I remember reading an article on chinese newspaper Sports Weekly last wednesday. It reads as "Is the Emperor born to be?" There is this chinese old saying--an emperor is an emperor by birth, which can read as something like "personality is your destiny". Basically the writer,a close observer, said Yao is so talented, so classic and people would fight tough battles under his lead if he issues the order, But the question is--is he really willing to be the leader? The writer seemed not so sure of that. Yao is a Shanghainese, and Shanghainese are famous in China for their smartness, shrewdness and being ambicious while playing safe. And the playing safe thing might stand in the way of Yao's being a leader. At the end of the article, the writer tried to save the not-so-rosy picture he painted by saying that Yao is still very very young and receptive to changes. He is capable of being a leader and he might be forced to be one if huge enough responsibility is out there. The interesting part is three days later Rockets lost that ugly battle and there began this cry for Yao being the leader and if he doesn't mind that much, a monster. I have to say, as acutely aware of the latest trends as I always have been, I anticipate a season of "the leader? to be or not to be" instead of the "can he even shoot or can't not he" last season To be serious, that doubt-haunted writer has his point. People maybe never should expect a monster out of Yao. That's just so not him and so not chinese. We maybe even never should expect an outspoken Shark out of Yao. Yao can be a leader, at least I hope, but as a different type. (It's just so hard to picture Yao saying to Francis "it's my team and you can go packing if you can't live with it Or maybe people can respect his culture and his personality as an individual while make improvements and changes where changes are needed to be made. Currently JVG's job maybe should include a new one: make Yao understand doing his part is not enough. And let's see what will come of that.
I think Yao is more a Tim Duncan type of leadership - by acting. That is fine with me as a Rocket fan; and its valuable. Francis can be a vocal leader as long as he respects the leadership action exerted by Yao on the court. I do think Francis is making progress toward that. Let's be patient with them.
i think its all JVG fault. He is the one that should tell yao how many shots to take ect... And if mobley or steve doesnt cooperate then its JVG duty to trade those idiots. what i dont understand it that when Ming is doubled ,he always passes out to be a "team player" or maybe thats JVG plan. But Ming is a foot taller than his opponent usually,and the guy coming to double is usually small around 6'10,so I dont understand why Ming doesnt just shoot OVER them like he would shoot over 1 guy. If Ming can shoot a jumper or hook over a 7'0 center guarding him,he should also do the same hook/jumper over a guy 6'9 sf coming to double. Thats where Ming is doing wrong. Teams will ALWAYS double him EVERY play. If he NEVER shoots when is he doubled,then he will 1. not win 2. not be a leader 3. not get as many shots as we would like for him 4.never be a mvp candidate with huge stats Hakeem constantly scored on doubles or triple teams,so if Ming cant do that then he will never win a championship. It not like the rockets are going to bring in Kobe or Kg,the team we have now is as good as its going to get ever. Ming better take advantage of it now.
