I know its the dead time of the yr, unless you're a true baseball fan, but right now the hot debate even after the draft is , how good will ming be? All the detractors want to say he will be like Bradley and all the supporters will say he will be like a young Sabonis. I know Bradley really sux now and was a horrible even then, but looking back on the center era of which he played, I have no doubt that Ming will be much better than Bradley. I'm not here to take up for him, but actually if you take a closer look, Bradley didn't really have that bad of a rookie yr. Lets flash back to 1993. As recently as 1993, the nba was pretty loaded at the center spot. In fact, in Bradley's own division, there were some pretty good players playing the 5 spot. I'll run down the list of pivot men during that span: Hakeem,Ewing,Robinson,Shaq,Mourning,Smits, Robert Parish and Dikembe was still playing good. Hakeem,Ewing, and Robinson were in their primes, Shaq, Mourning were dominant even in there 2nd seasons,Dikembe was still the defensive force, Smits was coming around and playing ok while the "chief" was still a productive player. Taking all that into account and seeing the guy hadn't played organized ball in 2 yrs and only weighed about 245lbs, he avg 10 pts 6 rebs and 2.5 blks. Are those great numbers? No. Are they decent numbers ? Yes considering the centers he was playing against. So why should we as Rockets fans expect more from Ming? The last paragraph is the exact reason why we should expect Ming to do better and will do better. The list of centers that were in their prime whom Bradley had to deal with only hardens my belief Ming will be an instant impact. He has played pro ball for 5 or 6 yrs not Wac hoops. He is a legitimate 300lbs and has the type of skills Bradley wish he had. Another reason why I have optimism about Ming is this list ,Shaq. Shaq, a Mourning ,Mutombo and Robinson on the downside of their career are the only centers left he has to face. Compare that to what Bradley achieved and against the competition he faced only solidifies what he can do. Most detractors want to talk about the pogo sticks that will dunk on Ming or the so called bruisers that will push him around. Dunking is only 2 pts and last i checked, there isn't a man in the nba that hasn't been dunked on. These so called bruisers, most of which stand 6'8 or 6'9 are at a big height and weight disadvantage once Ming rolls into the lane, recieves the ball and goes up. I don't care what kind of strength or arms you have, if a guy is 6,7 inches taller than you and gets the ball 7-8ft from the basket, its nothing you can do. I know this debate will continue until Ming has his first nba game or better yet dominates his first nba game. Even then some will say he's suppose to because he's so tall. Whatever happens or how Ming plays, everyone will not be happy. I'm just happy they took the chance and I really think once he plays with the other players on the team, the other Rockets will see how much easier he made the game for them. For those who don't believe he wont have an instant impact needs to read what Hakeem said about his toughest matchup. For all those didn't remember maybe by being so young or what,Hakeem said Mark Eaton was his toughest matchup ever. He didn't say Robinson,Shaq, Ewing or any of those guys, he said the 7'5 300lbs man that used to anchor Utah's defense. Eaton was also one of the reason that Utah always had a tough defense yr in and yr out. We'll get a glimpse of our future when the play the wc games. If he plays like he did against the europeans in the other tourney, what will be the excuse then?
Some people say Ming is Bradley coz the two guys are both 7'6". They are also the same people who say a crocodile is a lizard coz they both have 4 legs and crawl on the ground.
No. No.... Not another Ming compared to Bradley thread.. ahhh You do make some interesting points. Thing is Bradley was poor vs. great competition and poor vs. bad competition as well. The 'greatness' gene just wasn't there for him. Ming may have it, and has shown it in the CBA. Hopefully that translates positively into the NBA. I'm excited about the upcoMing season.
WHO CARES ABOUT BRADLEY ANYMORE?? He sucks as it is, and his a$$ is just lucky to be an NBA player making $$...
BRADLEY is a tall person, trying to be a Basketball Player. Yao Ming is a tall Basketball Player. A suttle difference IMHO.
Two months ago I only knew two NBA players: Michael Jordan and Wang Zhizhi. So my NBA knowledge was very limited. (Now I have much improved). I just want to ask your guys one question: if Bradley is a free agent now, does any team in NBA want to sign with him? (regardless of his salary) I saw some clips of Yao Ming in the tounament last week. He is stronger than before but a little slower. I think after he puts 40 pounds on his body (as each one hoped), he will never be that agile big guy.
i think that a team that REALLY needs a center whose only sole purpose is to block shots and rebound (with NO offense), he'll be signed. i think cuban would still want to keep bradley around in dallas, but if bradley wants to risk it, i'm betting there are a few teams in the East that would like his services. I saw some clips of Yao Ming in the tounament last week. He is stronger than before but a little slower. I think after he puts 40 pounds on his body (as each one hoped), he will never be that agile big guy. i'm hoping that he can still run the floor as well as the other centers around the league. Tim Duncan-like and not Patrick Ewing-like.
windandsea,he can regain his speed along with putting on muscle and not necessarily much weight along with better physical conditioning.
Wind and Sea. Most bbs members know very little about body types, so their opinion seems to be weight and muscle mass = strength and power. But in the new era of the game ( RULE CHANGE- 3 second calls ) the power game has changed where speed, agility and muscle strength as a combination are the desirable qualities of the futute big men. The pushing and shoving that went on in the past is no longer tolerable , although one should have the lower body strength to hold ones position. Yao Ming at his weight and body type should be carefull about increasing his weight,but should improve his upper body strength. The Rockets have a special coach to advise in these matters and any strength training should be done with his guidance.
