and he has the agility and skills to make it into the NBA. At 300 pounds, he is no stick figure like Manute Bol (7'7" and 225 ponds).
Stress on the body for being so freakishly tall? The 7'6" Yao Ming is plenty strong and agile on the NBA court, and Ri Myong Hun is a regular starter for the North Korean national basketball team. You see, there is already living proof that Asians can reach such enormous size through natural means, without growth disorders. The freakishly tall people who suffer physical stress are the ones who got so tall because of growth disorders. And speaking of stress, the real stress is on their smaller opponents who have to fight extra hard for rebounds, see their shots get blocked, and become more prone to injuries.
China has indeed found a lucrative market in athletics. The fact that the Chinese govt gets half of chinese NBA player salaries is pennies compared to the increased marketing, publicity, and economic activity that Yao Ming brings to his homeland. Now, the govt has enough information to spot children with athletic potential (e.g. Yao's parents are 6'9" and 6'3"), based on hereditary traits of their parents. With better nutrition research, they can feed their children even younger than age 12 to maximize their genetic growth potential. So far we've already seen a North Korean, who comes from an impoverished country and has the same bloodline as the northern Chinese, reach 7'10". Imagine what heights can be reached if nutrition was emphasized much earlier in their childhoods. With 12 year old kids in northern China already reaching 7-foot, heights of 7'8", 7'10", 8'0", and more can be attained. And not just slow, weak, deformed, unhealthy, 8-footers, but 8-footers who are strong and skilled and will totaly dominate the NBA.
Finally, about the South Korean basketball player, his name is Ha Seung-jin. He is 218cm, or 7'2", and may grow another inch or two. Yao was 7'1" when he was 17 years old, and grew to 7'6". Ha Seung-jin doesn't need approval from the South Korean government to enter the NBA. He could enter the USA as a foreign exchange student in college, then enter the NBA.
B. Lee
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:40:29 (PST)
[207.172.11.148]
The Yao-Shaq incident from the viewpoint of Hong Kong people
http://hicow.com/chat/viewtopic.php?t=13859
yaofan
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:16:05 (PST)
[66.68.98.54]
To B. Lee and Asian Ball-
This may be splitting hairs, but the Korean player you refer to was 7'2", not 7'1", at the age of SEVENTEEN as listed in the following news article, written two months ago:
(http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/20021121n04837/)
He may very well add another 1 to 3 inches over the next couple of years, ending up in the 7'4" or 7'5" range.
The article also describes him as having great stamina and basketball skill, (obviously we don't know how impartial the quotes or reporter are).
Nonetheless, he looks quite promising. Don't be surprised to see this Korean big man in the NBA in 4 or 5 years.
D-boy
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:59:04 (PST)
[172.153.163.241]
More facts.
Fact: Yao Ming is a rookie.
Fact: Shaq is a seasoned veteran, three-time NBA champion and MVP.
Fact: Nobody (except maybe idiots like you) expected a rookie to dominate the most powerful center in the NBA today. If the rookie puts up a good fight, he has succeeded.
Fact: Not only did Yao succeed, he surpassed all reasonable expectations by scoring on Shaq and effectively limiting his low post advances.
In your face!
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 19:15:17 (PST)
[66.125.215.166]
Best Wishes to Yao Ming
I completely agree with you. A 22 year old kid taking on the entire American media and criticism. Hes doing so much for the asian americans, hes dispelling the myths that we're not athletic or that we're savage wife beaters and what not. This kid is a hero with the character of a sage.
Thank you Yao! I am sure I am speak for the majority of asians around the US when I say "we're very proud of you"
GO YAO!!!
Big Dave
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 18:36:54 (PST)
[172.166.64.211]
Basketball Man,
You claim one has to eat more meat to be bigger? That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. You claim you're small and scrawny because you only ate fish when you were growing up, but do you realize that per gram fish has much more protein than beef? It's protein which is the main component for cell growth, just in case you weren't aware. The differences in people are primarily do to genetics. This has been discussed thoroughly time and time again.
I can hardly believe that they even posted your long, unsubstatiated, ignorant post. You sound like the typical unarticulate, grammatically-challenged, uneducated teenager. You have a lot of learning to do kid.
Post Intelligent Comments
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 14:51:18 (PST)
[208.40.47.234]
"Fact: Yao handled O'Neal better than any other center in the NBA today."
O'Neal served up yao like he did to any other center. To Shaq, yao was just a long guy with a higher reach. But skillwise and strength, yao is nowhere close. Pay attention to the game instead of cheering mindlessly. You might learn something.
"Fact: Nobody ever blocked O'Neal like Yao did. Conversely, O'Neal was not able to block Yao."
Eddie Griffin blocked O'Neal plenty of times before. Bradley has blocked Shaq many times before. Jamaal Magloire rejected Shaq's shot big time only a couple days ago. Shaq is nowhere in shape, and yao, being 7-5, blocking shaq is no big deal.
