this is something i've been thinking about for a LONG time. i'm sure most of you have as well. i was wondering why it hasnt happened yet. or atleast been seriously considered? i know hakeem is busy doing his own thing right now but even a private session for couple weeks(like he did with emeka) would be crucial. i wish the rockets could pull some strings even pay hakeme alot of $$ and make this HAPPEN. that would be BAD ASS..
...because of f-ng TOM THIBODEAU, the lousy s.o.b. The other reason is that Jordan = 12 hour plane flight from Houston, and he doesn't want to. Clear those two hurdles and we're in business though.
That was the problem the limited time he was here in SugarLand was when Yao was in China .. He only stayed here for like 2 or 3 weeks..
He's normally in town over the ummer and one or more brief periods throughout the year. Him and Yao have just never crossed paths as of yet, conflicting schedules more or less.
I am sure Hakeem has offered his services. I think his loyalty towards the Rockets and the city of Houston runs deep. I honestly also think a great deal of Yao's improvement after the all star break has been because Hakeem has helped him in someways during the the All Star Break. He was in Houston for the games and probably spent time with our big man. I would love to have Hakeem work with the guy for a whole Summer but I think their schedules just clash. Unless Hakeem was willing to go to China to help Yao, or Yao was willing to quit the games in China and stay in the states there really is not much that probably could be done.
well its not like it really helped out okafor. its a nice idea but i don't think it would be beneficial to yao. their games are completely different.
I'm pretty sure Hakeem was a no-show at the all-star game. If his loyalty was that deep, he probably would have made it just for the weekend. Dream has other priorities now.
Hakeem has said he wouldn't mind working with Yao but they are never in the same country at the same time. Also Okafor heard that Hakeem was in town so he left Europe (?) to workout with him while he was here.
The big thing is. . . If Jeff is the man he says he is Which Yao was down . . and even now He should have been giving Yao some game tapes of Hakeem like the 1994 series [make sure he censored Ewing completely out of he tapes wouldn't want Yao picking up no bad habits] Rocket River
Yao needs Walton's and Kareem's tutelage. And also implement Rick Adelman's offense and you're maximizing the complete potential of Yao. Dream could show him some stuff, but I highly doubt Yao would be as effective.
Frankly, I think the one guy that would benefit the most from tutelage by Dream would be Swift, not Yao. The thing is though it can't just be for a few days, Swift would need Dream to tutor him full-time for like a year just to get some things down and learn how to make certain moves consistently...and most improtantly FINISH those moves (I can't tell you how mnay times he makes a great move and then blows a layup/dunk, he just can't finish for whatever reason...not very polished). I think no one has ever taken the time to personally take Swift and help him develop his game, team after team just wanted him to 'magically' use his natural abilities to play great, but it doesn't work that way...it didn't work that way with Yao, we got him Ewing and Mutombo to help develop his game, but Swift has been and continues to be neglected to this day IMO. He needs a personal guide, needs someone to take him under his wings on his own time away from the team (during summer or whatever) to help polish up his game...everyone would be better for it. The man needs someone to believe in him and invest in him time and effort, and I am confident that would yield the results everyone is looking for.
Their skill sets are comletely different. Hakeem was fast, had explosive jumping ability, long arms, tough, mean, physical, strong and had great hands. Yao is physically weak, sloooow, short arms, jumps as high as a grandma on crutches, has brick hands and a nice fade-away. Hakeem can't help Yao. Hakeem - "Ya, you must move fasta" Yao - "How do?" Hakeem - "Legs move back and forth fasta" Yao - "I try"
Not to mention Hakeem was only 6'10" he HAD to play like a gazelle. Yao's physical gifts are different.
Never thought of that! Speaking of which, any idea whether Rockets will work with or help Swift develope during the off-season? That would be great. Edit: just realized tiger's member #.
Yep, dead-on perfect description of Yao. It's amazing he's not the worst center in the league...maybe second worst.
Keep dreaming (no pun intended). Hakeem has more important things going on in his life than coaching players on a regular basis. Who's to say he won't spend a couple of hours here and there in the future, but I just don't see it. His life is much deeper than that these days.
