Is that necessary to win a championship? I dont think so. Look at the more recent champions, or maybe even a team that dominated in the 90s- the bulls. Aside from Shaq and Hakeem (and robinson, but ill give more credit to his PF), what dominant center in the past 20 years has won a title? and why shaq and hakeem were valuable, +they could go up and down the court well +they were solid on defense Yao doesnt do that...and that really hurts a team.
8. This thread is a classic example of a total overreaction 9. 90% of this board has complained about Rafer for years 10. 1 star from me
You got it all wrong. All, all wrong..... There is zero truth in this post, just a reactionary "Rookie" thread.
Almost EVERY team had a dominant big man..... It is very rare to win with the opposite..... Tim Duncan for all normal purposes was/is a CENTER. That is why Robert Horry got in the damn game!
It is about having the best player at each spot. Yao has a lot of upside, sure he is not athletic but he commands double and triple teams and an efficient scorer. Rafer on the other hand has been the weakest link, they can triple and double Yao knowing Rafer will brick the open shot. Sure I am in disagreement with the deal due to the timing, I'd prefer if they did it during the off season. But what's done is done and this is the team that will go into the 2nd half. So show a little bit more optimism before posting stupidity.
reactionary... I don't think much of this had anything to do with what has happend in the past week. I didnt mention t macs injury really, and i didn't mention how it was a good or bad trade. The rafer to orlando thing: I was elaborating on how rafer will fit the system better in orlando better. That was reactionary- it happends today. The Yao Ming explanation: I was talking about what I witnessed since watching Yao with the Rockets. Look at the 22 game winning streak, and how we almost beat the Jazz last season without a pg for half the series (AB hadn't improved yet) and very little offense outside of McGrady. It was because we were very solid on defense, we weren't giving up fast break points, and we ran adelmands true offense. Yao Ming makes us change all of that.
Who was the Celtics PF? Kevin Garnett Who was the Spurs PF? Tim Duncan ...who is the Rockets PF? luiiiiiiiiis. Not saying he's bad or anything but compared to the two above... btw, way to not know who Perkins is and major props for not bringing up some of the teams that are succeeding beyond their wildest expectations this season, all with solid pivots. Big Z for the Cavs, Bynum for the Lakers and some player who's name escapes me for the Magic.
Rafer wasn't really the right guy for our system we have now, I totally agree. We needed a PG who shot at a higher percentage. However I STRONGLY disagree with your first post, it is about having the best player at each spot. Look at the rockets with barkley pippen drexler and olajuwon, or the lakers with the 4 future HOF, or many other teams loaded with talent. Basketball is a team sport and it is about cohesiveness. The Pistons are the ultimate example of not needed a player that is the best at their position. The spurs play very well together, but don't necessarily have the most talent. In half court basketball Yao Ming is the best center in the nba. Easy, anyone can tell you that. The problem is, the game isn't a half court game. He cannot run the court at all, and he is very suspect on defense (although it seems he has improved over the past few games). That really hurts the team.
You also forgot, with the Rockets it is all about tradition going back to the days of Hakeem, Moses and Ralph Sampson where inside out game is the style of play.
Scola is a mini Yao- struggles running, cannot play D, and is very unathletic. Back to Garnett and Duncan yes they are Powerfowards, but I thought we were talking about centers?