"Fact: Yao had a sprained finger that threw off his shooting touch. If that little accident didn't happen, we would most likely see more of the first three minutes the entire first half."
Players play with pain. Whiners complain. Stop being a whiner. You are probably one of those weak kids that call phantom fouls when your shot gets rejected to the other side of the court.
where was yao?
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:51:37 (PST)
[63.161.167.211]
KFC,
"His fade away are unblockable. That's what they like about him. Lately he didn't do a good with his shooting. But I think soon his shooting ability will come back."
HAHA. You really don't know what you're talking about because you don't know much about high percentage shots. The fadeaway shot is one of the worst shots to take. Short guys may be forced to take it, but for a 7-5 guy to take them is ludicrous. The shot sets him off back, and he loses balance, and he doesn't get a good chance for an offensive rebound. Uhhmm... Hello! Common basketball sense. Any fundamental coach could tell you that, but i guess since your only experience in basketball is only a video game, you wouldn't have any idea. Ask questions if you are still lost on this concept.
Where was yao?
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:38:39 (PST)
[63.161.167.211]
AC high school dropout,
"Shaq had no blocks in the games. His only defense was to smack Francis to the ground, for a flagrant foul."
You obviously don't know much about basketball because that wasn't a flagrant foul. The ref's missed it. If Francis was fouled flagrantly by Shaq, he would not have gotten up.
"Only in overtime though, very late and very behind in the game. Yao basically let him pass, knowing not to get into foul trouble, or letting him get possible 3 point action."
The facial jam was right in front of Ming. Shaq just went staight to the rim, and all yao did was stretch out his arms while being included in Shaq's highlight. That defense needs some work.
"What are you talking about. Yao was doubled and tripled teamed when he got possession."
Yao was rarely double teamed and never triple teamed. The only guy on him most of the time was Shaq. Shaq, on the other hand, was more than double and triple teamed numerously times. You should really watch the game next time if you are going to make comments.
"Rockets offense that night was to take advantage of the Lakers "trick" defense on Yao and let Francis score his 44 points. "
No, Francis score 44 because yao was unable to get it done. 7-5 tall, but he was only able to make 5 out of 14 shot attempts.
Are you the same idiot that said Kwame Brown was a decent first pick?
Where was yao?
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:33:16 (PST)
[63.161.167.211]
Where was Yao after 3min?":Thomas
Shaq's not going to do good if he plays in the CBA in China. Because in the CBA they don't dunk. They only do lay in and jumper and Shaq can't do just that. If Shaq doesn't dunk he is not going to be effective as he is in the NBA.
NoJo
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:16:26 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
Thomas,
Anything can be possible for Yao. There is a possibility Yao can be better than David Robinson. He has the size and size and both will only increase.
Truth; Yao has more skills than Shaq.
Shaq is only good because there is no one in the NBA with his strength and built to effectivly play against him. If you have another guy with Yao talent and Shaq's strength. Shaq won't be unstoppable. You know it, I know it and everyone knows it.
okiki
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:10:46 (PST)
[24.239.152.113]
"Where Was Yao" was correct to point out Yao's shooting percentage: since Jan. 1, Yao's been shooting 39.5%. I'm not going to attribute this to any one thing in particular, but nonetheless, it should be an issue of concern. Hopefully, we'll see Yao back up to the mid 50's again.
One thing I would like to see more from Yao, and the Rockets offense, is going to the line. Yao didn't get any free throw attempts on Friday. In his next game against LA, I think Yao's going to have to draw some fouls against the Big Fella, or at least be a bit more aggressive. I don't think the Rockets can win in LA if Yao doesn't do a little more on offense, especially since it's unlikely Francis will score 44 points again, while getting 29 from Mobley. Part of the reason Yao wasn't as aggressive was because the backcourt was outplaying LA's, but it would behoove the Rockets to let Yao establish the inside. In other words, Yao's deferring was probably the right move for this game, but probably won't be as successful in upcoming contests. Winning the West demands quality inside play.
The two teams that had the most success against the Lakers in the past 3 years were the Kings in 2002 and the Blazers in 2000. Both teams attacked Shaq on offense using the pick and roll, and horded around him on defense using several quality big men. Shaq's averages, both scoring and shooting, were way down in those two series. If Houston should play LA in the playoffs, they'll need to contain Shaq on both ends of the court, or at least make him work a lot harder, particularly on defense. Yao can do it on both ends, running the floor, hitting open jumpshots, and forcing Shaq to make tougher shots. Realistically, Houston should also look into getting a good backup 4 or 5 to help out.
What I'm not concerned about is how Shaq dominated Yao in the latter portion of the game. Shaq will do that to anyone and everyone. However, not just anybody will put up the resistance Yao put up early in the game. I think Yao distracted Shaq long enough to not allow him to be super-productive early on. Had he not, and let Shaq have his way, the Lakers probably would've won handily in regulation.
MrMacross
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 11:33:42 (PST)
[206.31.28.1]
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