I was bored, so I started watching the 98 eastern conference finals between the Bulls and the Pacers. I saw Smits was in the game and decided to watch how he played. He seemed to be the only player on the Pacers that could hit a shot. Miller was like 1 for 11, and Jordan was having one of his good games. However the Pacers kept it close because Smits was 8 of 9, mainly on using his quickness to score. I started thinking that if Steve or Cutttino had a bad night, Yao could be that 8/9 player that keeps that game close. This would become real important in the playoffs. I realize Luc Longley isn't great, but he could be better than many centers today. Any comment? (be easy, this is my first post on ANY forum.)
i like rc cola so i won't say anything mean...buut i wasn't going to anyways. i think ming will be better than rik smits during his prime years. but if it has to come down to having a rik smits type of player i think i'll be satisfied seeing how big men is harder to find nowadays. rik smits 'prime' season: 95/96 18.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.13 bpg, on 52% shooting. i'm hoping that ming will develop and become a better rebounder and shotblocker than that. i'm hoping for 17 ppg, 12 rpg, 3 bpg in 2-3 years. but hopefully sooner
Welcome to the board! Interesting observation! I for one would be happy if Yao can do more or less like Smits did. Right, Smits was no "great" center, but in today's NBA we don't need a great center anyway. Remember Smits played against the group of great centers in the 80s and 90s ... the Ewing's, Hakeem's, ... and we can foresee that Yao will be facing a group of average ones. Yao = Rik? I wouldn't mind ... but of course I hope Yao > Rik ... but what do we know? One thing I disagree ... Luc Longley would still be a stiff in today's NBA.
i'm hoping for 17 ppg, 12 rpg, 3 bpg in 2-3 years. but hopefully sooner That would be ideal. Do you believe that he would have to be a featured part of the offense in order to produce 17 a game?
Yeah, I think Ming will end up better too.But since they compare those two a lot, I figured I'd watch the game. Smits didn't look great but he got points. In fact, on his jump shots he didn't even jump! BTW, I figured Steve Francis #1 fan, Eddie Griffin #1 fan, and even Yao Ming #1 fan were taken so I chose my favoritte drink instead. (you don't see too many "Sprite" or "Coca-Cola" screen names.) I admit Luc is pretty bad, but he did average 11pts 6rbs and 1blk in that 98 season. Those numbers are bad for a 7'2" guy, but they are similiar to the "2nd best center in the league." Boy times sure have changed.
that's why i only had him down for only 17 points . it's conceiveable to think that: steve will get his 20 points a game mobley will get his 20 points a game griffin will get his 18 points a game (once he starts) taylor will get his 15 points a game but then you have to remember that ming is 7'6" and put backs can be had easily. lets say this happens: ming gets 10 shots a game and makes 5 of those--10 points ming gets 6 shots at the FT line and makes say 4 -- 4 points ming rebounds and gets say 2 put backs (not counting the real shots he gets) --4 points that's 18 points alone right there on a 7/12 FG, 4/6 FT, with 2 FGs being put backs.
I wish I knew how to quote. Well I agree with steddinotayto in that Yao will get easy shots. One thing I just realized about Rik is that he only got 2 rebounds in that game. Hopefully Yao will do better.
quote--third icon from the time of post i'm pretty sure that ming can manage at least 8 rebounds a game (shawn bradley's avg was 8 per game before he got demoted to the bench).
Sweet. NO, not another Shawn Bradley comparison! I think players that tall usually get a lot of rebounds on accident. Hopefully Yao will be able to use some skill along with his size to get some rebounds.
I think so. Although I'm biased, and have no basketball talent scounting experience. It is a bit unfair because Yao is about 22 while Curry is like 19 or 20. So he could be better already. If you mean in their primes, then it may take a few years to answer that.
I have said for a while now that Smit is the fair comparison. A big, excellent shooting, center. I just hope Yao proves a better rebounder + less injuries. For those who think Smits wasn't that great, remember he was rarely injury free. Also, he came along in a GREAT era for big men. Ewing, Dream, Admiral etc. Yao will have much less competition IMO.
I think a better comparison would be a young Sabonis. That might be saying a bit much though because the young Sabonis i.e. from 88 olympics dominated.
I watched the same game yesterday and I would have to say from all the read and what little I have seen, I think you can compare Ming to Smits. They are both tall and can both shoot. I think that Ming compares to Smits in his prime already, but that Mings potential is much higher.
I really don't see any comparisons to Rik Smits. Both are tall and can shoot, but after that the similarities end. Ming is a shot-blocker, Smits wasn't. Ming is a great rebounder, Smits a decent, maybe good rebounder. Ming is also much more agile then Smits, able to put the ball on the floor. Smits couldn't do that. Ming is also a great passer, Smits was an okay passer. I agree with Asian, Ming compares far more to an "in-his-prime" Sabonis then Rik Smits.
Comparing Ming to Smits and Sabonis is much more than most think. Before age and injuries, those two players were considerd better than Ewing hands down, and I wouldn't be suprised if they were up to par with Robinson. If Ming has half the talent those two players had before they came to the NBA, Ming will be an amazing player. Period.
You know, the guys at TSN blasted the Rockets for picking "the next Rik Smits." When I read that, I was shocked. I mean, Smits was a high, high quality center for years. When he retired, the Pacers went to crap with essentially the same team. With fewer quality centers than when Smits was in his prime, such a player would be easily worth the #1. And, if Ming is just a bit better than Smits as I suspect he might be... hell, that's a great bargain!
take rik smits in 96 and put him in the 2002 draft. he would go #1. so if yao is no more than another smits we did the right thing.
