Can Yao play right away?

Yao Ming is here. The media circus is officially in town. And the Chinese are doing their part to pump up the hype.

Shanghai Sharks coach Li Qiuping said Yao is already better than the best big man in the NBA.

"Yao is better than Shaquille O'Neal in skill," Li told the Chicago Sun Times.

That's going too far for one general manager, who spoke on the basis of anonymity to the Sun Times because he might end up drafting Yao.

"No way, unless he's talking about shooting free throws," the GM said. "Shaq will eat Yao alive in overall skills and brute strength. A statement like that just goes to show you how little that person knows about NBA basketball. Yao is going to be in for one heck of a cultural shock night after night once he starts playing against Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Dikembe Mutombo, Vlade Divac, Dirk Nowitzki and others." So what type of impact will Yao make in his rookie season? Mavs assistant Donnie Nelson, who knows a thing or two about scouting foreign talent, offers this assessment.

"I'm not so sure if Yao or any foreign player is ever immediately ready to play in the NBA," Nelson told the Sun Times. "It's something completely opposite to what they are used to. Overseas basketball and the NBA are two different animals. European basketball and the leagues in Australia have become closer to the NBA from a competitive standpoint. And although Asian basketball is improving, it still lacks the physical elements, the same caliber of athletes and the same quality of skills that distinguish NBA play. So is Yao ready to play in the NBA right now? Probably not. He will need time and experience just like the other foreign players before him."



All many can say is 'wow' about Yao
Lacy J. Banks / Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/output/banks/cst-spt-banx30.html

7-6 Yao arrives for his workout
K.C. Johnson / Chicago Tribune
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/showcase/cs-020429bulls.story?coll=cs-home-headlines