He won't start tell next year. Cato is going to start all year unless he gets hurt. BTW, when is Cato coming back?
I think it's going to be next year. He has a lot to learn about the NBA style and he has to build strength to be a good defender. He will have 15-20 minutes of productive game time though.
Did anyone catch when Sal (ESPN) was interviewing Rudy during half-time? Sal told to Rudy that the moment Yao entered the game he changed the complexion. Rudy had a look on his face like, "Oh boy. I don't want to hurt Cato's feelings. I'm ok, you're ok, I'm ok, you're ok, be politically correct, don't say anything wrong. Be nice...!!!" Rudy knows it's true. But he shies away from questions like that and starts to act like a banty-roster! You can tell that he just wants to run away.
What are you talking about? Rudy is not afraid of Cato or any player on the team. Yao could not play a whole game yet with out getting tried or fouling out. I like what Rudy is doing with Yao, he gets 15 minute of productive every game. It is a good learning experience, better than leting him foul out or putting pressure on him.
I believe that Sal said something along these lines: "Yao came in and made an immediate impact......" Something like that. But you're right, he didn't comment about Yao, but instead said that he was concerned with our defense. Figures. Give the guy his props-maybe someone will believe Rudy if he compliments his players from time to time, instead of having to rely on Yao haters on ESPN....
Yao haters? No, what I meant was the opposite. Half of the USA and all of China want to see Yao. Deep down, Rudy knows that the team wont go anywere w/out Yao (and Francis). But he didn't want to talk about Yao. He changed the subject... RocketFan85, I wasn't saying that Rudy is scared of Cato. But he toes-the-line when regard to hurting his feelings (picking Yao over Cato). He just wont do it on national TV, even though the whole world KNOWS it to be TRUE. Even Cato has admitted it.
I say it will be the year after next. He won't be able to start over Cato until he can rebound and play defense like Cato. And remember, it's not the Cato you see now, but the Cato that will be in two years...Cato could even be better. I can't just believe I wrote that. Anyway, Rudy always gives starting positions to healthy veterns. Kenny XXXXXX Smith over Sam Cassell is a classic example. And Eddie Griffin last year. First Yao has to prove he can stay in a game for 30 minutes a night before becoming a starter, and that's going to take a while. My prediction is Yao will not start until Cato gets injured and Yao improves a lot. But barring that happening, Yao will start in 2004.
It's pretty fun to read this thread and look back at this other Yao-starting-prediction-poll from before the season... http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42853&highlight=will+ming+start
