Yao's softness makes national topic on Jim Rome's Jungle!

Hakeem is a BAD comparison for Yao. Dream came into the league fully developed physically.

In his ROOKIE SEASON, he averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal and 1 assist while shooting 53 percent and averaging 35 minutes per game. His second season, he went up to nearly 24 point, 12 rebounds, almost 4 blocks, 2 steals and 2 assists while shooting just under 53 percent and playing 36 minutes per game. That year, the Rockets went to the finals.

Olajuwon didn't develop slowly. He was a monster from day one. He did mature mentally, which is what won us our championships, and he did improve with time, but he was well ahead of Yao when he came in as a rookie.

 

Jim Rome is a pompous self-righteous idiot. I can't stand him or his "clones". Yao will be fine once Van Gundy figures out that he should be playing at the high post most of the time so that he can take advantage of his mid-range shooting ability and passing skills (just my two cents

 

i understand your point...but in his second season, hakeem was instrumental to the rockets getting to the finals...he averaged sick points, rebounds and blocks in the playoffs. hakeem was a freak...and we likely will never have another player like him...i'm not sure the NBA will ever see another Hakeem. someone else will be good in their own right...but hakeem is hard to measure up to.

 

RACK HIM!

 

I can see your point... but if Yao had Ralph Sampson to take some of the heat off instead of Cato I think he would be putting up similar numbers.

Not only that, but Hakeem had been playing in the states against future NBA players instead of?!?

but yes... maybe a bad comparison. They are certainly different players, but I see a lot of simularities as well...

 

In some ways, it is MORE impressive that Dream dominated with Robert Reid, Rodney McRae, Ralph Sampson, etc. than if he was on a bad team and was the lone scorer. Hakeem was also a beast in the playoffs.

I just think they are very different players. Hakeem was a mix-it-up, in-your-face post player. He was extremely agressive to the point of violent. Some thought he was a dirty player early in his career. His elbows were legend.

He also was a stellar overall athlete with sensational athletic skill, quickness and insincts.

Yao is a more complete player at the same stage of his career and very likely could be on that level if he were a more dominant and agressive low post player, but he will never have the quickness and athleticism that Olajuwon had. It just ins't in Yao's physical makeup.

IMO, Yao's personality will go a long way towards determining the player he will ultimately become. He is such an imposing physical presence that if he learns to use his size and strength, he will be nearly unstoppable. Think Shaq meets Bill Walton. But, that would be at the absolute apex of his career assuming all other things go well.

Right now, Yao is a very good center who needs to adopt certain personality traits to fully expand his game. It isn't even about being mean or nice. It's about being competitive. The great one's all would beat you down to win. It was just how they were. They wanted it so desperately, they'd do anything to make it happen.

I think Yao has that competitive fire. He just needs to adapt it to an American game where the players are much more physical and aren't afraid to use that phisicality to succeed.

 

I see a lot of simularities as I've said...

the main difference that strikes me is that Hakeem would often be the first one down the court. It always amazed me how he ran the floor.

I think if Yao can get the endurance (I know he will never have Hakeem's quickness) then I think he can get down the court quicker. I'm also impressed with how Cato gets back on D. I have to say that Cato is finally earning his bread. Good investment yet again by the Rockets. I admit to being skeptical for a bit.

I'm still not convinced about Nachbar and I would like to see Padgett playing more. for some other team that is...

 

I'm not so sure that is a critical factor. Jabbar didn't make it to 1/2 Ct. most of the time and still scored 30k points!

 

I hate to say this, but.....

Yao ain't gonna get a break for the next 3 or 4 years during summer time. Asia Champion games, Olympics, Olympics qualifications.....

He needs to marry an American chick to become a US citizen to escape the iron grip of Chinese (Crap) basketball Assoication

 

I agree Yao is probably drained and needs some rest, but that won't happen...As far as him being soft, I thinkg there is a little truth to that as he's been conditioned to not be as aggressive, but I think that'll change this year...

 

I think Yao was spoiled by all these kind of lame excuses: Culture, language, and most of all, all year Basketball. I have never seen so many excuses were used for one so-called potential super-star or franchise player. If these excusing sounds don't die down, I don't see Yao become a boy, not to mention a man, any time soon. Right now, he should be playing in WNBA or NCAA women's basketball.

 

What did SJC do to you?

I detest Jim Rome as he states the most obvious things and he is damn unlistenable with his constant pausing. So, I would hardly lose any sleep over this.

 

It's true Yao isn't playing the brute force type of game like O'neal did. But the question is can he do it?? Can he play with that type of brutality by pushing his opponents? From what i seen...Yao just didn't want to play that type of game to me. He's afraid of the use of excessive force i think. In fact, I don't think he knows that's it's ok to use excessive force and just completely destroy the opponents. From what i seen, he does not know the threshold of force necessary to back down his opponents. It's not so much wheather he can do it, it's that he didn't even attempt to show it on the court, that's the stupid part. He seems to move too much around the court and never seems to stay on one spot.

Also I don't know if he has the strength to do it, cuz he gets push too easier...i even saw Van Horn pushing out...what is up with that?? His body bends and fragile too easy. Why can't he expand himself and show how big he is. Is he that light?? I just don't get it. Where is that tree trunk legs that he used to establish with determination. Why does he need to be motivate to get going?? If he's not a brute type of player, then Rox needs to let him play like Duncan. Teach him to face up when he got the ball in the post and then either shoot over them or drive to the hoop.

 

No upperbody strength. Greg Anthony of ESPN said he needs to hit the weight room.

 

More National coverage on Yao's softness. Today on PTI one of the topics was what is scarier Mad Cow or Mad Yao. Kornheiser went with Mad Cow.

 

Damn. That is cold.

 

Maybe all this national attention on Yao's softness will motivate him to become a more aggressive player.

 

Maybe all this national attention on Yao's softness will motivate the refs to allow him to become a more aggressive player.

 

Listen, I like Yao just fine, but a snowball has a better chance then Yao going off cause he's playing with Ralph freakin Sampson. Oh please.

 

What?!

We all know how Yao suffers from fatigue a lot throughout games and how he is soft. It is nothing new coming out of Rome's mouth. It's strange hearing about it now though in the National spotlight.

I caught that segment of PTI where he asked what is scarier, Mad Cow or Mad Yao?...