Why do I keep hearing this team isn't good enough with Yao?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I think we'll be right there on a short list of 4, maybe 5 teams that could win it all.

Rockets
Lakers
Cavs (assuming Lebron stays)
Magic
Blazers (my maybe team)

 

Because, right now, this team goes through some long periods where they really struggle to score. While getting Yao may help that a little bit, we really don't know how well he's going to play after the injury.

And if we're forced to give Yao more rest... then we're still going to have those periods where we're scoreless.

Not to mention, when Yao is sitting, this team would struggle defensively.

That's why the Rockets need to get a backup Center that can defend the paint. Also, I think this team needs one more legitimate scorer off the bench. I'm not sure who all the free agents are, but if this team can get one more scoring wing player to come off the bench, I think we'll finally have that legitimate contender status.

 

Plus I doubt that will be the starting lineup as Morey basically said we will not be able to recognize our roster next year. I forgot the quote but it was RT'd by clutch about being active in trade then FA.

 

Those struggles have coincided with good shooters missing good shots that they get within the flow of the offense, or turnovers. Or both. Like Adelman said in a press conference the other day, "If Jimmy doesn't hit the shot, Gene Hackman doesn't look like a genius."

 

I don't think Yao "really" fits in Addleman's system. Sure Addleman can make a team out of anything, but that team will be totally different from this team.

 

this team is capable of winning without Yao. But having Yao may help us if we can adjust easily next year.

 

Yao fit just fine last year. It should be even better if you consider you are swapping Martin for Artest, Ariza for Battier, a more experienced and confident Brooks, and an improved Scola. When Yao goes to the bench you can bring in Hill, Bud, and Lowry and change the tempo. Or you can run n gun with the Martin/Brooks/Scola combo.

 

I think this team + Yao looks fantastic but, and I dunno why, I get feel of a soft defensive team with that starting line up. IMO, put Battier in the starting lineup and he'll bring a fantastic defensive atmosphere.

Of course I am being knee jerk with Ariza, let's give him to the end of the season to see how he gels with Martin. Adelman has molded Ariza into this offense first mindset and I'm of the opinion that that would be better coming off the bench. Lowry, Hill/DA/Hayes, Bud, Battier is a pretty weak bench offensively. Ariza would fit perfectly in that group.

 

If Yao is healthy this team is good enough to win it all.

DD

 

- Not elite defensive potential.
- Not elite inside presence.
- Still little experience (not if we play a playoffs series).

Add a Cole Aldrich and maybe we are good enough.

 

Because the Yao of next year will not be the Yao of last year when he comes back.

It will take him at least a season to get his body ready. He has not played in a whole year.

And if you watched any of the videos here on ilgasgus....which is the only other active big guy to have a surgery like yao's....it took him 2 years of work.

lower minutes,days off etc.

we need another piece and or we will be more serious contenders (with Yao) the season after next. assuming he can stay healthy during next season

 

Prediction...Yao comes back healthy and picks up where he left off when we make the playoffs next season.

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And that video was with a hurt foot which was eventually discovered to be broken.

Yeah, if he comes back like that, we are golden.


DD

 

I think this team with Yao is almost good enough to win it all but I feel like we need a little more scoring off the bench. I don't really think we have to trade for a Bosh or Amare to be considered a contender though. If we could convince Manu to come play with Scola I think we would have to be considered one of the top 3 teams in the league next year. Throw in Camby coming here to play near home and I think we are the favorites if Yao can stay on the court.

 

That's right, I tend to forget that his foot was hurt then. I thought he didn't hurt it until the Lakers series.
Agree 100%

 

Not sure when it officially broke but it was bothering him at the end of the season and he sat out the Chicago game because of it.

I suspect it was already hurt in a minor way and playing only made it worse.

DD

 

He broke it in Game 3 of the Lakers series.

 

I think it dependes on how well we improve defensively with yao in the middle, right now were just a offensive minded team.

In which defensive minded teams are the ones that win championships (celtics,pistons,spurs,Lakers)