It seems to me, after notching 6 blocks on Team USA, that Yao has some natural shotblocking abilities to go along with his amazing height. I think that Ming and Griffin can be a better inside defensive combo than Hakeem and Horry. 94-95 - Horry (1.19 bpg) + Olajuwon (3.36 bpg) = 4.55 bpg 95-96 - Horry (1.54 bpg) + Olajuwon (2.88 bpg) = 4.42 bpg Eddie averaged 1.84 last season and Yao looks to produce in this department right from the start. It is completely possible for our new frontline to beat out Horry and Olajuwon during the championship years.... which would be a HUGE achievement. I believe the league combo leader last season was San Antonio with Duncan (2.48 bpg) + Robinson (1.79 bpg) = 4.27.
I was thinking that same thought last night. I wouldn't count Cato out of the combo loop. Between the three of them we could definitely have the best defense down in the low post by the end of the season. Cato (1.25) + Eddie (1.85) + Ming (~ 2.25) = Tot +5 per game If that is even realistic then we do have a Great Wall this year !
IMHO Cato is going to be uplifted by the arrival of Yao and Griffin is out to prove himself! Cato 1.5 B/gm.Griffin 2.5 B/gm.Yao 3.75 B/gm. TOTAL7.75 B/gm. This is a great defensive WALL if ever there was one!
Personally, I see this as more than just the ability to block shots. Griffin has shown that he has that natural ability and Yao has it if for no other reason than he is gigantic (though I think he has natural ability there as well). In addition, Cato has the skill if he chose to use it more often. But, the reason I think it will be so effective isn't just because of the blocked shots but because of the ALTERED shots. Just the presence of guys who can block shots is intimidating. What makes it all the more important (Steve, are you reading this?) is that the guards automatically can be weaker defensively. The goal with Hakeem was for the guards to funnel the ball to Hakeem for defensive purposes. Unlike traditional defensive principals, the Rockets often gave the baseline away because they knew Olajuwon was there as the goalie. Having guys that can alter and block shots instantly provides relief for defensive liabilities in the backcourt. To add to that, having guards that rebound well is another significant factor in this equation. If you remember, the Rockets were in the bottom half of the league in rebounding (particularly on the defensive end) in their championship years. That was the very reason they acquired Barkley. When you block or attempt to block shots, you give up offensive rebounds unless you have other players who can pick up that slack. Once the Rockets learn how to effectively rotate on defense - their biggest weakness the past couple of years and the biggest strength of the championship teams - they could be a very good defensive team.
Jeff makes a good point. One thing to look at from this game-Yao did everything. He blocked 6 shots-the only person on his team with any blocks. He got 11 of their 33 rebounds, which is 33%, and 13 of of their 54 points, which was about 25%. In this game, Yao was the defensive factor for China, but he was also the only one going after the boards. When you get 6 blocks, you're not going to be in position for every rebound, yet he got as many rebounds as ANY FOUR of his teammates COMBINED. In this game, Yao led or tied for the lead on his team in FG, FT, (offensive, defensive and total) rebounds, points, assists, blocks, and minutes. Can you say impact player? Now we see why China was so hesitant-you would be to, if you were being asked to lose your leading scorer, rebounder, shot blocker, and assist man. The lack of help he got in this game is astonishing. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens when you put an athletic pogo stick/shot blocker/rebounder/3 point shooting 20 year old like Eddie Griffin next to Yao, and seeing how they react to not having to be the sole defensive force anymore. I have a feeling we may be seeing a lot more jump shots from opponents this year. It'll also be fun to watch what happens when he has guards that can REALLY score.
Our post defense is going to be amazingly improved by Yao and Griff's development. We could go really big against teams with Yao, Cato, and Griff.
Excellent insight Jeff. I haven't really factored in the guard play with that shot blocking/altering combo. That's where Steve, Cat and Nachbar can shine. Rebound, outlet and fastbreak. How sweet it is!
