That's because some of us can recognize things that you are incapable of seeing. This is coming from a guy (you) whose hero is Francis. Which is not surprising... We had 5 years to assess your boy Francis, before he started to loose favor. While others have been demanding his removal from this team way before most did (it was not a prediction, but careful analysis of his game over his first few years). Just because you don't recognize it, doesn't mean that WE can't use our own analysis to make logical predictions. Your problem is that you are the "master of the obvious." You see only what is in front of you. You can't read between the lines. You remind me of Francis. As far as Gaines. Why not give him at least one year for prove himself. You are STILL giving Francis the benifit of the doubt even after five years of fumbling and bumbling!
DavidS, please stop stalking me. I have never said the offense would not be better, as a matter of fact I have stated in several threads that T-Mac is a better fit for Yao, so don’t put words in my mouth. I’m just pointing out the fact that its wrong to criticize a guy who actually is trying to see how the team is playing before he anoints them the next dynasty. I didn’t mention Francis anywhere in my post. You seem the one who can’t keep his name out of your mouth.
The reason I bring him up his because for the last five years you were his biggest cheerleader. And the same argument you are posting today is the same logic you've been using to defend your boy. Are you incapable of displaying any type of foreshadowing. By the way, T-Mac is not only a better fit for Yao. But a top five player! Heck, I could list 100 players that would be a "better fit for Yao." As JVG said in a post interview. He's not worried about Yao and McGrady playing together. He's confident about that. He's only worried about getting the right mix of players around those two. And what type of roster changes he'll have to make in the next few days. He's trying to figure out the best starting lineup and bench order.
I think T-Mac is just trying to find his place in the team for now and its way to early to say that what we have seen so far is anything like what we will see this season or in the games to come. I guess its JVG's job to work out what stragey to take and whats the best way out of getting the most out of both players and the best way to get them to play together as a team. T-mac is always going to get way more minutes than Yao and its more than likely what he does in that time that will have the biggest impact on the team.
T-mac already appears to be a creative interior passer. I saw more diagonal passes through the defense last night than in the past 5 years combined. With him and Ward, Yao will receive the ball in much better position this year for more easy baskets. The only play Francis could execute that was similar was the alley oop. The center's primary role in fast breaks is starting them, not finishing them. Hotballa is right on the money. The only exception I can think of is David Robinson, and we know what happened when he faced a real center. Blocks, steals, outlet passes are what Yao can do for our fast break.
It isn't wrong to criticize it. It is absolutely justified. One game in preseason has little to do with the long-term success or failure of a team based around T-Mac and Yao. Trying to make a determination as to the success or failure of that duo based on a single preseason game is like trying to determine what a player's shooting percentage will be at the end of the season by watching a single preseason game. You MIGHT get it right, but odds are SIGNIFICANTLY greater that you will be wrong.
Have we all been watching the same games? Apparently not because I think the two have meshed beautifully. T-Mac's passing skills have been on display as he has been easily setting up his 7'5 target. Like Phil Jackson said in his book, "noone can set Shaq up like Kobe can." I've seen the same thing here with our two guys.
What I saw last night was a team that looked in control most of the game while the starters were in the game. Yao did not seem to labor up and down the court like most of the time last year and he seemed much more fluid. For much of the time last year it appeared as if the Rockets were struggling trying to keep up with the better teams in the league but not last night. I did not see all of the little mistakes mistakes that made me want to through my remote control at the TV. I think this team is going to be a lot more easy to watch and I think Yao and T-Mac will be very good for each other.
