Coach is on right now. (4:05 PM) (1) General "sightseeing" stuff. (2) Discussions with Yao's parents, and how they were glad the Rockets got the pick, and would like to see Ming here. (3) Rudy described the 3-hour practice, and mentioned it was the second workout of the day (!) (4) Of what he saw of Ming: "He ran well. Made some perimeter shots, shots from the free-throw line, some inside. Passed very well. Very Poised" (5) After the practice, he spoke with Ming. Initially Zhang acted as an interpreter, but they later talked by themselves with no problems communicating about basketball. Some different terminology ("pick-n-pop" rather than "pick-n-roll"), but they understood each other. (6) Ming asked some questions about the international game as opposed to the NCAA game. They talked about Rockets personnel. (7) In answer to a question: "(At the same age), Ming is different from Olajuwon. Olajuwon demonstrated power and 'explosiveness.' Ming is a better well-rounded player. Better passing skills. Better knowledge of the game. However, I (Rudy) feel it is an unfair comparison." (8) Bateer played against Ming in the practice. He (Ming) is getting experience in "NBA banging." (9) "I was looking straight up, a posture I've never had to get into to talk to a player. He makes everybody else look like a little kid." (10) "We've done our part with them. A lot of things could not be written down yet, but Michael is going to go back. They have to go through the government agencies, and that may take time." (11) "Obviously we've gone there and do like him. We'd like this thing to work out. We still are seeing how this whole process works."
For those of us not in H-Town,please update ASAP with his comments. Does anyone know if 610 is available online?
Caught the last part.....Rudy said Ming is there top choice if everything works out with the Chinese government. Negotiations are now in the Chinese officals hands now. Rudy also said, that they were warned that the political part may take a little while.
Basically 1) Ming is #1 choice but there is alot of time until the draft. They have done what they can. The CBA has to get permission from the government. This may take some time. 2) Laker/Kings series was one of the best. 3) Rudy said that he will not have a problem communicating with Ming because they were able to talk for around 5 minutes. Ming called the pick and roll the pick and pop. 4) Compared Ming to Sabonis(actually Charlie stated that and Rudy agreed) 5) Said Dream and Ming are different players. Dream was stronger extremely agile. Ming has a better understanding of the game. Ming has been playing organized ball for a long time. 6) Ming is huge. Rudy could not remember the last time he had to tilt his so far to talk to someone. He mad Bateer(6'11'') guy look more like 6'8''. Said he can pass very well and shoot.
I edited the first post to include details (and a handful of direct quotes). I need a typist to do those transcriptions
Rudy said if they draft Yao Ming, then he is gone! J/k............. Carlit0 basically covered all the important things Rudy said. Rudy just talked about his impressions of Shanghai and his brief conversation with Yao. Rudy said Yao will have no trouble understanding basketball lingo. Interesting tid bit.... Rudy T said Yao's pop is 6'10 and his mama is 6'6
What excites me the most is his passing!! Think how much easier it is to pass the ball from 9 feet high to a flying Cat or Francis. Or Ming can pass it down to Cato for one of his dunks.
How long due you think Rudy is going to wait on getting the O.K. from the proper officials in China, before he opens himself to other options. (The draft is less than 2 weeks away)
did anyone hear on 610 that the Rockets were going to hold a press conference in the next couple of days concerning the #1 pick? I heard this on the espn message board but it may have been a false rumor....... http://boards.espn.go.com/cgi/nba/request.dll?MESSAGE&room=nba_hou&id=73558 _________________________________________________ -610 AM reports of a press conference- "We just got word that the Rox will make there decision reguarding there #1 pick at a press conf. in the next few days. It's funny, instead of mentioning Ming as there pick, they said there #1 pick...hmmmmm. Trying to read into this press release is something that I'm not going to do, but I can't help think that if Ming were in the "bag" they would have mentioned it.
With the first pick in the NBA Draft, these players were selected No. 1. NBA top overall No. 1's Year Team Player School 2001 Washington Kwame Brown Glynn Academy H.S. 2000 New Jersey Kenyon Martin Cincinnati 1999 Chicago Elton Brand Duke 1998 L.A. Clippers Michael Olowokandi Pacific 1997 San Antonio Tim Duncan Wake Forest 1996 Philadelphia Allen Iverson Georgetown 1995 Golden State Joe Smith Maryland 1994 Milwaukee Glenn Robinson Purdue 1993 Orlando Chris Webber Michigan 1992 Orlando Shaquille O'Neal LSU 1991 Charlotte Larry Johnson UNLV 1990 New Jersey Derrick Coleman Syracuse 1989 Sacramento Pervis Ellison Louisville 1988 L.A. Clippers Danny Manning Kansas 1987 San Antonio David Robinson Navy 1986 Cleveland Brad Daugherty North Carolina 1985 New York Patrick Ewing Georgetown 1984 Houston Akeem Olajuwon Houston 1983 Houston Ralph Sampson Virginia 1982 L.A. Lakers James Worthy North Carolina 1981 Dallas Mark Aguirre DePaul 1980 Golden State Joe Barrry Carroll Purdue 1979 L.A. Lakers Earvin Johnson Michigan State 1978 Portland Mychal Thompson Minnesota 1977 Milwaukee Kent Benson Indiana 1976 Houston John Lucas Maryland 1975 Atlanta David Thompson North Carolina State 1974 Portland Bill Walton UCLA 1973 Philadelphia Doug Collins Illinois State 1972 Portland LaRue Martin Loyola (Ill.) 1971 Cleveland Austin Carr Notre Dame 1970 Detroit Bob Lanier St. Bonaventure 1969 Milwaukee Lew Alcindor UCLA 1968 San Diego Elvin Hayes Houston 1967 Detroit Jimmy Walker Providence 1966 New York Cazzie Russell Michigan 1965 San Francisco Fred Hetzel Davidson 1964 New York Jim Barnes Texas Western 1963 New York Art Heyman Duke 1962 Chicago Bill McGill Utah 1961 Chicago Walt Bellamy Indiana 1960 Cincinnati Oscar Robertson Cincinnati 1959 Cincinnati Bob Boozer Kansas State 1958 Minneapolis Elgin Baylor Seattle
Really, if he is getting guraded, he can hold it above his opponenets head and francis can just jump up and grab it out of his hands for the oop. By the way, is Bob Boozer Carlos' father?
Rudy did not say that YAO would be the first pick, Charlie and Dave asked him twice straight up and he said "hes out 1st choice" but untill the draft and the chinese figure out the rest, which he said they warned him it could take a long time, they were not for sure taking Yao #1.... just wanted to clarify.
Actually, "pick and pop" is different than "pick and roll". One has the player setting the pick rolling to the basket after the defensive switch; the other, has the picking player moving at an angle to receive the pass and to then "pop" a jumper. These two plays have been a staple in the Utah playbook for years. The pick and pop would be ideal for MoT, who could set 300lbs. worth of pick, and then pop a 15 footer. Presumably, it would be a good play for Ming as well, given his range.
I'm guessing he's not, since Carlos is from Alaska and the only Alaskan player of note before Boozer was Trajan Langdon. However, I guess it's possible that Bob Boozer moved to Alaska after playing in the NBA.
James Bond that is what was said. Rudy said Ming is there top choice, as stated earlier. Reread the entire tread, that is what was stated from the beggining.
I dunno. Ming can only set 296 lbs. worth of a pick. Thanks edc for all the quotes. Rudy/CD still haven't answered my biggest question-what is expected to be Yao's immediate impact? (Interestingly enough, Sabonis averaged 14-8 in under 25 MPG his rookie year. Only difference is that he was 30.)
