It is totally possible to see them on the floor together - and it does work well on the Playstation with the created character I made for Yao (I was a little generous with the stats I think, but it pisses me off that you can't change their hieght to above 270 in Live 2002). On a serious note I think it depends on the PF that Cato would be guarding.
I'm assuming you meant weight, right? Well, I had the same problem. But then I tried something new. Put a bigger body type on him and you can add more weight. I think a 3 will go up to 290 and 4 will take you somewhere in the 300's. I know Yao doesn't look like that, but that's how you can increase the weight limit. BTW, I had this game when it came out and just BARELY figured that out. I felt real stupid when I found that out.
Of course Ming and Cato can be on the floor at the same time. I just can't think of a reason why that would be a good thing.
I think Cato has a hard enough time guarding "slower" centers so there is no way he will guard a PF. But he does seem to be in much better shape, so who knows how much his defense has improved? Barring a drastic change, Cato would be stuck playing the C and Ming at PF if they were both on the floor. A 7footer at PF? If Dirk, Tim, and Pau can do it, then Yao probably can to. He seems very quick and has monster arms to swat from behind if he gets beaten. I think it could work and would be interesting to watch. I like Cato's new attitude and he played pretty decent versus Memphis. I would much rather see Eddie and Yao on the floor though.
Sonny stole my thunder darn you! If the Rockets ran with a "Twin Towers" line-up it would be Ming at PF and Cato at center. Last year this would be interesting, but I think Griff, KT and Mo can man the PF spot exclusive since we won't have to have any of them run the center spot since we're secure there.
This has turned out to be an interesting thread. People have compared Yao, skill and size wise, to Sampson. If something happened to Griffin or Taylor, I would love to see Ming at the 4. In fact, dont yall think Yao's skills, at this point, might be better suited for the 4?
possibly codell, he is reputed to have good lateral speed for a big man. That was what I was thinkin earlier Mill.. some in this thread took it to mean that Cato would be at the 4..no way. If and thats a big if, we were to run a twin towers lineup..it would have to be with Yao at the 4..cato flat out doesnt have the defensive skills to guard a PF.
I don't think Ming has the lateral speed to play the 4. His speed is good for a 7'5" guy, but not for a PF. As an aside, this illustrates why there aren't any good centers anymore. Any big guy with the slightest bit or athleticsim runs screaming from the 5 spot out as far on to the perimeter as he can get.
Alot of people thought Ralph couldnt play the floor speed wise and not only could he play it, he excelled at it. You are right about the centers in this league. With the exception of your Shaqs, Mournings and Mutombos, alot of centers are kind of soft. Cato being one of them.
The thing is, we really dont know do we? Everything that is said around here about what Yao can or cant do is pure speculation. The only thing we know for sure he can do is DUNK!..well he can shoot 75% also..but some have said he wont do it with NBA D on him..I dont agree. I also dont think he will want to play outside, it's nice that he has the *ability* to shoot from that far out, but I really think RT hopes to use him in a more conventional fashion..Setting high picks and starting some of his moves fromthe high post will be used no doubt..but you just know Rudy will design some plays that have him in the lowpost to take advantage of that sweet stroke and his height advantage.. I could be talkin out my as$, but then again, so could everyone else..so take it as you will...
You really think Yao can shoot 75% on the NBA level? If he does that on a consistant basis, hell be a Hall of Famer. I dont think anyone in history has shot over 60%. Maybe Wilt. Not sure if that stat was kept back then.
I'm basing my assessment on watching him in the exhibition game and world championship game against the US. Admittedly, it's a small sample, but I think it gives you a fair indication of his athletic ability. But you're right. We won't really know until we see him play more.
I 'm not positive what his shooting average really is..I know its close to that.. But realistically, just how many 5s in this league do you think can stop him from using that sweet stroke of his? Be realistic codell, I know you are a pessimist by nature, but he is freakin 7'6" and has one of the smoothest lookin shots I have ever seen from a big man (not including Dream) He has had practice playin in international competition for a few years, (it's not like he is coming in here straight outta college or something like that)..So he's used to gettin off shots while being man-handled..I honestly don't think he's gonna have that much trouble adapting tolife in the nuba..
