KUALA LUMPUR (Mageshwaran's AsiaScope) - There is a gratuitous line of thinking to draw a comparison - between the incomparable legacy of Yao Ming and the irresistible talent of Zhou Qi - that is doing the rounds in Asian basketball circuit these days! I have always found comparisons of players from across two different periods in time unnecessary, and have invariably been justified in my conviction over a period of time, and am as uncomfortable as ever in supporting this attempt to draw a parallel between a legend and a great potential.

Nobody here is questioning the legacy of Yao - I cannot even if I want to!

Nobody here doubts the prodigious abilities of Zhou. Everybody who saw the 15-year-old lead China on an unbeaten spree en route to the gold medal at the 2nd FIBA Asia U16 Championship at Nha Trang City (Vietnam) last month were convinced of the Henan youngster's enormous talent.

Some of us were even tempted to wonder if Zhou is better - because he is certainly far more mobile than expected for his 215-cm pencil-thin frame and therefore faster on court - than Yao was when he made his international debut at the 1998 FIBA Asia U18 Championship at Calcutta.

Yao was the MVP in that competition, and never looked back on the road to name, fame and eventually a legendary status in Asian basketball.

The comparisons between Yao and Zhou, to me, should begin and end there - in our minds.

I firmly believe the impact of Yao had far reaching implications on sport in China itself than merely playing the spearhead in taking the Chinese National Team to the quarterfinals in the Olympics.

For one, Yao's success at Houston Rockets certainly injected a sense of confidence among all Chinese sportspersons that they can flourish in historically Western-dominated sports, and create benefits - in a cross-section of areas - on both sides of the Pacific.

This is a legacy Zhou can only follow. Does it make Zhou any less a talent? The answer is: No.

Yao also left a few dreams unfulfilled - like winning a medal at the Olympics or at the FIBA World Championship; or for that matter winning a Championship ring in the hallowed NBA.

These are dreams Zhou can fulfill, given the time on his hands. If, and when, that happens, will it make Yao any less a legend? The answer, again, is: No.

Therefore, drawing a comparison on either account is an unfair comment on both Yao and Zhou.

Zhou is the most talented youngster that has emerged from China in recent times - across all age-groups. There is no doubt in that. But to immediately push him into a "next Yao" zone, is adding unnecessary pressure on the youngster.

Of course, Zhou himself refuses to be drawn into any comparisons.

"I just played a couple of good games," Zhou says of his performance in 2011.

"I just hope that one day I can be part of China's men's national team."

Zhou, for now, is content idolizing Dwight Howard - to build a bigger frame - and looking at Wang Zhizhi to pick the tricks in outside shooting, but for sure has to contain this enormous pressure on becoming the next Yao.

"Look, I had no choice, but to play basketball, because of my height. I just want to enjoy my time on the court playing basketball," Zhou said during a chat at Nha Trang City.

Sensible, and appreciable, approach from a youngster cutting his teeth in international basketball.

Shouldn't we let him be? Shouldn't we leave Zhou to do what he is doing - "enjoy playing basketball"? Should we add another unnecessary dimension to his progress - which should otherwise be watched in terms of pure basketball sense? Should we add the burden of shouldering a huge legacy - albeit he has shown immense maturity in handling the issue?

My simple answer would be: Let Zhou be Zhou! And let Yao be Yao!

There is no other Yao, undoubtedly. Let Zhou decide whether there should be another like him!

Next week, let's look at some more youngsters who hold the key to basketball in Asia!

So long…

S Mageshwaran

FIBA Asia

 

FIBA’s columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

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