So this is what it feels like to have a totally unstoppable big man on your team. This is what it feels like for the Lakers. This is what it must have felt like for the various teams Wilt played for. To have a guy that everyone (you, the players on your team, the opposing teams' players, the other coaches, all the fans, the media, *everyone*) knows simply can not be contained without totally redisigning a defense specifically to stop that one player. Yes, I know we had Hakeem. But Hakeem was, face it, an over- achiever. The skills that Olajuwon developed over the years were the result of hard work, determination, and yes, immense physical ability. But he was only 6'10". And he COULD be stopped by various individual players, as well as stopping himself on occasion. Think of how 'umbiddibul' Hakeem was during our 2nd title run, and the way he totally humiliated Robinson against the Spurs. Now think if he had been at that skill level at age 22. It is entirely possible that Yao Ming may well be approaching that level of domination-by-skill as early as this season. Age 22. Think about that. It took until Hakeem was on the cusp of his career's decline to become his best. Yao could become that good and still have 10+ years remaining before his career starts to wind down. That's almost more than I can wrap my brain around. And look at the Lakers. Take one reasonably-skilled, 350 lb, 7'2" ox, team him with an incredibly talented athletic guard, and a bunch of scrubbies, and you get 3 rings (and counting). Look at the talent of the players surrounding Yao: Francis, Taylor, Rice, Griffin, Mobley, etc etc . I honetly think it would be fair to say that no team built around a dominating center has ever had the level of talent around him that the Rockets have. Maybe Les was not so far off after all. All that is left now is for the players on the team to stop 'trying to bend the spoon.. and only realize the truth'. That truth? The Ming will bring a Ring. But not by himself. Together. To steal the phrase from George Allen: 13 men together cannot be stopped. (And the above post is, in a nutshell, what the title of this thread is all about. Do I really think the Rockets can become one of the greatest teams in league history? Frankly, objectively, probably not. But that's the point. To actually be able to entertain notions like these; to be able to dream such dreams and not immediately chide yourself for thinking totally hopeless thoughts.. that is what it must have felt like to the teams of Chamberlain, and Jabbar, and Shaq. And now Yao. We may never make it, but at least we can think it now. As Gene says, 'How Sweet It Is!' ) ciao
Heh heh...that's not politically correct. The homers will come out to GET YOU for that comment. But, I AGREE with your statement. It's just going to take more than two rings for Yao to prove it. But he's more skilled than the Dream, that's for sure. Imagine Yao in his 10 year! Think of Yao as a 7'5" Wilt, with Tim Ducan skills, and a shot like Larry Bird!
Yes, as long as we get the right pieces... ...a player here, and player there... The 3 spot is up for grabs. Strange, but I think I like the Hawk at the 2, rather than Mobes.
Wow.... I'm excited about Yao's potential as well, but, how quickly we forget. He's more skilled than dream???? No f-in' chance. Hakeem had more skills than any other big man we'll see in our lifetime. If that has to be explained to you, obviously you didn't get a chance to watch the guy go to work night after night in his prime. Could he potentially be more dominant of a big man than Dream? Sure. Potentially.
You just sit back and watch! By the way, you need to understand the difference between athleticism and skill. They are different. One is god given, the other is learned. Francis does nothing to train his cavs, yet he can jump so high! How? God given athletic ability. Hakeem had this too. He lacked the skill, but learned it later in life. Nice catch. Don't want to go out on a limb, huh?
Teams with Wilt, Russell, etc. are a bit before my time... but the great teams I can remember... Showtime Lakers: 4 HoFers: Pat Riley, Worthy, Magic, Kareem (possibly Scott?) Bird's Celtics: 3HoFers: Bird, McHale, Parish 90s Bulls: 4HoFers: Phil Jackson, Jordan, Pippen, Rodman 90s Rockets: 4HoFers: Rudy T, Dream, Drexler, Barkley (possibly Cassell?) 00s Lakers: 3HoFers: Phil Jackson, Shaq, Kobe Today's Rockets: 5HoFers: Rudy T, Yao, Francis, Griffin, Rice (possibly Mobley?) Les Alexander was DEFINITELY not kidding. This is a dynasty waiting to happen!
sorry, but the fact is yao hasn't had the skill that dream had, at least not yet. but i too believe that yao will be good as or even better than the dream in few years, we just need times to bring the kid along. yao's game r unstable now, yet, he may have a 50-points performance game, but we want him to have a 50-points average! he is a great player and he gonna bring us the ring, it's just matter of times.
Yes, they have most of the pieces. They just need to do some small tinkering. Here in Maryland the reporters for the Wizards Postgame show, asked the question... "Could the Rockets be the next 'Lakers' comming out of the west?" "Yes, as long as they realize that the plays go through Yao" There were only taking about Yao. Not Jordan. They mentioned Francis and Mobley having to learn to give the ball to Yao so he can create, because it make's their game better too. We get to see what Sabonis would have done in 1985.
The Dream was measured on this skill after 10 years. I'm not talking about a ten year vet vs a 1 year rookie. I'm talking about a 1 year rookie (Hakeem) vs a 1 year rookie (Yao).
I feel pretty corny saying it but I am so pumped about this team now thats its almost addicting. Not just about how GREAT Yao is right now, but how great he can be. And how great we'll be as a team. I'm pretty sure that everyone I know is tired of me talking about Yao Ming...but who cares!