There have been alot of players in that height range with similar games (Smits and Sampson). I dont think height necessarily translates into a high FG percentage, although it certainly helps. Another thing is, Yao is indeed 7'5'' or 7'6''. But he has very short arms for someone his height. Next time you see a good picture of him, look. Man, he has Otis Thorpe and Kevin Willis arms. So that might negate his height advantage a little. The thing I like when I look at Yao is, he shots the ball from above and behind his head. I think thats what will make it difficult for another center to block his shot. But if he gets pushed out of the box because he cant hold his ground physically, hes not going to get the higher percentage shots closer to the basket that he is use to. BTW, Im not a pessimist, Im objective. I know some people on here may consider me to be negative, but if you look at the threads that I normally get involved in, its usually because an outrageous statement has been made (i.e. the Rockets can finish as the #2 seed; the Lakers wont want to face us in the playoffs; we are better than the Spurs; Yao will win Defensive Player of the Year; Rockets should trade KT/Moochie/Collier for Artest; Taylor will be an All-Star; etc. etc. etc.). Im as much of a fan of the Rockets as anyone hear. I just like to encourage people to have realistic expectations of our team and to not over-estimate what we are capable of accomplishing. I actually tend to agree with most of the experienced and objective Rocket fans on here. I hope you didnt take my post about Yao shooting 75% personally. I just dont think its at all realistic based on NBA history.
If you look at how other good players that came out of college, their shooting percentage did not go down when they went into the pros. I think Yao can keep his shooting percentage above 60%. He did it at the worlds, so their is no reason why he can't do it in the NBA. It's not like anyone can really block him in the NBA. Its pretty easy to hit jumpers when you know no one can really block you. Its like shooting free throws.
Guys, its been well established that the american style of play is far superior to the overseas game, including our collegiate system. That being said, you cant say because Yao shot 75% against players that werent nearly as tall or physical as american players, then hell do the same here. I have no doubts that Yao will have a high FG%, maybe even close to 60%, but 75% is not realistic at all.
Oh really, well established by whom? I really doubt that college ball is "far superior" than the international game at this point in time. Just look at the Euros that have come into the league in the last couple of years. As tall or physical? The international rules allow more physical play without fouls being called than the nuba does..I think you are thinkin of the Chinese league when you talk about Internationals not being as tall as Americans...There are plenty of tall players in the Euro leagues... I wasnt expecting 75%. I simply stated that he has close to 75% average in International play...and most are expecting that to fall drastically...I dont agree with that. I wasnt clear with that thought, I can see that now... It doesnt matter how long his arms are, you are just reachin now.. Its how tall he is and how good he is at shooting the ball. Lastly, and I dont want you to take this personally..this is (obviously) just my opinion.. Has it occured to you that some ppl here dont want you to burst their optomistic bubbles? It's one thing to state documented facts when shooting ppl down, but you have a tendency to assume facts and expect ppl to conform to them with their expectations.. one last btw....I'm a homer and PROUD of it..
IMHO, Yao and Cato will not play minutes together on the floor unless the roster is depleted by major injuries or foul problems. My logic is very simple - Rudy has an infatuation with small ball.
It absolutely matters how long your arms are. Barkley is a perfect example. He was 6'4'' but he had VERY long arms and thats why he was able to play the position that he did and be the rebounder that he was. Kevin Willis was 7'0" with short arms, thats why he averaged less than a block a game. So if Yao is 7"5" but has the arms of only a 6'10" guy, then that does indeed negate a little bit of his height. Due to the arm length, his release point is more like that of a 7'1" or 7'2" guy. I dont assume any facts friend and I dont expect people to conform to my theories. This is a BBS and its here to debate topics just like we are doing now. But if someone is going to give an outrageous opinion or assume things that arent close to being true, then Im going to debate it because thats what this forum is for. For the record, I have no problem with someone being a homer and likewise, people shouldnt have a problem with me being an objective Rockets fan.
