LOL No, according to sources, he is going to be a cop AFTER WE WIN IT ALL IN 05. The LAPD is still looking for a patrol car that is big enough for a 7ft 400lbs cop. But I think their bigger problem is to find a bullet-proof vest big enough for him. I'm sure a lot of people out there can't resist such a big target.
If you choose to consider int'l zone to be similar to talent-laden NBA zone with the 3-in-the-key rule, that's up to you. If you consider Ming a terrific weak-side defender because he blocks (see Bradley) a lot of shots under int'l zone rules, that's up to you. If you consider a 21-yr-old's familiarity with int'l zone to mean NBA defensive competency, that's up to you. If you choose to disregard my advisement against using Bradley's sparse, misleading int'l stats as a prop for Ming's int'l statistical brilliance, that's up to you. Whether zone or man2man D, you keep your big guy ready to come from the help-side with the swat. Bradley couldn't do it for the reasons mentioned, and I simply (and innocently) wonder at Ming's initial attempts at conquering similar problems he'll face as a fellow behemoth. Bradley is not only dumb, but getting dumber with every tick of the clock. But, I'll wager his experience puts him at a higher plane of practical knowledge than a 21-yr-old Chinese kid, no matter what Chuck Smith-like NBA intelligence and sponge-like ability to assimilate all information instantly Rox fans faithfully deem him to possess. I simply wondered whether Ming's youthful agility will overcome his own ignorance and the problems NBA vet and fellow bean-pole Shawn Bradley has discovered under the new rules. I also wonder if he'll slowly get less and less agile as time goes by, and end up in a similar place as Bradley as he nears 30. I wonder how his little medium jumper is any more effective in the NBA as Bradley's soft touch. I wonder how he'll handle his first NBA attempts being met with HARD fouls and taunts as all players must go thru. Bradley's elbows pi$$ off Mav opponents even more than his whiny, on-court demeanor. Ming's elbows will be at a similar altitude and will be met with similar NBA consternation. How will he deal with it? I wonder at how Ming's CBA statistics gained equal weight to his statistics during intense FIBA play, and how it all gets duct-taped together and sprinkled with magic dust to clearly display his future NBA greatness, bypassing questions of competency altogether. Rudy T and his boyz probably ponder these things daily, maybe Rox fans should, too. Just wondering these things, that's all, easy there big fella.
Franz Kafka, ...just wanted to say i thoroughly enjoy the posts you are composing. whether we are diehard rocket fans or not, those are 100% legitimate questions and concerns for everyone to look at. and i like your insistence on perspective: look at things in a 2-3 year window, because he has a huge adjustment curve to tackle. as for bradley's soft touch, the one thing IMO that hurts him is his inability to move fluidly. IOW, if bradley had the agility to create proper spacing to get his mid range jumper off, he would have been deadly on "O". ming? well, we'll find out soon enough if he possesses that agility. according to the rox staff, however, he moves like a 6'8" player. of course, i've learned to take anything the staff says to the media with a large, large grain of salt. on a different branch...why did dallas not pursue mutombo??? he would have been a fabulous addition for a team that has a wealth of "O" and a dearth of "D". in fact, you guys may want to apply to the league for an official name change. The Allas Mavericks would work. maybe even find a way to throw in some "o"'s in there! seriously, though, i wonder about the pursuit of rashard lewis over dikembe mutombo. rashard would have been an unnecessary (albeit wonderful) luxury to have, however, mutombo would have given you guys a shot at the title NEXT YEAR. i'm sure you guys could have spared finley for mutombo and not even flinched. that said, you could have still offered shard the MCE and traded for mutombo. wow, you would have been deadly! just curious if you know anything about that. was there any discussion of it at all? or are you guys still petitioning to be the Allas Mavericks?
