.....taken a serious step forward with his performance at the WC, possibly the most competitive and talent laden WC, ever. Being named to the all-WC team further paves the way for him to start. I thought that Rudy would have brought him along slowly like he did with EG, last year. However, based on where Ming is now, from a competency standpoint and popularity standpoint, Rudy runs the risk of exposing himself to the wrath of many if Ming does not start. While I maintain that Cato is an asset to this team, and not a liability, the need to stroke him by letting start is minor compared to the state of readiness of Ming. Cato himself has to acknowledge that this is a special player who should be starting.
What is wrong with Ming earning the spot instead of it being given to him? The difference in talent is blatent, and won't take long... I think Cato sitting on the bench to start the season will discourage him. At least if he starts at the beginning of the season, we may see an effort to keep the job.
I believe that Rudy has already stated that Ming will be the starter. I also know that Cato likes coming off the bench better than being a starter, so that shouldnt cause any problems.
If nothing else, Ming should make sure we get the tip to start each game. But seriously, I suspect Yao starts and then Cato will play a lot (maybe more than half) of the minutes at center, at least early in the season. It just makes sense that Yao will get tired, will be learning, and will be in a little foul trouble. I'd hope Cato will be cool with coming off the bench and playing a lot.
This is not a "until he proves it" proposition. This is why I made the bet so long ago. This is a how-to-make-Francis-and-Mobley-better proposition. Cato does not make them better *at all.* In fact, he causes them to try too much and not trust teammates, if anything. They both need to snap out of that, and that isn't happening when they are playing with Cato. The longer you play Francis and Mobley with Cato at center in practice and to start the game, the longer we play a perimeter game, because that is the *only* way to limit the effect of how bad Cato is on offense. Our offense will not improve until Francis/Mobley start playing a Ming-as-center game over a Cato-as-center. That starts in choosing your 5-man teasm in fall practice and that starts in the first quarter of NBA games, the best quarter to unveil new plays fresh off the lockerroom dumbskull-helper chalkboard before the game starts. Who here really thinks Rudy is going to waste valuable October practice time having Ming play on the B-team opposite Francis???? Also, the first quarter is where Rudy brings out the most new plays...that is proven, and (get this CBFC) Blinebury is on record saying Rudy is so giddy he witnessed him on the plane back from Indiana talking vociferously about new plays and <b>drawing them on napkins.</b> Is Rudy going to practice those new plays with Cato and Francis, or Ming and Francis? I cannot believe people still believe Rudy is not going to start Ming right off.
<blockQUOTE>Originally posted by DallasThomas What was the wager? Was it with Jeff? I never saw how that panned out. </blockQUOTE>As all of my bets, there are just supposed to be friendly bets to end debate. This is a friendly bet between me and any takers to try to help generate funds for the tipjar. To bet, you ante up $5 in the tipjar and I match that 2x. The winner just gets the satisfaction of being right. If you up the ante to $10 and win, you get a "Shutup for 24hours Heypee" coupon to use once anytime during the season. The bet is that Ming will be the announced starter at the first home game. This was made before the season schedule was released. My other bet this year back in March was that Kenny would not be traded this Summer. No one took that bet. And good for them, because 3 mos later Doc Rocket announced that Kenny would not be traded this summer, to his surprise. hehe don't bet me! Had Hakeem not flaked and left, we never free enough cash to make that Rice trade, and I'd be 3-0.
Hey HP I agree with you that Ming should start. However, unless Rudy is going to tell Ming not to try to play defense at all , then he is GOING to get in a lot of early foul trouble. Until he learns how to play D and not get all those ticky-tack calls against him. So the question is, in all of these practices and games using the new plays, which sound like plays cato just can't perform, then who is going to play the 5 when Ming is riding the bench with 2 early fouls? My guess is we will see a lot of Eddie playing 5 if and when Yao gets into foul trouble. I dunno though. What do you think for backup 5 when Yao is out? Cato, EG, or (shudder) Collier? ciao
Ming will start. It is the same as David Carr starting instead of having him play behind some wanna-be veteran starter from another team. Besides, the revenue from fans who will go to the game knowing they will get to see him play is a big part of it. If he falters, Cato is sitting right there. Here is a quote from another poster/thread: " Born in Hunan China.I've became Houston Fan since Yao Ming was drafted." That's a big part of why he'll start. Chances are he'll start but he and Cato may end up splitting the rest of the minutes until Ming gets comfortable with the NBA and the different centers/competition around the league. It's inevitable anyway so Cato should not sulk.
Man, that's tempting! If 200 people put in $10 and win we could shut you up for the entire season!! You made a good argument. I think I'll just donate $10 and join you on the "Ming will start game 1" partywagon. Have a seat Cato, the Yaaaaaooooooooo Train is coming through!
<blockquOTE>Originally posted by Nero However, unless Rudy is going to tell Ming not to try to play defense at all , then he is GOING to get in a lot of early foul trouble.</blockquOTE>theoretical arguments about a game....a *game*...like basketball really bore me. Don't give me theory. Fact is that Rudy and CD indeed told Cato not to go for blocks pretty much <I>at all</i> (as you say), because he picked up 2 fouls within 5 minutes all the time. Cato gets in foul trouble,,,that is one of the reasons why he sucks. So, points about Ming (or Dream for that matter) getting into foul trouble early in their careers, are meaningless...you still play them as much as possible. Ming will learn on his own not to get into foul trouble because he hates sitting on the bench....Cato doesn't give a crap about foul trouble....he doesn't love the game like Yao.
