I was just wondering if anybody is still skeptical about Ming because that game said a lot. So if you're out there, tell me why you still think the way you do.
Pretty sure GB's gone. He dared Clutch to ban him and I think he got what he asked for. I'm more interested in hearing from this board's number one Yao basher, creator of the "Yao Ming Sucks" website, and the only person in the world to go so far as to divide us all into two camps: Yao fans and "true" Rocket fans. As recently as yesterday, he said the only ones who believed in Yao were Chinese fans and cc.net "nerds." You know the one... The Big Cheesy. Where'd you go, pally?
Anyone who is still a skeptic has to be out of their mind. This is the first time Yao has played against NBA-level competition since he was 19 years old. He made almost 50% of his shots, scored a double-double, and blocked at least one shot from EVERY big man on the U.S. roster. If that is his first game, can you imagine what happens within the next year or two. Forget it. Lights out. Like I said a few months back, if Ming can average 72% FG shooting for an entire season in a professional league, he's going to average AT LEAST 50% in the NBA. Rockets fans, get ready for a GREAT year.
I wa skeptical before the draft-I wanted more instant gratification, with known talent, like an Odom+pick(s) return. However, ESPNEWS showed some large portions of the game, and I'm convinced-he's the real deal. I'll put my comments in this thread since I can't find a better slot. First of all-he showed he was the real deal. He owned Collison late in the 4th,which showed to me he probably could've dominated the college game He had one vicious swat of Collison (sent it to the 3 point line, in air) and another stuff. He had a sweet swat of a Jermaine O'Neal shot inside, nearly goaltending, but he timed it right, and blocked a Davis dunk. Don't remember the other 2, or didn't see them. Defensively, I think he makes a Shaq like impact. Unlie Bradley, he's not a twig, so he forces altered shots, blocks shots, forces the game outside-this is partly why he isn't always a big rebounder- teams will try to pull him away from the basket, as well as the fact they take outside will usually mean longer rebounds. I didn't notice him being beat for boads. The defense around him was terrible-sometimes, he'd force off a pass but his team wouldn't be guarding anyone and they'd give up a bucket backdoor. That shouldn't be a problem wih Griffin holding down the backdoor. One nice play I noticed was he was playing behind Jermaine O'Neal, O'Neal tried to receive an entry pass but Yao used his height to flick it away. Offensively, the biggest thing was that the team around him absolutely sucked. The guards were ballhogs, but this isn't comparable to our team at all IMO-the guards were terrible. They were trying to score based on their athleticism-and they simply weren't athletic compared to Finley and Marion at all. I counted 4 straight possessions where Ming either forced a miss, blocked a shot, or got a rebound, the Chinese team was able to get into transition, but the guards missed open shots or failed to score on all 4 possessions. If teams in the NBA guard the Rockets that way, collapsing on Ming, Francis or Mobley could score 30 every single night. Ming displayed a nice little high post turnaround type move, which seemed to be his go to move, and a great ability to catch the ball around the basket in traffic. He sometimes brought the ball down, which he shouldn't have done, but he's a 21 year old rookie-a young Shaq with Penny by him in Orlando couldn't win an NBA title, Ming with a terrible team shouldn't be expected to defeat a team of NBA stars.
Axeman, care to rescind your "rockets will not make the playoffs this year" prediction? It's not too late.
Though I'm feeling better, I'm still nervous. Isn't this about the point in the season when Kelvin Cato signed his large contract? I'll say it again. I'm feeling better. I am optimistic. But me, I like to see it day in and day out. Part of being an old man.
pat- you will get your chance to see another double double from ming aug 31 on TNT. if yao has another great game against the US squad, will it be safe to say that he is really for real?
Kelvin Cato did not have his big block game against the NBA's top centers in the game after they basically challenged his man hood and told the world that they were going to punish him.
