Front court of the future...or just 4 years?

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This has been discussed before, but its been awhile. I think I remember reading that Yao prefers a smaller city, than say LA or NY. China may change that, though. I really don't think they will care much, as long as they get the money and attention. Just my opinion.

Who knows? We may have just won it all, and he'll want to stay. Ok maybe not...

 

Do you think it's really that far off that we might win the title in 4 years if we keep the nucleus together?

Ming (4th year)
Griffin (5th year)
Nachbar (4th year)
Mobley (8th year)
Francis (7th year)

I think Francis and Mobley will be at their prime, while ming, Griffin and Nachbar will be a high-energy frontcourt entering their stride.

Didn't we project Ming as being dominant or close in 4 years? Griffin being Rasheed Wallace with betetr D, shotblocking and 3-pt shot? Mobley being mature enough to become more picky with his shots? Francis should get thePG thing right NEXT year, right?

I'll be dissapointed if that core isn't competing for the title in 4 years.

 

by then francis will be the next payton. And i am still worried that ming might bolt after 4 years, we;ll jsu thave to wait and see.

 

I remember reading some where that money isn't all that important to Ming. So I'm pretty sure that if he likes Houston, he will probably stay.

 

I think that if Ming is marketed properly and if the Rockets are winning games and Ming is playing well, he'll stay here. That said, if the Rox are stinking it up, not making any of the national games and generally sucking he might move on. The Chinese government wants an icon and he can't be an icon if we aren't on TV. Of course if he takes off like Ichiro did in Seattle....

 

That's a pretty steep comparison. Payton is one hell of a player whose success has been limited by his supporting cast. Unlike Francis, Payton has always managed to get everyone involved. He creates high percentage shots for the team and for himslef. He is everything to the Soncis and I haven't even mentioned his D. GP can do it all and he's been the best point gaurd in the league since Magic.

I don't want for this to become a Steve bashing/supporting thread. Francis simply has not yet shown that he will be a complete player. I don't want to get into the details as they've been covered ad nausem. I hope that Steve takes his game to the next level but I hold many reservations.

 

Sf could work on his D a little...ok a lot. but he does have the potential to be better than GP. GP wasn't a superstar at first either, then he decided to pick it up. and he became what he is now.

 

Four year from now is four years from now. It makes it much easier to think of it that way.

 

I think Ming will re-sign with the team. He also said he'll be loyal to the Chinese team, so I think staying with the Rockets will be a no-brainer.

 

Chinese people are very loyal, especially when shown acceptance,understanding and friendship. If Yao is made to feel like he is an important cog in the the Rox and finds that Houston has taken him to their heart then he will be a Houston Rocket for quite some time . If this becomes reality then I don't think that the Chinese Governmrent will be able to pry him away. This will be especially true if he meets his darling wife here, in the chinese community and has little Yaos.

 

I don't even think at this point you can speculate about what Yao Ming is going to do in 4 years. Heck, we haven't seen him play a single game in the NBA. For all we know, he could be the second coming of Sam Bowie, we just have to wait and see. Maybe we won't even desire having him around 4 years from now.

That said, I think Ming is an incredible talent who will one day be an all-star, but that day isn't anytime soon. Cato will start from day 1.