<blockQUOTE>Originally posted by RocketsPimp Man, that's tempting! If 200 people put in $10 and win we could shut you up for the entire season!!</blockQUOTE>yeah, the thing that is scary about it is that the Rockets certainly owe Clutch many favors over, so he could probably pull the huge one and ask not to start Ming in the first minute just to be rid of me for a year, while scoring some $6000 in bets for the tipjar. *ouch* I'd have to sell my Francis tooth and David Robinson '95 jockstrap on ebay to cover that.
I would rather have Ming not start in the first half session. Placing too much expectation and pressure on a no. 1 pick rookie would, sometimes, backfire and ruin a potential new star. Play him with limited minutes, bench him and let him learn the NBA games first. KH
I actually enjoy reading some of HeyP's post. I think his/her explanation of the hexagon offense was bull**** and funny, but i read it all. I agree with the notion of Ming starting and taking his lumps early and often. I actually think the nba will let him play different than what they called in the WC's this past week. The thing is, he only has a couple of centers he has to respect as far as offensive anyway,Shaq,Vlade,Mourning,Robinson and maybe Brad Miller. The reversal of that is when Ming rolls to the basket or from one side of the paint to the other, he will put the pressure on the other teams defense and force their big men to get fouls thus opening the lane up for the other players. I can't wait, but will have to like everyone else. I was one of those who was for Ming in the early going. I'm not saying he will be the 2nd coming of Hakeem because he will not be nor will he have to be. Ming will be a consistent 17pt ,12 reb,3 blks type of center. Ming will be a smart player and be a calming influence in some of the rockets helter-skelter play. In time he will be able to get a high quality,high percentage shot late in the game when the Rockets jump shooters take the night off. How long it takes him to be that player is a mystery to everyone, but indications are he will be good pretty quick. The bonus the Rockets have is they have good players at other position that will ease his transition.
<blockQUOTE>Originally posted by leebigez I actually enjoy reading some of HeyP's post. I think his/her explanation of the hexagon offense was bull**** and funny,</blockQUOTE>recheck your information. i invented the Trapezoid Offense in Feb '01....it never existed. TheRocketsGuys reinventented it like jan of 2002 and cold it the Octogon. That didn't exist either. Coaches just play; there are no invented system names unless you want to be the Magic Man invented by the mediea... Those who buy into it expose their lack of bball knowledge. Octogon....Trapezoid....yeah...buddy... I want 8 Box..Random Molecule Blitz...Gs left. ...next.
This isn't heypartner's personal dating service, so please don't address threads specifically for the twit. If you knew he had an opinion on this matter, we must assume you knew of that from a previous thread. Please dig up that thread and continue the topic there. That being said, Ming starts game two. If Mo's not playing pokensoap at the federal pen, he starts game six. Rice will go out with a ruptured disc in the second preseason game which will only expedite Griffin's development.
The problem with letting Ming learn from his mistakes early in the season is that it may cost us a playoff spot. At the very least, Cato is comfortable with his teammates, and knows his small role. This is how I hope it goes: Mo T plays the whole preseason, and gets better with every single game. SHows no signs of an injury problem. Kills KT for minutes in the preseaosn. I think Ming will play 3 or 4 games in the preseason. Maybe the whole thing, not sure. Point being, he looks tired and fatigues out there. But he's able to log 20 minutes a game, hit at a 49% clip, and get some rebounds. But he's tired as hell. On another note, Griffin averages 3.4 blocks a game, and 9 rebounds. Points are not important, but his FG% is not shameful or anything. Season starts: KT and Eddie split time at the 4, and Ming plays 15 minutes in the 1st game, 17 in the 2nd, 19 in the 3rd, 20 in the 4th, and 22 in the 5th. ALL off the bench. After 5 games, Mo returns, and starts. But Eddie is right on his tail for that starting spot, and Ming is clearly outplaying Cato. But we have to go with giving Cato big minutes, because Ming is EXHAUSTED. So after 20 games of letting Ming relax a bit, we slip him into the starting line-up. 10 games later, Griffin is doing too good to be on the bench, and we slip him into the starting line-up. But this is all great, because after a healthy training camp, preseason, and 30 games of solid, new & improved NBA ball for a now hard-working Mo Taylor, he's a very good trading commodity at around the All Star break. If we could unload him for a veteran PF and a pick or something, we could make a solid playoff push. I'm thinking Tyrone Hill and a future pick would be excellent for us. Mo T fits with their rebuilding plan, and would be damn good alonside Miles. While TyHill would be great backing up Griffin with his veteran D and rebounding. So after the ALL Star break, we look like this: Ming/Cato Griffin/TyHill/T-Mo Rice/Nachbar/T-Mo Mobley/Torres(or someone else we can find?) Francis/Mooch But then, 10 games after the break, Rice goes down with an injury that has him out for 8-10 games. Nachbar shows us some great play as a sharpshooter who will drive and dunk on your ass if you get too close. But anyway, Rice comes back (and he's having a decent season, not good, but not bad) and we re-insert him into the starting line-up. So this is our team: Incredible shotblocking in the frontcourt, with excellent banger/defense types as backups. Rice and Ty Hill provide veteran playoff experience. Ming plays smart and makes the game easier on everyone as a COMPLIMENTARY player, while Griffin does what he always does. Silently gets his points, and plays tough D. Rice is our spot up shooter/3pt shooter when he's open. Mobley and Francis are Mobley and Francis, and all this makes Nachbar our 6th man who terrorizes people as a mismatch at the 2/3/4. LOL, I got a bit caught up with that. I'm so excited. Oh, we finish as 7th seed, tied with the 6th seed. If it's the Lakers or Kings, we're screwed. If it's the Mavs, fasten your seat belts, we're in for a long ride.
