Now that Francis and Mobley are gone, who do you think will be the player that will lead the Rockets to the next level? and why? Personnaly, i would say JJ, because of his veteran leadership on and off the court. He will be the stabilizing factor, because he already know jvg's system, he was the most consistent player last year, he's a vocal leader and his veteran experience will give him respect from his teamates. I also say Howard, ward and sura will have good effect on our team. Although T-mac is more talented, he doesn't strike me as leader yet, Yao isn't vocal or emotional enough. JJ is our leader on and off the court.
McGrady is the leader (1st; main man, go-to-guy, last second buzzer beater guy, etc...). Yao is the anchor of this team (2nd in charge). He will give stability and efficiency. Both McGrady and Yao need each other if they want to win a championship one day. But there still needs to be a leader; when things get scary (crunch time) it should go to McGrady most of the time. Now this doesn't mean that McGrady should just jack up shots all the time. It just means that the roles are understood. We don't want any confusion when all hell breaks loose on the court. Yao will get plenty of touches because I feel that during most of the game McGrady will be looking for Yao on the inside. This makes his job easier when they double down on Yao. By the way, Howard and JJ can give veteran advice. But that type of "leadership" is not the same thing as clutch time! The guy that actully makes the calls, plays and shots when the game in on the line.
^^ Well said David. I think both Mac and Yao will grow into being the team "locker room" leaders with age and more experience...but in tight game/ down the stretch situations, I believe it's going to be McGrady who's going to do a lot of the decision making.
I think it should be Yao. Mc Grady hasn't shown the ability to lead a team, even when he's "the man". Mc Grady is best playing free and loose. Yao needs to be the one to step up. For the future, it's imperative that he does. Yao needs to shoulder the load and let Mc Grady create. Yao is the untouchable, he has the authority of the mountain. Mc Grady has the thinner skin, and less intellect. Yao needs to do it.
yao does need to step up ,but i think jj and t mac will be our leaders . 1. because they are more vocal then the rest of the teammates 2.they are not afriad to take the last shot when the game is on the line (crunch time). 3.I think they will lead by example more then any of the other players on our team. last year we picked up charles oakley who tried to be a leader ,but almost lead us out the playoffs,because he was all talk and couldn't back it up . in order for yao to be a leader he would need to get alot of tougher on D and grab some more boards.action speaks louder then words sometimes".
Got to be Yao Ming he's the main man for us now he's (The Next Big Thing) last year we give the ball on some game in the last minute given some example ATL 3ot game POR
Based on the attitude and play Yao showed at the Olympics, he is gonna be a strong candidate for leader of this Rockets team.
It would be extremely exciting to watch Yao Ming bring that kind of fire and enthusiasm to the Rockets, and i agree that his show of passion makes him a definite contender for the leadership position.
T-Mac and Jim Jackson are good leaders. Do not forget Weatherspoon - he knows what Van Gundy wants and is strong.
maybe yao? wouldn't have thought it but in the last couple of weeks he's shown the kind of entensity that i've really only seen in KG and Shaq... Sprewell? Anyway... way intense! if he can channel it to the NBA then it would be him. he should... he's been on the team the longest (besides MoT). i also hope his toes will be 100% by the season's start. should be... there's like 2 or 3 whole months left. actually, shaq is just good... he doesn't need to be that entense. but seriously though, against NZL and SM... through pictures, Yao reminded me a lot of KG. the way he's screaming and fist pumping.
Serioulsy, the referees must be YOFs. Yao could have easily got a couple of Ts for letting his emotions overflow on the court.
To say that JJ is the leader of this team is like naming Mario Elie as the leader of our championship teams. While he was the glue and a calming influence but not quite "the leader". just mo
I don't know if Yao will be that open and vocal about the Rockets, simply because he is still a young guy on this team and there are plenty of players with more "seniority" so to speak on the team. On team China, he is a veteran and almost has to be a leader. The Rockets have more veterans. That being said, if he plays with that kind of passion he'll become the leader without even trying.
