Post by jhb on May 26, 2021 12:57:40 GMT -5
Yao Ming
C
7'6"
310
22
China
While not unique in that he's one of a now handful of TMBSL players at 7'6" tall or higher, Yao is generationally unique in that he combines that height with some girth and athleticism. His movement skills and fluidity are a marvel for his height, and honestly it hasn't been a question of when Yao Ming will be slated to go in a draft, but which draft he'll likely be the #1 pick in. He's one of the most highly anticipated players in TMBSL history after showing tremendous potential with the Chinese team at the Olympics. In his Chinese league, he led the league in blocked shots (4.8 per game) and ranked second in scoring and rebounding (32.4 ppg and 19 rpg, respectively). He elevates his game at the highest level, showing out in the Chinese league championship series, where he averaged 44 points, 21 rebounds, and 7 blocks per game in a four game series where his team was crowned champion (he went 38.9 ppg, 20.2 rpg, and 3.5 bpg in 44 mpg in the entire league playoffs). He put up similarly impressive per 40 numbers against slightly better competition in the most recent World Basketball Championship.
Yao is a highly skilled offensive player and can score around the basket and has a soft touch out to the mid-range. He's fairly strong and thick for a player as tall as he is, but he'll need to continue to add strength so he isn't bullied by some of the larger TMBSL bigs he may not be accustomed to having to go against. He's a very good free throw shooter and while it's unlikely a man that's 7'6" will ever be asked to shoot from the perimeter he does have the smooth stroke to hit a jump shot from anywhere within the arch, making him a great pick and pop threat since no one is going to be able to elevate to get a good contest on his jumper. He can work the low block effectively and has a very good jump hook that is practically unstoppable. He is very smart with his shots and he picks his spots to work efficiently and when he doesn't have the look he'll move the ball along to an open teammate. While being so tall would worry many scouts about potentially being a liability with a high dribble, he's shown an adept ability to work with his back to the basket and when double teamed without putting the basketball at risk.
Scouts say that Yao runs the floor like a small forward and that is evident defensively with his movement ability. He moves much better than other players that have entered TMBSL at his size and he'll be a much better team defender than those player rather than simply being a shot-blocking threat with his fantastic length. While he isn't an elite jumper, he can elevate enough to get up and register some blocked shots. He'll certainly change the trajectory of a lot of opportunities in the paint with his length and fluid movement ability. His size also gives him a great advantage as a rebounder and he does a good job of focusing on the task at hand on the boards but he'll have to get accustomed to fighting off stronger box-outs from bigger TMBSL players at the next level.
Scouts biggest concerns about Yao have nothing to do with his game. They mainly have to do with negotiating his release from his CBA team so that he can actually come to TMBSL and how he holds up long-term at his size and enduring the rigors of a TMBSL schedule over time. However, many scouts don't really care about the risks because Yao is a TMBSL-ready player and will be a tremendous asset from day 1. He's already highly skilled and has professional experience.
