Yao Ming, how popular is he?

[didu]

What do you guys think of him? I don't have NBA at home, so ....

[grimfan]

I don't think there's a single person in the world who hates Yao Ming. How can they? He is such a genial giant, and people like people like that. He's not some cocky dumbass like Shaq, making racist comments ,incoherent remarks, and petty feuds with teammates. Plus, he has a really nice smile and a great sense of humour.

[didu]

Really? How's his basketball skills? I heard he kind of sucked ...

[bluemonq]

see for yourself:
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/

[proazn]

Yao Ming is the most famous athlete in the world... if not, he will be by 2008 (Beijing 2008).

[maestro123]

Really? How's his basketball skills? I heard he kind of sucked ...

Yao Ming doesn't suck. He's prob the #2 center in the NBA right now behind Shaq. For a guy his size (7' 6"), he leaves much to be desired. He's nearly half a foot taller than most other centers and yet he doesn't consistently dominate in games. I would even venture to say that the Rocket's best player is Tracy McGrady, not Yao Ming. Yao just needs to put on more mass and play more like the giant that he is.

[Leinad]

holy sh!t 7'6"!!! I didn't know him... I thought he was that dude in that vast portrait in China... until I clicked on that link. I've seen him once in a Mac Donalds ad here in NZ... seemed pretty affable with his friendly smile; :biggrin:

[LaiSteve66]

Every road game I watch, there's usually some Chinese people in the crowd cheering him on.

[tommyhtown]

I don't think there's a single person in the world who hates Yao Ming. How can they? He is such a genial giant, and people like people like that. He's not some cocky dumbass like Shaq, making racist comments ,incoherent remarks, and petty feuds with teammates. Plus, he has a really nice smile and a great sense of humour.

Trust me. There are a growing number of people in Houston who want him trade. Most of them don't now jack about basketball. I think he is a good player not great, and I want him to stay in Houston as long as he can. Although I don't mind seeing him succeeding somewhere else and prove people wrong.

[pikachupacabra]

averaging nearly 20 points and 9 rebounds is nothing to shake a stick at...unless you really like to shake your stick. Yao's only real problem is his lack of totally dominating a game (he'll put up his numbers, but quietly, without really asserting himself), and his sometimes spotty consistency. Yao is an excellent player, and arguably the best center in the NBA right now, but this is an era of weak and lacking centers...certainly no one of kareem, hakeem, or even an old-school mutumbo caliber.

His popularity and marketability on the other hand are undeniably immense.

[grimfan]

He's the highest scoring center in the league right now.

[skywatch]

Sorry Yao fans

Monday, December 19, 2005
Yao Ming has surgery on toe, out several weeks


HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets proved they couldn't win without Tracy McGrady. Now they will have to prove they can win without Yao Ming.

Yao will be sidelined for at least "several weeks" after undergoing surgery on his left big toe, the team said in a statement Monday.

Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton performed the surgery to clean out an infection in Yao's toe. Yao was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which is common inflammation of the bone caused by bacteria.

The Rockets said that Yao will take antibiotics and rest for several weeks in order to allow the infection to properly resolve itself.

Yao missed the finale of the Rockets' six-game road trip on Sunday, a 76-74 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston went 5-1 on the road trip.

Losing the 7-foot-6 giant is a blow for the Rockets (10-13), who recently got McGrady back after he missed eight games with a back injury. Houston went 0-8 without McGrady.

A three-time All-Star, Yao is shooting just under 51 percent from the floor and averaging career highs 19.9 points and 9.1 rebounds

[Hiroshi2]

averaging nearly 20 points and 9 rebounds is nothing to shake a stick at...unless you really like to shake your stick. Yao's only real problem is his lack of totally dominating a game (he'll put up his numbers, but quietly, without really asserting himself), and his sometimes spotty consistency. Yao is an excellent player, and arguably the best center in the NBA right now, but this is an era of weak and lacking centers...certainly no one of kareem, hakeem, or even an old-school mutumbo caliber.

