to be fair tho, if you ask Ewing/DRob or even Shaq to perform those moves, they'd look robotic too compared to the great Dream. Ewing didn't even have a hook shot and DRob's hook's ugly as hell too.
put Olajuwon on the Rockets bench. That's one way to make sure Yao has that dominating fire in his eyes in games. If his confidence wavers a bit, all he'll have to do is look towards the Rocket's bench and see Olajuwon there pushing him on.
First of all, let me disagree with my friend Nick when he says that there are more agile big men out there now. I actually don't think so. As agile? Yes. Garnett is as agile. Maybe Stoudamire. But the reason they don't absolutely dominate like Hakeem did is because Hakeem was 255lbs of pure steel. Seeing Hakeem is just the best. My hero!
I think you misinterpreted Nick. Nick was saying that you can't teach what Hakeem does. And that Yao is not as agile as other centers before and after Hakeem. Yet they weren't able to do what Hakeem did. He makes a good point although I think some of what Hakeem discussed can be taught and some Yao is already doing to some disagree. If he practices what he is taught he should have no problem improving. But I agree with Yao the most important lesson he learned was understanding that he is the most dominant guy on the court and to act like it. He may have heard that before but coming from Hakeem I think it means alot more and perhaps it will stick. I hope so. Also I agree 100% with you, while KG and Amare are quick big men neither have the touch and strength that Hakeem possessed, plus hakeem was just the pure essence of clutch.
You misundestood... I was saying that if it was that easy to pick up Hakeem's moves in just a hour and a half of training... the big men who are more agile THAN YAO would have been attempting to dazzle like dream from the get-go. They can't because its not as easy as it looks... what came natural/instinctual for Hakeem (from his days playing soccer, hand-ball) isn't the case for the other big men. I wasn't saying anybody was more agile than Dream... I'm not that dumb. But yes... if Yao can get more from Hakeem's mindset, how he approaches the game, and how he trains/adds to his game in the off-season... the session was well worth it.
would love to see Dream having a bigger part of this organization. At least Yao is finally doing something with him.
You are correct it will take more than that to master, but he can certainly learn the footwork required. And in the Video Yao says he is going to practice these things hundreds of times a day in the off season, it is that type of dedication that will make Dream's teachings stick and make Yao unstoppable. But Hakeem did not come into the league with all those moves, he learned them over the course of his career, he worked hard under Moses Malone early and then developed his own moves late. I think practice had more to do with it than instinct....IMO. Yeah, that is the biggest thing he can learn, to BELIEVE that he is the best player on the court. DD
I would like to dream that Hakeem could possibly be on the bench coaching, but I just think he has too much going on to seriously consider any coaching position. I do think that Yao and Hakeem will hook up more this summer, though, as a personal trainer which is exciting.
I'm sorry you offended Yetti, but I can't stop laughing. Before anyone jumps on me I can understand Yao and Dream just fine, and Deke's voice is just weird, but Moses...lol. I've been listening to him since '74-'75 and ooooh. It's just funny.
there should be a shrine of hakeem in the locker room... and what about the statue outside toyota center? he deserves one!
You know what else is amazing, and it is a bit off topic, but here are two great men from completely different cultures getting along over a game of basketball. If that doesn't show how influential sports is, I don't know what does. Give me sports over war, every day of the week. DD
Ya know, I actually still think that Hakeem could still give us 10 minutes a game in the NBA. I think the dude still has it.
Once Dream came to the NBA, it was all CD's tutelage (there were pick-up games with Moses in the summer). Once CD had nothing left to comment on, Dream just used 7' drones to abuse as he worked on his game. I don't mean to nit-pick, but I think Dream has somewhat jokingly said "Moses taught me much. He kept beating me up". Anyway just trying to give props to my man CD whose contribution to our championships is terribly underrated. Tinman?
I think Hakeem needs to abuse Yao Ming to make him aggressive. While he is abusing him....Alston should swipe and the ball and Yaos hand. Yao need to be dominant aggressive and hold on to the DAMN ball.
i think there's a lot of very athletic bigman who simply don't have the footwork that yao does. footwork and athleticism don't go hand in hand. yao was given one of the two plus size. hakeem can work all day with stromile swift and he'll never get those moves. yao has hakeem-like moves already, albeit slower, he just needs to refine them. i don't think enough credit goes to yao's basketball skill level. he's extremely talented.
You meant to say, that Yao just needs to use those skills, instead of his ever so predictable fade away jumper.
I don't know how to imbed videos of my own, but I do know that Dream dominated robinson. Here is your video evidence. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4uXlRGAF0 I know yao doesn't have the speed, but he has the skill...if he could add some of Dream's attitude and deception (via awesome footwork / head and shoulder fakes), he could pull moves like this.
