Is resentment towards Yao building?

The talk about Stoudamire as a favorite for the ROY is ridiculous. At the moment he's definitely Yao's biggest challenger... but I really think Yao's going to distance himself in the next few months.

Take a look at Amare's game log over the past month or so. The guy was very impressive for 2-3 months.. achieving a double-double in more than half his games from late November all the way through mid January.

... but since Jan 20th, over the past 8 games or so, he hasn't had a single double-double. Not one. In that stretch of 8, he even had 3 single-singles, a very rare feat indeed in previous months...

I think he's starting to fade, and hitting the same rookie wall (which is due to: adjustments made by the league, fatique) that Yao hit a few weeks earlier. Yao, on the other hand, has played much better the last 5-6 games.

 

No, carayip. This is a black thing. If Yao were black, players around the league would accept him more readily.

 

There is one thing that Stoudemire has going for it that isnt mentioned as often as it should.

When most people think Stoudemire should be ROY, they point to Phoenix's record and his impact on the team.

The bigger issue in my opinion is that Stoudemire plays better competition every night.

While Yao gets Pedrag Drobniak and his like, Stoudemire has to face Rasheed Wallace, Duncan, Brand, Garnett, Nowitzki almost every single night.

Western Conference PFs are just a killer group.

Isn't that why we complain about Eddie Griffin and his inability to match up?

 

This is a ridiculous theory. Yao plays the same competition as the man Shaq.

 

RIET, the main issue is not the competiton (something you can't control).

It's each players skills. Yes, Amare is better than Garnett and Wallace 5 feet from the rim. But that doesn't mean that Amare is a better player than Garnett. Garnett can dominate the whole game from both ends of the court and from all points on the court. Garnett is the leader of his team. Amare has the luxury of Marbury and Marion.

So, Amare is one-dimensional right now. He's a power scorer within 5 feet from the rim.

Yao can dominate from all points on the court, and he can pass, shoot 3s, hit freethrows and block shots.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about Cara.

Im distinguishing Stoudemire from Yao as ROY candidates. What does that have to do with Shaq?

Good lord, anything not 100% positive about Yao, you consider ridiculous.

 

Uh, David, Im as big a Yao fan as they come. However, shooting 3's?

I think when we weigh the overall production, Stoudemire and Yao has been about the same.

Yes, Stoudemire is more one-dimensional and I think over the long-term, Yao will be the better player.

However, this year, their production is very similiar. And if their production is similiar, competition can be and perhaps should be a criteria.

 

Actually, he can hit threes, not that he does them in games. He hit one in the WBC. He has a nice touch from that range.

 

I don't know how often Amare gets double teamed or triple teamed by the opposition, but most of the time, Yao has to deal with opposing team's center plus their forward and guard every time he touches the ball.

IMO, ROY race is really close now, but I think Yao will take it at the end. So far, Yao has exceeded all my expectation of him. He won't disappoint.

 

What I want to mean is that when you judge a player, you see his game, see his skills, not to see his competition. You said Amare is the ROY because he has better competition at his position. I think this is a ridiculous theory. It's like saying that Shaq's a lesser player than Duncan because the center position is weaker than the PF position.

 

Players are just worried, particularly athletic American kids. For years, all you had to be able to do was jump over a car and dunk blindfolded (or shoot the three) and you were considered a star. That is a tremendous failing of both the youth/high school leagues as well as the NBA.

For years, every player tried to "be like Mike" by dunking and high flying. Unfortunately, people liked it so much, they forgot that the game of basketball is more about skill than sheer athleticism. They forgot that Jordan didn't win with dunks. Utah and Cleveland fans know he won with jump shots.

Coaches at lower levels don't coach the fundamentals any more. They want highlights and to win games. They use kids to bring attention to themselves and their school by letting the high-flying athletes go nuts on the below-average talent at that level. By doing so, they attain notoriety but it is a hollow victory for the kids who grow up not learning the basic skills.

Now, the league desperately needs shooters. The very fact that the zone defense is allowed today tells you exactly how bad shooting is. Stacey King was recently interviewed on a radio show and said that if they had the zone when he was playing, no one would run it because everyone on the floor could hit a 15 foot jumper - the zone buster. He said it is a mockery of the game that teams can back off in a zone and not get absolutely killed by shooters.

