Given that the Rockets pick Ming in the 1st pick and keep him. Also given that we will not trade anyone or lose anyone and pick a SF prospect at #15 (may be Jared Jefferies) and may be a back-up PG/SG at #38. What do you see Ming role in the Rockets in the first year. Is he going to start or come off the bench. How many minutes is he going to play. What about his average. I think he might come off the bench for the first few games and split PT with Cato/Collier (whoever is healthy) and average about 25 MPG then he will start after few games. His expected statistics: 10 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Blk, 1 ast, 55% FG , 70% FT. What is your expectation of him? I know it is early and most people have not seen him play but curious to see what everyone else think.
5 points 3 boards .5 blocks Really can't make a decent prediction unless I know how Rudy is gonna play him, but I'll just throw one out there assuming Cato gets all the big minutes.
17 points 8 boards 2 blocks a game. there is no reason why he cant put up those numbers, he's 7 foot 6 with supposed great skills, and a soft shooting touch , there is no reason whatsoever why he cant dominate straight away.
No way he starts over Cato. Ming will take a couple of years before he has the skills to bang inside with nba players. Look at the workout in Chicago. Ming put up no resistance to his opponet, and gave up easy layups. He simply does not have the strenth, or skills, to handle the nba yet. Most scouting reports I have read seem to think that Ming will take a couple of years to adjust to the physical play of the NBA. Until then Cato need not worry about his day job. Rudy's loyalty has always been to his veterans. Unless he feels the POLITICAL PRESSURES from China, he will not change his ways (not that I agree). 8 ppg 6 rpg 1 apg 1 bpg 5 fpg If Collier is not moved, he will average about 16-18 mpg. Collier moved 20-22 mpg.
theres a big reason he cant put up those numbers right away: Not used to the physical play of the NBA, and not having the strength right now to play it.
Remember Ming is a #1 pick, he better have production or it could be Rudy's job. Cato has had his chance and has not won the job, plus he is lazy. So a great improvement this year is very unlikely. Things just get worst for Cato, when the luck of the Rocket got the 1st pick. He was thinking that he had it made, just because he was a center and was tall and that is highly wanted in the NBA right now. Now this first pick will replace his sorry ass, and how will he compete with Ming on a nightly basis if Ming does show promise and are the fans going to accept Cato over Ming if Ming is the real deal? Hell no!! Most Houston fans did not like Cato prior to getting the first pick. (Advantage Ming) Plus, Ming is not lazy and will be a much better rookie than Cato has been his whole NBA career. I bet now, Cato wishes he tried a little harder going after lose balls, last year after getting that nice contract. Remember, when Francis sat out those games, when he was hurt? When he came back, Francis had a different perspective about what was wrong with the Rockets, after watching from the sidelines. Francis mentioned something about their not being enough hustle or heart, IMO he was speaking about CATO. Francis may support Cato now, but I think that is just a cover up on Francis’ part. I am pretty sure that after Francis got back from the injury and saw that Cato was Lazy as ****, Francis had to work with Cato a lot to get him to try a little harder, which ended up working a little last year. So… Francis is kind of a teacher to Cato, and Francis can't talk bad about his student. Ming’s first year stats hopefully 10-15 ppg first 15 games, then should be around 15-20 ppg 14 rebs (10 Def 4 Offensive) 5-6 assist (fast break points to Francis or Mobes, finally!! snow bird plays) 3.5 blocks 32 mins pg Also remember, not all NBA teams have a Shaq or a Duncan or a Malone or a......that's it..........That can beat him up a little. Ming may not do well for 3 out of 10 games, but those 7 good games, should be enough to get us in the playoffs and allow the Rockets to start learning how to win and lose in the playoffs. Next year we will dominate the East like we did 2 years ago. And the West will still be tough. If we are lucky, the Rockets may get out of the first round, but that is the most we can hope for the Rockets next year no matter who we get. But, Ming will change the game alot.
I speed read that part and thought you were talking about Cato at first. Ming should get major playing time. I made him up on NBA Live and so far he is averaging 19pts, 9 boards, 3 blks, 4 assists, 0.5 steals. Of course, that is just Live, but I trust live, so I'll use it as my prediction for next year, give or take a few numbers. Cato still sucks and has no heart and has no basketball intelligence. He fouls too much and goes for every pump fake. His only asset is his size and athletecism, which the only use he has put that towards are broken-play alleyoop dunks from Francis.
I think he could put up some pretty good numbers if he got steady playing time. However knowing Rudy I also know that he won't get the steady time he needs and will instead average 6-8 ppg 4-5 rpg 1-2 apg 1-2 bpg I'm fine with that though. I think he needs to take it easy the first year to get his bearings and learn some tricks of the trade. By year two I think we'll begin to see the guy we hope he can be.
Well on NBA2k2 hes avearaging 30 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks a game. Glory be! Draft this guy NOW!
Gasol got 17pts/9rebs/2blocks this season. You REALLY think Yao is way better than Gasol? I think every Rockets fan alive would "settle" for those numbers like yesterday.
