Vote NO for Yao Ming

First of all, if you say we shouldn't judge Ming based on a private workout, etc., Mr. b*stard, you should do the same.

Also, do potential franchise centers grow on trees? Last time I checked they didn't.

Ming is potentially as talented as anyone in this draft and is a center which we need.

Not to mention all the marketing opportunties he provides Les and the Rockets.

My belief is that unless KG, Duncan or someone of that caliber at a frontcourt position is offered I would keep the pick and that Ming.

Do I like Lamar Odom? Sure. In fact I like him a lot. But SF is a lot easier to fill in the NBA and when a potential franchise center comes available you don't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Also, Odom likely can be had cheaper than number 1. I'd try KT, #15, and a future first and the bulls obligation or so. If that's what it would take, which I seriously doubt.

Pole,

We all want the Rockets to win. However, 2 yrs ago without Rice and Griffin we won 45 games in a loaded Western Conference. I firmly believe if we weren't injured all year we would've eclipsed that mark or at worst hit it last year.

What does that mean? It means we aren't a prototypical number 1 team. We are a team capable of a playoff berth as is or at least competing. Therefore, we can afford to take a potentially great risk at a position we desperately need in Ming a lot easier than say the Cavs, or the past Bulls teams with nothing.

Opportunities like this don't come very often and we won't be in the Lottery again for a long time if we stay healthy.

Therefore, unless teams offer stud big men(Pf/C) for the pick, I tell them Thanks, but No Thanks, and let the Ming Dynasty begin.

 

Its funny how people seem to pass on Ming like the Rockets actually have other options at the 5.

 

MrArbitrator, I mean MrBastard - again - Horry was about 3 years older when he entered the league - you did not address that. Plus, his stats were almost the same as Garnett's in his first year - not as Griffin's (Horry = much higher fg %, much less three pointers, less blocks, more steals, more assists = stats like Garnett, not like Griffin). Just goes to prove that a 19-year old has more potential to improve a great deal from his rookie year to the following years than a 22-year old does.

 

I thought it was a great post b*stard. I too am more than a little concerned about all this "potential" we are looking at drafting. I just dont think there will be any way to really evaluate his play. I think the level of competition he faces on a regular basis is not even up to the NCAA that most players in the draft have faced. If we cant even get him here for a workout against quality players...its better just to pass on this "potential" I think. I mean we offered Cato a pretty big contract based on his potential, and while he is sometimes a decent center...he is not a go-to guy, and I doubt he ever will be. I have also been very dissapointed in his touted defensive skills. I think we need someone in the post that is a go-to guy. If we could trade this pick for any superstar quality proven frontcourt help, I would do it in a second. We need defensive help up there too. I would always prefer proven talent over potential any day. Somehow I dont think Ming will turn out to be all that. To me, he sounds like a taller, scrawnier Jason Collier who has lots of baggage coming along with him. If we cant or dont trade the pick and he ends up a Rocket...I sure hope I am wrong and I will gladly eat my words with a side of fried rice.

 

Hilarious post, Mr.B. I can appreciate your tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. You have talent - don't be a stranger.