The Rockets might have the best shot-blocking core in the entire NBA. What I like is that, not only do you have Griffin and Ming eventually starting and beefing up the defense with shot-blocking, it also gives the offense a boost by initiating the fast-break. Even better is that fact that the Rockets have shot-blocking OFF the bench. Cato is a shot-blocker in the mold of Dikembe or Ratliff, and that means the Rockets have at least one shot-blocker at the end of the defense at all time. That means Cat and Steve can gamble on defense. It also helps KT and Mo. In fact Mo might have monster games if he played in a game at the same time with Griffin and Ming. He wouldn't have to worry about defense to much, and on offense he could do whatever he felt like doing. And with Rice, forget about it. He'll have a field day. Ming has shown he can pass out of double teams and Griffin is learning that. Mo can pass as can KT. And all of these weapons are BEFORE we talk about Cat and Francis. Ming changes things completely and gives the Rockets a multi-facet offense and at least a middle of a road defense. And if the Rockets have a middle of the road defense and the offense comes together, you can chalk up 50 plus wins and a run at the #4 seed in the West.
Actually Cato averaged over one block per game LAST year (1.3 bpg), and has a career average of 1.4 bpg. In fact Cato has only blocked less then one shot per game ONE time in his career, and even that year he had a .9 bpg average, meaning one or two more blocks and he has a 1.0 bpg average. All of this is in limited minutes and off the bench. In fact Cato's best year as a shot-blocker was his first year here as a Rocket, when he averaged 1.9 bpg in only 24 minutes per game.
Anyone know what the Twin Towers were in shot blocking? I'm talking of course about Hakeem & Ralph, not the imposters.
I think Ming, Griffin, Cato, and Mo Taylor is an above average froncourt as of now. Cato and Taylor was barely decent for the West, and good for the West. Add (let's just say) a bench of Ming and Griffin, and you have an above average frontcourt for the West. Ming and Griffin in the East? Forget-about-it. If Ming adds some (very little) upper body strength (not bulk), and Griffin continues to work on his body for one more season, we have excellent defensive potential. I would like to say, though, that Ming's shotblocking is not natural. It's there, but it's acquired. Still, effective enough. I think it's safe to assume that Griffin and Ming will average 5 blocks between them, and will change tons of shots. If Rice, Cato and MoT are in shape, like we've heard, I think we can count on an excellent year with a hint of more future glory. On a side note, some Knicks fans on the RealGM boards are predicted we have a soon-to-be contender team because of our luck in getting Ming. Nice to see some love from other fans. Also, ever since the U.S. game, discussion has shifted from "he'll be awful" and "OK at best" to "He'll be decent at least" to "potential franchise player".
In the 85-86 season, they combined for about 5 a game. Hakeem got about 3.4 and Ralph had 1.6. This seemed to be the most the 2 combined for, from what I could tell.
I think five a game would be reasonable next season if Griff(2 bpg) and Yao(3bpg) are logging serious minutes.
Despite my badmouthing of Cato, he suddenly seems much more competant when he is labeled "defensive specialist" rather than "starter". I feel like Cato will always have a place in this league if he can log 15 minutes, block Shaq in the low post, and write children's books. As I recall, Charles Jones had more fouls than points in his NBA career, and he loved to come in for a few minutes and block some shots.
That's the thing, though. I don't think they will be logging big minutes. The Rockets aren't going to run Yao out there 30 minutes per game. The guy has no experience in a league that is brutally rough on inside players and he will have been playing non-stop hard all summer. My guess is 24 to 28 minutes per game for him. Griffin is only 20 and still has a lot of muscle to add, but I see him with more minutes this season assuming his stamina has improved. He REALLY hit the rookie wall last year and he'll have to improve on that to get big minutes. If anything, I see Cato's minutes decreasing because I think the Rockets will move Griffin or Taylor to center at times with the other playing the four.
I didn't mean to say next season as in the season coming up. I meant to say the one after that. I could see 5bpg between them the year after this one.
while the rox will move griffin or taylor when they have ming, cato, and collier for then center's position.. I dink Ming and Griffin can probably average around 6 B/game...