Franz Kafka, Where have you been? Man, nice points. I'm a big fan of reading whatever you write I do have trouble with comparisons to Bradley and Wang. I know you didn't really start them and all, and are doing us a favor detailing (in a refreshing style, I might add) concerns with making those comparisons. I would like to say that it is probably not completely appropriate to extend those comparisons by superimposing Ming onto Wang and Bradley's roles and considering how he'd do at what they do. Ming looks like a completely different player on the offensive side. His passing looks to me like it will separate him from these comparisons, and the "low center of gravity" worries. If he brings that to the NBA, no one will ever compare him to Wang or Bradley again. He will eventually be running our offense from the high post, and these guards will be playing off that. And they will be as wide open as Bibby was taking hand-offs from Webber. You guard the hand-off and Ming turns and fires a 15'er or spins to the hole. You stay on Ming, and Ming drops one from above into Francis or Mobley's lap. The UCLA cut is as powerful as it gets, when you have the right center. <img src="http://www.dallasbasketball.com/IMAGES/kafka_pic.jpg"> Who is that!!
If you choose to consider int'l zone to be similar to talent-laden NBA zone with the 3-in-the-key rule, that's up to you. If you consider Ming a terrific weak-side defender because he blocks (see Bradley) a lot of shots under int'l zone rules, that's up to you. If you consider a 21-yr-old's familiarity with int'l zone to mean NBA defensive competency, that's up to you. If you choose to disregard my advisement against using Bradley's sparse, misleading int'l stats as a prop for Ming's int'l statistical brilliance, that's up to you. Kafka, Intl stats/footage is what they are. They do not translate directly into NBA stats but neither do NCAA stats. Ming will be a rookie (duh!) so obviously he'll have to learn a trick or two. The point is this: you can't compare an intelligent 22-old kid who has shown great basketball smarts at the level he has played so far with a dumb 30 yr old veteran who hasn't shown basketball intelligence at any level (NBA or international). Ming might not have the agility of Shaq/Duncan and may never develop it, but Shaq and Duncan do not have the agility of Kobe/TMac. (Ming is 6 inches taller than Duncan and Duncan is just 4 inches taller than kobe.) All we know is that he IS agile and moves well for his size and If he is smart he'll learn how to use his frame to his advantage. Sabonis after all the injuries had very limited mobility but was very effective because he was smart.
I can't wait to see that. We might actually have an offense that is clutch again. Combine that with Francis' ability to draw the foul, and we are deadly in crunch time.
I dont know why FRANZ KAFKA has been taken as a valid poster with such big responses! He's a MAVS Fan, how could he even make a credible post about a Rox player?
I don't mind having fans of other teams posting on this board. I've said it before: fans are supposed to be subjective and at least a little irrational. As long as they don't act troll or anything like that (which I don't think Kafka is doing) it's OK to have some other points of view. However, I don't believe you can be subjective about your team yet be objective about other people's team, as a Memphis fan once said on this board. Your view of teams are all relative. The fact that you are subjective about your own team makes you at least somewhat subjective about every other team. Sorry, I'm babbling again.
