Here we go.... Draft winners and losers June 26, 2002 Print it Is a rational human being, I do not like to pass judgment too quickly. There are, however, times when I just can't help it. When I heard Burger King was selling veggie burgers, it took two seconds to conclude -- bad move. Who's going to go to a grease pit for good health food? When I saw that Diet Coke was being mixed with lemon, it was the same thing -- what are they thinking? In basketball, I had the same kind of feeling last summer when the Knicks gave Allan Houston a $100 million-plus extension. How can such intelligent men make such bad decisions? Ditto when the Grizzlies traded Mike Bibby for the erratic Jason Williams. My first thought -- are they nuts? That brings us to Wednesday and the NBA draft. When I realized the Rockets really were going to waste the No. 1 pick on Yao Ming, I shook my head. Don't they want a sure thing with the first pick? Why risk it on someone who comes with so many questions? How can someone be 7-5 and not be considered a shot blocker? How long will it take him to develop? Will he ever develop? How will he communicate with his teammates, not to mention Rudy Tomjanovich? How cooperative will the Chinese government really be with the Rockets? How are the Rockets going to feel when Jay Williams is averaging 25 points a game in the not-so-distant future? Loser: If Steve Francis looks confused running the Rockets next season, don't blame him. There could be times when he has to call plays in three languages -- one for Yao Ming, another for rookie forward Bostjan Nachbar from the Czech Republic and, of course, Rudy T-ese for everyone else. Stan McNeal is a managing editor for The Sporting News. E-mail Stan at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
I emailed that ass clown: Stan- I love reading all the articles across the internet of how the Rockets made a horrible decision. It makes me giggle to see how jealous people are that we had the number one pick and took a chance on a potential franchise all-star player. In your recent article you say: "If Steve Francis looks confused running the Rockets next season, don't blame him. There could be times when he has to call plays in three languages -- one for Yao Ming, another for rookie forward Bostjan Nachbar from the Czech Republic and, of course, Rudy T-ese for everyone else." Its nice to know that a "managing editor" for the prestegious Sporting News obviously didnt watch the draft at all, becuase if you did you would have noticed that Nachbar SPEAKS FLUENT ENGLISH. I love doubters, because it just adds fuel to the fire for a team that is on the verge of the playoffs. Im sure you remember a Nigerian way back in 1984..... I think his name was Hakeem Olajuwon. I'd bet that you thought he was going to suck too huh? See you in the playoffs! BE SURE AND EMAIL STAN: smcneal@sportingnews.com
The Diversity on a team just killed Dallas. I hope the Rockets Don't make the same mistake (Insert sarcastic smilie here)
Don't forget Sacramento. Mike Bibby and Webber's tiltle run was derailed by those pesky foreigners. Thank god Webber spent time in a Turkish prison while on spring break 91 or else they would've had to use sign language!
Here's my letter. Not very eloquent, but oh well. Stan, your article critiqing the Rockets' draft reveals you've done fairly little research on the draftees in question. I don't fault you for your opinion, but I do fault you for using stereotypes, false information and just general ignorance in backing up your argument. I read Sporting News articles every once in awhile, but if this is the quality of your 'journalism,' I think I'll have to stop visiting the site. END LETTER I suppose I should've backed up my argument by countering his misinformation, but I'm too tired to care.
This guy also repeats the age-old rumor that Yao's not a shot-blocker, despite the fact he was second at the 2000 Olympics in blocks per game behind 'Zo. That's pretty good company at 19, wouldn't you say?
Wow what a moron... First he harps on Ming not being considered a shotblocker, an inaccurate rumor that was simply started by 1 man and has now been adopted by everybody. Leading shotblocker in CBA, and among top 2 in Olympics, and standing 7'5 - I don't see how he's NOT considered a shotblocker. Then he harps on how long it will take for Ming to develop... HELLO!! He is already a top 10 center in the NBA w/out a doubt and a significant upgrade over Cato. Yes he needs to develop but he will contribute along the way. Then he speaks of communciation problems... a matter that has already been addressed by Rudy and Cd. Both have stated that Ming can speak English well and is more than capable of understanding simple basketball talk. How are the Rockets gonna feel when Jay Williams avgs 25? Well considering we have Francis playing the same position, I doubt they would really feel bad at all. All his points suck.
