Hey guys, These are from recent chats from my ESPN Insider account--I just picked out the Rox mentions.... From Bill Walton's chat today Tim (wayne,NJ): Has Yao Ming evolved into a superstar over the last few weeks in the sense that he can carry the rockets on his back and win some games without T-Mac. Do they have a shot at the playoffs? SportsNation Bill Walton: I'm estatic for his success, 28 and 14 since the break. They are back in the playoff mix, the most improbable story this year. Analyzing and watching Yao all his progress has been in the development of a mental edge. He had to get the toe fixed, yes, but he's durable and doesn't have physical limitations that would keep him from achieving things. Players usually figure things out their third year in the league and Yao has figured out that he can't wait around for others to do the job, and also that he's so much bigger, stronger, smarter and better than a lot of players in this league. One of the biggest prblems he's faced has been not only the instability on the roster around him, but not being able to grow with a master teacher in China. All the great players are touched by a special guy who teaches them how to win, think, learn, analyze and visualize the game. They also get something from the playground experience, which is just now taking hold in China. Bill Walton: I was lucky to grow up living and playing under Coach Wooden't umbrella, which is now over globalization that is affecting basketball with what Phoenix is doing. Yao has not been exposed to a lot of that at this point, but he's beginning to know what it's about. But will he ever be on a team that maximizes his potential? Tracy McGrady is now in Los Angeles for his terrible back to see if surgery is a possible solution, and Houston finds itself in limbo, not knowing when or if Tracy is going to come back and at team that has yet to reach its expectations will get there. With him out conventoinal wisdom says the Rockets will have a tough time, But Mihm's injury, New Orleans' swoon and Utah's inconsistency might allow Houston to ride the broad shoulders of Yao into the playoffs. But then again, we're talking about the same story as with Pierce, Garnett, Iverson, LeBron and Kobe. Superb players playing by themselves. As we dream about globalization and the future how ironic that it's Nash and a team that no one wanted who are playing the most enjoyable basketball of all? It's not how big you are it's how big you play. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAD FORD CHAT. Evan, Houston: Which draft prospect would look best in a Rockets uniform next year given there aging roster and lack of production from anybody not named Juwan Howard, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming.(When healthy) THANKS SportsNation Chad Ford: I think Aldridge would be great as an athletic big man to pair with Yao. Tyrus Thomas would also look good -- he's a Stromile Swift type athlete with a much better motor and some real basketball IQ. I had one scout tell me this week that he thought that Thomas, not Aldridge, was the best prospect in the draft. Interesting for a kid who wasn't ranked in the Top 100 by any scout I talked to before the season began. Talk about your meteoric rises. Noah (Tucson, AZ): Hey Chad, who do you see making those last couple of playoff-spots in the West? I think it's too late for Houston, but Sacramento could go... Lakers should be in too. SportsNation Chad Ford: I think Sacramento is going to get a spot ... probably at the Lakers expense. If the Hornets keep stumbling, then I think the Rockets still have an outside shot. Utah is just too unpredictable to call at this point. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRIS SHERIDAN Christopher (Lansing, Michigan): Who do you think will shake out in the West? Houston and Sacramento are coming on strong, Utah is solid, the Hornets are sliding and the Lakers are staying at about .500. Who do you think will make it? SportsNation Chris Sheridan: You never know about Tracy McGrady's back, but with the with the way Yao has been playing and with McGrady available for 16-18 of their remaining 20 games, I think Houston will make the playoffs. I think the Hornets will drop out, and I think the Lakers and Kings will go down to the final game of the season for the No. 8 spot. Yao (China/Houston): Listen, I have spent a few years in the states now and I have held my tounge because I was not accustomed to your American"ized" attiudes... Well guess what? I am now American"ized" and I am kicking butt like never before. Instead of the press covering me and giving me props, I feel like you have all been silenced by my play. Would you be one of the first to please give me a little respect at this point? The Dynasty begins... SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Hey, I pretty much just said you'd get the 7 seed in the West, Yao. Is that not respect enough?
I can't find the most recent Chad Ford chat, but there definitely was a Rockets related question there-I'll post when I find it. It was a funny one because he ended the chat by telling everyone that he just looked out his window and someone had just hit his car in the parking lot !
Wow, Sacramento, if they continue this hot streak, could be in the 5th slot! Can anyone post a comparison of schedules b/t the Hornets, Fakers, and Jazz? Is there any chance for the 8th spot?
Wow, these analysts are pretty high on the Rockets' playoff chances. With T-Mac's back injured again, I don't think we'll have any chance at the 7th seed. Sacramento is just too hot to catch. Even the Lakers will be very difficult to catch given their recent wins over Detroit and San Antonio.
too bad T-mac is not going to be able to go the 16-18 games he was talking about...but yeah we would have made the 7th seed, don't need an expert to see that.