His popularity and marketability on the other hand are undeniably immense.




Couldn't have said it better myself.


It's like, for somebody that's 7'6" and, what, 380 lbs or so................you expect more out of him. I have to admit................I wish he would shut Shaq down one day. Just ONE fuckin time, just completely dominate him. He can do that, he has the height advantage and the age advantage, though I admit he lacks Shaq's strength.

[proazn]

averaging nearly 20 points and 9 rebounds is nothing to shake a stick at...unless you really like to shake your stick. Yao's only real problem is his lack of totally dominating a game (he'll put up his numbers, but quietly, without really asserting himself), and his sometimes spotty consistency. Yao is an excellent player, and arguably the best center in the NBA right now, but this is an era of weak and lacking centers...certainly no one of kareem, hakeem, or even an old-school mutumbo caliber.

His popularity and marketability on the other hand are undeniably immense.


I have to disagree with you, the reason why there's a perception on the lack of centers if the fact that NBA changed alot of rules to help the guards and hurt the post players. Now, there's the no hand-check rules on the guards and you can now freely double/triple team the poster players(centers). All the high scorers in the league are small players. You look at Shaq's numbers.... he used to average 27-29 points per game before the rule changes and now he averages 22-23 ppg. If Yao had played in the same era as hakeem,shaq,ewing (before the rule changes)... Yao would be averaging 24-26ppg. not too shabby.

[peaches]

With Yao's skills and height he should be averaging 30 and 15 a night. He has more skills than Shaq, but is not dominant. The zone defense is what has killed Shaq, to go along with the lack of a ten foot jumper and consistantly being in shape.

[Paradox]

The problem is that Yao isn't an asshole. If he acted more like an asshole he'd probably be a far better center. Let's face it some of the better basketball players were complete twats on and off the court. Malone, Barkley, and quite a few others.. even Hakeem had his "moments" in the press.

[TB4000]

Point is, sports is an aggressive thing to do. If you're a nice guy, you may as well forfeit any championships.

[proazn]

The problem is that Yao isn't an asshole. If he acted more like an asshole he'd probably be a far better center. Let's face it some of the better basketball players were complete twats on and off the court. Malone, Barkley, and quite a few others.. even Hakeem had his "moments" in the press.

Who says a nice guy can't be good at basketball? If he's intense and wants to succeed, then he'll be good.
I know you heard from Magic Johnson and Barkley saying that Yao is too nice. They always try to put him down because seeing an asian dude dominate a black man's only sport is demeaning to their black pride. Barkley said Yao would be a bust a few games into his rookie season.... now Barkley is saying he can't dominate the NBA because he's too nice. when Yao becomes the most dominating center, Barkley will say how come Yao can't win the championship every year.

[grimfan]

If you're a nice guy, you may as well forfeit any championships.

Utter BS. Tim Duncan and Tom Brady are two "nice guys" that are champions and leaders.

[haplesshobo]

I have to disagree with you, the reason why there's a perception on the lack of centers if the fact that NBA changed alot of rules to help the guards and hurt the post players. Now, there's the no hand-check rules on the guards and you can now freely double/triple team the poster players(centers). All the high scorers in the league are small players. You look at Shaq's numbers.... he used to average 27-29 points per game before the rule changes and now he averages 22-23 ppg. If Yao had played in the same era as hakeem,shaq,ewing (before the rule changes)... Yao would be averaging 24-26ppg. not too shabby.

The problem with Shaq is that he's out of shape and not motivated, not necessairly because of the rules changes. He takes the regular season off, and saves himself for the playoffs.

As for Yao, I wouldn't call him a bust or a great player. Instead, he's a good player but there are plenty of good players in the NBA. As a three time all-star, you expect somebody to be more than simply good. I would call him disappointing in that with his skills and size, he doesn't do more with them.

