I totally agreed with you that Yao should not be develope into a brute style center like Shaq, that's abandaning his natural ability and force him to be something he really isn't. Besides, a brute style game like Shaq is absolutely BORING, I will not watch Shaq play if there's no Kobe Bryant on the lakers. So far, Larry Smith has zero clue at using Yao Ming effectively, probably because he is all for a physical brute style of game. When guys are cutting and moving around instead of letting Yao ISO against people like Shaq, the game is much more exciting and fun. I truely believe Yao and Francis can be something special down the road if the Rockets management smart enough to keep them together. Everyone else is expendable. By the way, IMHO Jabar is much better than Shaq ever can be. Dream is much better than Shaq ever can be. Both of these legends displays the exciting side of basketball game, that soft touch of sky hook, that dreamy foot work of Hakeem. Shaq's bump bump, dunk routine is absolutely unwatchable. His free throw is absolutely disgusting.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the #1 scorer in NBA history. He was a great shotblocker and played in the showtime offense as well. He has the most indefensible move in the history of basketball. I am all for Yao becoming a great player, and I even think he has the potential to be the most dominant center around, but you might want to reign in your expectations if you expect him to be "at least" as good as one of the top 2 centers EVER.
Yesterday, a Chinese reporter interviewed the CEO of Rockets, Prostrose (rough translated his name from Chinese, check spell). Mr. Prostrose said Rockets ranked #28 in all 29 NBA teams on club profit last year. This year Rockets ranks #2. He said the times that word "Compaq Center" appeared on media have been doubled from 3million to 6-7million. He also said after YM finishes his rookie year he probably get the max contract. http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2003-03-30/0230415230.shtml So it seems YM has made a lot of money for the club and nobody will trade him.
Good post. Anyone who understands the value of position in the marketplace realizes that Yao is more valuable a commodity than just about any other player in professional sports and that's right now as a rookie. If he realizes a decent amount of his potential, his name, image and marketability will grwo exponentially. By the way, it's Postolos, not Prostrose, but I know it's a translation.
Do you think "SF, Cat, ...." can get a ring without Yao? Man, face it! NO WAY!!!!!!!!! Do you think Yao might get a ring in other team without SF? Man, it is very possible!
Thanks for posting the article, windandsea. I like the support Postolos gave Yao, unlike some of the bandwagon hoppers on this bbs. My rough translation: "From Yao Ming's potential, he should get MAX contract." Postolos told reporters yesterday. "We are very fortunate to select Yao Ming. He is a unique kid. Just 22 years old. He is much better than 2 points and 3 boards (Spurs game). " Despite Yao's poor performance in the last few games, Postolos said the same thing over and over to reporters. "He has his only ideas. Very humble and humorous. Knows what to say to the media." As the CEO of Rockets, corporate profit is Postolos only measuring stick. Yao Ming's arrival saved him from all the pressure. Last season, Rockets profits ranked second last among NBA. This season so far, Rockets profits ranked second. According to Postolos, Rockets ticket sales skyrocked this season with Yao Ming's arrival. Asian group tickets sales jumped 10 times. Before Yao Ming, Compaq Center was mentioned 3 million times in the media every season. But this season, it is mentioned 6-7 million times. "We are all surprised by Yao Ming's star power. His business value is priceless." "Therefore, in the future Yao will get max contract in the NBA, just like Duncan and Shaq O'Neal. He has the potential to become league MVP."
Ummm...I don't think Im the only one that thinks will developing chemistry will take "mere passage of time".
I am not implying that and nor am I implying that only a Chinese person can be a Yao-only fan. But it does seem like quiet a few Yao-only fans don't understand NBA basketball that well.
Matt Harping is not the Jazz system. Malone and Stockton are. Jim Jackson is not the Kings system. Webber, Peja and Bibby are. When Yao and Francis get fully comfortable with each other it will be easier to integrate other role players into our system. Plus Rudy had to change his system a couple of times. We were primarily a low post team with Hakeem and Charles. Then we became an outside team with Cat and Steve. Now he has to find a balance, because we have stong inside and outside presence. Not to mention our ever revolving roll players who seem to change year after year.
A lot of people outside Houston come to visit Clutch BBS because of Yao Ming. Of course they want to get Yao Ming in their local teams, especially if Rockets fans want to trade him.
I wish I can vote 10 thousand times, yes, please trade him especially after watching tonite's game. Rockets have Cato and Larry Smith, they don't need Ming.
How about to Dallas? Yao for Bradley straight up. Bradley is even 1 inch higher. He recorded more blocks than Yao too? But must convince Mark Cuban first though. It maybe a tough sell, since Cuban kept dissing Yao since last year's lottery.
I will vote : Trade him to Knicks ASAP. Want Spree, Ward, Harrington, Thomas for return. You can take any 2 of them, just name it.
