October 3, 2005

Considering the mass popularity he has and the pressure that comes from it, it is hard not to be impressed with the way he has performed. The expectations we expected from Yao were way too high; his stats were gargantuan when he played in the Chinese league. I guess people imagined what Shaq would be like if he was 7'6, and how Yao should have an advantage over everyone.

Let's look at some of the other 7'5 or higher NBA centers. Manute Bol at 7'7 was a great shot blocker (so was everyone else), but has been known lately for his stupid, zany shenanigans. Shawn Bradley at 7'6 simply is terrible; a field mouse could knock him down. Gourghe Muresan at 7'7 was a one-time all-star, but like Shawn Bradley was skinnier than most pencils, and became injured as well. In comparison, Yao is far and away better than any of the giants that played the game before him.

Yao Ming has the ability of some of the less tall 7-foot centers of the NBA's past: Zydrunas Illgauskis, Arvydas Sabonis and Rick Smits. But the bottom line is that Yao can't create his own shot the way those guys can. He averages 19 points and 9 rebounds a game, which are easily all-star status. However, Yao Ming averaged over 30 points and 20 rebounds a game in the pro-China basketball league, which in the NBA would set all kinds of records. So in comparison, he's not great. But he's better than Pervis Ellison.

But I am super-critical with his stats, because anyone with that size and talent should have better numbers. When you are the tallest person in the NBA you have to grab 13 rebounds a game. Charles Barkley got 14 rebounds a game, and he was only 6'6, a full foot smaller than Yao.

Ming doesn't seem to assert himself in the action and become excited for a game, unless he plays Shaq. Superstars attempt more than 12 shots a game. And 2 blocked shots a game from a guy with a height advantage over everyone isn't as productive as he should be. With a little more intensity, he could be the first Houston center since Hakeem Olajuwon to win the NBA title.