Do you expect him to better than the Clipper's Kandiman, more of an impact player than Kenyon Martin? the next Hakeem? Would you guys be happy with Ming as a sabonis or Rik Smits calibur player?
I think he can also have quite a few assists and steals for a center as well. If his shooting percentage stays 50+ percent and freethrows at 75+ percent he will be a huge asset. Considering the above if he comes in at 13/8 with 3 assists and 3 blocks he would be huge for us.
First Half: At first, good substitute off the bench. 10 pts. 6 rbds. 1 blk. By January: 13 pts. 8 rbds. 2 blks. By March: 15 pts. 9 rbds. 2.5 blk. By Playoffs: 17 pts. 10 rbds. 3 blks
Yao Ming should be expected to be the starting Center for the Houston Rockets, Game One, Season 02/03. His performance will be limited by the desire of his Coach Rudy T and the Team Leader Steve Francis.If it is their plan, that in time the team will become a mixed Center and Guard dominated Team then expect great things from Yao Ming. If he is accepted as a significant Offensive and Defensive contributor, he will find a home here and be fulfilled. I think that only this path is the correct one to take and it will need sacrifices of the individual for the greatness of the Team. 02/03 15pts/gm,10rbs/gm,3blocks/gm,3assists/gm. 03/04 22pts/gm,12rbs/gm,4blocks/gm,4assists/gm. 04/05 26pts/gm,14rbs/gm,5blocks/gm,4assists/gm. We and his team should have only high expectations for Yao Ming, this is why we drafted him #1.
First half.... 8ppg 7 rbg 1 apg 1 bpg second half 13ppg 9rpg 2 apg 2 bpg Next year 16ppg 10 apg 3 apg 2.5bpg His true value won't be in his numbers though, it will be the effect he has on Francis and Mobley. They will be amazed at the looks they are getting by the end of the year as defenses are forced to play honest basketball against them.
I just expect he could learn things from coach,teammates and improve his game a lot. He is a new student of Rudy. so, In the first year, the burden is on Rudy's shoulder. I have more expect out of Rudy hoping Cato+Ming could average 20/15/3.
Playing on a team that already has 3 starters that require a healthy amount of FG attempts (Rice, Francis and Mobley) I don't see where Ming will be able to get the amount of FGA's that a center picked with the #1 pick in the entire draft would normally get on a team that doesn't have such scorers in abundance, and I think this is a good thing because it preserves what little existing chemistry the team already has in terms of shot distribution, and it can allow Ming to concentrate on rebounding (offensive in particular), defense, and shot blocking which are needed more than scoring from the center position IMO. I expect: 1. A strong work ethic, which will lead to strong commitment to weight lifting and building up his upper body size and strength conditioning and team first attitude, which (from everything I've read), Ming already has. 2. A strong low post defensive presense that will alter the oppostion's shot selection down low in the paint, and block several shots per game. I'd like for Ming to be in the top 3 shot blockers statistically in the NBA every year. 3. Top 5 in rebounding average every season- consistent double figures in rebounding totals per game, which will create more opportunities to push the ball upcourt for more fast break scoring opportunities. 4. Low to middle 50's in FG shooting percentage. I'm not as much concerned with Ming's scoring average as I am with his FG percentage; a low FG percentage will adversely effect the other jackaholics on the court in terms of shot distribution and offensive chemistry (Rice, Francis and Mobley) 5. I'd like for Ming to represent his native China in a manner that brings an appreciation for the rich culture of his native country and pride within the Asian community here in the states. Community involvement in charitable endeavors will be mutually rewarding for Ming as well as establishing strong ties to the city of Houston and in China (just straight out represent, ya know?) Minged out in SoCal
I am so sick of this speculation crap. Didn't we cover this sorry a** subject about a hundred and fifty five times in the last couple of months?????? Get a life and quit wasting my time with these silly posts. Buy some damn season tickets like I did, show up, watch'em and root for'em.
I think it's going to be great watching him gel w/ this team. Finally we can see another center develop into a perennial future All-Star.
Yao Ming will do just fine!!! I wish the silly comparison 2 Bradley, Rik Smits, Bol, and others will end... Anyway, my prediction: 1st Season: 14.7pts, 9 rbs, 3.5 blks, 1.2 stls, 65%shooting 2nd 17.2pts 12 rbs, 4blks, 2stls, 62% shooting 3rd 22pts 13 rbs , 4 blks, 2.5 stls, 63% shooting 4th 27.4pts, 14rbs, 4.1blks, 3stls, 60% shooting Oh well, in the 4th year, it doesn't hurt 2 dream!!
