Hakeem would like to teach Yao
August 4th, 2006by John
Hakeem “the Dream” is back in Houston this week teaching some NBA big men some of his moves. He lives in Jordan now, but is enjoying sharing his wealth of experience with guys like Ndudi Ebi (from Houston’s Westbury Christian Academy), Desagana Diop, D.J. Mbenga, Ike Diogu, Luol Deng (not really a big man), Mamadou N’diaye, and the Nigerian national team.
Missing on the list is Yao Ming, who is in China preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo later this week. Even though Yao’s competition is getting better through Olajuwon’s camp, Hakeem would love to work with Yao next year. Click here for the entire story.
Here’s what Hakeem had to say about Yao on Thursday:
“He is mobile enough to be a force. He runs the floor very well. He has a soft jump shot, good skills. For him, it is just the concept, the job description, that he must learn. That lane, it belongs to him. Everybody has to go through you. You reject everything that comes in there. It is your house.
“It is more of a mental picture for him to get in his mind and then extend out to other teams. ‘Oh no, we have to face the Rockets and Yao Ming! We have so much to worry about!’ He needs that mentality. Everybody talks about his skills. But he is a gentleman on the court. No. It is not a place for gentlemen. Not in the lane. He must be a force.
“It is about so much more than stats. It is that toughness, that image, that force that all big men must project. Tracy McGrady is a great player. But this is Yao Ming’s team. It should be. He has so much more to offer. It is not out of reach. I am a realistic person. He has what it takes. But he is trying to fit in when he should be making everyone fit in around him.
“Maybe you say it is cultural. I don’t know. But he can change. He can be taught. Let him see how it’s done. I know he has obligations this year (in China) with the world tournament. But next year, maybe he is free. I plan to be here. Hopefully, with a bigger camp. I would like to work with him.”