Franz Kafka: I am a bit tired all the Bradley and Wang comparisons. So forgive my laziness to type. The following is what I posted in another thread a couple of days ago, with a lil editing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yao is light years ahead of Bradley right now. In short, Yao's stronger, shoots better, blocks better, passes better, moves better with more skills. Yao's got a solid jumper out to CBA 3 point line, can shoot hookshots with consistency with both hands. He showed his up-and-under move, fadeaway baseline jumper, spinning off defender to the basket, and going coast to coast for a dunk off a steal in the limited highlights I saw. Can Bradley do any of those? I certainly don't recall it. Mentally Bradley'll be lucky to hold Yao's jock strap. Yao once shot 21-21 in an actual game. It takes tremendous mental focus for that kind of feat. Bradley won't be Bradley if he can hit 10-10 in one game, let alone 21-21. At 7-5 Yao moves with fluidity, whereas Bradley is a clumsy oaf who needs motor oil lubricating his joints to dance. These are why Bradley is avaraging something along the line of 4 points and 4 rebounds in the Germany NT in the same tournament, courtesy of a poster's signature. Bradley is a slow robot without skills, Yao is appraised as "having exceptional agility at his size" and with highly touted all around skills. No comparison between apples and oranges. Legs are the engine for big men. Yao's strong base will prevent him from being moved around. He will hold his own defensively. His drawbacks right now are stamina and upper body strength. With NBA training and diet, along with the age factor, I believe those weaknesses will be solved. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now I'll address your concerns: 1. Yao Ming's doesn't have enough stamina Athough Yao's stamina might be in concern. It's not IMO serious enough to affect his game in the NBA. Yao routinely played 40 minutes without a problem in the CBA 'cuz he's the man on the Sharks. Now you can boast the NBA as you wish, but the game is still played by humans. I think giving Yao some rest in between and he'll be able to log a good 30 minutes a game. Also, at first you dismissed Yao's jetlag as an excuse for his getting winded in the Chicago workout, then you use jetlag as a factor for Bradley's pathetic performance in the tourny. Seems to me a bit of inconsistency there. 2. Yao Ming's defensive prowess is in doubt as Bradley is not faring well in zone defense. The last thing I worry about is Yao's agility. In the CBA games, sometimes Yao goes back and forth from the low post to the perimeter for help defense. In one game, the opposing team's strategy was to shoot from outside in fear of Yao's presence, Yao still got 8 blocks by switching back and forth. He can do that because he's quick and agile. His spinning move also shows an agility that there's no way that oaf Bradley can match. The NBA experience Bradley has over Yao did not make him a defensive demon in this tourny, and I wonder why . On the other side, Yao is able to hold all opposing centers except one Turkish center(the one on the Pistons who scored 11) under 10 points a game. If the NBA experience of Bradley gives him a clear advantage than Yao, such things won't happen. When it comes to help defense in zones, desire, court savvy and ability are valued more than experience, CBA or NBA alike. Beside, Bradley needs a brain to put his NBA experience to use. Using Bradley's performance in this regard to raise doubts on Yao is way off base. 3. Bradley suffers from high center of gravity and Yao might be too as he's as tall as Bradley. Nope he won't. a).Yao is 30 pounds heavier than SB. b). Yao's calve is thicker than Bradley's neck. Yao's game can be put under criticism, but to compare him to his clear inferiors are frankly, quite amusing to say the least. Maybe you can at least acknowledge the fact of the vast differences between Bradley and Yao,and put your lame comparisons to rest. Sorry for another long one.
He clearly knows basketball better than 95% of the people on this BBS, he knows Wang and Bradley better than 99% of the people on this BBS, and NO ONE really knows Ming on this BBS, so I would say that he is more qualified than anyone to post in this thread.
Even he was the father of Wang and Bradley, he's still in no postion to compare them with Yao Ming if he doesn't know Yao, which you have already acknowledged. Two traits can be derived from Franz Kafka's posts: 1. Yao may suffer what Wang suffered, in terms of stamina, as Wang is also from China. 2. Yao may suffer what Bradley suffered, in terms of slow help defense and high center of gravity, as Bradley and Yao are at the same height. His discussion is not based on the actual calibre of Yao, but based on generalizations of Asian players and tall players. Points based on this type of discussion may turn out to be true, however, they are often superficial as well. Sorry for being harsh, but I'm just a lil sick of all the Bradley vs. Yao comparison.
I didn't say that there wasn't any speculation going on. I said that he is as qualified a person as this BBS has to make that speculation. I'm sick of the superficial comparison threads as well, but this thread is not one of those. I wouldn't try to kill a valid thread just because you are tired of reading about the subject. Sorry, I didn't mean to start a bickering match, so my case is closed.
I've never intended to kill this thread, instead I'm waiting for any constructive responses. I'd just like people show some understanding of Yao before they raise concerns on him based on what other players did. Yao is not similar to Wang at all just because they are both from China. Yao is not similar to Bradley at all just because they're at the same height. Therefore, concerns based on Wang and Bradley's deficiencies should not be extended to Yao as they are very dissimilar players. That's all. At last, I welcome all the opposing fans to come on board and share their thoughts, with or without their rose colored glasses.
