Here's another guarantee to remember. Bill Simmons, ESPN Page 2 "One more thing: Years from now, we will remember "Yao Ming over Jay Williams" the same way we remember "Bowie over Jordan," I'm not just predicting it, I'm guaranteeing it." http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/020627.html
This is the following paragraph written by the same idiot. "At best, Ming develops into a bigger, more athletic Rik Smits. Fine. But then you throw in Yao's adjustment problems (going from China to the United States -- yikes), his laid-back demeanor (what happens when NBA players start pushing him around, elbowing him and intimidating him?),his inability to play in the low post, and the way he'll struggle fitting in with his teammates, as well as lofty expectations, inevitable problems adjusting to a higher level of competition , the fact that NBA players will go out of their way to dunk on him (just like they did with Shawn Bradley -- and they ruined his confidence, too), the isolation of playing here, the meddling Chinese government ... I mean, did Smits have to deal with any of those things? " Yes Smits had to deal with all those things and more, such as his being one inch shorter and pounds lighter than Yao. You BIG IDIOT.
Yao Ming will not be better than Pau Gasol ever, ever, ever. I don't think you understand the IMPACT Pau did have on Memphis. At one point in the season we had two rookies, Rodney Buford, Eddie Gill, and Tony Massenburg in the starting lineup. Impact is subjective but the proof will be in the fact that Yao will not win ROtY.
A Memphis Homie, Well of course you like your home guy, but Yao is alot better of a Ball player than Gasman!
I think Ming will have more blocks per 48 minutes AND TOTAL than either EG or Gasol next year. Also, last year EG (3.39) had more blocks per 48 minute than Gasol (2.70). With a few exceptions (guys like Wallace, Hakeem) it is usually the really tall guys (even if not that athletic) with the most blocks. Last year guys like Oestertag, Dampier, Bradley, Przybilla--all averaged more than 4.5 blocks (probably they average around 4.8 between them) per 48 minutes--and I expect Ming next year to be around that average (4.5). Also, though Ming will have foul trouble, I expect him to average 28 MPG (just 2 minutes more than EG or Kirelinko last year and 9 minutes less than Gasol). Taking an estimate 4.5BP48 x 28/48, I think 2.6 BPG for Ming is not unrealistic. I expect both EG (3.5 X 32/48) and Gasol (2.85 X 38/48) to improve, but both to average more like 2.3 BPG. Further, even if Ming only averages 4.0 BP48 because teams learn quickley to stay away, that should still put him at no worse than equal EG and Gasol's numbers. In short, if I were putting money down I would say Ming will be the best shotblocker per game or per minute of the three. If Ming gets 2.5 BPG, EG gets 2.3 BPG, and 2.0 from Cato/KT combined--all reasonable expectations--we could easily rise to the top couple teams in the league in blocks. I think 2 years ago we were about the bottom, that is a big, quick, change if it happens.
Oh, and I would not trade Ming for Gasol strait up, nor Brand either. Dirk, KG, or TD would make it interesting though. Gasol is very, very good, but not as great as MX seems to believe. Gasol is older than Ming and has played with better competition for longer. I expect Gasol to be a fine probably all-star player for a long time, but Ming will surpass him as an overall impact player within a couple of years. Might not happen (Ming becomes better), but I would bet on it (better than 50/50 odds).
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by grummett I would start with points allowed and fg% against when measuring Yao's contributions. Forget his individual stats. </BLOCKQUOTE> And on the flip side of that, measure Cuttino and Francis's FG%. They should go up if opps don't double team them as much. This is what you call good ole "making your teammates better."
I'm not going to say that Ming is going to be a better player than Gasol his rookie year, but cmon, Gasol's IMPACT was minimal last year. Just look at the Ws.
If Ming would be able to get the playing time that Gasol gets he will no doubtedly have better stats but we know he wont on a team with so much talent! Can't wait till October!
Yes, just like Steve Francis will never ever, ever, ever be as good as Jason Williams, and Cuttino Mobley will never ever, ever, ever be as good as Shane Battier.
C'mon man, that's not right but seriously Memphis X you're on drugs or something. There is no way in hell that you could know whether Yao will be as good as or better than Pau. Pau is a great young player but Yao appears to be very skilled and could become a real force in the NBA. In fact I don't think it would be wrong to say that Yao's upside, because of his unique size, is potentially much greater than Pau's.
The only thing unique about Yao's size is there has never been an a GREAT player his size. Now I have not said Yao was going to be a bad player but after the first month Pau was playing at an All Star level, NEVER hit a rookie wall, and was the leader of his team. If Pau was on the Rockets instead of Griffin I would actually think the Rockets have a chance to reach the WCF because Pau is a legit low post threat with his back to the basket. He is up to 255# and is currently probaly giving the third best performance at the WC's behind only Pierce and Brand. I know we are all homers at heart and until PROVEN otherwise we are both going to think different. I think this will be a mute point when Pau averages 22 and 10 with almost 3 shot blocks this season AT CENTER for the Grizzlies. For all the naysayers who say he is too small: He is now 7'0 and 255# that is center size IMO.
Has anybody seen Jay Williams play this year in the WBC games. The guys is out of control. He's like a jackin up shots Cuttino doesn't even take. He's taken 14 shots and has 9 assists and u ask this guy to man your point. Plus Ming has more points (38) in one game than twice Jay Williams (18) alltogether. This isn't a Bowie Jordan.
i think yao wil be better, but Gasol had a impact, don't forget the grizzlies traded there star player (abdur-Rahim) and a good point guardfor a scrub (bibby for Williams)so Gasol coud not have won much more because the team was less good,
