The Official "I Was Wrong and You Were Right" Thread

I was not a Yao hater but against Yao hype. I did not expect Yao to play so well. I still need a few more games where Yao can play against big physical defensive centers before I say "MING DYNASTY!!!"

 

What a cool thread, AntiSonic . I am not going to name names (*cough* NewYorker *cough*), but I was really irritated with people on the board who wrote off Yao Ming as a project after 4, or 5 games. I think there will still be times when Yao struggles out there- he's still a rookie in a completely new culture who hasn't had a break from basketball in a long time. Still, his talents are clear and undeniable. So is his desire. I think that is what I'm impressed with the most. He's handled the hyper scrutiny and expectations about as well as could be expected. I am very impressed with him.

 

All I have to say is that I've obviously been wrong before.

 

I've been praising the guy in all threads today, but I gotta say, I wanted to trade the pick, and still haven't changed my mind.

But that trade proposal I made had to do with the Spurs worrying about Duncan leaving, and trying to get the best package. In case you're wondering, and I'm sure many would agree it's an excellent deal, here it is:

#1 pick
Eddie Griffin
Contract (MoT, Glen Rice, Moochie, Cato, their choice)

for

Duncan
Antonio Daniels
2 future second rounders


Although I think that yao Ming will be the second best C behind Shaq next year, and will be a top 4 C the rest of his career, I still would do that trade. I just don't think this team is beateable:

Duncan/Cato
MoT/Duncan
Anyone/Boki/Tmo
Mobley/Daniels
Francis/Daniels

I really really doubt anyone could beat that team. Duncan demands a double team for 70 games a season, a triple team for 10 games a season, and single coverage for 2 games. With that kind of consistent attention on him, Francis and Mobley would absolutely explode. I'm talking about surreal shooting percentages, and never any double teams.

 

For those who wanted us to draft Dunleavy;

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=2799

 

I was never a Yao hater, but I did say Yao was a Project (even before the Rockets got the #1 pic I thought this), and I figured it would take a few years before he would look like a Sabonis. I thought this when he was drafted. Who knew this would happen? I don't think anyone though he'd score 30 on 10-12 and get 16 rebounds. He still needs to do it against a Ben Wallace before I bow down and pay homage, but well, hell, even if he can't...I can live with that...the guy is still a Rookie! I was happy to see Yao do well, although I still get irritated with his sometime lackadaisical efforts to grab rebounds (especially when Najera slide under him to take a few away in the 4th QTR). But whatever, he changed the game and gave Houston a chance to win (too bad Mobley, EG, KT couldn't capitalize). I'm glad Barkely bashed Yao, maybe it's what he needed. Yao's something the NBA hasn't seen before...that's clear. He's not like any other center (or player) to play the game. He shoots so well. Even free throws. Usually, players that look like Yao are busts and have trouble doing much in the physical NBA. Somehow, he overcame that and is putting up crazy numbers.

Still, he has so many things to learn and acquire. He still plays soft at times, and has a bad habit of bring the ball down uneccessarily. He's still not the quick by any standards, but again, those are things he can learn, and if he does...well...we'll see. Anyway, it's exciting.

I was wrong, what else can I say?

 

I know he has "it" all along. But I don't know he will bring "it" so quickly.

I have him on my fantacy team, bu tstrictly placed him on the bench. I have to kick myself this week

 

What would be the point? Why would Houston be able to hang out to Duncan any better than San Antonio could? Can the Rockets pay another max long-term salary to Duncan?

The Spurs haven't won with Duncan, Robinson (who's obviously much better than Cato, even at this age), Parker, and Smith... Francis is better than Parker in terms of creativity, but Smith/Parker as a combination are as solid as the Cat/Francis combination.

I personally think that would've only been do-able unless as part of a sign-trade that brought Duncan for a guaranteed 7 years. That wouldn't have happened.

And truthfully, in 2-3 years (if not sooner), I believe Yao will command as many double-teams as Duncan and create the same opportunities for Francis... for about 1/3rd the money.

 

Yeah, he definitely has earned his minutes. I'm not sure they should start Yao just yet though...I think Cato deserves a chance to defend his starting role...and Cato is still stronger on defense.

Now Nachbar, that guy is another story....

 

It's nice to see that a lot of people are coming around, and seeing the light rather than being stubborn about what a great player Yao can be.

But I have one tiny comment.

