We can't answer the question yea or nay just yet. Whether Yao Ming will be the #1 pick in the draft, taken by the Houston Rockets will almost certainly be decided by the results of the next 10 day's negotiations with the various Chinese entities that control his fate. Sorry Yao detractors but if the agreements are reached , he will be our #1 pick. As Jag alluded to in his point #6: The sheer possibility that Yao Ming might revolutionize the game in his own way as did Olajuwon, Jabbar, Shaq, Chamberlain and a few others, is THE reason. We here in Houston had the rapturous experience of watching a young Nigerian come out of nowhere to develop into a World Champion; a talent for the ages. And although that was probably a once in a lifetime ride, there is almost no risk we won't take to do it again. Case Closed. GP
Here are how the top prospects measured out on Saturday. All heights are with shoes (in most cases an inch and half taller than without shoes). Carlos Boozer: 6' 9 1/4" | 258 lbs | 7' 2 1/4" wingspan Curtis Borchard: 7' 1/4" | 238 lbs | 7' 2 1/2" wingspan Caron Butler: 6' 6 1/2" | 222 lbs | 6' 11 1/2" wingspan Mike Dunleavy: 6' 9 1/2" | 230 lbs | 6' 9" wingspan Melvin Ely: 6' 10 | 240 lbs | 7' 4" wingspan Drew Gooden: 6' 10" | 227 lbs | 7' 1/2" wingspan Rod Grizzard: 6' 7 3/4" | 193 lbs | 7' wingspan Marcus Haislip: 6' 9 3/4" | 221 lbs | 7' wingspan Nene Hilario: 6' 10 3/4" | 253 lbs | 7' 4 1/2" wingspan Jared Jeffries: 6' 11" | 230 lbs | 7' 1/2" wingspan Jason Jennings: 7' 1/2" | 249 lbs | 7' 7" wingspan Yao Ming: 7' 6 1/4" | 296 lbs | 7'4 3/4" wingspan Kareem Rush: 6' 5 3/4" | 199 lbs | 6' 9 3/4" wingspan Amare Stoudemire: 6' 10" | 233 lbs | 7' 1 3/4" wingspan Dajuan Wagner: 6' 2" | 193 lbs | 6' 8 1/2" wingspan Chris Wilcox: 6' 9 1/2" | 218 lbs | 7' 1" wingspan Frank Williams: 6' 2 3/4" | 212 lbs | 6' 8" wingspan Jay Williams: 6' 1 3/4" | 197 lbs | 6' 3 1/2" wingspan Qyntel Woods: 6' 8 1/2" | 213 lbs | 6' 10" wingspan
On the subject of "bangers", has anyone noticed how small Aaron Williams looks guarding Shaq? Stoudemire is 1" taller and 3#'s heavier than Williams.
WE NEED A BANGER/ENFORCER Look at the Championship teams over the history of the league. I could not think of any that didn't have this type of player on their roster. He might not be a scorer but he was there to make you regret coming into the paint and to clean the boards. We don't have this guy. And Ming may or may not be him and certainly won't be him in the next couple of years. BUT Ming has the most potential to allow us to dictate how the game is played. He has the most potential to be a scoring threat at the basket of any player since Shaq. True he might be a bust but you need to take a chance at greatness. Now go back to the idea that we need a banger and look at those championship teams in your mind and you will see Dennis Rodman, Ottis Thorpe, and Bill Lambeer. We need one of these type guys. Lucky for us we can pick up a guy like this in free agency or via trade any time just like those championship teams did. Draft a star. We can pick up a banger later.
GATER, Where do you come up with this stuff that there's no way Hilario will last past NY? Did you just invent that in your mind? From the way things look, Williams, Ming, Dunleavy and Butler will be the top 4 in some order (I still dont buy this Dunleavy is pulling out stuff, he has more to lose than gain). That leaves 3 spots until #8. Two of them would likely be filled by Gooden and Wagner, and the third by Skittish-villi. As far as the Dallas comparison goes, no Ming doesnt have to be worst than Bradley or whatever crazy statement you made. Bradley does not start for Dallas. Take a look at what people are trying to say before making crazy posts. The frontcourt of LaFrentz and Nowitzki did not cut the mustard defensively in the playoffs, and I have a hard time believing a Ming-Griffin one will be all that much better. The shotblocking is there no doubt, but Im taking about the physical position defense. Then take into account that from an offensive standpoint, Dallas is far superior to Houston with a high octane point man like Nash, and you see where the concern comes in. Read the argument and think about it for atleast half a second before posting.
