Nine days and two pre-season games is what the Rockets have to get Yao Ming used to playing with them. Will that be enough time? Passing and court vision are suppose to be two of Yao Ming’s strengths so I am thinking that the 5-man offense plays right into Yao Ming’s strengths. If he can recognize an open man cutting to the basket or coming off of a pick then I would think that he could adapt to the offense fairly quickly. I am excited about the games on the 23rd and 24th as I expect Yao Ming will receive a lot of playing time. I am predicting now that no one will be able to use their silence card on Heypartner because I think Yao Ming will start at least by the first home game against Toronto.
I am thinking it will take a couple or more weeks. You are not going to bring in a guy and put him on the court without knowing or watching the team. Sure he is 7'4", or 7'5", or 7'6" (what ever the hell he is, it goes up all the time), and you can not teach height, but there is something to be said for team play. If you put him out there now, he will be lost and potentially get in the way on both ends of the court costing the team games. There is no time for practice when you are playing 3 games per week and traveling the others. The best thing that could happen is he sits on the sidelines with the coaches and watches and learns what his role is on the team. Hell, look at the bright side. If he does that, then we will have a hell of a player as he can pattern himself after Cato!!
No that is not enough time but that doesn't matter. To get a good start to the season, Ming just needs to play good defense and draw a few double teams down low to keep the defense honest. That'll be easy. We can put enough points on the board to win games but we need defense. We'll be able to work him into the offensive flow slowly as everybody adjusts with each other.
Are nine days and two preseason gaems enough to what? To look comfortable in the offense? To make a good contribution? To be worthy of being the starting center? I think it is going to take at least half a season before Ming gets totally comfortable with everyone, but he will be able to contribute in his own way immediately.
I don't think it will be enough time...but 82 games and a hundred and something days will be enough. If this undefeated-in-the-preseason team can keep playing like it has been - a team; if I keep reading game summaries like the one I just read saying "a balanced attack by Houston was too much for Marion and Co." then I don't see why the talent aside from Yao couldn't put Houston in the playoffs again. By that time, even slammed into the rookie wall, Yao's presence should definitely be a huge factor. And playoffs or no playoffs, his second season and beyond will have all eyes on the Rockets for years to come. And I definitely agree with you crash that we won't be able to shut HeyP up based only on his bet with the general population...because, yes, Yao will start. October 30th. Be there. Bet Me!!!!!!!!
Rudy should throw him right in there and let him get 20 minutes/game right away. He's not going to get comfortable with our team by sitting on the bench next to Collier.
my thoughts exactly...is it enough time to do what?? to make an impact??? NO...size alone and the threat of blocked shots will make Yao an instant impact, I think....
Absolutely...he'll be ready. I dont know about this 5 man motion offense you speak of. I have yet to see it this year. What I have seen is more ball movement and a little more motion but all teams do that. Its good and I like it but Ming doesn't need an ample amount of time or any sort of special keen observation powers to pick this stuff up. It's not Rocket Science. Crash, Do you really think Ming will not start the first few games. You do know were talking about someone who just happens to be the number #1 pick, and who just happens to have a Houston Rocket ad campaign focused around him and billboards of his face all over the city. And your telling me that he'll be sitting on the bench behind Kelvin Cato? If thats the case I'll have to sue them for false advertisement.
my bet is not looking good. I'm banking on my Rockets Fan Council pull to do a unanimous vote that Yao MUST start first home game against Hakeem for marketing reasons. that's my only hope. so sad
Actually if you read my post you will see that I predict he will start by the home opener on Nov 2 if not by the season opener on Oct 30th. I have no idea why thought otherwise of me. Raven Lunatic and MadMax, I think its obvious that I am talking about starting. Rudy T made it fairly clear that Yoa Ming will play what ever role he is ready to play when he gets here. I think it goes with out saying that Rudy will not start Yao Ming if he is not able to contribute to a winning team on the other hand I don't think he will hold him back just because he is a rookie either. When Yao Ming arrives Sunday I assume he and his parents will attend the game that night and then Yao will have two days practice with the team until the next two pre-season games which I assume he will see plenty of action. He will then have 6 more full days to practice and learn portions of Rudy T's offense. There is almost no traveling during that schedule (one trip to SA) so Yao will have a lot of time to learn before the opening game. I think Yao can be ready for the first game.
The big man wastes no shots, he is an extremely high percentage shooter. If he is in the games to start out, he will if nothing else, make good decisions with the ball.
crash5179, Im saying your crazy if you think Rudy starts Cato just for the first two road games. Whats the point? Theres not one. You know it. I know it. Rudy knows it. Cato might not know it but who gives a damn what he knows or not. If everything goes according to planned Cato won't see anything but garbage minutes this year. You will take satisfaction in this...if its victories you desire.
Texas Stoke.. I agree with most of what you said except that Cato will see only garbage minutes. I think Cato might actually play more than Yao, even if he doesn't starts. That will be thanks due to refs...who will take time to develop some love for him, as well as Yao might hit the rookie wall pretty quicklyIMHO.
Just out of curiousity, did Steve start the very first game of his rookie season or did he start after a game or two coming off the bench? I cant remember for some reason.
Someone will have to research that ...something in the back of my screwed up mind makes me think he didn't start till game 3 or 4 ...I might be thinking of Dickerson or Mobley though.
I think Yao will definitely start even if he just play a few mins in the first quarter. Come on ppl b real
In his rookie year, Steve started every game he played it. (77) Though this may mean he just didn't play at the beginning, I doubt that. I think it is probably some injury I forgot or something.
Maybe it was Mobley. Dickerson played in 50 and started 50 games in 98-99. Mobley played in about 12 more games than he started in, during the same year.
Timm, I can see the refs giving Ming the rookie treatment like you say. But even with that and the rookie wall effect, I dont see Cato playing many minutes. I have a feeling Rudy has Taylor back up Ming or he'll slide over Griff before he considers Cato. I mean bro were so loaded on the front line with Thomas, Griffin, Taylor, and Ming...if your the coach you just have to find away to get all them studs minutes somehow, and that leaves Cato, the least talented/passionate of them all, out of the mix.
