Yea, the reason why West was trying to acquire a Curry or Dampier all summer was because of all the confidence he had in Gasol.
Great post, Doc. Thanks. The Rockets would never trade Yao. Why? Because 80% of their marketing is Yao (20% is TMac). Yao is huge. Yao sells tickets. Yao sells jerseys with the dripping blood "R" on them. Yao is the Rockets' identity. We traded away the entire team but Yao (and MoT, who is untradeable for other reasons). We are not going to turn around now and trade Yao, even if a better current player, such as a Stoudemire, is offered (who wouldn't be offered, regardless). Franchise players are not traded, even for marginally better players, unless there are contract issues or character issues. None of which applies to Yao. Teams have too much invested in their franchise players, from a p.r. standpoint, to cut ties. As for the max deal, even if Yao ends up only as good as Rick Smits (bite my tounge), he deserves the max deal offered after the rookie contract. Why? Because it is a good deal, by NBA standards. The collective bargaining agreement puts a very reasonable cap on the max contracts for players with less than seven years experience. And this is for players coming into their prime. Much better than the deals for players with more than ten years experience, who will be well past their prime when the biggest dollars are being paid (i.e. Jason Kidd, Chris Webber). Those are the scary deals.
silence traitor fan whose team is going no where. the prophet Doc Rocket speaks. and also Clutch should start posting his inside info.... after all not only is Clutch our leader and administrator...... BUT ....... a mascot for the Houston Rockets organization..... surely the mascot must get let in on some trade secrets or rumors/grumblings around the organization
Yao shouldn't go anywhere...... Just imagine when he's 27 and Tmac's 28 and both in their prime...... Build a good team around them, one which can shoot and FREAKIN GET YAO THE BALL WHEN HE'S IN POSITION, and you've got a contender......
Great post, Doc. Thank you! We've all seen what Yao can do, but there's still room for improvement and little mistakes to be rectified by the coaching staff. Most important of all, he has to regain his confidence, and his physical play will come along naturally.
Remember......it took DREAM 10 years to get his first ring.... Yao will never be Dream, but big guys take a little while to figure out the game (Unless they're named Shaq)
Both Yao and Dream are Raw in a way. Coming into this league with raw talent but not a great knowledge of the US style of basketball. With Dream (basically no basketball knowledge) They both have their faults and will learn things that vetrans will teach them over time and he won't be making the stupid mistakes he makes now.
There’s no doubt Yao can still become a very good player, definitely better than how he’s been playing lately, but there’s only one person that can help Yao improve and that is Yao himself. Not a new coach, not a mentor, not the trainers, not new players. I just think it’s ridiculous how many believe that a new coach or a new cast of players is suddenly going to turn Yao into this monster.
you would be exactly right.....If I could express my feelings on this subject without anger towards some of the mor moronic posters who cry cause Yao isnt a superstar stud...and then proceed to blame the whole team and the fans cause he isnt.....I would say exactly what Doc just posted....\ Im thrilled that Doc came by to put into words what Im sure alot of us feel.....Thanks Doc ROcket...you still the man...even without any inside info for us this time.
THANK GOD, the Grizzlies won, or MemphisX wouldn't have had the balls to post, and we would have missed this trenchant analysis. Eddy Curry? You're not even a decent troll.
The Doc finally speaks! Great job! One more thing eventhough English is Yao second language, at least he could pronounce the word" ASK" properly instead of the Ghetto lingo that makes it sound like a freaking "AXE"
It's a bummer that Doc can make one of his rare posts, and one that's not a short "teaser," about something (although it may be a long teaser... ), and yet again half the thread instantly turns into some Yao/anti-Yao mess from some the usual suspects, along with some personal "shots" back and forth from some members who know better. Result? We have to wade through that stuff to read the actual interesting responses. I think Doc is right. I also think Yao is open to criticism when he has a bad game, which he's had more than his share of this season. I just wish people wouldn't get bent out of shape when a member rags on Yao for a bad game, or some aspect of his play, and does so without any thought of "hating" Yao, or wanting to trade him. Doc makes some excellent points. I think Van Gumby's coaching style, the trade for one of the NBA's premier players, the turnover we've had recently... heck, trading Cato... all that, and much more have Yao a bit "back on his heels," trying to adjust. The point Doc made about Van Gumby's use of Yao, "Without passion, I say that yes, I think a new coach would be better for everyone. I just really do NOT like to see Yao have to go and defend 18 feet from the basket and then get back following the guard. I just innately do NOT like the whole '5 man team' concept.", is something I couldn't agree with more. Doc, you really should post more often. It doesn't always need to be some inside stuff... we just need more quality posts from our top members. Too many have just thrown up their hands and quit bothering. And why waste so much space responding to MemphisX? The guy can make good posts, but like someone said, he only comes in here after a win. Too easy to take you for a troll, X. You should know better. Keep GARM Readable!!!
How about a little Mustang Rebound Drill for Yao? One on one on one-- no fouls called. Full court. A shot launched and missed sends everyone back to the other end. Person who scores gets to sit down while the other two take on the fresh newcomer. Ah, to be 14 again...
I agree. It is hard to be patient, but we have to give him the max and let him find his way. It will come, but Jho, Sura, Wesley, Barry etc.. will not be here when it does. DD