I think Rudy will bring Ming off the bench to begin, so there won't be as much pressure for Ming to produce. I give Ming 2 months coming off the bench, at about 20-25 mins a game. By then, hopefully he will have progressed enough to warrant consideration for cracking the starting lineup. All I know is that I'm getting tickets for our opening game of the season. I want to check out the big boy personally. Rudy and CD have got to figure out a way to get Butler too.
Jerry West and others who would seem to know keep saying several years till he is ready. I would be surprised if he gets more than mop up duty the first year. About what Stromile Swift got. Dosen't mean that I don't like Swift, it's just how a lot of people start their careers.
Pat,I think it all will depend on how quickly he can build muscle in his upper body.I think he will be brought off very slowly. He is 7'5" and 295 lbs but needs a lot of time to get stronger. I was looking up Aleksandar Radojevic's profile who was selected by the Raptors in 1999 draft,he is 7' 3" and weighs 250lbs. He only played in 3 games for them that year because of injuries. I don't think he has played in any games since then and is now with the Bucks.
How much muscle did Gasol add before he started? He may not start now but it would not be because of muscle. For god sakes, the guy is almost 300lbs.
I say throw the Mingster in there! Couldn't be much worse than Cato, right? I mean, all the guy has to do is put his arms up and he blocks 75% of the shots in the NBA. Besides, Cato sitting on the bench might light a fire under his arse. I honestly think Cato could be a stud if he had any heart or work ethic. He sure as heck doesn't deserve anything handed to him. Another thing to think about is that Ming's getting a 4 year contract, I believe. So if you listen to J. West and the others, he won't produce until his contract year, just in time for him to become a FA and leave. Throw him to the wolves.
I think Ming come from the bench the first 20 games,so Rudy can see how good he fits in and how good he plays.Yeah,it couldn't be much worse than Cato,but for me the right thing is,to play him off the bench for the first things. GRF
Start him and watch him put up numbers like Pau Gasol did last year. Eveyone one said Gasol was not ready and was not strong enough and look what he did. Ming will start and maybe even make the All-Star game.
