By Vikram Bakshi / Richmond, BC (Canada)

He's only played 21 NBA games and he has as many Haters as he does Fans in the NBA player's realm. He's a big man yet has he has a small grasp on the American game and culture. Maybe he doesn't see it or this writer is seeing more than it is, but to me there seems to be this underlying jealousy in the all the hype over Yao Ming by some NBA players.

With all the world events in the last year and the fact that USA is trying to get back to being No.1 in the basketball world, (just put Tim Duncan, KG, T-Mac, Kobe and Jason Kidd on the team and they will be No.1 again) it may be that some players are full of Pride and are in way threatened with the arrival of Yao.

Ming has come a long way (literally, China to the USA) in a short time. He went from not to even being a factor to a "Dominating Giant" just in days. Since he hasn't made his domination consistent enough Ming has attracted some verbal jabs from some NBA players, even from Shaq, the same Shaq whose throne Ming is going to take in a few years as the best NBA center (Tim Duncan is a power forward).

I recall during the Ming workouts in summer, he had such an intrigue about him, even some players checked out his smooth game at that first "Test" in Chicago. Like a new product being unveiled, he had pros and cons to him in front of all the GM's and coaches. The most astonishing comment I heard came from Quentin Richardson of the LA Clippers. It was something in the lines of; "..Shaq just has to just BANG, BANG, and then Dunk."

This is a direct reference to the obvious offensive foul move "The Big Aristotle" uses every game but never gets called on. Why is Richardson so concerned with what O'Neal is going to do to Ming? If Richardson is such a big-talker, why doesn't he talk about how he plans to dunk on Yao or block a Ming shot?

It's easy to hide behind O'Neal's back in Los Angeles I guess.

Then came Samaki Walker, who after a game said "he's good and all..but no match for Shaq." Excuse me? Isn't this the same Walker who Ming schooled on this night? I remember watching those ESPN highlights and I see Walker, trying to do anything to stop Yao. Hey Samaki you've been on teams with Duncan, Robinson and O'Neal, but I bet there was a "chance" to block one of those 3 guys' shots. You had no chance against Ming.

O'Neal had his tidbit comments over the last few months about Yao, but seemed to back down a little once he watched Ming put on a shooting display (9/9 FG) against his own Lakers. Now don't get me wrong, I've been around hoops long enough to know, Shaq is probably going to have his way with Ming a few times before Ming can put up a fight. But I think Shaq saw the "Future" and it stands 7'5 and although he can't be the brute force O'Neal is and I don't think anyone ever will be again, he will be a force in his own right.

Yao doesn't wave no finger after a block, or hang on a rim and make nicknames for himself. He just goes about his business, runs the floor like he's 6'7, has an unbelievable shooting touch from 18ft in, has a turn around move that maybe Ben Wallace and Theo Ratliff can get a hand on if they are lucky and he is still learning the NBA game, that's the scary thought.

In other words, he will never be Shaq, but for all his greatness Shaq could never be Ming. The center from China is going to create his own niche in this game. Ming does everything that Shaq can't. He can: hit free-throws, play a team game without whining about getting the ball, run the floor, make pin-point passes and can shoot from beyond 6ft from the hoop. In some games this year, Ming has used his presence to open up the game for his teammates. In the game against Seattle, he had only 9 points, and 4 rebounds, but every one after the contest was raving about his 5 assists and constantly finding the open man that started easy looks for Houston.

Ming has also seemed to be forgotten in some aspects. Yes he comes from China, but the level of competition is much greater here in North America. Ming has developed all these skills against players who don't measure up to him in China. There are High School players in America who have played against competition better than Ming has for years.

When Kobe and T-Mac were 21, everyone said "they are young give them time." Ming is 21 now, and that's a forgotten point. Everyone is so worried about him getting adjusted to the new game and country; they forget this guy is still a kid. Imagine at age 28 what will he do in this league? Maybe his age should be his biggest talked about aspect, like it was for so many budding stars before him. Why can't we just chalk Ming's mistakes on being 21 and inexperienced as a player and not have so many "Welcome to America" comments when he does get blocked or out-rebounded. Not even Shaquille had this much pressure on him to live up to the Top overall Pick, and no player in the league has a country watching his every move like Yao does.

The best thing that could have happened to Ming is he got to play with a team that is pretty much already built with pieces to surround his skills. Better yet, Ming doesn't have to do it all right now and may never have to since he has Steve Francis with him. The Rockets are going to be a tough team to beat in the very near future.

These are the factors to think about when playing Houston in the next few years, pending that Free-Agency doesn't tear them apart:

1) Steve Francis: Money Player, All -NBA, All everything. Maybe the MVP of the short NBA season so far, not many players can do the things he does every night. Passing, rebounding, scoring he's the total package. Has proven he is in the top 10 players in the league.

2) Cuttino Mobley: Probably the most underrated guard in the NBA. Can score 20+ on any given night, and is a tremendous athlete. Good shooter, willing to actually play some defense.

3) Eddie Griffin: Forgotten in the Ming Hoopla, Griffin is still a potential superstar. Great shot-blocking instincts and a very accurate 3PT shooter for a big forward. Once he gets stronger is going to be a force. Maybe the perfect frontcourt partner for Ming because they can stretch defenses for each other with their shooting ability and both can block shots in a zone defense.

4) Maurice Taylor: Once he sheds those extra pounds and gets back to his form before his injury, he is the "back-to the-basket player" they need. Very coordinated footing and good low post moves makes him a compliment to Ming and Griffin. With the 3 of those forwards on at the same time, they can attack from all angles. Never a good rebounder or blocker, he doesn't have to worry with Griffin and Ming around.

5) Kenny Thomas: Good solid player, nice game, should maybe be traded now while stock is still high. Too many forwards on this team. Should bring back a good backup PG/SG.

6) Kelvin Cato: Capable backup at Power Forward or Center. Strong body, who can rebound and block. Athletic player who's game is always better when he is hustling and staying in his strength areas (3 ft from the rim). Can dominate from time to time but really a good substitute.

7) Boston Nachjbar: Promising news on him, I haven't seen enough to write much more. Maybe the perfect Small Forward they need for the future.

Yao, or "The Dynasty" as Francis calls him, has turned it around quickly. He is putting up double-doubles nightly now and the consistency is coming along. Ming has had 5 double-doubles in a row before only getting 16 points and 9 rebounds against the Clippers. He as also went from being the most invisible giant, to a good shot-blocker, raising his season average to 1.6 blocks per game. If he keeps at this pace of evolving this season, he should be averaging about 18 points and 12 rebounds per contest by the time the playoffs roll around.

Ming has a 3 letter first name, but don't be surprised if there are another 3 letters circling his name in a few seasons. M-V-P. Hopefully, than Samaki and Quentin can be interviewed for their insight on this guy from China.