OK, it is from Chinese news, so mostly certain just some unfounded rumor. http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2003-04-25/1904431695.shtml It said he contacted some Chinese basketball authority and expressed the interest to come over to China and to help trainning Yao. The reason? He liked the team play concept that Yao possess. Team play won't work for the Rockets but it just might work for the Chinese NT, who knows... OK, I don't believe it but WOW, if it is true. Can we see more rebounds and better defence? Please... Yao, grab your ball, well... the basketball!
i don't know if it's true or not, but i do believe that the rockets' organization would never allow that to happen. i don't know why they wouldn't, but considering the amount of people that have definitely expressed interest (malone, walton, sampson) and the amount confirmed to have actually worked with yao (zero), the odds of russell getting through are slim. *sigh* pride comes just before fall.
looks like it is true. This reporter said she got the information for CBA officials. Russell had a long talk with Ming at all-star game. He likes Ming very much and wants to join the Chinese NT to train Ming. He wants to improve the defense skill of Ming. He has given his resume and recommendation to CBA.
"I heard fans saying they want Hakeem (Olajuwon) to teach me. First of all, I am all for it. With an elder teaching me, I can learn a lot of good things. But think about it, he already played so many years and he's had just a year or two to rest. " -Yao If the whole article hasn't been posted already... http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/yao_journal030421.html
Moses Malone or Bill Russell? How about neither. Malone has about the same grasp for the English language as Yao. Bill Russell is an old curmudgeon, past his prime and can barely move. Wes Unseld. Great communicator. Well respected. Tough yet fair. This guy can teach Yao to maximize his height. This is who we need.
RIET, with all due respect, you are completely off the mark. bill russell has more knowledge on the game of basketball - specifically big man basketball - than our entire coaching staff combined. i don't care if he's in a damn wheelchair and suffers from freakin' cataracts, if he can talk and point yao on where to go and what to do, we'd be fools to not allow him to work with yao.
Verse: From this article, Russell wants to get a job from Chinese NT. It's China who will decide whether or not to give this offer to Russell.
I would like to see them bring ANYONE who has played the game well. Russell for the big men, Oscar for the guards, etc...
Someone said that Dream couldn't work with Yao because he is still a member of the Raptor's roster. If that's the case, then so be it. But the Rockets not getting immediate tutoring from the likes of Moses, Russell, or even Sampson, especially since its been offered is simply inexcusable.
windandsea: that's fantastic news!! please keep me (well, all of us, really) updated on this one! thanks!
I think it just a ridiculous rumor. Russell is almost 70 now, how come he can offer to travel to China all summer just for tutoring Yao? Not mention he has to risk his health because of the SARS. If Yao can stay in States this summer, Russell may be interested to be Yao's personal tutor, but no way he will go all the way to China to do that. Although I dont believe it, why Rox has no plan to hire assistance coach like Mose or Dream to train Yao is beyond my understanding.
Gee, dude, do you really think that Bill Russel is past his prime? No SH&T, homie... What does that have to do with anything?
Thats not saying much, to compare his knowledge to Rockets Coaches is too low a level. The one who keeps in shape and can dop the job that is required is Moses Malone. Remember he taught Hakeem.
When was the last time Bill Russell coached anyone? I remember him doing play by play commentary on CBS back in the late 70's and early 80's and he could barely communicate then. You want someone alive, not comatose, to teach your 22 year old potential superstar. Wes Unseld is that guy.
Wes could teach Yao how to use leverage, in other words, how to lower his center of gravity, and move people around. But Wes can't teach Yao how to use his height!! Dude is like 6'7". He don't know how to use height. He made a living using leverage.
