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Wang Gone, Yao Lone
After Wang Zhizhi went to play in Dalas Mavericks, will Yao Ming become a lone hero in the Chinese basketball arena?
In an award ceremony during the season-ending All-Star Weekend last week, Yao, 20, a 7-foot-4-1/2 center, have swept under his name the league MVP, the MVP for regular season and three other top honors for rebounds, blocks and slam dunks.
With five golden cups in arms, Yao appears very eye-striking in the stadium, in particular considering the absence of Wang.
After leading his club to a historic sixth straight league title, Wang signed up with the Mavericks a week ago, becoming the first Asian player in NBA, the world's top basketball league.
Yao should have jumped on the bandwagon after becoming the target of a couple of NBA scouts including David Falk, Michael Jordan's agent, and Bill Duffy, an agent for Steve Nash and Antonio Davis.
But he is expected to shoulder the mission of helping win a gold for the Shanghai basketball in September's ninth National Games which have conflicting schedules with the NBA.
His club Shanghai Sharks, the league runners-up of this season, has clarified their position that Yao needs a "proper time, proper team and proper conditions" before he is granted permission to play in NBA.
"This time Big Zhi( Wang's nickname) snatches a first,"Yao said with a sense of humor. "He gets what he deserves and I will get what I deserve."
Wang and Yao, both centers of the national team, have been the two most glaring stars in the Chinese basketball as the league finals have been hyped a showdown between them.
Though Wang and his club won the final duel, Yao has been close to replacing Wang as the number one center of the Asia with his dominance inside.
"Wang is overall better than Yao for his comprehensive skills, but Yao has inside edge over Wang,"said Yao's coach Li Qiuping.
Yao, who was nicknamed a "Moving Great Wall" since Sydney Olympics, has earned attention from NBA scouts who see the Chinese giant as a diamond in the rough and could emerge as one of the dominant big men in the league.
In Sydney, although China was crushed 119-72 by NBA stars, the silver lining from the rout they earned is respect.
Alonzo Mourning said that it was rare for men as tall as Yao to be able to "run and shoot the ball as well as he can".
"He understands the game. I don't know if he would be starter in NBA-in some teams he could. but he could definitely help somebody-we could use him in Portland," said Steve Smith.
Wang's historic move, undoubtedly, has opened the door for Yao, and other NBA hopefuls, to enter the coveted league.
On the awarding podiums, Yao expressed his unbroken dream of playing in NBA when aksed if he expects to go to the United States to block Wang's shots.
"Wang has made history. Once I have chances, I am sure to follow suit,"said Yao.
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