Some of you people get pretty negative after I make an observation because of your hopes of the "dynasty" coming as a result of McGrady. Sure, people say McGrady prefers the half-court game...I can buy that. But I tend to watch people off the ball, esp. during a preseason game. And Yao looks like he's always the last person to get down the court (he looks like he's struggling to get up and down as if he was out of shape). If we try to set up the offense through an entry pass to Yao, by the time it happens the shot clock is probably around single digits. If that happens regularly, I can see McGrady's tendency to push it to the basket on his own instead of trying to run the offense through Yao. I just feel that at the end of the day, when you build an offense through a solid big man, it's hard for a slashing 2 guard to get his points....that's a big reason Kobe and Shaq had so many problems. Somebody's game will suffer...that's all I'm trying to say. And since Francis was brought up, even though I have a sentimental attachment to him, I think McGrady is a better compliment to Yao simply b/c he can shoot better and he's much taller and can D up on 3 different opposing players. Ideally, if we want to build our team around Yao, the most important thing is to have solid shooters....this is why Houston and LA were able to do so well. Do you really think Rush will excel now that Shaq is gone? Was Horry an MVP candidate because of his isolation moves? These guys thrived on the set 3 point shot, and hopefully our role players will be able to provide the tools necessary for a championship. I guarantee when Yao is out of the game, McGrady will truly shine and play how he wants to play. Peace
One thing I've noticed is that the last 3 preseason games Yao has gotten more easy buckets -from Mcgrady- than in the last 2 years. Somebody actually wants to do an alley oop pass to him. With francis it was always to Cato but he rarely tried that pass to Yao, maybe like so many say their games and confidence in each other was never there. T-mac can definately pass, particularly while driving down hard on the low post drawing in defenders and dishing it to the wide open center. you could actually see it in Ming's face that somebody could actually deliver a (clean) pass to him in close. On a side note I wondor if Van Gundy was experimenting yesterday or not, but why was Yao defending so high on the post, I don't remember ever seeing him such high up last year. In some plays he was strattling close to the 3 point line. The Kings were blowing by him or him getting a foul while driving in the wide open lane to the bucket. Keep him in the low post, he doesn't have the lateral speed to keep up with those guys. Let him congest the lane and provide weak side help when needed.
I think Yao gets a lot more easy buckets because I think he’s a lot quicker than he was last season. He even said himself that he has come into this preseason in better shape. I think Yao put on too much weight last season. He couldn’t carry it. I think he was a lot more mobile as a rookie than in his sophomore season. Now he seems to have some balance between his weight and mobility. He gets into his moves a lot quicker, and he gets to the open spot a lot quicker than he did last season. Lets just hope his stamina holds up.
You don't think any of that has to do with a two-time scoring champion on the other side of the floor as him?
Yao is ALWAYS running for the fast break though. How many times have you seen him made a block and then sprint straight to the other side of the court. Sometimes you can tell he's tired and didn't want to but he still tries. Maybe coach wants him to do that ?
Hey vikask...just a few notes... 1) Yes, McGrady's game will "suffer." But I don't call it suffering. I call it sacrificing for the betterment of the team. McGrady know this. And he's capable of meshing with Yao because he's "been there, done that (the *try and do it alone* thing in Orlando)." 2) Yep! McGrady is an upgrade in: Size, shooting, scoring, passing + low-turnovers and post-up skills (you missed a few ). 3) SHOOTER, SHOOTERS, SHOOTERS! This can't be mentioned enough! Good point! We need to start looking for a "poorman's Michael Redd!"
No, I don't think having a scoring champion next to you makes you quicker. You get in shape and make yourself quicker. What does one have to do with the other?
I saw 2 superstars who seem to compliment each other well and from the looks of things they seem more than willing to adjust to each other's games in order to do whatever it takes to win. Fundamental & Logical basketball is BACK in Houston for the first time in many years! Thank God francis is GONE and TMac is HERE!! I am sooooooooooo HAPPY
Shine like what, back in Orlando? No offence man but your conclusion is just plain wrong. If shine and play however he wants to play are Tmac's ultimate goal then why did he choose come to rocket and rocket only? He had all those freedom back in orlando! We'll have to see how it works out between him and Yao, but you just don't get it, he doesn't want to be the lonely star anymore, he wanna have someone to help him. and I believe he knows better than you and me because he played against Yao and we didn't.
