I realize you're being purposefully obtuse for giggles, but comparing the success and value the Timberwolves received to what we have/will receive for Yao is indeed ridiculous. 2293 2381 2995 2693 3222 2446 1780 1948 3243 1623 3202 2043 3171 2588 3321 0 3232 90 3121 2957 2995
My dad always wanted Caron Butler or Amare' so he thinks we should of traded down to get one of these two guys.
I was not skeptical, because it seemed an eternity away until his 30th birthday. But I do remember reading the pre-draft articles talking about the career tracks of guys who played in the NBA at heights greater than 7'4". That's why I don't buy remotely the argument that his injuries came as a surprise to the Rockets. The only experience anyone had with players of that size was that this was coming...and that was with players logging far fewer minutes than Yao ever did. But I don't regret it...he was the best option in that draft.
At least we got a perennial allstar with Yao. Other than Nene who is decent, everyone else selected total scrubs that are either out of this league or are role players. I'm sure everyone who drafted below us has more regret than we do.
Your obviously delusional if you think we wouldn't be FAR better building around Amare. The guy is a top at his position
hahahhaha no way, me and my dad just argued about this yesterday too. He was saying that he wishes we didnt draft him and that he's overrated...I really had to calm myself from hearing such dumb words.
There would be a new arena. That was voted on in 2000. As far as the name, maybe would still be Toyota, maybe not. A Houston company that owns a lot of Toyota businesses (dealership, distribution centers) is a major sponsor of the organization.
I just can't bring myself to engage in what ifs about guys who weren't even an option. It's dumb. You offer me the choice between Yao and Amare with hindsight, sure, I'll take Amare. But that wasn't the choice. If not Yao, it was Williams or Dunleavy, Amare wasn't on the radar of any team drafting in the top 5. So yeah, I'm more than happy with the pick.
Refman, at the time, suggested trading down to take Amare. There was some thought we could get Odom and Miami's pick for the #1 pick in the draft that year. Initially, it seemed Francis and Mobley were more excited about that, as I recall.
Amar'e-Odom-Mobley-Francis isn't a bad team, but then again neither was Hakeem-Drexler-Jordan or Yao-Gay-McGrady. Hindsight is 20/20. To be fair, although our ride with Yao never got us anywhere and was a little short, I enjoyed it while it lasted. Plus, I think Amar'e would of bolted to NY anyway.
Thanks for bringing that up. People here forget that he got injured during a game, it's not like it was wear and tear or he was fragile.
All things considered...Yao was the right choice. I've never questioned that for a moment. Not even an instant. What I have always questioned is an apparent (to me) bad judgement by Rockets' management where they ignored the highest probabilities for both Yao AND Grady.
exactly as many as Yao brought to Houston. but it wasn't a question of just Yao or Amare...if you got Amare, you'd be trading back and presumably picking up something else. again, i remember refman specifically here arguing for this. i disagreed and told him i preferred taking yao. i said miami...odom was with the clippers then...my bad. I searched google for more on this, and found this from our own clutchfans bbs: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=4579635&postcount=17
