You can check out the entire transcript here: http://cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20040310006/tscript.htm Singapore: Hi Dave, if Houston and Minnesota met in the playoffs, how far do you think the series would go? In particular, do you think Yao Ming might cause enough problems to the Wolves in the hole to make it a 7 game series? Do you think Sam Cassell can contain Stevie Franchise? Can Kevin Garnett hold up in the 5 spot against a talented center? Even though the two teams are obviously far apart in terms of their record, I think Van Gundy will have the Rockets playing solid playoff basketball and the Rockets would be dangerous lower seeds in the first round. Thanks! Jeff David DuPree: Hi Jeff Nobody will want to play the Rockets in the playoffs. Their defense will keep them in every game and Yao has become the second most dominant inside player in the league to Shaq. Garnett won't guard him, Michael Olowokandi and Mark Madsen will. It'll be a great series, but I still say the Timberwolves will win in six if it comes to that. Notodden Norway: Hello David DuPree. In the next 2-3 years who do you believe will dominate the NBA.Will it be LeBron James. Yao Ming, or do you see Kobe Bryant Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan as the top three? please share your opinion? David DuPree: Hello Tough question. I think Yao will be the most dominant player, but more like Kareem than Shaq. Right below are Duncan and Garnett for big guys. James has a chance to be as good as any perimeter player ever. He, Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter are going to have some real battles. Jones from Atlanta,Ga: David I have to commend you on your comment last week about Yao Ming one day being a dominant player. At first I thought it was a premature comment. Yet this week,he not only showed trememdous promise but did it against top teams and players. I don't know if he is developing the eye of the tiger or his teammates are finally realizing that they can make the game so much easier by going through him. So good call on Yao Ming cuz I just thought maybe he was going to end up like other 7'6 past centers. Lastly, what is it about the NBA that a dominant college school like DUKE produces mediocre or average players...Grant Hill was by far their most successful player to date. Yet he may never recover from ankle surgery. Are Duke player NBA-cursed? However in the same state it seems North Carolina is consistently producing good NBA players yearly. So what gives? David DuPree: What's up Jones? Yao is improving at an incredible rate. Patrick Ewing has really helped him. The Duke-North Carolina observation is a good one. The college game is different from the NBA game and I always thought Coach K. recruited a certain type of player -- great players who could fit into a system. Carolina has had a tendency to get great players who stood out more as individuals.
wow thats very interesting comments ... makes sense to me. wow to put Yao above Duncan and Garnett thats some feat.. I know it hasnt happened yet but hopefully soon. =P Yao's been getting alot of Love from people lately.. J
