Lets talk for just one sec about WHY we are gonna draft Ming if we do. From a BBall standpoint, he fills a need that we have, he is talented, and HE ATTRACTS MEDIA ATTENTION. I think the last reason plays really heavily into the Rockets decision. From a pure bball standpoint the trade for Odom, #8, and #12 is a better deal. From a purely business standpoint it may be better for the Rockets to draft Ming (Asian people will tune in to Rockets games, the networks will show more games, etc). Again, I would do the best for the Rockets in a bball sense and stockpile talent. One tall media circus does not equal 3 talented bball players in my opinion.
The flaw in your argument is that Ming is probably better then Odom, and could be the next GREAT thing, while Odom is a good player he is not a superstar. You have to risk to get the rewards. Ming is the thing. DaDakota
I can't remember who exactly said this but it was something to like....."When it comes to trades you absolutely take talent over the numbers". I wish I remembered who said it, although I'm sure I butchered the quote.
I still prefer Ming over Odom. Odom is a trouble maker, breaking the drug abuse rule in the NBA. Nothing good will come of him if he comes to Houston. Like everybody been saying "You have to take the risk" something like that. If Ming does happen to suc, just get rid of him next season, but atleast he will attract good players to Houston, such as Rashard Lewis. Now tell me if I'm wrong!
You are wrong, if we have to pay Ming a #1 draft choice salary, we won't have the money to bring in a guy like Lewis who wants the max. Odom still has a lot of untapped potential while Ming is a big question mark. Odom could be helpful to are team because he is a team first type of player on the court while Ming will probably be a vacum who will demand the ball thinking that he's still playing against 2nd class Chinese league b-ballers. If ming is worth Odom one of the Clips #1's this year and a #1 next year, I can't see how we don't pull the trigger. Finally, with all the media hype around Ming, I bet the players in the NBA are pissed that somebody who hasn't even played a game in the NBA is getting so much attention. You better believe Ming will have a bullseye on his back like no rookie has ever had before. I promise you Shaq is going to humiliate Ming the first time he plays him.
I think it again comes down to a question of how talented Ming is. IF we're confident that he's got the talent to be a very good center in the NBA, I would say that we have to take him. It's been my feeling all along that we really are almost forced to take Ming because of the attention Houston would get. Imagine half of China wearing Houston Rockets jerseys! Houston would finally get the media attention we always complain about not receiving. It would probably help in getting Francis more exposure to NBA fans. Just think about this -- Yao rebounds, passes to Cat on the break who throws it to Steve for the alley-oop jam. All of China will become Steve Francis fans as well!! I like your name Outkast9000. Listening to "Stankonia" right now (it's on track 15 -- Humble Mumble)
Ming or no Ming we are already over the max as a team so the most we can offer Rashard is the 5 mil exception and nothing else with out the assistance of a sign and trade. Odom is already under contract so we would have to aquire him in a trade. In both scenarios the aquisition of Yao Ming and his #1 pick salery will have no effect on our financial ability to aquire free agent talent or talent thru a trade.
You make it sound like Yoa is the only draftee that has not seen NBA action Everybody seems to mention that Yoa has never play a rigorous 82 game season against NBA caliber players, as if that this is the distguishing, black mark that he alone must bear. Truth is Bulter ans JWilll will also struggle against better competition as well as hitting the wall at some point in their rookie season.
1. Ming's contract for 4 yrs vs Odom's for next year PLUS the INCREaSE HE WILL WANT - if ming prohibits us from getting lewis. . . Odom totally destroys the posibility . . not only Lewis but free agents for quite some time 2. Odom has his own brand of Question marks 3. As for NBA player being jealous . . . Do you pass on Lebron James next year? hell he been hyped since his soph yr in high school 4. Who has Shaq not humiliated again? Please point to the great defender ? Rocket River
