Why must they stop? Because you wasted Topic space to declare it so? And who is this "Anti-Mobley" anyhow? Are you referring to Yao?
On a counter note, if the Rox moved from Houston to say Tenessee, would you still follow them? Or would you follow the team that replaces them? In that sense, how does that make you any better than those who follow the Rox because of Yao, and you follow the Rox merely based on location?
I was thinking that Mobley was having a career year, but he hasn't averaged this few points since his 1st and 2nd year! He's been very consistent statistically each year. The one thing that pops out is his shooting percentage. He's shooting .426 3-pt fg, and .451 from the field this season compared to career .370 and .434 respectively.
I agree with this somewhat. Threads critical of a player are fine, but threads which are meant to roast a player to display hatred have been the norm on this board which is totally unneccessary (See the "FIRE MOBLEY!!!" thread from several weeks ago). I think that is what we are talking about needing an end to.
Of course, there are a lot of Rox fans who root for the Rox regardless of location. But I know there are definetely those who rot for the Rox merely because of their location. I am not a YOF but I became a Rox fan because I was initially a HoF (Hakeem only fan), even after he left the Rox, I stuck with the Rox anyway. This is why I feel the urge to speak up whenever I see anyone carry on a holier than thou attitude towards people who are drawn to the Rox because of Yao.
Bad anolgy. In the end, it's still about the TEAM, not just one player. And what's with this "location" thing? That's what it's all about: RESPRESENTING YOUR CITY! That's why they have cities accociated with TEAMS. You know, Houston Rockets. See, that's why I don't root for the Lakers. Because they are NOT in Houston. Yes. "Location" does have a lot to do with it. DUH! But Yao only fans would move no matter what city. It's "player based," not "city based." See, again, that overlooks TEAM!!!! And if the Rockets move, then it's THEIR TEAM, not ours.
If they develop a loyalty. Then fine. But if not..well, that's just like a bandwagon fan. It's not "holier than thou," It's about NOT being "a conditional fan."
How about eliminating the anti-Yao bias? Judging from the "consistency" thread, that's the bigger worry. One player has been much more consistent through the objective measurements. But the other one is overwhelmingly deemed the more consistent player by the posters, here. One poster actually gave criteria for consistency, then when it was proved that Yao was more consistency by his own standard, prevaricated and still chose Mobley. Mobley is being seriously hero-worshipped on this board right now. He deserves some of it. He's played very well this year, and at times, this board has gone crazy against him. But it's not a problem right now. And the pendulum has swung too far the other way.
There's two praise mobley threads, and there's a thread about Yao' facial hair, one about his car, etc etc etc. You really think the Mobley appreciation is out of hand?
What the hell are you talking about!? Nobody is hating on Yao. Just because people think that Mobley has been playing more consistent that is hating on Yao!? Most criticism of Yao has been very tame and aimed at improving his game. Most criticism of Cat has been rash and full of hatred (i.e. FIRE MOBLEY). There isnt even a comparison. If it was Cat that missed those two free throws at the end of the game he would have been roasted here. I agree that it happens, and its OK. I have nothing agains Yao except for that hopefully next time he'll be able to come through. But if it were Cat people would be crying for him to be released.
Actually Steve might be a better candidate for such an "award." He slept on D all game; otherwise he wouldn't have looked so good on Sportscenter with the "big baskets," i.e., these wouldn't have been necessary. Cat has been shooting very well and playing decent D. We won the game last night, largely thanks to him.
Let me clarify a bit. I think that the Yao-only fans have created a pro-Francis/Mobley reaction that overemphasizes their importance/ability vis a vis Yao. They still like him; but it does affect a lot of "Rockets-as-a-whole" fans in a way that makes them appreciate/praise him less than the other players. I don't actually think that many people actually "dislike" Yao. Although, it is true that is "honeymoon" is over here. You see far more threads that are just flat out critical. And at least a few of them have been worded in terms that seemed to mirror the generic Francis/Mobley criticisms. There's definitely been a reaction.
"If it was Cat that missed those two free throws at the end of the game he would have been roasted here. " That's for sure. This seems to be the rule. Yao - Overall solid play outshines a few errors. Cat - A few errors outshine overall solid play. People seem to expect Yao to play smart, and Cat to play stupid. I think both have played pretty much at the same level this season. It would make an intresting psych study for how expectations color perception. btw- did anyone notice in the end of the fourth Mobley took Stodamire and seemed to tell Francis, I think, to guard someone else? I didn't have my full attention on the game because I was helping my kids with my homework, but I'm pretty sure that's what happened.
Haven, I think that is what you are seeing with the "anti-Yao bias" that sometimes manifests itself here. People expected Yao to play smart and dominate on a nightly basis while most long time following Rocket fans here expect Mobley to play stupid consisently on a nightly basis. So people get furstrated with Yao not being everything that they want him to be and criticize him for not being this basketball god that they hoped for. Since more is expected of Yao, there are more chances for disappointment which unfortunately can turn into anti-Yao sentiments. At the same time, they see Mobley playing smart (still with the occasional allowble stupid shot -- all players do them) and they praise him because he finally is becoming the player that they wanted him to be by playing within the offense, spot shooting and occasionally taking over successfully when the offense is sputtering. I am not saying that Mobley doesn't deserve it, but his good play is sure a lot more obvious. I think it's mostly an expectation thing for both players.
Neither would have the opportunities if JJ wasn't starting to hit, MoT wasn't coming along real well, and Pike asn't back...
