June 26, 2002

Here are two reasons not

Here are two reasons not to draft Yao Ming in the first round:

1. He's a 7'5" giant that can't jump. At least that's what I saw from film of his pre-draft workout. He dribbled a little and shot a little but didn't show any moves. Sure, you don't need to jump much when your 7'5", but that can also be said of draft bust Shawn Bradley. Can you see Yao making any moves to get past Shaq? Instead, he'd get bowled over by the Lakers' center.

2. To get him on your team, you not only have to deal with Yao, but with the Chinese government. Remember, they're still communists who use their people as means to their ends. The Chi-Coms will do their best to squeeze the best deal they can out of the NBA and any team that drafts him. Right now, it's possible Yao may not get permission to play in the NBA. How much of a bribe will the Chinese basketball federation need to make sure the paperwork is completed? The Chinese Basketball Association wants, in writing, the right to yank Yao out of the NBA whenever they need him for the Chinese national team. After all the permisssions are done, a team still has to sign him. This ends up being way too complicated just to get a tall center that doesn't seem to have a lot of game.
   

"China Wants Yao for National Team"