1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

How improved will Yao be?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Zacatecas, Sep 26, 2003.

Tags:
  1. Sane

    Sane Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2000
    Messages:
    7,330
    Likes Received:
    0
    Here's something for you to consider. With the exact same production as last year, if you increase Yao Ming's minutes to 35min/game, this is what his stats would look like:

    16.2ppg
    9.8reb
    2.1blk

    This is Yao Ming of last year, plus 6 minutes.

    Now, let's VERY safely assume that he shoots 5 more times, and citing his already high FG%, we'll assume that he makes 2 of those shots (40%). That's already 4 more points, which puts him up to 20.2ppg.

    Now let's think about this theory that he'll wear down with more minutes, and his efficiency won't be as good. So let's say he goes down 2 points to 18.2ppg. But then again, he's not a rookie anymore and will undoubtedly play closer to the basket, so I see that as easily 2 more FT's. So we're at 20.2ppg.

    This is STILL assuming that he hasn't added ANY skill or strength. Ofcourse, you're going to tell me that defenses will be better prepared, and he'll be more intensely scouted. Now think about how he'll have an almost full training camp, a full preseason, more muscle, more strength, definitely a developing hook shot, and better overall physical condition from what he learned and what he was told by Falsone. As stated before, he's not a rookie before, so he's faced every C in the league, and has picked upa thing or two. Remember his habit of picking things up from the first meeting and using it in the next one? That's right.

    So I think it's pretty damn safe to say he'll hit 20ppg.

    As for rebounds, I'd say 10 is a given, especially with Ewing and VG as his coaches. He'd already be at 9.8 with 6 more minutes, and if he gets better at boxing out, and he's also stronger now... I wouldn't bet against 10reb.

    As for blocks, I'd be happy with the 2.16 per 35 minutes from last season. He may improve, but I'd be happy if he was getting 2 blocks, Griffin as getting 2, and Cato brought a few off the bench too.

    So to me, if I was a real pessimist....and I believed the "he's slower" stories..I'd still say he's EASILY EASILY going to achieve these:

    18ppg, 9reb, 2blk

    But I really believe this is what we'll see:

    20ppg, 10.5reb, 2.8blk
     
  2. farhan007

    farhan007 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2003
    Messages:
    1,363
    Likes Received:
    0
    Itll be awsome if our two stars produce 20+ points, and one specilizes in assits and another in rebounds...
    Maybe
    Yao 20pts 10rebs 2 blks 2 ast
    Steve 23 pts 7 ast 6 reb

    Now that is a famous duo waiting to happen...:D
     
  3. GladiatoRowdy

    GladiatoRowdy Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2002
    Messages:
    16,596
    Likes Received:
    496
    Yao should easily hit 20/10 if he is able to play 34-38 minutes per game. Just the lack of rookie calls should add 3-6 free throws per game and he hits 80% of those. Ewing will help him tremendously with rebounding, and he will have the added benefits of understanding the language a bit better and coming into training camp and preseason.

    I look for his biggest improvement to be in the assists. Yao is a fantastic passer who can see over everyone. With an offensive scheme specifically designed to take advantage of it, we are going to see some great assist numbers.
     

Share This Page