I've been on record as cautiously optimistic on Ming, not wanting to have unrealistic expectations of him. However, last night blew the caution from my optimism. From what I've read here, most folks think that in his first season, he will average low double figures in scoring and 7-8 boards per game. He nearly hit that last night, against a high quality, physical team . . . after 4 days in the US . . . after 17 hours of jet lag . . . after 2 practices with his teammates . . . after 1 preseason game against one of the best frontcourts in the league. I guess we're all a bunch of geniuses because his performance last night confirms that we can expect AT LEAST those numbers from him on average. I now think it's quite conservative to say that he will score 12-14 ppg, and pull down 7-8 boards. His performance last night shows that such numbers is just a FLOOR, not a ceiling. His improvement is inevitable. It's just a matter of how well the coaches and his teammates use him this year. There was every reason for him to be a complete DUD in his first 2 games as a Rocket. Instead, he looks like a budding STUD. The few remaining Yao Ming haters better find something else to do because the evidence compels the conclusion that this guy is going to be a stud. The guy doesn't even know the freakin plays yet. Finally, Yao's best play of the game . . . pulling down an offensive board in heavy traffic and finding Rice with a bullet pass for a trey. How long did it take for Dream to learn to make that pass? How long did it take for us to win 2 championships after Dream learned to make that pass? It's good to be a Rox fan.
here, here! man he had one pass that he overthrew... but if that pass would've been on, it would've been like a QB pass, hard and accurate. I liked what I saw from Ming and his passing! It is good to be a Rockets fan and it's a good time in Houston sports history!
I agree wholeheartedly. Ming is the real deal. I've only been able to watch clips so far of his play in the preseason, but I'm seeing a monster in the making. He's one or two elementary lessons from making a major impact on this team. Once he starts boxing out effectively and learning how to move in our offense, nobody is going to look forward to playing us. Nobody. Gascon gazes with budding confidence towards the West Coast
I like Mings shooting touch and agree he looks like he could be an impact player. Has anyone else noticed that when the other team is shooting free throws that Yao is always out of position for the rebound? Hell definately have to work on that.
How bout the play where Hawk inbounded to Ming and Yao touch-passed it to where Hawk should have been? If HAwk wouldn't have cut the other way , it would have been a perfect passs for a wide open basket...that damn pass came off Ming's hand like a bullet.. He is showing some really nice passing instincts.. I cant wait till the season starts...give Yao Ming almost a full week of practice...and look out baby!!
Yao seems to have the ability to make long, accurate outlet passes to get the break going. With his height and the ability to see so much of the floor, that should be a real weapon this year as well.
He has some CBA/international tendencies to overcome. But he already is learning not to use certain moves legal overseas that are getting him in foul trouble. I thought he did a good job backing off after getting early fouls - he still was agressive, but he tempered it. That's hard to do. I think last night showed he is really going to be good, now if someone would hit him on the roll....
One thing I noticed was when a shot went up, Ming immediately looked for someone to box out. He might have been out of position and didn't do a good job of boxing out, but at least he knows the fundamentals of rebounding, find a man to box out. Many NBA'ers just crash the boards. Once he's had some more instruction and practices, he's gonna be great.
I agree, just playing on instinct in the last few games he's better than alot of the crowd. My biggest fear is that, like Polynice said, he has a target on his back and he will for quite some time. When he starts putting his hands up, offenses BEWARE!
I hope Yao's floor rises before he hits the wall, or Les will hit the ceiling and Rudy will be out the door.
Yeah Will, but if his floor rises close to his ceiling, we'll be hanging from the rafters and swinging from the chandeliers in celebration.
I'm going to table any conjecture on the floor rising to the ceiling, and couch my opinion on Rudy being out the door cuz it's too hot in the kitchen...
One thing I did not understand from last night game is that after Yao was 4-4 from the field, we stopped going to him. We should have just kept going to him. It was working. But, he didnt get many touches after that. Maybe next time.
No one is going to pull the rug out from under Rudy. As long as Ming stays in the paint, he will blow the roof off the stadium. He already has a strong foundation on which to build and is not prone to vent unnecessarily (considering the poor calls). So let's table this kind of talk.
I sure hope they don't throw in the towel. They can rise from the basement, all they need to do is pull KT, TMo and MT out of the emergency room. Once Yao Ming gets the backdoor down, Steve goes up the ladder more, EG takes out the trash with his blocks, and the CAT sinks a few trays, we should be ready to go to the big house.
can anyone tell me about the fouls called on ming? Are they really fouls or just your basic "rookies get no calls" calls?
The clock is ticking on Rudy to put another trophy on the mantel, so if the Rockets are playing in the cellar again, it doesn't really matter how high Yao's floor or ceiling is. If Rudy can't run with his stable of horses, Rudy will have to tug on the reigns more, whip them, and yes, maybe even place a stud in the doghouse. Otherwise, Les will indeed send Rudy out to pasture.
