More than twenty years later, the 2002 Draft remains one of the weakest in history. It is made up of only four All-Stars (Yao Ming, Amar’e Stoudemire, Caron Butler and Carlos Boozer) and the first two are the only ones to have become true stars of the league. And quickly, the injuries will condemn their performances.
Still, 2002 will go down as an important date in the NBA history books. For the first time, a player who did not go through the American university system and comes from a foreign league is selected in first position. It is obviously Yao Ming. A 2m26 giant with golden hands and very good fundamentals.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, especially for a kid and a 45 minute workout”, observes PJ Carlesimobefore the Draft. “He did a wonderful workout”adds Scott Layden, GM of the Knicks between 1999 and 2003.
Financial stake, tradition and popularity
Then will come the time of small financial controversies since Yao Ming had been blocked by China and his Shanghai Sharks team for a long time before being allowed to come to the NBA. The laws required Chinese abroad to pay 20% of their salary, when the CBA, the local championship, asked for 30%. Inevitably, arriving in the NBA, Yao Ming was going to earn a lot of money and he became an issue.
For their part, the American media also wondered if his English would be good enough to play in the NBA.
On June 26, 2002 therefore, the dream becomes reality and the Chinese giant is well chosen in first position by the Rockets. The latter continue their tradition of dominant pivots (Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone) when the NBA sees the first Asian star set foot on its soil and thus opens up the most promising market in the world.
“The Draft is a show that is seen around the world and having a player of this caliber for this event is significant”rejoiced Stu Jackson, one of the most senior leaders of the NBA, even if Yao Ming was in China that evening and did not shake hands with David Stern, as was the custom.
For his first season, and thanks to his popularity and the votes of Chinese fans, Yao Ming will even be All-Star.
On the other hand, despite his 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 against average, it is Amar’e Stoudemire who will be preferred to him as rookie of the year.
