I did a rough calculation of Yao's stats assuming he played 33% more minutes. He is currently playing 29 minutes per game so 33% more would have him at around 39.23 minutes per game. Which is pretty standard for most starters. With the extra minutes, his stats are awesome FG and FT will not change. 52% FG, 80% FT 18.5 PTS 11.03 REBS 2.13 assists 2.52 blks and 13.03 shots per game Call me an optimist but this is what I expect out of our young Yao in the playoffs (assuming our team passes him the ball and he is not in foul trouble). There is no more time to rest the big fella and if he gets the minutes, he will produce. Thus, increasing our chances of winning.
Actually.......he's already averaging that. And wouldn't he be tired?!? But I agree. He can score 40 points if he takes 40 shots! But then that means Cato doesn't get to play.
LiTtLey, How old are you? How do you have so many posts already.. That is astonishing... Your profile says your 70+ years old!!! How come you dont change it? Are you from Houston?
Bob Dole commercial. Don't ruin his thread!!! Now if Yao Ming averaged 39 minutes per game, then Kelvin Cato would not get to play. And that's what I don't like. Because Kelvin Cato has been playing very well. And even if Yao Ming plays that long, it doesn't mean that he will ever get the ball. Sometimes...he just stands around while Mobley is doing his isolation stuff. But if he played 39 minutes per game...our defense would be pretty good with him in the center. He woud be very tired though.
Why cant we play some minutes with Cato at the 4? He deserves minutes, and compliments Yao well. I love when he gets a rebound and throws those bows.
That's something I've been thinking of a bit as well -- next year, what will Yao Ming's ideal minutes be? Right now he's been playing about 30 a game, and the team didn't want to push too much PT on him, so as not to tire him out too quickly. After he gets some rest this summer, will he come in and play 40 minutes a game, or will that be too much?
I think we will need him to play in the high 30s if we make the playoffs. Say around 38ish. But another poster made a good point that Cato is playing well and this is something that our coaching staff will need to figure out. I would also love to see Cato play some PF. Cato 10 min at Center. 10 min at PF.
Not to nitpick, but I don't think you have increased his turnovers by 33% like you did his other numbers.
Well recently!!!! Yao has averaged about 3.5 turnovers per game!!! Has to be something around that....recent games... I think next year....he will play about 39 minutes per game with more strength and conditioning. Cato...well he will probably have to go after his contract expires. He will probably also want to leave.....to go play somewhere else. He can own as a starter on another team. He has improved drastically. But we already got Yao. Cato's contract will be gone!!! I think he will still remain with us next year. I hope he gets at least 10 minutes per game...at power forward and center. JASON COLLIER......bye bye!
Cato can't play the 4 because he is an offensively liability in this offense. The 4 has to be able to hit the medium range jumpshot or at least make the team believe that they are CAPABLE of hitting the jump shot. While Eddie's shooting percentages are low he at least is a "threat". For us to get someone like a Cato that is a banger at the 4 we need to get someone like a PJ Brown that can hit the medium range jumper and yet is physical enough to play the 4 or the 5. He would be ideal on this team.
PJ Brown would be perfect! I think he averages a double double. He has fought with Mo Taylor and pushed Yao around....but he is a good, solid player. Cato can't shoot at all....but on defense, Yao and Cato would be great together for a while. Actually....I have seen Cato making many shots recently. I don't know if he's getting lucky or what. He's been making some turnaround jumpers and has made some open shots too...and he's been making free throws. Weird. But PJ Brown would be nice on our team. Cato would have to go because we already have Yao...but then there would be 3 power forwards!!! And no backup center. I'm sure PJ Brown makes less than Kelvin Cato.
Cato's rebounding well but I still don't like his somewhat lack of defensive awareness, especially on help defense and he doesn't have as nearly the presence Yao has. We're a much better defensive team with Yao in the middle to help out everyone. That's fact. Not to mention we're a much balanced offensive team with Yao in the post than Cato. So I say play Yao as much as he can handle.
Ever heard of Kerry Wood? Ok baseball analogy but if we overpushed Yao, would that be in the best interest of his career. At 7'5, he has a greater chance of injuring himself, we don't want to increase those chances, we can use him for 10 more yrs if we don't push him.
That will be too much for him. Remember, Yao was slow get back in offense & defense at times, he still has trouble with the fast pace of the NBA games. I'll be happy if he can play 35 QUALITY minutes next season. He can average 20pts, 11rbs, 3blks a game with that minutes, and his defensive intimidation will be huge as well.
Imagine Yao Ming with a trainer for a good part of this summer, conditioning him for the season with a good mix of upperbody weight lifting, with lots of stamina excercises. Can you imagine? If he could stay under the Rockets' supervision all summer?
