Yao and Steve can both score 20 points a night or close to it. Plus Steve is scoring most of his points at the free throw line and when he's at the 2 spot.
I think it depends on Van Gundy. It seems his preference is to run the offense around Yao. If Van Gundy can figure out ways to keep the defenses from preventing Yao from getting the ball and make them pay when they double Yao, then Yao should easily lead the team in scoring. So far, Jeff is doing a good job. Last season the Rockets had huge problems getting Yao the ball when the other team fronted. Last night, the Rockets made the Nuggets pay every time they fronted Yao. All the Rockets need is some consistent perimeter shooters to keep the defense from doubling, and Yao should be able to dominate.
I'll bet my life that if Yao Ming doesn't lead this team in points that it will not make the Playoffs; 1. He gets hurt and misses significant time, 2. they just don't get him the ball enough which is very possible, 3. It will be Steve Francis' last season in Houston as he will get roasted, labled and identified as the Stephon Marbury of the New Jersey Nets. I guy that just doesn't know how to sacrafice his personal numbers for the good of the team.
declan32001 - I have been unemployed for a very long time and have to pick and chose my excursions to the SBC Center for budgetary reasons. I'll probably have to wait until a regular season game for either the SBC or a trip to Houston. I think you are going to see a very good game. IMO, JVG took a long enough look at Wilks, Scales, Muoneke, etc early in pre-season and is going to play his starters major minutes. (Especially since some final roster cuts may be made today). You do realize with this admission of attendance, a formal written "live" report on the new players, new coaches, and new uni's is a requirement, right?
This might be a little off topic... I didn't get to watch the whole game last night,..as I had to pick up my dad from the airport..however.. did ya'll see that post-up spin that he put on the defenderwhere he almost posterised someone under the basket, but got fouled and the ball went past the hoop? He looked absolutely meaaaan on that play. his face was all pissed off... I think the coaching staff is doing a good job of teaching him how to use his body in the paint. he'll be a monster someday soon..his speed is good.. and he's moving towards the basket now..
In all fairness, let's remember that this is a business and that the top players get paid what they do based on their stats. If KG didn't put up the numbers he did, do you think he would have gotten the deal he did? We as fans, of course, focus on the team and, as I'm sure the players are fully aware, the team is what wins championships. But I'll bet if anyone of us had to go to one of those arbitration meetings and had to justify our performance/a new contract based on numbers, we would have it in the back of our mind, or at least be concerned, if our numbers slipped. Besides the fact that it's much better to have several weapons than one. So I can understand our one-sided view of how basketball should be played and that players should never, ever be concerned about their stats. But if it's about their livelihood, I don't think many among us wouldn't at least be concerned if we, as professional athletes, experienced a dramatic drop-off in our stats. Flame away.
BTW, I realize that basketball doesn't have the same arbitration system as baseball, but I'm assuming that statistics are used as a critical performance measurement during contract negotiations. That's what I meant.
I still remember the doomsday theory about how China was running Yao wild. He's got high blood pressure, overweight, too tired, losing his shooting touch, blah blah blah. Amazing how quickly people's opinions change. For his stats, I'll take 18/10.
Excellent point! S***ew Francis!!! Just kidding. Here's to the Rockets having a good season. I don't care if Francis or Ming leads, or heck- if Van Gundy suits up and leads the team in scoring, as long as the Ws keep coming. Van Gundy at the point? Scary thought.
I think that Steve will still lead the team in scoring, but Yao will put up around 18+10. Teams will start to double Yao more during the regular season, but Yao should be able to use his passing ability to set other guys up.
