The Rafer trade is about locker room leadership too.

If you are waiting for Yao to become the lockerroom leader, you will be waiting a long time.

He is our best player, but he is not the leader of this team and never will be.

 

Vocal minority. I'm sure there are a lot of posters who understood how important he was that didn't bother with the tired arguments over Alston.

 

Congrats BrooksBall although I m happy Brooks gets to start now I wish he had more of a safety net if he struggles a bit.

 

i'm OKAY with the trade. i don't think it's a trade to be excited about, but not a bad one either. i just don't quite see how this makes our team any better.

 

No need to sugar coat this turd. We went from bad to worse at PG today. While Rafer was serviceable and brought some intangibles, this new guy Lowry blows.

 

This makes sense, I remember that Rafer mentioned several times publicly he can be the leader on and off court.
But I am sure this is more about TMac than Yao, there is something wierd between TMac and Rafer. If Tracy comes cout to play sometime later, all will be clear.

 

There is not any theory saying that the guy who can shoot the most points must be the leader.

If Yao want Rafer leaves, why doesnt he give pressures to Alex let T-bag leave? Tbag is absolutely the one who need to leave.

 

DW won't be able to keep up with AB?

Cool.

 

Psst... Is there anything he hasn't talked about or hedged? Let me know.

Where does he specifically said we need to get rid of Rafer just in order for you to be more vocal? point me the way.

 

DW will manhandle our two midget PGs...

 

most big guys outside of KG and Duncan aren't vocal leaders anyways, Shaq said himself he was more of a follower

I don't see it with Yao, you think he'll actually say something to Artest if Ron gets too shot happy? If Battier is being a worthless statue on the offense? If AB is also getting shot happy and not looking for Yao enough?

Alot of teams will have that problem. When AB started earlier this season, his numbers were pretty good against some quality PGs who were kept in check.

 

I have seen him in the Olympics but he does not do that in the US for some reason. If he were to that it will be great. I hope he does maybe Ron can light a fire under him the rest of season.

 

And that's precisely why we need to completely rebuild this summer...

 

ERRR. I just heard Matt Bullard on the Radio 610 say, "Hakeem was THE Man".

 

If Yao was the only player in the locker room he would tie for least likely to be the leader with the shower...

 

He said Hakeem led by example, as in, played hard.

Not the communicative leader of the lockerroom and floor general.

 

This is quite the stretch. The 'pass the torch' leadership change only works when you're getting rid of a veteran so a talented young guy can become the man.

Yao's the senior most member on this team as well as the best player on the team. If he already couldn't take the leadership reins from Rafer freaking Alston, he's not going to suddenly do it now. This is taking wishful thinking to a new level.

 

Yao doesnt need to have good speaking skills to lead. Yao will need to lead by action! He needs to start busting his ass on the court and putting up dominating stats. And with that, I think the rest of the team will follow.

 

The biggest thing this trade says is that Rockets management does not think this team was going to make noise in the playoffs. They are making moves for next year and beyond.

It isn't about winning or leadership or a better locker room.