Gater, first off, let me just thank you for the fairminded, evenhanded way you've been conducting your posts throughout these two-plus weeks of Yaomania. I have done thorough testing on you, and the results are in: you do not have a case of Savioritis. but the reason the media isn't in a snit about Odom's wrist injury is that there is no situation in which the Rockets would not have every opportunity to inspect Odom with their medical staff and give him a full medical examination [fat lot of good that did them with Rice, eh?]. but with Ming, the very real possibility exists that we won't get to give him a physical. I think that is Max's main bone of contention. that would be a deal-killer for me even if I had never, ever heard a single rumor about him ever being injured. in this day and age, you just do not draft someone in the first round of any professional draft [much less with the top pick] without being allowed to do your medical homework. would anyone feel good about making this pick if he turned out to be the next Zydrunas Ilgauskas? no one can know that he will, but we could at least begin to address some of those fears with a full Walter Lowe medical exam. I agree there is an element that feels like a witch hunt to this whole thing. but I think the root cause of that witch hunt is not because this guy is Chinese or because so many of us are so pro-Odom. I think the root cause of the witch hunt aspect is the fact that there is too much mystery around this guy.
Odom's wrist injury is not considered a permaneant type of deal. Ankle/lower body/back injuries for big men...especially ones that weigh 300 pounds or are 7'6'' have a greater chance of reoccuring. That may or may not be the case for Yao, who knows? However, back worries were a large part of the reason Loren Woods went from lotto (at one point, top 3), to mid 2nd rounder. It's also why Borchardt isn't regarded higher, and part of the reason Marcus' stock was low, so that he decided to go back to school.
c-minnie - Thx for the compliment and your point is well taken. One last comment. I am somewhat surprised that this ankle concern came out of a Houston paper. I'm not sure how to read this. No NY media, no Vecsey, no Krause comments (negative Yao = more likely to take Jay Williams or trade to someone who will). I find this very curious.
The suggestion has been made that we trade the pick and slide down to number three and whatever we could get from Golden State (which I presume would have to include one of their big men in exchange for some matching salaries on our part). Then it was stated that Krause might take Butler with number two basically for revenge. That would be funny, because we could then draft Ming at number three, plus have whatever we managed to get from the Warriors. I could live with that.
I don't think the Rockets medical staff would have any problem getting to examine Ming if they hopped on a plane and went over to China. Or, they could schedule it in Indianapolis at the World Championships. In fact, if you are the Rockets and you plan on seriously drafting Ming, why not spend the Jack to get a thorough exam in China? DaDakota
my thoughts exactly...which leads me to the conclusion that Dale Robertson is basically asserting (whether true or not) that China is not allowing a thorough exam. That seems to be the only conclusion....again...I'm not saying that is the case...just that it seems that's what Dale's talking about. Of course...the world championships in Indy are AFTER the draft, right??? if that's the case, that doesn't do us much good.
According Chinese news paper : Ya Ming got thorough examination the day before Chicago workout that inculded X-rays, MRI, Blood test, etc. It took a whole day. As Ming Said, "From hair to toe nail, everything is under microscope". If Rockets experts want another examiantion, I don't see any reason they couldn't get it.