I used to write angry emails to TSN all the time. If anybody recalls, their NFL "expert" (and la times columnist), TJ SImers, wrote in every single column back in 99 that there was NO WAY the NFL would put an expansion team in Houston and that LA was going to be it and houston was being used as a bargaining chip. He did it every single day, despite numerous signs otheriwise, right up until the NFL picked Houston by an overwhelming margin. Those guys over there are wannabe SI or ESPN guys, as if you have to be smart to do even that.
Do you think....bare with me, now....that the fact that Yao hasn't been particularly famous for his shot-blocking thus far might have something to do with the fact that European and Chinese ball involves more (gasp) jumpshots than the American - drive to the hoop and draw the foul - brand of ball? The one time he faces the Dream Team, he throws Gary Payton's weak $hit right back in his face for him to think about what he's done and apologize. Do you think the fact that.....I know this is crazy, now.....he's been scoring so many damned points and grabbing so many freaking rebounds might have overshadowed in some small way the number of blocks he's accumulated? (double gasp) You guys don't think that has anything to do with it, do ya?
I have one question...why in the world all in the sudden everyone is saying Yao Ming not a shotblocker?
man what bum. how is this guy allowed to publish anything. first of all jus by watching the draft u could tell snackbar could speak english seeing as he conducted his interview without a translator and ming knows some english and even had conversations with rudy when the rockets brass went to china. i dont care how many pts JWill is averagin when we have a better PG on our team. also someone should send him those yao video highlights of him blocking vince carter. i dunno if this guy is jealous or jus dumb.
I like ass clown the best. He needs to be sent to a Federal Pound Me In The *ss Prision for those remarks about Ming.. O.k. that might be a bit harsh, but I say screw him anyway, what does he know?
I just couldn't help but send an email to this guy: "When I heard Burger King was selling veggie burgers, it took two seconds to conclude -- bad move. Who's going to go to a grease pit for good health food? When I saw that Diet Coke was being mixed with lemon, it was the same thing -- what are they thinking?" When I read an article by Stan on sportingnews.com, it took two seconds to conclude -- bad piece. How many people are reading this and thinking, "What is this guy smoking?" "When I realized the Rockets really were going to waste the No. 1 pick on Yao Ming, I shook my head. Don't they want a sure thing with the first pick?" I don't see any "sure things" around. Certainly not ones with talent to be picked #1. Jay Williams might be close, but not a "sure thing". Assuming he is the closest description to a sure thing or #1 pick caliber in the 2002 draft, it would just be so wise of the Rockets, home of the best backcourt in the NBA, to take this 6 foot PG. There is no Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'neal in this draft. THEY were sure things. In fact, with all the foreign players and underclassmen coming out these days, there are hardly any sure things anymore. I mean, how could one use a top pick on a sure thing? Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol and Eddy Curry - The top 4 picks of last year, were all so proven in their combined 0 NCAA games. In 1996, the Lakers made the worst draft move in history, in my opinion. What the hell were they thinking, trading Vlade Divac, a very solid center, for some risky damn high schooler named Kobe? What idiots! Always go for the sure thing! "Why risk it on someone who comes with so many questions?" Gee...I don't know.. maybe because he's 7'5. Maybe because he is 7'5 with actual skills. You are probably one of those clueless morons who think he will be the next Shawn Bradley. Well, I've got news for you. They won't even be close. Does Shawn Bradley have a nice, consistent shot? No, but Yao Ming has a sweet stroke. Shawn Bradley came into the NBA at about what, 220 lbs? Yao Ming weights over 290. Can Shawn Bradley run the floor like a 6'8 player and pass well for a center? No. But you know you can? Yao Ming, that's right.....but since the almighty basketball guru Stan McNeal says the pick of Yao Ming is a bad one, it looks like 2 time champion coach Rudy T., highly respected GM Carroll Dawson and all of those other guys that have ACTUALLY SEEN YAO PLAY that are so