I am a Rockets fan and this is my first post, so no flame please if you think I am wrong. I have heard people saying that Rudy is a softhearted girl who doesn't really discipline the team. I've also heard the story that Rudy went off on the team behind the door and shouted f*** in every 3 words. So what kind of coach Rudy is? I really don't know. In my opinion, one of the bigger problems with this Rockets team is the on-court leadership. Rudy can say whatever he wants off the court or behind the door. But, in order to win games, a team needs a leader on the court. So, what are the qualities this on-court leader needs to have? 1. Someone who has good b-ball IQ, who knows when to make a pass and when to make a shot; someone with good sense of court awareness in terms of spacing, positioning, speed, and etc. 2. Someone who is not selfish, who puts the interests of the team above everything else. 3. Someone mature enough and disciplined enough, who can keep his own composure most of the time if not all the time. 4. Someone who knows what's going on in the mind of his teammates; someone who truely care about his teammates, not just one but all the teammates; someone who can encourage his teammates when they are down, and can slap them when their egos are getting out of control. 5. Someone who gains the respect from his teammates by what he does and what he believes instead of what he says or what position he plays or his personal stats. 6. Someone who can keep it all together. Blah, blah, blah, ...... Those are just something on top of my head right now. The list could go on and on, but you got my point. I am sure we all know what it takes to be a good leader. It's indeed a tough job. This person doesn’t have to be the guard, or the center, or the forward, but there’s got be someone with those qualities on the court in order to win games. My question is: does the Rockets really have someone with those true leadership qualities on the court? Unfortunately, I don’t think so. And, it’s not a simple problem that can be solved by trading or firing somebody. Am I wrong? - FZ -
I don't think Yao is the answer, at least not now. He is only a kid, and stranger in a strange land. He certainly has a lot of potentials. But, whether he can become THE on court leader for the Rockets, it all depends on how he develops. Francis is supposedly the on court leader. But, he is not. Don’t get me wrong. I love Francis. It’s just that based on what I saw I don’t think Francis has what it takes. I wish they could get MJ over to show the kids what a leader looks like
Yao is the answer, until he becomes the RECOGNIZED leader of the team, the Rockets will struggle. He is far and aways the smartest player on the team....put the ball in his hands and watch the wins pile up. DD
I think Yao is the type of person who would rather shoulder everything on his own instead of blaming his teammates. Can you imagine Yao walks over to Mobley and go "dude, you need to stop making those dumb jackass shot like that"? I just don't think Yao is assertive enough like that. But, in many situations, that's what a leader has to do.
Hmm good leaders never blame on anyone when things get tough. They always find a way to make everyone believes to overcome whatever challenge is faced. Yao is special, he has all the ingredients to be a leader and he will be a leader when the time is right. Yao is a rookie, but unlike some other rookies, he understands, he's not in a good position to open his mouth now. He's just quietly working hard on his game w/o complaints or excuses to win his teammates trust and earned their sincere respects. Gives Yao three years or maybe sooner. His teammates will gracefully accept his leaderships. They will follow his directions...even when he speaks chinese.
Yao Ming was not the captain of Shanghai Sharks; He was not the captain of Chinese National Team. The main reason is that he was one of the youngest players in these two teams. Maybe a few years later he can become the leader of our team. But now who is the perfect candidate?
Ok, let's say we all agree that Yao has the potential to be the leader for this team in the future. Who do you think the best candidate is for this on-court leadership role NOW? Is it Francis or someone else or none?
Ya MJ??? In his prime took over half his teams shots...thats a leader Of course he did make most of them....that is still no leadership