[tommyhtown]

As for Yao, I wouldn't call him a bust or a great player. Instead, he's a good player but there are plenty of good players in the NBA.

I am with you on that one. Yao is a good player with great potential.

As a three time all-star, you expect somebody to be more than simply good. I would call him disappointing in that with his skills and size, he doesn't do more with them.

Personally, I don't think that he is a disappointment because I expected him to have a 'Rick Smits' type of career when he entered the league. He did exceed my expectation in that regard. Can he be better? Yes. I know that it is frustrating to see a man of his size and skills with his production, especially when we have seen what he can do.

There are reasons why he is not as good as he is. I think it is the system that he is in. In the course of the game, you would see Yao set numerous high 'pick-n-rolls.' Rushing from the top of the key and back to the low post then trying to establish a position is not a walk in the park. For a man his size, that could take a toll on him late in the game.

Also, Yao is not a great shooter. He can shoot from 17-18 ft, but he has to be really wide open. The high pick is great for someone with great move to the basket like how Amare did last year for the Suns, or Karl Malone and John Stockton because Malone can knock it from there or big men with jumpshot like Patrick Ewing. Yao ain't Patrick Ewing who has a great shooting range for a big man. BTW, Jeff Van Gundy (JVG) loves the guy so much. In fact, Patrick Ewing is now on the Rockets bench and had done such a great job with Yao's talents *sarcasm*.

The point is Yao is a 'back-to-the-basket' center who has a great low post move and ability to spot an open men, but not one who is comfortable on the high post. To move him around for high 'pick-n-rolls' is a waste of his energy and wrongly utilizing his game.

People can talk about Yao's personality and what not. Believe me he has changed quite a bit this year. He is much more aggressive than when he was in his rookie year. It is too bad we cannot see him play because of his toe injury. You will see that he has more tenactiy and aggressiveness under the basket than last year.

I believe that JVG is the problem. He is a great coach, but he is asking Yao to be someone that he is not, ie. Patrick Ewing. Sure, JVG did a good job coaching the Rockets last year despite all the injuries. However, Yao will not fulfill his potential if JVG is still the coach of the Rockets. I am not saying that Yao will be great without JVG as the coach. I am saying that he won't be if JVG is the coach. That's why I want to see him under the tutelage of someone like Larry Brown or Phil Jackson even if it means Yao has to leave Houston.

[Laz3n]

Yao is a good player with great potential.
I agree he’s a good player, but I think he’s is overrated. 7’6 with some mobility gets you a pass into the NBA. If he was like 7’2, he wouldn’t be in the league. He has a good shot for a bigman and that’s pretty much all he really has. He should be dominating the paint defensively with his size by blocking or changing shots and controlling the boards, but he fails to do so as he often ends up in foul trouble. The first Yao-Shaq match-up, he did well, but since then he hasn’t done anything that impressive.

I’ve been waiting for a long time for an Asian player to represent us in the NBA. Now that Yao’s here, I’m disappointed. Anyhow he doesn’t really reflect us Chinese-Americans, because he represents the Chinese people in China. But majority of people in this country who are not educated about Asians will make a generalization of us through Yao. That we’re soft, passive, and weak.

As for making the All-Star roster, if it wasn’t for all those votes in China he wouldn’t be an All-Star. I like him as a person though, and hope he does improve….but I doubt it.

[proazn]

I don't understand why you people are putting Yao down. He is the only asian person in the NBA starting. I don't see you in the NBA. He is the most dominating center in the Western Conference... who else is there? that is why he is getting the most All-Star votes. you eliminate all the votes from China and you'll see the same results. Chinese fans usually vote for Iverson, Kobe, etc. If you think Yao is representing Asians poorly then you're just a sad fool. either you get yourself in shape or you support asians in the NBA.... because Yao will be the ONLY chinese player in the NBA for quite awhile.

