Look back at the team that have won every championship since 1989. Every team had 1 star and a bunch of good role players that fit that star well. Pistons - ISIAH. Sure he had Lambier, Rodman, etc. who are in their own right hall of famers, but it was Isiahs team and everyone else played off of him. Bulls - JORDAN. As good as Pippen was, he later prooved on other team he is and was probably one the greatest role players ever and not a star. The didn't have any dominate big men but had guys who knew their role and excelled. Rockets - OLAJUWON. THE definition of a one star team. The team was made up of guys no one else wanted. That team was built for Dream. Evenn when Drexler joined everyone knew who the man was. Lakers - SHAQ. The three championships they have won were under the clear Shaq era. A bunch of good role players in Fox, Fisher, etc. You noticed that they haven't sniffed a ring since Kobe has taken on a bigger role. Who's team is it now? Spurs - DUNCAN. You could say the same thing abou the spurs teams as you can about those Rockets. Robinson was a hall of famer but was no where near that calibur playing along side Duncan and even molded his game to be much more of a role player. All this being said, you look at the present day Rockets, who is THE star. Who is it that everyone (fans, teammates, coaches) know will make a play when it has to be made (offensively or defensively)? I've read alot on these message board about what moves the team should make, but they need to decide who they are going to designate as the guy that could and will lead this team to the promise land and THEN make moves to bring in players that will compliment him the best.
I think you're saying two different things here, one of which I agree with, and one of which I don't. A) One star...disagree. Dumars, Pippen, Kobe and Drexler were all legit stars in their own right. You really need two stars. B) Clarified roles, including acknowledged 'The Man'...Totally agree, and have said so previously.
Well yeah, typically the team that wins has the best player. But they're usually surrounded with pretty good talent.
I never said those guys werent stars, but if you look at he teams they won rings with, they were second fiddle. You knew who was going to make the play when it had to be, who had the ball in his hands with the clock running out. And those guys were not it
I think he means ONE superstar...the only guy on the Rockets who could possibly be the ONE is Yao. DD
the problem is that even if ROX management and VG designate YAO as THE MAN, we have two guys on this team that simply do not and will not defer their games, and guess what...they're the primary ball handlers and have been entrenched as the leaders of this team for the last 5 years. This team simply does not have the makeup to win it all and never will with boneheaded guards who think they're better than they are leading the way. mobley is a great 2nd round pick, for sure, but he wants to be a star, THE MAN??? on most other teams in this league, he'd be coming off the bench, yet on this team he, along with Francis has the greenlight to shoot and pass up open teammates whenever he pleases. why waste time? pull the trigger, I say.
beyao, I agree. When it became clear that Tim Duncan was the man, David Robinson went from averaging 28 ppg to around 15ppg and defered to the better player. Steve has not done this...Cat has to an extent, but not Steve. Memo to Steve, you are NOT the man, nor will you ever be. DD
Thats kinda my point beyao... If this IS Yao's team something has to be done with those guys. As good as they are, they do not fit this team if that is the case. Originally this team was being built around those guys to be the core of a championship team, but when Yao came to town everything changed. Now I'm not ready to hand the wheel over to Yao but if this is the direction the team is going towards they need to go that direction instead of trying to fit two types of play styles together. When Jordan joined the Bulls or even Lebron on the Cavs, the organization from the start said "this is our guy, the guy whos back we will ride and depend on to bring home a ring" and did everything to build around those guys from the very beginning (Cavs trading Ricky Davis, etc.)
And I also agree with you beyao... I would love if Cat was our guard off the bench. We would really be a difference maker. Sort of Bobby Jackson type of player who can come in a provide instant offense. He did a few years ago leading in sixth man of the year until Rudy put him in the starting lineup.
Dont agree there. Steve has lowered his average from 21 points to 16. Yet Yao hasnt upped his average at all. Yeah, his points are up from 13 to 16. But he really averaged 16 the second half of last year also. And this is w/ a system based totally on him. Yao is not the man yet. He will be, yeah. but not yet.
You guys are terrible. All you do is blame Steve for Yao's lack of man-ness. If Yao wanted to be the man, he would be. If he was a man, a simple zone defense wouldn't totally stop him. The message is clear: Yao is not the man (yet).
Maybe David Robinson went from averaging that much because he was, oh I don't know, old. Just like every other player declines with age. I guess Shaq and Kobe haven't figured out this steadfast rule yet.
Well, Steve is now 27 and is having his worst year, and since he is not going to be in the league for his mental skills, maybe his phsyical skills are deteriorating rapidly. Yao will only get better, whilst Steve is getting worse, who would you rather be the focus? Sink or swim baby...sink or swim !! DD
For our sake, I hope not. Steve should be entering the prime of his career. This team needs Steve, but I do agree with you that Yao should be the man on this team.
So you're saying having 5 stars will ruin the team? C'mon now....I thought the Rockets need more stars that play smarter basketball, that knows how to pass the ball, that play fundamental basketball. All of these Rockets don't have the elements that i described above with the exception of Yao, JJ, and Mark Jackson.
