I do understand the concern of some of our fans that it seems that Yao might not reach the big expectations that will all have for him, but people lets be smart here, it is by no means time to trade yao, all you fans wanting to trade yao will look pretty stupid when he finally figures it out, which i believe will be soon we just have to be patience, yes i know its been 2 1/2 years but players of his size, skills and potential don't come around very often. Yao will be alright people, he might not be the dream but he'll find his niche and develop a passive aggressiveness ala tim duncan, mark my words Yao will be a very good player.
Well, one of two things needs to happen: 1. Yao needs to be a *MAN* in the paint. No more tips. No more layups. No more weak sh*t in the lane. Throw it down big man. 2. We need to recognize that Yao is not a traditional post player and craft a system that works with him... (err... triangle???)
Some people are overreacting. Others are just looking at the situation for what it is. Yao may get better, but you are what you are. The advantages Yao has in size and "skill" are negated by a lack of athleticism and by height - easy to steal when he dribbles, smaller stronger post players can get good leverage. I'm not completely dissapointed in him. It would be great if he was better, but considering a lot of other people's consensus on him coming out of the draft, he has done okay. He is a borderline all-star for a center these days based on play alone and is alredy better than Rik Smits ever was, his most common comparison back in the day and again these days. The Rockets definitely need to make use of his capabilities more effectively, but again, it is hard to imagine he will ever truly be DOMINANT, especially in today's NBA and its premium on speed, agility and athleticism over height.
I haven't given up on him. He is averaging very respectable numbers playing with a bunch of guys that were thrown together at the beginning of the season and brought in during the season. It may take the rest of this season for them to start to really develop some chemistry together, at which point it is time to see where this team is and decide which direction to move. If the Rox have a sub-par season and miss or squeak into a one and out in the playoffs, I would bet that CD and Les pursue Phil Jackson. In fact, I would bet that part of PJs decision to leave the Lakers was to set up a year off after which he could make a pitch to take over the Rockets. He took a year off after Chicago before cherry picking the Lakers and the combination of Yao and TMac in the triangle offense might have him salivating already. If JVG has some success with the Rockets down the stretch and in the playoffs, his job is safe and rightly so. Either way, rest assured that I have not given up on Yao, nor will I for the foreseeable future.
While Yao looked awful in the beginning of last night's game, he ended up with 25pts on a 8 for 15 shootimg and went to the line 11 times. Yao isnt a go-to guy like Shaq or Duncan is, and wrestle down low isnt his forte either. Yao simply cannot play Shaq. But his size and his skill, it's crazy to even think about trading him.
We just want to blame on someone for the Rockets poor start...that what fans do. If anything the player should ge motivation from our complaint. For Yao, I'll give him two more yrs and then figure that to do with him. He is only what 24 yrs old.. Common that truth is this guy is improving every yrs.....Statistic don't like.. the only problem is we don't win.. That the whole team fault...
I sure wouldn't give up on him. He will figure it out. Plus I think he is still feeling the effects of the flu. (He has a serious cough). Also, he is just a nice guy who wants to play. That's why he doesn't understand why the defender is beating him up and that the refs won't call anything short of seeing blood. YET, he will get called if he looks like he might hurt a smaller player. Go figure. I think he need to get a few fouls while smashing/blocking shots to the 3 roll. But there is still hope. The guy can play. He has shown it before and will again.
I said on this board years ago that Yao would never be an Olajuwon, at best he's going to be a Sabonis. Hey, that's not bad. Of course, when you look at Amare, you gotta think, man, what would the Rockets be with that guy!!! Houston needs a legitmate point guard, a power forward, and a guy who can hit an open three. Oh wait, wasn't that Francis, Cato, and Mobley? Seriously, I think Mcgrady is a great acquisition. If Houston can sign some free-agents to complement T-Mac's game (and not Yao who needs to learn to play with T-Mac), they will be a good playoff team.
In my opinion the people who want to trade Yao look pretty stupid NOW. No need to wait until he figures it out...
I'm a big fan of Freedom of Speech, but you have to draw a line somewhere. Guys like this should be banned to speak/post in public for his life time.
yeah, well... That's my opinion. I believe trading Yao is short sighted stupidity. Maybe it's ignorance... but I tend to lean toward stupidity. Ban me... Have a nice day.
Phoenix was dead last in West last year with Amare, Matrix and Marbury, 2nd worst in West with Amare and Matri,JJ. Don't expect one player can save the Rockets. It's a team game, role players are more important than you think. At this moment, we don't have role player who can consistently step up.