[Laz3n]

I think you’re being a little too sensitive there, you act like he’s your cousin or something. Why was it necessary for you to respond with insults? Is that your approach to changing people’s minds and opinions? If so, then you never will achieve that goal. I’m “Pro-asian” too, but I’m not blind enough to think Yao is that great or even support him just because he’s the only Chinese player in the NBA. Is that the only reason?
Why am I putting him down? I’m just being real. Representing Asians poorly, yah I think so. Nothing about him portrays us Asian-Americans.

Nothing against you, Yao Ming is overrated.

[n3bulous]

The first Yao-Shaq match-up, he did well, but since then he hasn’t done anything that impressive.

For starters, here was another game where he outplayed Shaq in a Rockets win:
http://www.clutchfans.net/game_boxscore.cfm?gameID=2644 - That's just for starters. You want impressive? How about, along with McGrady, being the rock on which your entire team is built? See: current Rockets losing streak without him.


Some highlight vids:
Behind the back fast break:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4554889260616363522

Long highlight compilation (Yao and McGrady):
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8345124509442367807 - includes a nice highlight from the game at the top of the post, a drive-spin-move on Shaq's grill

Enjoy!

There is also an entire fansite devoted to Yao:
www.yaomingmania.com

including an active message board:
www.yaomingmania.com/forum

[haplesshobo]

He is the most dominating center in the Western Conference... who else is there? that is why he is getting the most All-Star votes. you eliminate all the votes from China and you'll see the same results. Chinese fans usually vote for Iverson, Kobe, etc.

Actually, it was all about the votes from China that got him into the All-Star game. Shaq was still in the Western Conf then, and Yao got more votes than him when Yao was just a rookie. Let's face it, without those votes, I don't see how Yao would have gotten on the All-Star team his first three years.

How about, along with McGrady, being the rock on which your entire team is built? See: current Rockets losing streak without him.


We all know McGrady is the best player on that team. He's a premier player, one of the best in the league, while Yao is only a good NBA player, but not good enough to justify all the hype and hoopla surronding Yao. When McGrady was out, the Rockets didn't win a single game with Yao. Sure, the Rockets aren't as strong with Yao out, but they're not going to lose all their games because he's not playing either.

[didu]

Actually, it was all about the votes from China that got him into the All-Star game. Shaq was still in the Western Conf then, and Yao got more votes than him when Yao was just a rookie. Let's face it, without those votes, I don't see how Yao would have gotten on the All-Star team his first three years.

This is a typical misunderstanding, here is what wekipedia has to say
about how Yao got more votes than Shaq:



Many basketball fans have criticized Yao's All-Star selections, claiming that he could not be voted in as a starter without the substantial number of votes he receives from his native China, as the NBA had extended its online fan voting for the All-Star starters to that country for the first time in 2002–03. These fans are quick to point out China's massive population as an unfair advantage in favor of Yao. Yao's main Western Conference rival at center in his first two seasons, Shaquille O'Neal, has also cited Yao's support from Chinese fans as the reason why he receives more All-Star votes. However, despite the significant backlash against Yao, no actual figures have yet been provided to prove that Chinese fans have ever been the deciding factor in All-Star voting. In fact, for the 2004 All-Star Game, the year in which Yao won the starting spot by the smallest margin in his career, he actually received around 4,000 fewer online votes than his rival, Shaquille O'Neal. Yao managed to make up for this by outvoting O'Neal in paper balloting. These paper ballots were handed out in NBA arenas and shopping malls in the United States and Chinese fans were unable to vote on them. Thanks to paper balloting, Yao went on to finish ahead of O'Neal that year by a margin of 29,000 votes overall.

[n3bulous]

We all know McGrady is the best player on that team. He's a premier player, one of the best in the league, while Yao is only a good NBA player, but not good enough to justify all the hype and hoopla surronding Yao. When McGrady was out, the Rockets didn't win a single game with Yao. Sure, the Rockets aren't as strong with Yao out, but they're not going to lose all their games because he's not playing either.

No doubt McGrady is the best player on that team.

