Doc, Where do I sign up?!? I'm ready to go out and win one for the Gipper!! Did you copy that stuff straight off CD and RT's blackboard after they met with the staffers? I'm on the Ming bandwagon again. Man all this stuff is exciting! Now if we could just transfer all this buzz from last year's draft and this one to watching our team in the playoffs again. We're coming back baby!!!!!! Clutch,if there is a BBS Hall of Fame for individual posts,I nominate Doc's effort up top. If that don't get your heart pumping for Rocketball,nothing will! Can I get an Amen on that from my Brothers in Rock?
I like Odom, but not as the principal for the #1 pick in this years draft. The only "sure thing" on the Clippers is Brand. Further, even Brand alone isn't worth the top pick in this years draft. IMO this year's 1-2 picks are are close to a sure thing as we have had since Duncan. Aelliot, JW may not be a sure thing in the mold of Duncan or Shaq, but he probably is as close to a sure thing as anyone else in recent years. Interestinly, I looked at PGs under 6'5" over the last 20 years who went 1 or 2. They are Francis (2-99), Bibby (2-98), Iverson (1-96), Kidd (2-94), Kenny Anderson (2-91), Payton (2-90) and Isiah Thomas (2-81). Their track record is awefully outstanding, and JW is probably with Iverson and Thomas as the three most "sure things" of high profile smaller players to come out over the last 20 years . That is awefully good company. To me as great of a prospect as JW is (IMO, Iverson, Thomas level) if all the calls are coming in for Ming that shows you what they think of Ming. Because there is very little doubt Jason Williams is going to be an outstanding pro, and probably contribute right away. I am really warming up to the idea of Ming and a high potential SF (Odom, Lewis, a rookie) joining the Rockets.
I don't see any Shaq's, Hakeem's or Duncan's out there to take with the #1... The situation here would be trading the #1 pick for someone less risky and with less potential. Your example would be trading the #1 pick to the rights to a star center that has already proven himself in college ala Dream, Shaq, Duncan. There isn't a center like that this year. 1996 NBA Draft The Charlotte Hornets are on the clock. "Well, there's still some guys with star potential available..but they're kind of risky. Those kids out of high school, Bryant and Jermaine..and that European shooter Predrag..but I'm not all that sold.. (interrupted) "Hey guys, I just got a call from Jerry West. He'll trade us Vlade Divac if we draft Bryant for the Lakers at 13!" "Vlade Divac, huh? No risk in taking him. He is a proven vet afterall... let's do it" 2002 A few Charlotte employees can only watch in disgust as the Kobe/Shaq led Lakers defeat the Kings on their quest for a 3rd straight NBA title.
I don't know that Hakeem was a sure bet. Everyone knew he was a great defender and rebounder, but even CD will tell you that he had no clue of how great an offensive player Hakeem would be. Everyone thought he'd be a center than nabbed 11 boards a game, got 3 blocks, and made the majority of his points of dunks and putbacks. Hakeem worked his tail off to get the majority of his offensive skills. He couldn't shoot free throws for a lick. Everyone knew that Hakeem would be productive, but certainly no one knew that he would develop into a HOF player and he did have his questionmarks (mainly his offensive game and FT shooting). Ming seems to have the opposite questionmarks Hakeem had. Hakeem couldn't shoot and Ming can, but Hakeem could definitely play D and rebound whereas Ming is an unknown there (at least against NBA competition). Hopefully if we draft Ming he can do what Olajuwon did and improve through hard work.
If there was a way we could get Odom without dealing with the #1 pick, tell me where to sign, but I doubt the Clippers are looking for anything short of the #1. Sheed is a big gamble too, but like the other situation, he's not worth #1. We have the guards, and power forwards, Griffin will be SF for a while, Rice can be a good (but expensive) 6th man. We're missing one thing, a center..... Welcome to the U.S.
