First of all, I'm a Spurs and Warriors fan, so I look at the Rockets from the outside. It seems like a lot of you are disappointed about the way Yao've played in the playoffs and maybe even this season. Look, Yao is in his second season and he's 24 yrs old. Outside of Magic and Bird (and to a lesser degree, Shaq and Duncan, and maybe a very few others I don't remember), which other player have done really well in the playoffs in their second season? Yao is already one of the best centers in the game. Or if you rather, include both C and PF, and Yao would still be among one of better big men in the league. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think Yao's made some big improvements over last season. So why can't we be a little more patient and see if he makes even more improvements next year? My point is, you can't decide if you could build a team around Yao when the guy's been improving and he's only played two seasons. I agree with some other guy that posted: A Michael Redd or Rashard Lewis, someone that could really shoot it, but isn't a stiff and still create his own shot would benefit this team a lot. You need a good player that compliments Yao. Jimmy Jackson is a decent player, but I think he played well because Yao got him a lot of open looks. I think Houston fans need to understand how lucky it is to have a good big man in their team.
You're right, we are lucky... Those years in between losing Hakeem and drafting Yao, I think we saw what life w/o a good big man was like --- resulting in Cato's 'bone head' contract. I think we DO expect bigger things from Yao --- especially in the playoffs. More aggression, more leadership, more RESULTS...Maybe it's just too early to gameplan around him???
the problem is that many fans have already annointed this guy as the man. those guys have been aching to trade francis and cat b/c its their fault that yao is not producing like they expect. i think that now we can see that yao is far from the player many people already thought that he was.
Oh, I think most Rockets fans see the potential in Yao Ming and appreciate his contributions. On this message board, you have a lot of fans that have expressed their desire not to see Steve Francis leave the team in favor of building the future around Yao by bashing Yao, often undeservedly.
Steve Francis has taken a great deal of criticism this season. I don't see anything wrong with people questioning Yao after he struggles during the most important part of our season, especially him being non existent in the playoffs. Which rockets player hasn't been criticized at some point. No one is immune, including Yao.
I couldnt agree more Squonker. Everyone talks about the PF position on this team, and it IS a need, but this team needs a guy that can create and make his own shot from the perimeter. When the offense was having one of those bad quarters they were always prone to go through each game, I guy like this could have helped stem the tide or to even get them back on track. You notice that when the Lakers' offense broke down, Kobe was right there to create a play, most of which resulted in him hitting a mid range jumper or going to the foul line. The Dream used to put this on his shoulders and make that type of play for the team, but Yao has not learned this quite yet and so we need that perimeter guy to be a playmaker for him.
Yes, we expect a lot out of Yao, because we know the things he is capable of doing. Yao showed us for 2 weeks a glimpse of what he can do and it was bliss (big word, but its true). Some are just a little disappointed how he finished out the season.
Aggression is something that is formed before you are 24. The best players in NBA history always had intensity and played with fire. Yao hasn't shown that consistently, and I don't think he ever will. I feel like it's something inate that Yao lacks and no coaching or maturity will help. Yao should average about 20 a game before all is said and done, but that would be below the 25 or so I think he should be able to get given his talent and size.
I don't think Yao will come back to the NBA for next season. Yao has shown he is emotionally, psychologically, physically, culturally and mentally incapable of competing in the NBA. Look at all the time Yao wastes on his website and posting on the internet!! Look at how he is 22 years old and lives with his parents!! Looked how 40 year old Karl Malone wooped his ass!!! All that tells me he just doesn't want to be in the NBA and to be in America. I doubt Yao wants to play in the NBA anymore, and I don't expect him to return.
