The draft is not just about physical test data. Many players with excellent physical talents and physical qualities have not made any progress since they arrived in the NBA. In those days, the physical test data of Yao Ming was not very good, even worse than that of qi zhou. But if you look at the development track of the two men in the NBA, you will understand why you can't just look at the physical fitness test data.
At that time, NBA scouts told Yao Ming's draft report that Yao Ming not only had a height advantage, but also had a very flexible gait. The hit rate of CIC is very high. His weaknesses are insufficient wingspan, thin body and insufficient offensive means, but can these shortcomings of wingspan be compensated by height, thin body and offensive means? It can be made up the day after tomorrow, and the main strengthening direction of Yao Ming after entering the NBA is also these two aspects.
And many scouts went to see Yao Ming's performance in CBA, with 32.4 points and 19 rebounds. Although CBA level is not high, most NBA teams are moved by Yao Ming.
And at that time, the era of the four centers in the 1990 s had just ended, and O' Neill ruled the league. A center like Yao Ming is a scarce resource, and there are many examples of high centers in the history of the Rockets. Sampson and Olajuwon are both lessons from the past, so the rocket who won the first place in the draft should choose Yao Ming.
Let's take a look at jay williams, which ranks second, and Deng Liwei, who explores flowers. No matter how they developed later, they were not the type of players that the Rockets needed at that time. At that time, the Rockets had star guard Francis and old cat Mobry. Although Williams look good, they still can't pose a threat to Yao Ming.
As for Stoudemire, who won the best rookie that year, why he fell to the ninth place also shows that many people are not optimistic. His performance is more due to the configuration of the team.
So in that year's draft, although Yao Ming's physical data was not very good, there was no doubt that he was elected as the No.1 scholar.