Ming=Sampson?

Some guy at the Chicago workout *thinks* Yao Ming is not a shot blocker, than some people started to quote him, and has now snow-balled into this perception that Ming can't block from many journalist. How can you display your shot blocking skills when you are doing drills and barely go one-on-one with your work-out partner? Plus from my limited observation, it also seems like Yao is probably better at blocking shots of players who aren't his direct opponent, by jumping out of no-where with his enormous reach.

As much as some people might look down on CBA, he was the leading shot blocker in that league, with an average of almost 5 per game. He was also one of the leading shot blockers in the Olympic game almost 2 years ago, and from what others has said (including Rudy T), he has improved hugely since.

Have a look at some video footage Clutch posted himself if you haven't yet

LINK HERE

-G'day-

 

Hey Azim, welcome back. Nice to see some of you old timers around.

As for Sampson and Ming, I agree that they're similar. Ming has better range than Sampson (seemingly far better). Sampson's shot was good to about 16-18 feet although he tried 20 footers too damn often if you ask me. Ming is far bulkier than Sampson if you believe the 296 lbs. weight I keep hearing get quoted. They both could dribble the ball, but I think from what few highlights I've seen of Ming, Sampson was the better dribbler - he seemed more fluid. The one thing I can't determine yet is Ming's heart. He seems more a student of the game and seems to have more of a desire to improve than Ralph ever did. I've seen Clutch's video montage and one of the things that surprised me about Ming is the emotion and the tenacity I saw in some of the clip. Yeah, he can rebound. Yeah, he can shoot. Yeah, he can block shots. But it's that tenacity, need to be part of a team atmosphere, and the desire to improve that I think propels very good players into greatness. It's what Russell, Magic, Bird, and Jordan had. It's what Isiah Rider and Derrick Coleman didn't have.

It's a good comparison, though. I just hope things turn out better for Ming and the Rockets than it did for Sampson.

 

I like the Sampson compariosn. I also see some Kareem in him from the video clips. I know those are some pretty high comparisons, but Kareem was never a real banger/intimidator type big man himself. Great back to the basket player, but I see Yao learning those skills quickly.

Yao is athletic, skilled, intelligent, tall, and has a desire to win.

 

<i>Ming's lack of shot blocking is a bit worrisome though, considering we need a defenive anchor in the post, which I guess will be partially offset by Cato and Griffen.
</i>

There's no such thing as a 7'6" guy that isn't a shot blocker.

Here's some stats from the Sydney Olympics:

Alonzo Mourning 2.3 blk/game (#1 overall in Sydney)

Yao Ming 2.2 blk/game (#2 overall in Sydney)

Kevin Garnett 0.375 blk/game

Antonio McDyess 0.125 blk/game

Vin Baker 0.5 blk/game

 

Those 2.2 bpg were offset by his 2.5 turnovers per game. Against the U.S. he lasted all of 15 total minutes before fouling out. The US led by 50 at half time and Yao's blocks were mainly a result of the US playing around. Since Sydney Yao has developed his skills in the CBA. If you want to boost Yao's credibility don't use the Sydney Olympics as an example. Lithuanian, French, & Russian players put up better individual stats in various categories- overall Yao performed poorly in the Olympics- against the US he was completely lost. Yao is going to be a project that takes years to develop. Will Yao and China accept the fact that he will have to ride the bench while his skill level increases?

 

Ming will be a bust. Some posters think that simply because he's tall, he's the answer to all our prayers. I'm so sick of the "you can't coach height" crap I think I'll puke.

Most people who think highly of Ming have likely never played organized basketball, so I don't blame them for being ignorant. But I will blame the Rockets for prolonging another visit to the postseason.

7-5';2.3 blks/game; fouled out in 15 mins. This sucks.

 

Before you go off on a tangent about how Ming is a project and how people are trying to "boost" his credibility, you DO know he was only 19 years old at the time don't you? He was only a KID at the time. And saying he got blocks mainly while the U.S. was "messing around" doesn't change the fact they were blocks. And to average 2.2 bpg, you have to do it against EVERY team you play, not just the U.S. And considering how inexperienced he was 2.5 turnovers per game isn't bad at all. Of course he performed poorly in the Olympics, the guy was the same age as Griffin. You know Griffin, the guy who is doing pretty well after a rookie year. So why is Griffin ready to go, but Ming will take years to develop. Because he's Chinese? I think the guy did pretty well considering he was only a kid, and I do use it to "boost his credibility" because he shows he has some experience against NBA players. It may be short, but it's still experience. I don't think Yao Ming will have to ride the pine anymore then any other rookie. Who in this draft has any NBA experience?

 

Yao said he is willing to sit on the bench for 2 years, but I am not sure the Chinese or the Rockets would...

btw, his stats, atleast in the CBA, has improved dramatically in all areas since 2 years ago. He has almost doubled his scoring and rebounding average in this year's CBA final compared to 2 years ago. He obviously won't transfer this kind of stat to the NBA, but please, don't jumb into the conclusion that he is not a shot blocker.

Franchize3,

Maybe you want to read this article
Players and coaches in the know agree transition should be smooth

and view some video footages of him play
More Footages of Yao Ming

After seeing the footage, Clutch said Francis was very impressed and excited.

He will be a decent player at the very worst, but his potential is sky high.

-G'day-

 

I don't know where you got those numbers, but I just went to the FIBA website and I found that it's a bit different from yours.

Here's what i got:

1. Yao Ming 2.17 bpg (13 blks, 160 mins in 6 games)
2. Alonzo Mourning 2.00 bpg (12 blks, 136 mins in 6 games)

OK. Leading the tournament in blockshots sucks? What else can I say? He just turned 20 back then...

 

Not a tangent Yao is better than he was in Sydney- probable much better. He was 20 in Sydney now he's 22 - He is still a kid and IS a project. He has developed in the CBA which is questionable in talent- what are his stats in international play THIS year? When he played against the US he had lots of trouble- would Griffin or Sampson have that same trouble? People act as if negative comments on BBS will keep Yao from being drafted. The front office knows what they are doing and will make the right decision-without OUR assistance.

 

is the CBA's talent as questionable as say . . . HIGH SCHOOL?

Rocket River

 

<i>I don't know where you got those numbers, but I just went to the FIBA website and I found that it's a bit different from yours.

<i>

Here's a couple of links:

http://www.usabasketball.com/history/olyhistory_2000.html

That's the USA basketball site. It shows Mourning with 14 blocks in 6 games.

Here's the Asian Basketball Confederation
http://www.asianbasketball.com/events/olympics/news_111000.asp

It's says:

Yao really shone with his shot-blocking ability, finishing second only to Alonzo Mourning by a slim margin of 2.3 blocks per game compared to 2.2.

Regardless, we're talking about a differnence of 1 block over 6 games.

 

I don't know how this relates to Ralph Sampson or Griffin- I'd be willing to bet some top High School teams/ JC teams could run with the lower tier CBA teams.

 

If Yao Ming was averaging over 40 points and 20 rebounds a game in US high school teams, he would no doubt still be the number one draft pick. It's the 'China' issue which is preventing him from being a number one draft pick certainty, not his skills.

-G'day-