But Yao not living up to all the "hype and hoopla"? Are you kidding me? Unless you define "hype and hoopla" as taking advantage of every chance to ridicule him, ok. When's the last time you saw a highlight on ESPN involving Yao that didn't involve him being embarrassed? Pouncing at every opportunity to show him getting dunked on is "hype and hoopla"?

And what about the chorus of so-called "experts" that have been hating on him since the day he was drafted? They were loud back then, but now that Yao has become someone to reckon with, steadily improving every year, what do we hear from these same "experts"? Silence? Is that "hype and hoopla"?

And the Rockets have 1 win, 4 losses so far without Yao. He impacts a game in ways that don't show up on the stat sheet. He clogs up the lane on defense, on offense he distorts the opposing defense as he always draws help defenders, creating open shots for teammates (not his fault that they can't hit them). But this is often overlooked, underappreciated, until he is no longer there and they see what they've been taking for granted. 1 win, 4 losses and counting.

Admittedly, I'm a Rockets fan, so I may be biased. But I doubt it.

[haplesshobo]

But Yao not living up to all the "hype and hoopla"? Are you kidding me?
And the Rockets have 1 win, 4 losses so far without Yao

Yao is a three time All-Star, but his performance on the court really does not justify him getting selected three times already. Maybe, this year, he should be on the All-Star team, but not his rookie season. Nowhere does the article state the number of votes that came from China that might have helped him get selected. Common sense tells you that it played a signifigant role in getting selected.

As for hype and hoopla, yes, he did get a lot when he came in. Remember all the ads and commercials he was doing. His performance on the court at that point did nothing to justify all that.

[n3bulous]

Yao is a three time All-Star, but his performance on the court really does not justify him getting selected three times already. Maybe, this year, he should be on the All-Star team, but not his rookie season. Nowhere does the article state the number of votes that came from China that might have helped him get selected. Common sense tells you that it played a signifigant role in getting selected.
I'll see your common sense and raise you some factual sources:

2003 ASG:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20030124/ai_n10853608
How did the NBA's most dominant player [Shaquille O'Neal] get reduced to second string? Internet ballots were in Mandarin Chinese for the first time, but as a sign of his universal popularity, Yao also beat O'Neal in regular paper balloting.

2004 ASG:
http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/allstar_game/starter_040129.html
In the closest race of this year’s voting, Houston’s Yao Ming (1,484,531) narrowly edged the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal (1,453,286) for the West's starting center position. While O’Neal received more electronic votes from fans around the world, Yao defeated O’Neal by outpacing him on paper ballots that were distributed in-arena, at movie theatres and at retail stores where balloting was available in the United States and Canada.

Interesting that in '04, it was Shaq, not Yao, who had the edge in online voting, yet Yao still won due to paper North American ballots. Ironic, isn't it?

Bottom line: The myth that Yao won the All-Star vote because China stuffed the internet ballot is just that, a myth.

As for hype and hoopla, yes, he did get a lot when he came in. Remember all the ads and commercials he was doing. His performance on the court at that point did nothing to justify all that.
Ok I can agree with this, but this has become common in pro sports, especially the NBA, it's not just Yao. Lebron James immediately comes to mind. The difference with Yao is that his detractors/haters far outweighed his proponents.

[deez nuts]

putting aside all the debate whether yao is overrated or not.

yao needs to shave his head and get rid of that wispy shit growing underneath his chin. wtf does he have growing there? he also needs a good trumped up rape charge to toughen him up so he can play with some fire. look what a rape charge did to kobe.

at times, it's painful to watch yao play especially when he gets dunked on by two guards. you're 7'6 for crying outloud. bring the fucker down and establish you're dominance. he plays like a pussy at times.

[haplesshobo]

Ok I can agree with this, but this has become common in pro sports, especially the NBA, it's not just Yao. Lebron James immediately comes to mind. The difference with Yao is that his detractors/haters far outweighed his proponents.