Nice read. I don't agree with everything you said about Dream but I think I understand the spirit of what you are trying to say and I agree with that. Yao Ming might just be the greatest offensive player this league has ever seen before his career is over. I know that sounds like me being a homer along with a lot of speculation but look at the facts. 1. Yao Ming is 7'5" 2. He is graceful and moves well 3. Yao Ming has the most extensive offensive arsenal of any big man playing today and maybe ever. The hook shot, the dream shake, the drop step, your basic set shot, the dunk!…you name it and he has it. What is so amazing is that he does it all so well and with out any real effort. I for one can not wait until he plays Shaq. I am not saying that he is as good as Shaq is now but can anyone tell me that Shaq is going to be able to stop Yao Ming from scoring on his own? Certainly not consistently. Yao Ming can drive around you or shoot over you. He is a 300 lb infant growing up at a record pace. I don’t know where his place in history will end up but he is truly special. Every time I think of Yao Ming I think that he embodies the spirit and history of all the great centers that have ever worn a Houston Rockets uniform. It must be fate.
Hakeem was a different type of center. He was a great individual player for years but could never make his teammates better. Later on, he learned to pass out of the double team and we started the 3 point launching and championships. Yao does not have the pure athleticism Hakeem had but he doesnt have to, he's 7'6. Yao is already as good if not better passer than Hakeem. If Yao can continue to score, involve his teammates, and stay healthy - we've hit nirvana.
Wrap your brain around this - because you must have overlooked Hakeem leading the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals - his SECOND year, and two more appearances. He had Ralph, Yao has Steve. If Yao can match this feat or score over 20pts/10 rebounds a game for his first 12 seasons, set a NBA record for blocked shots, win two championships and a MVP award - then you might have some sort of point. Until then Yao is rookie with skills/potential - but not even close to Dream, yet. Dream redefined the Center position. As a rookie the "overachieving late bloomer" Olajuwon put up these stats. #2 on the team in scoring 20.6ppg #1 on the team with 2.68 blocks per game #2 on the team with 1.21 steals per game #1 on the team with 11.88 rebounds per game #2 on the team with 53.8% shooting He played and started ALL 82 games and averaged over 35 minutes a game. Not to bash you or anything but your analysis of Dream is very sh*tty. The man didn't peak, he was always playing good it just took 8yrs for the Rockets to get a good coach and good talent around him that fit his style. When Yao gets anywhere close to Dream against some solid competition then you can start your Yao is better than Dream ****. Yao is starting to play incredibly well and I am very excited about that. I am curious to see how he will play against a real big man like David/Tim, Shaq, Ben Wallace, etc. I think with a little more muscle he will be able to dominate. I wish everyone would quit saying Yao is the next Wilt, Kareem, etc. He is Yao - with his potential he will redefine the position again - like Dream did. Yao could be the best shooting Center of all time.
I'm as excited as you but common! The Lakers and Celtics of the 80s were amazing! This team has neither a Worthy nor a McHale. Until Griffin or another step it up, they'll never be that good and that's assuming Ming and Francis can continue their recent high level play. No doubt I'm as giddy as a school girl right now but I'm staying realistic. At this point, Ming isn't Jabbar or even Parish, Francis isn't Magic or Bird and Griffin sure ain't a Worthy or McHale. Now in two seasons from now....
Yao is not the center of the offense like the Akeem's 1986 Rockets. Add the fact that Yao has never played in the US, and he's getting use to the game adds to the fact that Rudy is easing him into the flow slower. Akeem was supposed to come in a start! immediately! Thus, 20PPG, 10RPG. Now, you can put a lot of weight in the fact that stats rule! But, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the combination of skill, athletic ability, and basketball IQ. Yao has it. He's balanced! This is what Bird had in his rookie season. That's why he was able to confuse Akeem (who, what, where did the ball go?) in the 1986 Finals. What Bird lacked in athletic ability, he made up in smarts. He out smarted Akeem, even with all his great athletic gifts. And please, don't tell me that you think that it took ten years for Hakeem to get a coach so he could "teach him the game." Please!
I wish everyone would quit saying Yao is the next Wilt, Kareem, etc. He is Yao - with his potential he will redefine the position again - like Dream did. Yao could be the best shooting Center of all time. [/B][/QUOTE] Shooting Center? That is equivalent to say he is not a real center. This title will be an ISULT to Yao very soon. Yao's package is complete. If he can pan out all his potential, well, he will definitely be the best center ever. Just as Rudy says, "For players like that, the sky is the limit." And I believe he will.
Thank you, Sonny. Incredible and sad how quickly people forget, isn't it?? Talk about what have you done for me lately!
You are right. I was very concerned that Rudy was going to have Yao shoot jumpers...but he didn't. Yao is balanced. And he'll get better in the post as the year progresses. Think of it this way... When's the last time a rookie came into the NBA and just dominated!? Not just scoring but also passing, rebounding, freethrows...etc... When? Tim Duncan that's when. And Duncan was All-NBA First Team (Yao: Second Team, because of Shaq. But still All-Star.). http://www.nba.com/history/awards_allnba.html All-NBA means, All-Star! All-NBA, means, big time player! I mean, you have guys like Pete Newell, Bill Walton, Rick Barry, Shaq, Sabonis, Micheal Jordan all saying, THIS GUY IS THE REAL DEAL! In his ROOKIE SEASON, for cripies-sake! What more do you want?! The writing is on the wall!
