How is it that I'm only about 150 miles from Houston and you are probably several thousand miles away, yet you still know more about Yao? Thanks for the info....again.
Why?? Last year the Rockets were all over this guy. It has already been stated that there aren't very many centers in the league. So you should expect even less from a back-up center. Of course he is not a great center, but that's the point: BACK-UP. At least he can catch the ball, use some footwork, and even shoot the ball. I have never talked bad about Cato, with exception of his lack of work ethic and lack of heart (which are correlated), but the man hasn't been able to shoot the ball or learn to use his feet better. Cato is definitely athletic, but that doesn't qualify Cato to be the best back-up center in the league (no one can argue that). At least the Wolves aren't paying Cato's salary to Marc Jackson. Jackson will probably even have better numbers than Cato this year. Look at his rookie year. He's only in his third year and if the relationship between Golden State and Jackson not been so bitter, he would have played more last year. I may be wrong, but Yetti, surely my suggestion doesn't qualify as "showing my Basketball Ign......!" Oh, wait.........then again; I guess "Cato is the best backup center in the NBA." (I'm not Cato hating, or anyone else. I respect everyone's opinion, especially yetti's, but come on now)
How on earth did Marc Jackson get so many Rocket fans on his bandwagon? Hes a scrub who had one decent year on a bad team.
Maybe I'm missing something, this has happened before. I'm not too ashamed to admit it. Why do you say that Jackson is a scrub. Did something happen that I have not seen? He played great his rookie year. Bad relations with Golden State last year because they wouldn't let him join the Rockets. Because of this, he did not get any playing time. This year should be better if the Wolves get him some minutes. Why wouldn't it?
I hope Zang doesnt lie. The tables have turned now W&S, we can give u updates now, although you will probably know as much as us over there. Anyways, any chance of you catching a game here in town? If anything, I would suggest next year with the new stadium and Yao should be acustomed to the NBA then.
Marc Jackson couldn't take the job in Minnesota, which has needed a center for over a decade. So far, he's been a fluke. When he was with Golden State last year, he wasn't even the 2nd string. Scot Pollard is the best backup in the league IMO. I suspect Sabonis may be among the best this year. Jeff Foster is a pretty solid backup as well. Due to the severe lack of centers, Cato could possibly be amongst the top 5-6 backups, but a backup 7-footer that can do anything is instantly one of the better backups. On another note, Glen Rice said Yao has already blocked one of his shots.
Again, Jackson, in my eyes, is highly overrated. Even with Cato as our starting center, Id rather not have Jackson. Jackson does not block shots at all. His stats at GS do not impress me. He put up 13 pts and 7.5 boards on one of the worst teams in the league. He goes to a contender and gets 5 pts and 4 boards a game. It doesn't even look like he can beat out Nesterovic for the starting spot. At least with Cato, you get the block shots if nothing else.
If Yao did get blocked, I think it could be a good thing. He will learn early in practice that some things he could get away with in the CBA won't fly here. He'll learn to go up strong with it. Throw it down big fella, throw it down.
I think Yao could get blocked a lot... well, relative to his size. He doesn't get much elevation on his shots (yeah, I know - the guy's 7'6" - how much hops does he need)? But from what few highglights and footage I've seen of Yao, he doesn't have a high release point on his shot and he holds the ball at shoulder level when getting ready to pass out of a double team or make a move. I can see some 7 footers blocking him, but I'm sure he'll return the favor frequently, so it's all good.
I just figured it had to be Griffin, no shame in that, just ask Duncan . I agree with Rashmon. It's good for Yao to learn in practice what goes and what doesn't. He is a young prospect, like any young player, things will need to be refined. Some players come in with bad shooting form, others with foolish passing or dribbling, everyone has had something to work on.
You make a great point and some people dont realize that what you say is very true as far as Yao's jumping ability. The good thing though, about his release point, is where his shot is coming from. The thing Ive noticed is that the top side of his right hand is almost directly on top of, and sometimes, slightly behind his head, with his elbow out in front. Im hoping that will mean his defender will more often hit Yao's elbow or arm, than block his shot. Of course, Yao being a rookie, he might not get alot of foul calls like that. But hopefully with time, the refs will start to notice that if Yaos jump shot is blocked, his defender will almost have to have fouled him.