He also commented that guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Peja, etc are going to become bigger and bigger commodities because of their shooting skills. They are the zone busters.

With all that combined, players from America are worried. Now, with Yao here and having such a huge impact on the marketing of the league, players are getting a little jealous. It's understandable and it's unfortunate that it takes a guy with Yao's physical size combined with his command of the game to promote the NBA.

The funniest part is that the former players LOVE guys like Yao and Dirk and Peja. They LOVE the hard workers and the shooters more than the highlight reels because, unlike today, human highlight films from the past like Dominique Wilkins, Mychael Thompson, George Gervin, Dr. J, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were more than just high-flyers. They could play the WHOLE game. They could shoot and pass and did I mention shoot?

I love Amare's game. I remember hearing from people before the draft that he was an absolute beast of a player. But, Amare's giant glowing weakness is that he is all athlete and not much else. He can't hit a 10 foot jumper let alone 15 feet. His tremendous athletic skills allow him to be a fierce rebounder and presence down low but he has no footwork at all. Even when Shawn Kemp came into the league (a guy who Amare reminds me a LOT of), he had pretty amazing skills and fairly solid footwork.

Not knocking Stoudamire either. The guy is a phenominal talent and it would not shock me a bit if he became one of the greatest players at that position ever to play, but someone summed it up best recently. Even if he is one of the best power forwards in the league, this league is LOADED with guys at that position and it always has been. You can almost always find a 6'10" athlete who is agressive around the rim, but finding a 7'6" big man who can pass, shoot, rebound and understand the game is like finding a needle in a haystack. It is BIG. All puns intended.

 

I think Amare is actually similar to a young Shaq in terms of how they play the game. Sheer size and power. No wonder Shaq loves him. Amare is also starting to talk a bit like Shaq. Annoying as hell.

 

100% Correct!

 

Then Shaq destroys his competition whereas Yao doesn't. So maybe Amare is indeed ROY.

 

First of all, I never said Amare is the ROY.

I said that his competition has been stronger and that it should be a consideration.

As far as Shaq and Duncan - the comparison is not the same because they are both the very best at their positions.

If you were to compare say Ilgauskas and Brand I would say Brand's production is better because he plays tougher people and neutralize better opponents.

 

I wonder if there would've been a slight freezeout if Francis wasn't the PG?

It's good that we won't know what the All Star Game won't be lick before Francis for a while, lol. (Knock knock)

 

Amare destroys his competition as long as he's 5 feet from the basket. He's a monster close to the rim. But so does Yao as long as he's not pushed out. This wont be a problem later...

Garnett can destroy you anywhere. Also, Amare is riding his athletic ability now. Yao is riding his fundamental skill.

What takes longer to learn? Fundamentals or physicality?

Francis rode his athletic ability for the last 3 years and look where it's gotten him. Now that's he's talking to the greats and trying to learn the game the right way, he's going to grow.

Amare doesnt make his teammates better. He makes himself better.

 

YAO shooting 3s ? I drool of that prospect.

Come on, YAO, you know we are waiting....

 

When you are successful there will be jealousy. It's a sad part of life that's unavoidable. I am sure Yao awares of that but I don't think he would give a damn.

The only people I am concerned for Yao, are the silent haters. Those are the dangerous types. They might praise you in public, but privately they would wish you to fall hard, and maybe hurt you if given a chance.

Those fools who envy him act like Yao had owed them something. His early accomplishment wasn't given to him. He earned it from his hard work and because of who he is.

It's not his fault that people appreciate a new and refreshing basketball player. Who happens to be 7'5" and Chinese, with graceful skills and talents, to match with his endearing personality.

It's doesn't matter what color Yao is, if he's talented but ain't got that unexplained power to draw attention then it ain't gonna work. Likes AI said, "He's a gift from God."

Those who are jealous of him let them busy doing that. Yao will continue to sell and relentlessly work on his game...soon he'll bring back Rockets Championships to Houston again for you and I to celebrate.