Ming should be starting

I like to energy he brings, but right now he is playing well off the bench so I would live him there. I would just give him more minutes like 20-25mpg. Man he looked good last night, he is unstopable in the post.

 

i like him comming from the bench,let Cato start. and make the opponents tired and then Ming can come in and dominate,but i would love to see him make more minutes

 

I agree with ed ...Ming will eventually play his way into the starting rotation but as long as Cato is playing well he deserves to start...no need to force anything.

I like the way Rudy has handled Ming's playing time......who knows maybe if Ming had been thrown into the fire early his confidence would have been shattered by now.


btw Kwame Browns career high is also 20 Pt's but it took him over a year to get it - 20 vs. Boston 10/31/02

 

IMO Cato should keep his starting role, but Rudy needs to split his minutes pretty evenly with Yao Ming. Yao is starting to feel his oats offensively but still looks lost on defense. When Yao finds his defensive game, oh, my, we have an All-Star Center with a first-string center as a backup.

I think Steve is starting to look to Yao in order to jack up his assist ratio. With Taylor, Griffin, Cato and Yao rotating in the front court, the other teams won't know who to double team!

I love this team now. By the end of the year, I'm sure it will be total adoration.

 

At this point Cato is the superior defender and rebounder. The fast break has not been the same with out Cato. The defense has also not been the same with out the Cato and Griffin shot blocking tandem in the game together.

In terms of half court offense Yao Ming is a lethal weapon but in all else Cato is still superior.

So who should start? I am glad I don't have to make that decision.

Eddie plays better with Cato and MoT plays better with Yao Ming.

 

I want to see one game where Ming plays 40-42 minutes, just to see how he handles the rigors of a full NBA game

 

I'd leave the rotation as is for now. Yao still seems to be out of breath at times. He needs to slowly work his minutes up. Plus I'd rather have him in during the last 8 minutes versus the first 8.

 

I guess we need to give Cato some credit finally, he is playing a little bit like his children book is titled called "t.e.a.m.w.o.r.k." Is it known yet when he will return?

It is amazing how people want Cato to start now. I am glad to see it. This time last year everyone, me included, wanted Cato to be shipped out of town. He seems to be a different person and player this year. If Ming keeps playing like he did last night, Cato will lose his starting job and he knows it as well. I see him playing well for two reasons. First, to keep his job as long as he can and also to maybe impress another team so he can have a shot somewhere else when Ming does become a starter. Only thing is, will someone want to take the salary he is making for the production.

I still don't see how Collier is starting though while Cato is out. That's just wrong!

"Yao Ming makes Shawn Bradley look like Bill Russell. … He ain't ready."
-- Charles Barkley

Hey Charles get ready to kiss some arse!!!
MIN FGM-A 3GM-A FTM-A OFF DEF TOT AST PF ST TO BS PTS
Ming 23 9- 9 0- 0 2- 2 3 3 6 0 4 0 3 0 20

 

A-Train:

I love the Yao and he is being brought along nicely. Man, I like those two handed slams!!! But, Ming wouldn't make it 40 to 42 minutes as IMHO he would have fouled out long before then.

Given time, less the foul trouble, I think we have a SUPERSTAR-in-training, on our hands.

 

I'm kinda curious....Where are all the naysayers in this bbs? The ones that were ready to call Yao a bust after 4 games? The ones that did not have the patience to let the guy adjust. I'm not saying he's a superstar yet, but he's no bust. A bust does not score 9/9 20 points in 23 minutes. He's a rookie, and he will have bad games. I'm sure we will see these idiots pop up with their negativity then.

 

cujo:

The naysayers are like cockroaches. Let them see the light and they all scurry away!

 

Collier deserved a chance, that's why he started. He's been with the team for years, he knows the schemes, and he desrves a chance to show that he can play.

He got that chance and didn't show much. Still, I would start the vetern over the Rookie as well. The vetern deserves some respect.

I think Ming could start except for his defensive ineptness at this stage. That should come with time. Ming's progress has been impressive, but the verdict is still out in terms of what he will become.

It will be interesting to see Ming play Bradley on Wednesday.

 

No, continue to bring Yao along at this pace off the bench.
He played pretty well against Phoenix, and much better yesterday.
I wouldn't put him in the starting line up until he's aggresive on a consistent basis, and gets his confidence at a higher level.

Just happy he had his break out game this early in the season, and even more amazed at the comments by Shaq.

 

Eh? A little premature.

One idea that really annoys me, though, is the argument that "Cato should be allowed to start as long as he plays well." What the hell is that about? If Cato's averaging a solid 12 and 8 in 30 starting minutes, but Ming is averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes (assuming some overlap), then you start Ming. Start the guy who gives you the best shot of winning.

For now, though, I like the idea of bringing Yao from the bench. He's young, still learning the ropes, hasn't had time off in a long while, and hasn't done that much. He's looked good recently... but I want a few more stellar showings before putting him in the starting line-up. No reason to rush the guy...

 

I will be the first to admit...I was a naysayer after 4 games. I was also very impressed by Yao's play last night...and after the second quarter performance...my only complaint was that Rudy didnt put him back in sooner. He was hitting everything he put up. I hope that he continues to improve especially on defense. I will still be surprised if he becomes dominant...like Shaq...but he is looking like he might be a very good center...which is what I hoped for. Way to go Yao!

 

If Yao continues his offensive momentum, then yes let him start. I believe in the best offensive lineup to start the game. You could still limit Yao to 20-25 minutes. Hit then hard offensively, then break the opponents' spirits with tough defensive to follow. Cato and EG blocking all the shots, and Hawkins picking their pockets.

 

You have to keep in mind that defense is part of the game too.

 

Ming had a good game but don't overreact. The Rockets are easing him in perfectly and why start him and put pressure on him. Let him continue to learn the game and the system coming off the bench, and by the end of the All-Star break and into the playoff stretch he'll be ready to start. As for now starting him could disrupt his growth. Besides it's not like we're desperate at center, as others have mentioned Cato is playing well, he's giving us about 10 ppg and 11 rpg and most importantly he knows the system and he's playing great defense. Ming will be a force on both sides of the ball as time goes on, but bring him off the bench now and let him learn.

 

Best time to defend is when you have the lead. Why start the game by reacting to the opposition's attack on you? Best defense, is great offense. Get your lead first and then defend it!