For years, we've heard accusations that the NBA "wants" certain teams to win. It's good for the league to have glamour teams do well in New York, L.A. or Chicago, so the league bends the rules a bit to help those franchises. We all know the charges; we've even made a few ourselves — the league rigged the draft lottery to give Patrick Ewing to the Knicks; Michael Jordan gets to take an extra step without being whistled for traveling; Shaq and Kobe get all the close calls. The Rockets, even in their championship years, were never one of those glamour teams. Until now. The addition of Yao Ming puts the Rockets directly into the international spotlight. The NBA is undoubtedly wishing great success for its new high-profile international star, and consequently, his team. The initial attention over Ming will come naturally, but for it to last beyond December or January, Ming is going to have to be a player and the Rockets are going to have to win some games. If we're figuring on 10-20 nationally televised games, those will only draw attention if Houston is in the playoff race. Remember how the Washington Wizards were on TV every week last season? Remember how exciting it was in the early days of Jordan's comeback? Remember how tedious it was by March and April? Get ready to hear the same accusations that are commonly thrown at the Lakers, and when they're successful, the Bulls and Knicks. Get ready to hear that Steve and Cuttinio get away with traveling or that Ming and Griffin get all the close calls. Whether it's true or not, it's part of the territory for a glamour team. We're on the other side of the conspiracy now, and all those pointing fingers are going to be pointing at us.
I actually think that the Lotto was a little shady in its workings. Houston has a new arena shortly, a marketable star in Francis and an extreme fall to one of the worst attendance rates in the NBA. It was the prime candidate to recieve the #1 slot. The Knicks will still sell out and would be too obvious. The Bulls have had their chances over and over, the Wizards record was just too good. Do you know that lottery selection is based on a four number chain, in which the first three number combination was the same for the Knicks, Wizards and Rockets?? That means that only the last of the four numbers separated the Rockets from the Wiz and the Knicks in getting the first pick. The Rockets' numbers even came up again for the second pick. I think the league sees that Houston needs attendance, has a new arena and is a large market, with little fan attendance post championship years, so we need a push. Maybe the league knew that we would choose Yao and that we needed a Center and that he would do well with another star (francis) and that they would do some damage in the league as well. Things that make you go hmm.... I'm sure China, the NBA and others didn't want Memphis, Golden State (not a really big market and an underachieving team), even Chicago (b/c of their horrible record and youth), Denver (underachieving), Cleveland (small market and underachieving) They wanted a team that would be a large market and could make the playoffs, but wouldn't scream conspiracy. Then again, like I care we got YAO MING!!
Good points roswell!, it is fantastic that we will actually see the truth being out there on our side for a change...
Maybe the refs will think Ming is shak and allow him to stand in the lane for 15 to 20 seconds and take 3 or more steps to get to the basket.
The Rockets have now gotten more number one picks than any other team over the last twenty years. Rockets - Sampson, Olajuwon, Ming Orlando - Shaq, Chris Webber (maybe they shouldn't have traded Webber) San Antonio - Robinson, Duncan LA Clippers - Danny Manning, Khandi New Jersey - Derrick Coleman, Kenyon Martin
Damn Khan, you might be onto something , your points are all valid. Just suppose........ why not NY? Too obvious? Chicago? Going nowhere and didn't want to take the chance that Krause would choose JayW anyway? Golden State (high asian pop)? Why wouldn't they want him there? Hell, I've been to Frisco a bunch (on business, mind you) and they've got 3 or 4 chinese tv stations. If it were rigged, a perfect world would have sent him to the Warriors. They've got more future stars than Houston; wouldn't they have been the logical choice? Probability of odds.... each roll of the dice carries the same odds as the last roll..... 1 in 6 to roll a 3 EACH ROLL. Kind of spooky, though, huh?
wow, i never thought about how many #1 picks we have had. most in NBA..cool. Well all is good for the ROX!
The rockets need to use the tacit respect they can command with Ming (and Nachbar) to reduce the T-factor with Steve. The Rockets should look to see that Ming does not get a rep for early fouls - protect him with other assignments - and they should try to spin away from the quick T Steve gets, with some good public relations stuff about about Steve and Ming - great working relationship - seriousness and and enthusiasm, maturity and energy etc. Sell them as a yin/yang team - reduce the fouls called on each - increase the fouls they get called against their opponents. Let Ming snap the pass back to Steve for the score a few times early - that should help them both develop a good rep with the whistles for smart, non-contact scoring. Then, when the contact comes later (driving into a crowd, lowering the shoulder), they get the benefit of the doubt.
Pasox2, this thread's about the "conspiricy theory", meant as an intriquing look at how Houston sneeked into the #1 pick. It's not a forum to talk about keeping Ming out of foul trouble. Start your own thread with that stuff, or contribute something funny or profound to this one.
Officiating strategy is part of the discussion. If the league wants their # 1 pick to do well, we should take advantage of that. Michael Jordan gets to take an extra step without being whistled for traveling; Shaq and Kobe get all the close calls. The Rockets, even in their championship years, were never one of those glamour teams. Until now. The addition of Yao Ming puts the Rockets directly into the international spotlight. The NBA is undoubtedly wishing great success for its new high-profile international star, and consequently, his team. If you would prefer to speculate why the Rockets got the # 1 pick, and if the draft was fixed, please proceed. But part of the question is certainly will the Rockets enjoy any favoritism, what kind, and how can they use that. Get ready to hear that Steve and Cuttinio get away with traveling or that Ming and Griffin get all the close calls. Geez, I hope so. I hope we're smart enough to figure out how to take advantage of this. p
Geez. It's not as if the Rockets had nearly zero chance of getting the first pick. They had 9.8% chance, right? It's not that high, but it's a pretty good shot. Now if they get the No.1 pick two years in a row and only had, say, a 5% shot each time, then it might be time to bring out the conspiracy theories.
Very well done. I don't think I would have been so reserved in my reply. I might have said something like SHUT THE H*LL UP... what are you the post police. And a one month rookie cop at that. Sheesh
Two "geez" in the same thread? It was pointed out that the Rockets now had the most #1 picks. And of the teams listed, they were the only ones to use the picks to win a championship(the Spurs don't count). But it will be nice to see the Rockets become the darlings of the NBA after all of the negativity that has ben thrown their way over the years. Although, having two of the worst uniforms ever hasn't helped their cause much. If they get the logo and uni's right next year, the sky's the limit for this team. I just hope I don't have to listen to Costas drooling over the team on national TV(as if anything could pull his face out of Shaq and Kobe's crotches).
You're right, okierock. That was an impressive retort. And might I ad that I was happy to see a "sheesh" in your post. I love these comic book terms that never get said aloud, but seem perfectly fine to be written out.