Great job, may I add a few more... Can Ming stop Shaq next year? No Can Ming guard Przibila, Battie, Lorenzo White, or any other center in the NBA next year? Yes Games against Shaq in a season? 4 Games against Przibila, Battie, Lorenzo White, or any other center in the NBA? 78 Number of players in the NBA who come home early to cook dinner for their parrents? 0 Number of Ming's children? 0 Number of children per family allowed in China? 1 Number of Carron Butler's children? 2 Number of Shawn Kemp's children? 8843 Are the last four questions relevant in anyway to anything? No Number of Asian Championships won by China before Ming Yao?0 Number of Shanhai Shark championships won before Ming Yao? 0 Number of times Los Angeles Clippers made the playoffs after getting Lamar Odom? 0 In which season were the Los Angeles Clippers closest to making the playoffs after acquiring Lamar Odom? 2001/2002 (9th in the West) Did Lamar Odom play any significant role in the 2001/2002 season for the Clippers? No Are the last 5 questions relevant? Yes Is a 7'5" player at risk of being injured and miss games? Yes Is a 6'10" player who has had major wrist surgery at risk of being injured again and miss games? Yes Is a 6'3" point guard who has had foot problems, migraines, and a back surgery at risk of missing games? Yes Is any NBA player at risk of injury? yes Who has longer arms a 7'5" man with short arms, or a 6'11" with long arms? How low must the arms of a 6'11" man must be to be equal in length to the arms of a 7'5" man? probably to the knees Are african gorillas elligible for the NBA draft? No If a 7'5" man stretches his short arm up, will it reach as high as if a 6'11'' man stretches his long arms? Will Ming Yao be available to for training camp and preseason every year? Maybe not Did Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon ever break a sweat in training camp or preseason? No Did Kalvin Cato ever break a sweat in training camp or preseason? No Did Kalvin Cato ever break a sweat in a regular season? No Has Kalvin Cato ever break a sweat? No What is a more productive use of the summer, to play for the Chinese National team or to pig out 70 pounds? Will Mo taylor be available for the training camp and the preseason? Yes Will Mo Taylor be available for the first 5 games of the regular season? No Would you rather have your players available for the regular season or for the preseason? Is Cuttino Mobley a fine player? Yes Does Cuttino Mobley have a future as a head coach or general manager? No
<I> Aelliot, JW may not be a sure thing in the mold of Duncan or Shaq, but he probably is as close to a sure thing as anyone else in recent years. </i> Ok, so what does that mean? It means that there haven't been any sure things since Duncan and teams draft on potential. Isn't that exactly what we've seen happen? Even if you believe that Williams is a sure thing, are you suggesting that we keep him? If not, then what sure thing are you going to get for him? We don't need Jay Williams, he duplicates our team strengths. Drafting him and keeping him would be a waste. Is Williams going to be a good pg? Maybe. But is he going to be a top 5 NBA player? Probably not. He's not a sure thing, especially for a team who's best player plays the same position. So, you draft for the guy that has the most potential and fits your needs the best.
Greeeeeeeeeeeeeat post, Doc!!!! Ming, Way to go. --------------------------------------------------------------------- We (Asian BB Fans) are coMING, too, Houston!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Is this like twenty questions? Then let me join in: Did I like Doc's Post: Yes Do I like bball enthusiam: Yes Do scoops matter: No Does fandom matter: Yes Do we need more enthusiastic fans: Yes Will Ming bring them: Yes Is Ming the best player in the draft: Yes Do I dream about Ming: Yes Do I dream about Ming watching p*rn: No Do I care if Ming watches p*rn: No Do I care if Doc watching Ming watch p*rn: Yes
I come up with a great idea.....so great that I am wondering am I genius! It is like this: China wants Ming to play for its national team while Houston wants develop Ming during offseason. Why cannot Houston send its trainers out to China to coash Chine National Team, then we have all the freedom to train Yao the way we like!!! China will be glad too by having some NBA-level coach working with their team. Isn't it a 'one-stone-two-bird' solution??
Does Doc get a sizable boner thinking about Yao? YES. Just playin' wit ya, Doc. Please fill us in on the Rocks management trip to China after they come back. And thanks for the bit of info about the calls for Yao.
lovethisgametoo, that's a really neat idea. I could see that as a real opportunity for Rockets assistant coaches, and a true win-win situation for just about everyone. Ideally, it might be just one or two assistant coaches, preferably a big man coach like Mr. Mean who could work with Yao one-on-one.
If he averages that much he will make the All Star team. Only one center averages more than that. Antonio Davis averaged that for one season and made it to the All-Star team and got a max contract.
I loved that post, PROPS man, I have been sold on Ming since the lottery was one, I had my friends in Dallas calling and saying I cant believe you guys just got Yao Ming, Thats a Dallas fan guys, A DALLAS fan! We need Yao Ming badly! He is the real deal! (gut feeling ) At his height He should be able to board at the very least 10 per! Blocks as high 2 1/2 per game Points just off put backs and outside jumpers could go as high as 14....worst case 10.... Those are great numbers for a rookie! imo
-------------------------------------------------------------------- . I could see that as a real opportunity for Rockets assistant coaches, and a true win-win situation for just about everyone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The only problem I suddenly realize is that Chinese BB coaches are not paid well, I think about $50K a year. Then is it still a 'real' opportunity for Rockets trainers?