Verse: Thanks, you, Doctor Robert and HeyP seem to understand that I'm not here to hate, just to ponder the physics of Ming's physique, and it's care and feeding to date. Mavs: IMO, any discussion of the Mavs improving their defense starts with replacing the coach, and maybe his recently promoted son. Nellie is all offense all the time, that's why Deke wouldn't work, and why Rashard's deadeye range would. Cuban's giving Nellie his head with full financial backing, and Nellie's taking his theory to it's limits with the Mavs. Talk of adding defensive players is useless while Nellie reigns, forget about your silly whim, it doesn't fit the plan. One of the first things Nellie said when hired as GM by the pitiful Mavs years ago was that he wanted to create an exciting team that the fans could enjoy watching. He's never wavered from this philosophy, even when faced with the current obviousness that an uglier, more defensive concept might get him deeper into the playoffs, or even a ring. Nellie fronts on defense, which means the offensive post player is closer to the basket than the Mav covering him when the shot is taken. If the Mavs rebound the miss, it's off to the races with their positional head-start. But, you end up nearly last in the league in rebound differential. Rarely sending ANYBODY to the offensive glass doesn't help either. But, the Mavs rarely give up easy fast-break buckets because the Mavs generally start back-pedalling as soon as a shot is hoisted. It takes efficiency for this to work, and Nash and Dirk are among the best in efficiency stats. TO's are kept low, shooting and FT %'s are kept high. I fully grasp the concept that this is entertainment, and thus enjoy the offensive hully gully and the clockwork regular season W's. The Kings are of similar make-up, and, IMO,were robbed in game 6 against the Lakers. Given the weaker Nets, NBA championship rings could've adorned the fingers of a team with a similar team concept (sorta) in the Kings. Look for a change in philosophy when Nellie retires in a year or two, but don't hold your breath with his boy waiting in the wings. HeyP: Interesting stuff regarding the plans for a Webber/Kings-style high post game involving Yao. I did not know that. I figured Ming would just get plugged into the current offense, with plays added as he develops. I can't believe you're saying, these things just can't be true, but Rudy T's got a plan and it'll be fun to see if Ming can pull it off. [The photo is of one of the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx] Kayman: I think you CAN compare the two, because as the skills of Bradley plummet and the skills of Ming rocket, the twain shall meet. If such is the case as Ming begins the season, then he might have similar Bradleyness to his game until he leads Rocket fans on light years away through astral nights, galactic days. I like Ming more than you're assuming. Panda: I know it's most unusual to come before you so, but I've found an ancient miracle and I thought that Rox fans should know: statistically successful CBA'ers Wang and Bateer have yet to set the NBA on fire. So far, I'd say the NBA wants your market more than your players, maybe Ming can change the trend. Rudy T seems to think he might, good enough for me. You are close to crystallizing my views by declaring your two 'traits.' The concerns over stamina are indeed linked to watching Wang's (an extremely successful CBA'er) glacial development. Therefore, I don't think it's beyond the pale to wonder how fit Ming starts out his first NBA season -- an opinion based not so much upon any racism (which your cowardly, italicized 'China' implies) but more upon observing the effects that the gentle ministrations of a hardline communist gov't have had on Wang's athletic potential. And yes, the similarity of Bradley and Ming's measurements cause the mind to compare and contrast when evaluating Ming. I apologize for possessing beliefs and opinions regarding Ming which stray from your program. I'm very, very sorry. Please forgive me. Panda has assumed control. Panda has assumed control. Panda has assumed control.
