I don't want anything. Not a thing. I'm not the one saying he's gonna got for 20/10/5 againt the US - remember!? I'm trying to temper some of the runaway optimism with a dose of caution - that's all.
Microscopic analysis of Ming's performance in the current "world" games is somewhat entertaining but not very meaningful. Ming is an exceptional but "raw" talent that will take several years to fully develop. Imagine the cultural barriers alone that he will have to overcome. I have said before that it is Ming's apparent intelligence (along with his obvious physical assets and skills) that will eventually bring him success in the NBA. The Rockets do not need a savior to come in and lead them to the promiseland. A healthy team will challenge this year. If Ming develops faster than anticipated, then it will be an added bonus. If not, so what? The team is not depending on him. Remember, Frances, Mobley, GRIFFIN, Taylor, Thomas, et al?
I have a question for windandsea or panda, whoever has knowledge about the Chinese NT. Do you think the Chinese coach will push the team to find Ming more than usual in the World Championships? Will he change the game-plan at all? Will he let Bateer or Wang (if available) play alongside him at PF? I really doubt anyone on the US team can stop Ming from making 10 shots if he shoots 20 times. That's already 20 points. With 20 shots, obviously he's going to get some rebounds. So that's already done. Then to shake off the non-shotblocker tag, he needs to have a few blocks. 20/10/4 on 50% shooting is not unrealistic if the coach decides to go to him much more often.
Sane: I don't know too much about the current NT, but here is my take: First of all, according to the Chinese media, it's so late that Wang Zhizhi has very little chance to join the NT for the WC games. So there will only be Yao and Bateer inside, but I don't see Bateer playing pf beside Yao, the folk is simply too slow to play pf. I'd consider experimenting Yao at pf and Bateer at C, just to see if that works since Yao is faster than Bateer. I doubt that would happen 'cuz the present coach hasn't shown any guts to me since his arrival. Although the coach coached Wang's former CBA team and NBA trained, my impression is that this guy is quite conservative and lacks a feel for the game. The worst thing is that the China basketball officials didn't set a goal in this WC tournament, which puts no pressure on this coach. No matter win or lose he stays. The safe bet is that he'll stay with the current lineup, while addressing giving the ball to Yao more, and might change the game plan to let Yao shoot more from the outside if the guards fail to make entry passes again. Whether Yao can mesh with the guards in a non-halfcourt game is a factor in this decision though. I agree that if Yao take 20 jumpers he can score at least half of them. I don't worry about scoring but Yao's lack of experience against NBA centers. I'm sure that Yao's gonna block like crazy and get his 15 - 20 points if he can stay on the court long enough. Yao's strong enough to bang, but those NBA centers can pull tricks to a rookie and get his fouls. We'll just wait and see. I think Yao can get at least 15 pts, 8 rebs and 3 blocks.
I think Yao will do pretty good. I believe he will get a little more physical than most think against team USA. A Davis already said he was going to be physical, so Yao will respond, he knows many are perceiving this game to make or break him ( the media mainly). I'm team USA with out a doubt, but I won't Yao to have a monster game, and at least two blocked shots on Jay W.