You don't have to shoot 10-12 from the field and the FT line, while pulling down 16 rebounds against Ben Wallace to be considered an All Star or Superstar. I think 22 pts, 9 boards, and 50% shooting against Ben Wallace is enough to consider yourself among the elite big men in the league.

I'm sure everyone agrees.

 

Yes of course...

 

To all Yao naysayers, I hope you learned your lesson. Before you judge a player give him a chance to play. We still don't know what Yao's impact will be, but it's only ten games. Some of you said he was a bust after 4 games. At the same time, it's too early to say he will be one of the best centers in history.

Who's ready to say Nachbar is a bust now?

 

I was on the bandwagon the whole time. I won't rub it in that I was right and you were wrong, because you are humbly admitting that you were wrong.

 

I always loved Yao. I loved him before we won the draft. I loved him when we got the pick. I loved him when we picked him. I loved telling MManal that he was insane.

I loved telling Dana Barros that she was a dork. I loved it loved it loved it.

I am always right. I am smarter than all of you. Become a Yao lover such as myself, and ride on my coattails. Memorize everything that I write.

I'm driving the bus back to smart land. There's an open seat...

 

As a lurker (Probably would still be if you didn't have to reg. to lurk) back then I read countless post bash the Rockets on taken Ming with the top pick. I heard all kinds of things about why he would be a bust. Some believed the whole time he would be great. I would love to say that I also believed the whole time and frankly I could say that because there is no past evidence on my take about Yao. But I am honest and will admit that I wanted us to stay local with the pick or trade it mainly due to all of the red tape we had to go through to get Yao here. After seeing him play in Golden State on ESPN2 about 3-4 months ago my mind was changed right then and there. I am so proud of the team I have supported for years on end that they had the relentless patients to travel back and fort to China, jump through hoops, red tape, rumors and public disbelief to bring Yao Ming here as a Rocket just days before the season started. How lucky we really are to be able to have the star of China on our team. He is as Rudy says something special. I have been on Rudy's back for sometime but lets give credit where credit is due. Rudy and the staff have really gotten Yao up to speed on the NBA rules and also on the concept of the Rockets schemes(If there is such a thing). For Yao not to have had the summer leagues to play in, camp to learn in and preseason to play in, the staff has done a tremendous job of getting him to the point where he is. I also think Yao’s IQ/talent and desire(Like Hakeem had) has something to do with it but for now I say GOOD JOB RUDY. Great job Yao.

Heypartner, I don’t even have to close my eyes to see Ming on the elbow popping J after J, collapsing the defense and dishing the ball to cutting guards. Getting double teams and triple teams, I think we could go on and on all for days about things that can be done with Ming on the floor. Rudy will never get any sleep for sure now.

 

We're all Rockets fans, I can't see any reason to shove anything in your face. Hell, let's all enjoy it!

 

The Yao bandwagon is big and comfy. Enjoy the ride.

 

I was considered crazy, Yao fanatic, or "shooting from the hip" when I refused to trade Yao and Griffin for Duncan, or compared Yao's offense with Jabbar's and Dream's. I indicated that given time Yao can be the most offsensively versatile big man in league history and not many ppl took me seriously. Granted Yao has a long way to go before being considered as one of the best, I'm just happy that more and more ppl are seeing the light, seeing the reason for so much hype. I also didn't expect the man is coming out so quickly. I thought Yao would struggle against Bradley for his height and I'm glad Yao proved me wrong.

 

Well, here has been my line of thought:

When we got the pick I thought we should take Yao, but I was thinking that it was too bad there was not a "sure thing" like Duncan coming out this year.

From everything I read, he sounded legit, so I thought we couldn't pass him up - however - I predicted him to put up about 8 and 6 for the year. I was trying to be cautiously realistic and thought that he might have a Nowitzki-like intorduction to the NBA (not so good first year, then rapidly improve).

When the season started and he played poorly I chalked it up to all of the transition and was looking forward to January-February when he would start putting up some good games.

Regardless of the rest of the season, Yao has proven how smart and quick to adjust he is. I have gained that much more respect for him. Now the team needs to adjust to him and, once they do, we will be deadly.

My one fear - I hope it doesn't get too crazy with Ming pulling too many minutes, then hits a huge wall and is too wiped out to be as solid for the playoffs.

Is it a coincidence that Rice's stepping up has coincided with Yao's?

 

Man what a fool you are. what the hell is "anyone/boki/tmo"? You are making yourself look like a hater of Ming! Your trade makes absolutely no SENSE whatsoever.