Interesting Perspective on Yao Ming

[Dr. Cheese]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

Check it out.

[DigMe]

I'm saddened by the whole thing as a longtime Rockets fan and a fan of Yao Ming.

That writer has one thing wrong though - having visited or lived in China various times since 1996 I can tell you that Yao Ming is NOT the reason the Chinese are smitten with the NBA. They were way into the NBA long before Yao came along and if anyone has anything to do with it then it's Jordan and Shaq more than it is Yao.

Nevertheless, he is very important to the Chinese people. They should have known that his body would give out eventually playing basketball year around every year at his size though.

bc

[GregC]

It's a sad story, no question about it. He's a great player, and seems like a nice guy. But I wondered if the writer was overstating Yao's impact, and BC's impressions back that up. Stern has been obsessed with overseas markets (and rightfully so), and those efforts have paid off over time.

I also had to scratch my head when the writer said the Rockets played him too many minutes for years. I haven't seen many of his games, but the numbers sure don't indicate that. Only once did he average more than 34 mpg during a season. (Shaq always averaged at least 35, and typically 37-38, with the Magic and Lakers.)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/player...?playerId=1722

What wore him down was playing every year with the Chinese national team.

[MakiSupaStar]

I'm a fan.

He also brings me beer.