Can someone post this? If it hasnt been posted already... Thanks in advance! Coach of the year: Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets The way Adelman steered the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak last season and got them focused on defense and teamwork was extraordinary, even through the loss of Yao Ming and the maladies of Tracy McGrady. This season, with the addition of Ron Artest, whom he already had in Sacramento, they've got a legitimate chance for greatness. Best defensive player: Ron Artest, Houston Rockets There is no tougher defender inside or outside than Artest, and he's back into "focused Ronnie" mode and knows full well he can gain extreme redemption by helping carry the Rockets deep into the playoffs. He is an exceptional talent who loses his way emotionally, but he'll give this defensive-oriented team an even stronger presence Most deteriorated player: Steve Francis, Houston Rockets Nobody has fallen harder and farther than Stevie Franchise, who has started only 93 games the past three seasons. He was bought out immediately by the Trail Blazers last year after the Zach Randolph trade. All looked sweet for him heading back to Houston shortly thereafter, but he couldn't get on the floor. Now they may let just him go.
Can someone post this? If it hasnt been posted already... Thanks in advance! Link Coach of the year: Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets The way Adelman steered the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak last season and got them focused on defense and teamwork was extraordinary, even through the loss of Yao Ming and the maladies of Tracy McGrady. This season, with the addition of Ron Artest, whom he already had in Sacramento, they've got a legitimate chance for greatness. Best defensive player: Ron Artest, Houston Rockets There is no tougher defender inside or outside than Artest, and he's back into "focused Ronnie" mode and knows full well he can gain extreme redemption by helping carry the Rockets deep into the playoffs. He is an exceptional talent who loses his way emotionally, but he'll give this defensive-oriented team an even stronger presence Most deteriorated player: Steve Francis, Houston Rockets Nobody has fallen harder and farther than Stevie Franchise, who has started only 93 games the past three seasons. He was bought out immediately by the Trail Blazers last year after the Zach Randolph trade. All looked sweet for him heading back to Houston shortly thereafter, but he couldn't get on the floor. Now they may let just him go.
Technically Yao never guarded Okur so there's no way of knowing how that would have turned out. My guess is that it would probably would have worked out okay since Okur isn't exactly the kind of guy who can shake defenders on the way to the basket. The problem was that sticking Yao out by the three point line would have completely sacrificed shot blocking in the paint. The series with Utah was a damned if you do/damned if you don't scenario. One on one there's no way Yao can keep up with a super mobile PF like Boozer. Personally, I think JvG's a great coach in a lot of ways but he's way too conservative. When it was obvious that Boozer was going to run away with series MVP I would have thrown Hayes or somebody on him and sent Yao out to cover Okur. Regardless, Kenny's point still stands. Playoffs are all about matchups, and if the Rockets get lucky they'll end up facing somebody like Dwight Howard or Eddy Curry--big, traditional centers that Yao can dominate.
Actually, Boozer and Okur both did quite well against Yao while Hayes was pretty much shutting down whichever one of that pair he was guarding.
Okur didn't guard anyone. Yao had 28 in game 7 in 07. Okur just stands at the 3 point line the whole time. That's why Yao couldn't guard him. Okur is a bum.
