Originally I planned to post this to the Dedicated Thread of Yao Ming's Rehabilitation. But on second thoughts, I think it warrants more debates and justifies to be a separate thread. So what do you guys think ? Is Yao Ming too optimistic about the current Houston Rockets being a championship contender ?
Not at all .. if any other team lost their bonafide starter, they're bound to tank. Can you imagine Spurs without Duncan and Parker, Jazz without AK and Okur, or Lakers without Odom/Bryant? Nope. We've actually held on. This is indeed a championship team!
and Suns without Nash and yet Rockets fans still complain and complain! Hahaha! that Yao...always cracking jokes! but anyways Yao with more muscles, bigger and stronger when he returns!!! watch out NBA centers!! notice I didn't say Shaq thats cuz Yao already took care of Shaq and his looong gone!!
i agree with yao's assessment of the past few years. i think our team is now entering the "playoff experience phase" - which should be followed by the "championship years phase"
Naaaaaah, we have to assume that TMAC will be okay with his back, and stays healthy, cos you cannot do anything with TMAC. He has a max and long contract, and there will not be any other teams interested in acquiring him, given he is known to have this chronic back problem. We are sort of stuck with him. We can only wish this witch doctor Patterson can continue working magic on his back. .
you gotta love yao. it seems he always comes back from one of these injuries better than he was. wouldn't be surprised if he's been studying tape every single day as well.
I think the gained weight was due to alot of weight lifting and not enough cardios, which is understandble. But I don't think this is good for Yao, if anything, he needs to some pounds to reduce the load on his knee.
Excited with his upper-body strength training. My wishes for Yao when he returns: - He has learned a few more tricks from watching all the tapes on how to prevent losing the ball to the swarming players around him - He has developed arm and hand strengths further that when he grips the ball, it doesn't come loose easily - He has learned from Mutombo how to be aggressive and make people pay for even trying to get close to him (wanna kiss my elbow?) - He has learned to time his jump better on rebounding and blocks - His legs have the strengths/stamina to last throughout the playoff - He has developed consistent shots from 15 feet away - He has learned to not necessarily wrestle to get inside every play and will shoot from 15-feet if left open - to keep opponents guessing and to save his strength through 4th quarter Wouldn't that be monstrous for Yao and nice for Rox? What do you think?
The Lakers actually did lose Odom for awhile now (probably as long as we've been w/o Yao), but check the standings.
I think Yao is one of the only players that I know of that retains such a crazy workout regime even when he's injured. Props to him.
you forgot to put in stoudamire, who is a bonafide starter. the suns did pretty damn well rox haven't held onto anything.
He get paid a lot, but his impact to Suns is behind Marion and Nash. Plus, as I mentioned in previous post, it's about losing TWO of your best players.
Super human healing ablilities. I love it! Yao knows his own body best, so i believe him when he says end of feb. dang this guy is just too much of a workaholic.
The Rockets have a great chance of winning the trophy this year. Like the Heat last year, who struggled with nagging injuries, lost Shaq, couldn't get their chemistry exactly right.... Then the end of the season came and everyone was hitting on all cylinders. Not to mention that Yao, T-Mac and Battier have never been out of the first round so when the first round playoff series comes they will turn vivious. I cannot wait for the playoffs because the Rockets are going to bite into the other team that they'll never forget.