Yao Ming grew up in China. Now he is the 7'6" center for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He's darn good, too. But the experts, like former Knick Patrick Ewing, say Yao won't be great until he learns "to be more agressive."
Why isn't he?
Donnie Nelson, a Dallas Mavericks' executive, told the N.Y. Times:
"..it's just a different way of being brought up."
In China, Nelson said, "...it seems like a culture that promotes a more unselfish, 'what's best for everyone is best for you' mentality.
In our culture," Nelson continued, "it's almost exactly the opposite."
The story says the Rockets have stressed to Yao that "taking over on the court does not mean he is being selfish."
What do you think?
I do not want to be misunderstood here - China is no role model. Still, might we Americans benefit from watering our competitive wine with a few drops of cooperation?