How so? As far as I know Larry Bird led a team with Dennis Johnson and Robert Perish to multiple championships. And Dirk, no matter how much you hate him, he led his Mavs team with Jason Terry and Josh Howard to the NBA Finals, which was arguably fixed by the refs in favor of DWade. Either way it overthrows the ridiculous notion that Euros/white Americans cannot lead a team of blacks. And btw I am neither white nor black.
That whole rant is ridiculous. Bird, Dirk, Nash, even Adam Morrison and JJ Redick during their college days. Race has little to do with Yao's lack of leadership ability. When Ron prepared to join the team this summer he reached out to Yao because he was ready for Yao to lead him. When Tracy prepared to join the team he wanted to play for Yao's team. Everyone has been trying to hand the reins to Yao since Francis left, but Yao has been reluctant to take them. The thing that makes a leader a leader is power, and for the Rockets Yao is the one with the most power. The management and the organization back him and the players know that. What weight does Rafer's words carry? He is a bad shot away from being benched. Tracy could lead the team but he didn't take the position either. This is Yao's team to lead. All the lead by example stuff is fine and dandy but at some point you have to be willing to give constructive criticism and let players know that they need to get in line or get out. If you have teammates that you know are partying all night before games then you need to let them know that is not how your team works and they can get with the program or get out. I'm tired of hearing about work ethic and good person. How about adding good leader to the resume. How about speaking up and letting your voice be heard.
Marcus- That was great and truthful. Everyone will not like u as the leader. Jordan kicked kerr's ass, bird and mchale couldn't stand each other, allen and garnett have issues, and we all know about shaq and kobe, but its about respect and leading by example. Its probably hard for yao to criticize someone missing a rebound or defensive assignment. Still though he needs to be that dude.
Agreed, Yao needs to grab the reins, I think Adelman knows that and has been trying to get him to do that all year. And, Yao did do that when Tmac and Ron were benched, the team took off.... Yao needs to treat TMac and Ron the same as he treats Von Wafer.....just tell them like it is.... DD
I agree, leaders usually aren't always liked and I think that is part of what has held Yao back. It seems like sense he came he has just wanted to fit in. Dude you're a 7'6" asian NBA player, you don't fit in anywhere. Get over it and stand out. If everyone doesn't like you that is the price of being a leader. They can find the door on the way out.
You accuse me of ranting and then throw in a hissy fit? In any case you are disillusioned. Your response seems way off the mark. Are you sure you got the message what I was trying to relay. Dirk is the firepower but he is not a leader. Nash is an excellent pg not a leader. (And Im saying European American since they came from Europe just as Asian American came from Asia and African American from Africa. Whats so hard to grasp?) I know some college players feel the exact things that I feel. Im not merely making this up on my personal experience/feelings. You may have heard of Jeremy Lin. He feels exactly the same. There is an issue being Asian in the basketball scene. You saw how much negatives were said and published on Yao when he came in this league. Some of it simply because he was a Chinese. It took this long to where he has gotten to. It's gonna take some time to get to where he wants to. So please know what you are talking about before you rant more.
Never would had happen with JVG, dudes would have been on the pine. RA and his coaching staff have never been known for D. Can't get stops late in games and I've never ever seen a Rocket team give up so many easy shots without a hand in someone's face.
DD, he didn't lead, he was playing better. Thing is, when tracy and ron were out, the defense still sucked, scolandry swas getting abused and too muxh guard penetration. Watch Duncan when guys are blowing defensive assignments no matter who it is. Watch what happens when quick shots are fired up in critical junctions.
If our stars aren't the leaders, than it has to be Coach Rick. With JVG, we had the same problem. But you could tell that JVG was the leader. C'mon Rick, step up your game. Bench guys if you have to send a message.
#1, a clear-cut "leader" is NOT a must-have for a team to compete. this thing has been overrated and overused for quite some time. #2, given our circumstances, i hope yao can step up to be the leader. #3, it likely ain't gonna happen any time soon. for what reason, i don't really care. just try to bake good chemistry and go play and compete and hard. that's all i ask for. if that requires certain trade(s), then so be it.
Yao is the only one that can be a leader for this team if he could play like an all star leader in the games vs. Bucks, Knicks, Grizzlies, Pacers, Clippers, 76ers, Wizard ...
JVG used to be the vocal leader of the team, but I can not see AD as one. A roaring coach can be the answer!
If your team leader is your coach, you are not going to win ANYTHING.... There has to be a leader on the floor...... DD
You want me to know what I'm talking about and you keep saying a bunch of nothing. Being asian isn't the reason Yao isn't leading. How many times has Tracy been quoted saying that this is Yao's team? When Ron was getting ready to come here he called himself a "Yao soldier". These guys are stepping aside and letting Yao lead. The team is begging for Yao to lead he just won't do it. Being a leader and being a good leader are two different things. Bird led his team to titles. Nash is a leader. Go read "Seven Seconds or Less". Nash isn't a great leader but he is a leader. Dirk is a leader. He is constantly getting on guys and he will get up in peoples faces. He is a reluctant leader which is why he wanted Kidd so bad, because he doesn't want to lead. Leadership has nothing to do with race. If African Americans refused to except leadership from European Americans then why are there so many European American coaches? The players followed JVG just fine. Players follow Larry Brown just fine. Players follow Phil Jackson just fine. I could go on and on. The point is that the race card is weak in this instance.
Chinese,long time Rockets fan, A clutchfan subscriber back to our championship days.Die hard fan of Hakeem! HakeemForever!
