Just some funny Gundy talk. Funny Gundy Yao and then It's not like last season, but, then again, nothing ever will be. Yao Ming was only carrying the world's most-populous country on his back when he hit the NBA a year ago as a Houston Rockets rookie, let alone the usual pressures that go with being a No. 1 pick, making him an international sensation and a U.S. curiosity at the same time. He longed to be able to sleep more. Now comes the 2003-04 season, in which he actually gets to blend in, as well as a 7-foot-6, 310-pounder with the eyes of China on him can, with LeBron James the latest new sensation and even Houstonians shifting to another impact arrival, coach Jeff Van Gundy. Yao is relying more on his improving English, although he still leans on a translator in some situations. Tuesday in Sacramento, he left the hotel for an afternoon walk alone, the first time some who have traveled with the team ever saw that happen. Media demands, internationally and here, are way down. "Mild interest," said Nelson Luis, the Rockets' director of media relations. "But nothing like what it was last year." Said Yao: "I have a lot more time to rest and a lot more time to think of basketball things." That could change again, depending on the success level in Houston. For now, though, the Rockets have eliminated the 2002-03 practice of press conferences the first time through every city, instead making him available at the same time as every other player, and focus on potential advances in other parts of his life. For example, of all things, basketball. "I would like to see him be a combination of force and finesse," Van Gundy said. "Yao is a nice man. But I want him to bulldoze some people, too. I told him when he was sitting with his legs crossed before our team meeting today that it wasn't inspiring to see my center with his legs crossed." The start has been encouraging. Even with Yao again missing the early days of camp, and a new coach, to play for China in an Asian tournament, he is quickly getting acclimated to the Van Gundy system and the possibility of being a greater part of the offense. He has a coach with a history of pounding the ball inside, with Patrick Ewing in New York. And, besides, Yao's not a rookie anymore. Gobsmack me if posted before.
No one would gobsmack you even if they knew what that was. And dammit Yao, let those legs hang wide open, take up some space, man!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Van Gundy's Knicks teams weren't one dimensional pound the ball inside teams. They were most successful when Ewing was out and the offense ran through perimeter players sprewell and houston with camby running the floor and Johnson hitting 3's. Why does nobody seem to remember this?
JVG hit the nails again! The most Yao needs right now is just pure aggression. I will give JVG an A+ if you managed to persuade Yao to put some tatoos, NFL-style face paint, and average lead the league in technicals this reason. Time to stop being a nice guy and start dominating.
hey as long as he turns around the rockets and gets them at least into the playoffs this season, i have nothing against that
I'm all in for Yao being more aggressive. As for the tatoos? I dont think so. If he gets a tattoo I'll be really dissapointed!!!
No. Sam is right. Don't confuse the Pat Riley days with the JVG days. Ewing was coming to the end of his career. And the team was more concentrated with Spree, Allen, Johnson, Ward, Camby and Ewing. Not just Ewing. And even if JVG would have gotten a chance to coach Ewing during this prime, his offense would have still had a mix of plays, not necessarily starting *always* with Ewing. JVG inherited a team with equal talented stars. No leaders. Spree, Allen, and and "old" Ewing. Who's the star? So, he did the best with what he had. And quite well I might add. Finals appearance and a number of undermanned play-off battles.
Absolutely! Then again, what if he gets scars by imitating Kwai Chang Kane of Kung Fu by moving coal jars with his forearms? He can show those off while scoffing at the pansy needlenoggins in his white mime face.
Two different periods:- The first was with Pat Riley as Coach. The second was with JVG as Coach. Ewing was the focus in the earlier period.