enamored with him, will be laughed at in a few years. "How can someone be 7-5 and not be considered a shot blocker?" You tell me. You seem to be the one of this opinion. August 30, 2001 - China 83, USA 82 - Yao Ming is 5 for 7 from the field and blocks 5 shots in just 25 minutes! This against a team full of other guys just drafted such as Juan Dixon, Melvin Ely, Dan Dickau and Lonny Baxter. Then there was the 2000 Olympics in which Yao was 2nd in blocks to only Alonzo Mourning. What's your excuse now? He probably got all of his blocks on 5'10 players from Japan...oh yeah, I forgot the ones on Vince Carter and Gary Payton. "How long will it take him to develop? Will he ever develop?" No. He will in the locker room after the first game of the season, where Kelvin Cato will be using the restroom. Yao is so tall, when he goes to use the stall next to it, his head will tower above the wall in between. Cato will then question Yao for looking over the stall at him. Yao will say something, but Cato won't understand, and will just decide to punch Yao in the face. China will then hear about this incident and immediately return Yao to China. "How will he communicate with his teammates, not to mention Rudy Tomjanovich?" Great point here. I mean, this is an unprecedented situation right here. How will Yao ever learn? Why couldn't he have just been born speaking fluent English like the Dirk Nowitzki's, Pau Gasol's, and Hedo Turkoglu's of the NBA? "How cooperative will the Chinese government really be with the Rockets?" Cooperative enough. They make money off of him. They want to see him succeed. They want him to become better and strong while with the Rockets, so that he can be even better in the future when he plays for them in the Olympics and gives them national pride. "How are the Rockets going to feel when Jay Williams is averaging 25 points a game in the not-so-distant future?" I'm pretty sure they won't give a damn. THEY DO NOT NEED A POINT GUARD. Now, if Yao Ming became the piece of crap player you seem to expect him to, and say, Maybyner "Nene" Hilario became a dominating center in the NBA, I'm sure they would feel badly then. However, that is just a hypothetical situation. When Yao Ming and Eddie Griffin are dominating inside, in addition to the backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley averaging a combined 45 ppg, 12 rpg, 10 apg, and the Rockets are annual contenders, I'm pretty sure they will be sitting around thinking, "Damn. Why the hell didn't we take Jay Williams back in that 2002 draft." "Loser: If Steve Francis looks confused running the Rockets next season, don't blame him. There could be times when he has to call plays in three languages -- one for Yao Ming, another for rookie forward Bostjan Nachbar from the Czech Republic and, of course, Rudy T-ese for everyone else." Just one more quote showing how misinformed you are. Bostjan Nachbar clearly spoke very good English when interviewed during the draft, which you must not have watched. He must of picked up a few things in his childhood days in Czech Republic...oh wait, considering Jiri Welsch is the one from Czech Republic, and Bostjan Nachbar has probably never been there in his life.... Do some research before you write your next article, please. I'll leave you with a tip: If you are going to write an article on the NBA Draft, you should actually watch the NBA Draft. Take some notes from ESPN. Houston Rockets Round 1:Yao Ming, 7-5, C, China (No. 1) Round 1:Bostjan Nachbar, 6-8, SF, Slovenia (No. 15) Round 2:Tito Maddox, 6-4, PG, Fresno State They went international and it will pay off huge. Yao is a great fit for Houston and Houston is a great fit for Yao. The Rockets will challenge for a playoff spot with Yao, a healthy Steve Francis, Glen Rice, Bostjan Nachbar and Mo Taylor. Nacbar, who is 22, will be able to step in immediately and provide sharp shooting. Tito Maddox, at No. 39, was also a steal. He was the best pure point guard in Chicago. Grade: A They know what's going on.
SF3, that was great! My reply wasn't quite as long. <i>After reading that garbage, I've decided not to renew my Sporting News subscription. Thank you.</i> ...and I don't even have a Sporting News subscription.
SF3, that was a great reply. I was going to write him an e-mail, but you've already said everything and more than I could think to write to him.
Why is everyone saying Ming is not a shot blocker? Maybe some of this people need to ask the Glove ( Gary Patton). I seen Ming for the first time on T.V. when he had a block party on the glove.
