Who has a better chance of starting Ming or Nachbar.

There is more evidence that he cannot "defensively" handle the middle (in the nba), then he can.

He is going to be a great center, but his weakness is defense. Until he stops working out 2 times a day, with the sharks, and starts hitting the weights. He will have problems holding down the post. He had problems defending some CBA players (like Garth) who evidentally use to get 40 points & 20 rebounds on him.

The key to Ming is potential. Every scout report, I have read, states that he has loads of potential. But, they also state that until he builds up muscle, he will be pushed around in the NBA.

 

nochbar will be a force much quicker than Ming, it simply doesn't take as long to develop at the three as it does the 5.

 

There is too much worry about Mings defense. It is a well known fact that if you put a 7-5 guy into a game his presents alone will cause players to change their shots. He will block at least 2 shots a game just by putting his hands up. Ming will be a starter almost right away he has so much to offer.

 

I don't think Ming will start because they want to make sure Ming takes his time getting comfortable with NBA style of play and not just throwing him in.

Nachbar played in Italy, but their style of play seemed much quicker as half of his higlights were off fast-breaks and such.

So, I guess Nachbar would have a better CHANCE of starting. I hope he does start, but Rudy seems stubborn and unless Nachbar tears up the summer leagues (which I think he will) I don't know if Rudy will bench Rice...

 

first i think that neither will start over cato and rice at the start of the season.

but after about 20 games i think we will see ming start, maybe sooner.

nachbar will have to play superb basketball to even have a cance starting over rice. if he proves he is for real it still may take at least untill all-star break.

 

It's all about Tito.

 

I expect Ming to be the starter on Day 1, for a couple of reasons. Number 1, there's a good chance Cato gets injured. I don't think he works out hard during the off-season. Ming, on the other hand, will have been playing competitive basketball the entire summer. When Ming gets to camp, I can easily see Cato pulling something from trying too hard to show up the "rookie" and not lose his spot.

Number two, starting Ming is just great business. The Rockets have created somewhat of a buzz with this whole Ming thing, and what better way to kill that buzz than to hear the announcer say on opening night "and starting at center, 6-11 out of Iowa State..."....you get the idea. People will be coming out to see Ming, and Ming better be there or else people will stop coming out.

Number three, Ming is just a better player than Cato.

Number four, people keep talking about Ming needing to "learn the offense". Well, it seems to me, that Ming IS the offense now. Do you think the Rockets will run the same offense with Ming that they will with Cato? Ming is just capable of so much more, I think. Don't get me wrong, I still expect Francis and Mobley to be the two main offensive threats, but Ming just makes those guys so much better than Cato can.

Number five, "Ming will get pushed around"? Huh? Who is going to push him around? I honestly can't see any center other than Shaq "pushing him around". Divac and Robinson are the next two best centers in the west, and neither of those guys are big post-up guys. I think you can say for the most part that if a team is feeding the ball to their center in hopes of "pushing Ming around", then they are going away from what works for them. I see that as good news for the Rockets.

Last thing on Ming starting -- my current projected starting lineup is the following:

G Francis
G Mobley
C Ming
F Thomas
F Rice

I think you can afford to start Ming with that lineup. You've got three guys that have been in the league and with the team for at least three years, then you've got a wiley vet in Rice. With this lineup, starting Ming over Cato cannot be a net loss, in my opinion.

As far as Nachbar possibly starting, I don't see it unless Rice is hurt. I don't see Rice being hurt. Contrary to what has been thrown around in this thread, Rice has NOT been injury-prone throughout his career. From '89 to '98, he never played less than 77 games in a season. He missed 23 games in '99, then came back to play 80 and 75 the next two years. I see Rice healthy and starting (and rightfully so) this coming year.

 

Rice has supposedly dedicated himself to rehab this spring and is in good shape and lightimng it up in scrimmages. Unless he is injured at some point, Nachbar will be coming off the bench at the 3, and maybe even subbing at the 2 a few minutes per game. Possibly 15 minutes per game.

I do not envision Ming starting this year. No training camp, unfamiliarity with NBA and players, language barrier, etc...and Rudy will bring him along slowly until he is acclimated, to help his confidence. 15-20 minutes at the most.

 

Eddie's has had a year to get bigger/stronger in order to play in the low blocks. If he's still playing in the outside perimeter area, then RudyT IS NOT developing the younger guys properly(Eddie should be playing down low). Time for him to go if the younger guys show no "definable" progress. Having Ming, Nachbar, and Eddie starting would show progress(or either Rice, Cato, and MoT sucking sooo bad that we're forced to start those three). Either way, RudyT is probably gone if those scenarios play out. The younger guys MUST show definable progress or RudyT's time is up!

 

If Rice is in good shape than I would hope the Rockets would start him and let him help Nachbar.
As for Ming, I could see him starting a few games into the season. Cato better work his ass off this summer or he is going to find himself with alot of free time on the bench. I don't really think he would care that much if he was benched. He already got his money.

 

Well I sure hope you guys are right, because I'd love to see Ming and Boki in there as son as possible. But everything I think I know about Rudy tell me to expect Cato and Rice to start.

 

I see a two for one or two for draft pick trade coming. Probably KT and filler like Tierre or Langhi for a single player. I hate to see KT go, but his value on the market is too great now, and we have Griffin backing Taylor for now.

Starting:

Franchise
Cat
Ming
Rice
Taylor

Second Line/Substitutes in Rotation:

Torres
Maddox
Cato
Nachbar
Griffin

Moochie and TMo as fillers


I think the second team, perhaps not as a single unit, would have significant minutes almost immediately

Collier and Langhi/Brown would probably end up on IR

 

Esource: I agree with you! This a big chance for Rudy to develop the new Rockets but must not push Ming too hard in his first NBA season.( see Bill Walton)

 

Ming is ready now. If Pau Gasol can start from day one and avg a double double then why cant Yao? Yao is taller and has more skills plus he is a better passer.

I fully expect Yao to start and have just as good as numbers as Pau if not better.

 

I had the same reservations as you, for sure! BUT I just kept thinking about all the centers Ming would be up against and there just are not many who I'd be afraid of. There's only: Shaq, Mourning, Mutumbo, Duncan, ....??? My point is that Ming is probably better than at least half of the starting centers already. It's a fine line to balance pushing Ming too hard, too fast and babying him BUT I have confidence RudyT will find the right balance...