With the new addition of James Posey (I used to be one of the proponents for Kenny and I am sad that he is gone... but I can only move on) I was thinking about this kind of lineup. All Defensive Squads All Defense List - Yao, Cato, Griffin, Posey, Hawkins, Mobley C - Yao C - Yao C - Yao PF - Cato PF - Griffin PF - Cato SF - Griffin or SF - Posey or SF - Hawkins SG - Posey SG - Hawkins SG - Posey PG - Hawkins PG - Mobley PG - Mobley Good Lord, now THAT is Defense All Offensive Squad All Offense List - Yao, Taylor, Rice, Nachbar, Mobley, Francis C - Yao PF - Taylor SF - Rice SG - Mobley PG - Francis Any one of these players can go for 20 on a given night All Assist Team C - Ming C - Ming PF - Ming PF - Taylor SF - Ming ok, all kidding aside SF - Hawkins SG - Ming SG - Boki PG - Ming PG - Maddox Okay, I was about to put Mooch on the PG spot, but... I couldn't bring myself to do it. Wanna go small? C - Norris PF - Norris SF - Norris SG - Norris PG - Norris In other words... NO All kidding aside (sort of... the infusion of Mooch into any lineup seems to make our team instantly smaller) Run & Gun Squad/Young Legs/The Future C - Ming PF - Griffin SF - Nachbar/Posey (He's 2nd due to supposed bad offense) SG - Mobley PG - Francis Who's gonna keep up with this fastbreak? no one What happens if we miss? YAO MING EDDIE GRIFFIN Final Assesment - We have two guys on both defensive and offensive lists - Ming and Cat, we have one athletic offensive superstar with adequate defense (debatable) in Francis, now have TWO defensive stoppers in Hawkins and Posey, three intimidating shotblockers/rebounders in Griffin, Ming, and Cato. Awards: Most Useful - Yao Ming MVP - Francis, Ming (they are both crucial , was about to make a Shaq/Kobe comparison, couldn't bring myself to have their names affiliated whatsoever) MIP - Yao Ming, from this year, Mobley from last Best Backup - Kelvin Cato Best Shadow of Yao (blocks shots after shooter forgets him due to Great Wall) - Eddie Griffin Most Intensity - Francis Mr. Reliable - Ming Unstoppable - The 2002-2003 NBA CHAMPIONS The HOUSTON ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ADD YOUR AWARDS AS REPLIES PLEASE! I'M SO PSYCHED ABOUT OUR TEAM!
You should put Cato in your run and gun offense. Not that Ming runs poorly, Cato just moves up and down the court a little quicker. Best Hair: Corn Row Moochie Worst Hair: Afro Moochie Best Alley-oop combination: Steve and Cato Biggest Mystery: Nachbar Best Tatoos: Taylor (soon to be Yao with a sweet one) Best Celebrator: Help???
I think a lot of Yao's fast adjustment to the game must come from Larry Smith. If you have noticed, Yao plays more with his knees bent now. When he first came over he was upright and stiff. In the more physical NBA game, a player needs to use leverage and you can not move guys when you are standing stiff as a board. Ming has a lot of good footwork from his years playing in China that Rudy, and Larry is combining with their own great insight as to how to attack the post. Larry Smith, and Carol Dawson are supposed to be great teachers for big men. Ming looks like he is MUCH more agressive lately. I think Larry Smith needs some kudos for this.
