More And More Professional

MORE AND MORE PROFESSIONAL basketball teams are looking overseas for top talent. In the 2002 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets used the first overall pick to select Yao Ming from China.

Standing 7-feet-5-inches and weighing nearly 300 pounds, Ming was one of the most highly anticipated players to join the NBA. In the Olympics and during the China Basketball Association (CBA) season, Ming showed the talent to be a difference-maker in the NBA. In the 2001–02 CBA season, he averaged 32.4 points per game, 19 rebounds, and 4.8 blocked shots. Ming’s dominating presence in the middle helped the Shanghai Sharks win their first CBA championship.

After the Rockets negotiated with the Sharks and with the Chinese government to get Ming on the team, he quickly made his mark as a rookie. He was a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie team. Plus, he averaged 13.5 points a game—even scoring 30 against Dallas—and grabbed 8.2 rebounds for Houston during the 2002–03 season.

As the young 7-and-a-half-footer continues to become stronger and adjusts to playing against NBA competition, he’ll improve into the all-star that everybody expects him to become.

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POINT Outstanding athletes hail from around the globe. But most who turn pro find the biggest money in the West. The promise of an extraordinarily tall and potentially dominating basketball player sent the Houston Rockets after Yao Ming. The promise of a high salary and global influence may have brought Ming to the United States.

East and West met successfully with Ming’s arrival in Houston. He played well and gained popularity in spite of the language difference. His quiet style and fun personality endeared him to fans around the world. And the language of basketball—with its baskets, free throws, and fouls—proved universal.

God’s language transcends east, west, north, and south. His language overcomes all barriers and needs no translation. His language is love.

GOAL! Review the roster of your favorite pro team. Note any international players. Ask God to help you express God’s love to people you meet from other countries.