Rockets ask one question: “Who’s Yao Daddy?”
By Class Coss
IV Leader sports editor, Feb. 21, 2003
For Love of the Game column
Imagine carrying the weight of an entire country on your shoulders, having everything you do or say analyzed to the point that you’re scared to speak, and being expected to carry a faltering NBA franchise back into the playoff picture. All of this and only 22-years of age.
This is how the cards have been dealt for rookie foreigner Yoa Ming, and this is only the first four months of what could be a 15-year career. Four months that have involved a trio of commercial shoots, over forty regular season games, and a trip to the NBA’s All-Star weekend. Yao had to turn down Leno and Letterman, as well as multiple other news shows. And despite the hoopla, the constant controversy, and a not so promising date with Shaq, Yao has met and exceeded all expectations.
The 7’5” Chinaman is an arsenal of extremely dangerous moves, each one as seemingly effortless as the next. He scores from anywhere on the floor, distributes the ball like a point, and I is effectively learning to play NBA defense. Give Yao 3 years of experience and weight room time and he will actually deserve a starting spot in the all-star lineup. That’s my personal guarantee.
Yao ascertains foreign ideas at incredible speeds. This idea already proven by his more than impressive grasp of the English language, his ability to dominate teammates at PS2 games, and the quickness he learned to respect all 350 pounds Shaq. Houston is calling this monster of a man a work in progress. From what I’ve seen, he is progress at work.
But all of his on court contributions may not even compare to the charity he hands out off the court. This is what makes Yao the envy of the league, a true keeper. Among the list of handouts was the bundle of Christmas cards Yao sent out, including upper management, Shaq’s family, and Michael Jordan. Opposing centers get an open invitation to enjoy Yao’s mother’s specialty Shanghai chicken when they travel to Texas to play the Rockets. Yeah, Yao moved his parents across an ocean to live with him.
How about Yao’s work ethic? Yao and his Madarin- English translator are generally amongst the earliest to arrive to the Rocket practice facility, and Yao finds it particularly entertaining to practice 18- foot jumpers from his favorite spots— left wing, left baseline. And although a commercial shoot or PS2 rivalry periodically interrupts his routine, Yao prefers to stay after practice in attempt to up his 83% free-throw percentage.
It seems to me (and the rest of America) that Yao has earned his keep in the land of opportunity. Rumor has it that LeBron James wants his cell phone number and we all know that has developed into something big time.