Let's remember when Yao first came over- he was among the most popular and visible endorser. I remember he was doing several high profile commercials at once.

I agree that this hype thing is more wide spread than Yao. At the same time, you don't usually see the same hype and exposure with others, with a few exceptions, as we saw with Yao.

Lebron matched and exceeded the hype when he came into the NBA. But, he lived up to it, and is actually exceeding people's expectations.

[proazn]

When was the last time you saw a talented 7'6" asian guy join the NBA? Whatever amount of hype Yao is getting... is not enough. He is a once-in-a-generation player. You'll never see another asian player being the talllest player in the NBA in your lifetime. Enjoy it while it lasts. When Yao ends his NBA career, there may never be another asian star in the league. To China, Yao is a national treasure... to us asian-americans, he is our only representative in the eyes of basketball fans.... because americans used to think asians were too weak and too short to play bball.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

O’Neal received more electronic votes from fans around the world
Must have been those sneaky, inscrutable Nigerian spammers.

[haplesshobo]

I believe that JVG is the problem. He is a great coach, but he is asking Yao to be someone that he is not, ie. Patrick Ewing. Sure, JVG did a good job coaching the Rockets last year despite all the injuries. However, Yao will not fulfill his potential if JVG is still the coach of the Rockets. I am not saying that Yao will be great without JVG as the coach. I am saying that he won't be if JVG is the coach. That's why I want to see him under the tutelage of someone like Larry Brown or Phil Jackson even if it means Yao has to leave Houston.

I would call Brown and Jackson great coaches as well, but you'd run the same problems where Yao might not be utilized to his full potential. Jackson just wasted the talent of Gary Payton when he played with the Lakers, by forcing him into a system that didn't use GP's skills. Before and after his stint with the Lakers, GP flourished much more. And, Brown, during the Olympics, just didn't know how to use LeBron.

I would say Pat Riley is one of the few great coaches who adapts the team's style to the players he has, rather than the other way around. He coached Showtime in the 80s in LA, and then the Knicks in the 90s were the complete opposite of that.

[tommyhtown]

I would call Brown and Jackson great coaches as well, but you'd run the same problems where Yao might not be utilized to his full potential. Jackson just wasted the talent of Gary Payton when he played with the Lakers, by forcing him into a system that didn't use GP's skills. Before and after his stint with the Lakers, GP flourished much more. And, Brown, during the Olympics, just didn't know how to use LeBron.

I would say Pat Riley is one of the few great coaches who adapts the team's style to the players he has, rather than the other way around. He coached Showtime in the 80s in LA, and then the Knicks in the 90s were the complete opposite of that.

Come and think of it, you are right about Phil Jackson. I don't think Yao would excel in the triangle offense.

[wucifer]

You guys are right. Yao Ming should be dominating the game, but he is Chinese.

He was born and raised in China and until someone makes him realize he needs to be mean on the court, he will never be the potential that Americans assume in Americanized terms. If you don't conform to the competitive reality in America, you will not reach American potential.

Someone needs to communicate this to Yao, and I'm sure he still wouldn't change.

Also, him being with the rockets is probably the worst team he can play on.

There are only selfish players that surround him and a coach who doesn't utilize his abilities.

Yao can shoot 60% from the field, yet they don't pass the ball to him. Because he doesn't demand it.

He is an amazing physical specimen, but I think the mental killer instict is not there...something I believe lack in all Asians in Americanized sport today.

Anyway on the subject of how popular he is?

One fact: last year he was selected on the All-Star team. He had the most votes casted for one player in the entire history of the NBA. :biggrin:

[Chinasaur]

Speaking of Asian ballers, I had no idea until very recently that there's a Japanese (Yuta Tabuse, PHX) as well as a Korean (Ha-Seung Jin, POR) player in the NBA. I guess I've been too focused on the Raptors the past couple years to even notice.

[returntosender]

Yuta retired after a few months I think.