Zhou searching for the Yao factor

NBA rookie struggling to match legendary compatriot's fast start

Both giants of men, both shouldering the massive expectations of their country and both, of course, playing in the red of Houston - but, less than two months into his rookie season, there the similarities end between the start of Zhou Qi's NBA career and that of the legendary Yao Ming.

Zhou's arrival in Texas in the summer triggered a tidal wave of hope and hype that he could emulate the now-retired Yao and fly China's flag high once more on basketball's biggest stage.

However, the transition from the CBA has been far from smooth for Zhou, who has found his game time limited and often been relegated to the NBA's development ranks, the G League.

Symptomatic of his early struggles, the former Xinjiang Flying Tigers star missed the Rockets' recent three-game road trip with a sore left calf, and was omitted again on Monday for the 130-123 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

For the fans back home, disappointment and concern are growing.

"Considering Zhou's performance for the Rockets, I have to say once again that Yao Ming was phenomenal," wrote one fan on Weibo. "So far he has not shown improvement on both sides of the court."

More worryingly, some Chinese media have speculated that Zhou's recent absence is not injury-related, claiming that the Rockets have lost some faith in him.

The 2.16-meter (7-ft-2) 21-year-old from Henan province has averaged only 1.4 points, 1 rebound, 0.2 steals and 0.1 assists in the 11 games he has played.

In contrast, Yao was proving the doubters wrong early in his rookie year. Rockets great Charles Barkley memorably remarked that he would kiss a donkey if Yao managed to score 19 or more points in a game.

Barkley was eating his words by Yao's eighth game when the Shanghai native scored 20 points in 23 minutes off the bench in a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

By the end of the regular season, the NBA Hall of Famer had averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 0.4 steals and 1.7 assists.

More muscle

Many observers have suggested Zhou's travails are down to his skinny physique.

Because of his wiry frame, coach Mike D'Antoni has been using Zhou as a power forward, limiting him to making opportunistic plays around the rim. At the defensive end of the court, he relies heavily on a wingspan measured at 2.33 meters (7-ft-7).

Zhou, the 43rd overall pick in 2016, was one of the tallest players in this year's draft, but at 95 kilograms (218 pounds), most observers agree that he needs to add bulk.

Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who recently conducted a special training session with Zhou, said: "Zhou Qi is a very talented player. His basketball IQ and technology are very good, but he is too thin. It puts him at a big disadvantage in the NBA.

"He needs to gain weight and body strength so that he can deal with physical battles of the league."

Many fans in China are of the same opinion.

"Due to his physical condition so far, he can't challenge the big guys in the paint," one opined on Weibo. "He should work harder on his shooting ability from the arc and get stronger."

Solid support

Aside from the fans, the NBA is rooting for Zhou, with the league hopeful it has found an heir to Yao to boost its biggest overseas market.

Before Zhou's arrival Stateside, NBA commissioner Adam Silver had spoken of his frustration at not having a player from the world's most populous nation in the league.

And speaking at the NBA China Game in Shanghai in October, Silver gave Zhou a huge vote of confidence, saying: "I'm very pleased to see him with the Rockets. I'm trying to take some of the pressure off him. Let's give him an opportunity to develop. I know the entire country is focusing on him, but we all have to be realistic in terms of our expectations.

"Zhou is a young player. It takes a long time to develop in the NBA. But I believe he can truly be a great player. And he has great character as well. I think he is an excellent representative of the people of China."

It would seem his teammates, too, are fully behind him, with Eric Gordon remarking: "He's got a lot of talent. As long as he's around our team, he's going to grow. He's just got to get more physical and that will come. But, he's talented. He's not scared. He's ready to play. He has a bright future."

Perhaps the most ringing endorsement of all for Zhou, however, has come from a certain James Harden.

"Man, he's working hard," said the Rockets superstar in October. "He's gotten better from the summer time and then preseason and now. The more he's around us, the more he practices and the more he gets opportunities in the game, he will be really good for us. He's just enjoying the ride and we're happy to have him."

shifutian@chinadaily.com.cn