Why get personal? This place is getting a lil hot for me. If that's the case, you should at least ask about Ming's physique first before you jump to conclusion and raise doubts on Ming. No you didn't. Instead you refused to give Yao the benefit of doubt when it comes to jetlag and insomnia causing his exhaustion in the Chicago workout, and later on you used the same "excuse" to defend Bradley's pathetic performance in the Turkey tournament. If you don't know, that's called Dallas Mavs fan homerism. You make it sound like Bradley is better than Yao in skills, now I'll let the other fans decide whether it's funny or not. By the way, are you gonna keep denying that Yao is a better player than Bradley in international competition? Yao was better than Bradley two years ago in the Sydney Olympics. Yao is better than Bradley in this Turkey tournament. Yao is better and will be always superior to the lowly Bradley got that? Do you mind to put down your rose colored glasses just for a second? Thank you for your kind reminding. Wang played only one full year and Bateer a measly 27 games. What are you trying to tell us about? Give them a chance before they can prove themselves? Sorry but I already know that. Scroll up and I have already addressed the absurdity of raising concerns out of generalizations and putting stereotypes before facts. Hey the last time I heard Yao has soft feathery touch, you don't hear me comparing him to Kobe or Allen do you? "Can Dan Langhi jump? hey how can it be cuz he's white. I don't care what you say, I'll believe it when I see it." Sorry, if an italicized 'China' makes you jump out of your seat screaming for racism vibe. I wonder about what the other italicized "height" would do to you? Do you have to sink to the level of "hardline communistic government giving Wang and Yao no nutrition", or "hey you Chinese don't deserve to differ from my opinion as you are programmed" trick every time? I thought I could have a civilized discussion with you, that's why I bothered asking you about Wang's situation. I guess I'm wrong so I'll just rest my case.
Dr. Robert:- I dont trust the motives of Mavs. Fans regarding the Rox. The problem starts with their owner, who seems to have all the tricks and I dont trust his word either. Considering this I wont give credence to a Mavs. fan discussing Yao Ming.It is obvious that you have more faith in a Mavs fan than I have!
I never said plans for a Webber/Kings-style offense at all. Theirs is a double post, with heavy Zipper action. I was merely talking about how a high post big man passer with the ball can make a guard's life easier. Rudy has indeed mentioned that. I can bet to one thing: do not bet on Ming based on the Rockets staying in their current style. The bet will be only about Ming's abilities. If he is a good passer/shooter, Rudy will adjust faster than any typical Rox fan can imagine...as long as the guards behave. Your objections are the identical reactions to most here at cc.net. "No way. Rudy has never done anything complicated." But that is misread on what is "complicated." Is a PnR complicated?? The UCLA Cut is not only a system, but it is a singular play as well. Actually, at its simplest, it is a singular move. I take it you've never practiced the UCLA Cut or seen Dallas run it. That's because you do not have a passing High Post player. The only reason you would have seen it ever before was for offense with a great center who could pass or to practice defense against a great center who could pass. You cannot run this without a passing/shooting center. Given one, what I'm saying is no more difficult than adding a PnR to your offense based on drafted a good PF who can do it. If Ming shows up with passing/shooting at 7'5, he is actually showing up with his own team offense....it is that simple. But you are right. I do not expect too much change straight out. Significant change is speculative. I'm suggesting best case on what Rudy has shown, said, and what I think the current cast can do with Ming with little work. The logical conclusion from what I'm hearing and what I've seen (the Rox have definitely toyed with hand-off plays from the high post, to limited success) is that Rudy will continue running the 24-high Pick n Roll with Francis, but will pull that down from the "high" position into a standard Utah shape with Ming. Have you ever seen Wang and Bradley run PnRs with Nash or Finley?? However, my main speculation is that all these handoff plays we see Rudy attempt in the last THREE training camps (and sparingly in the season) is once again going to be attempted with Ming. imo, the whole reason we have seen these is not for Rudy to show us pre-season ticket holders fancy plays, it is that he really believes and wants Mobley and Francis to be slashing around a high post player. This has nothing to do with the Kings offense. They do not run the UCLA cut. Jabbar did. Walton did, and with his Portland team. Sabonis did in Russia. This is not the Kings offense, which I believe is closer to a standard Euro Zipper set. Well, I more confident it was before Bibby changed it. I'd have to see it more for sure.
[The photo is of one of the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx] Yep. It is a popular photo. But the question to answer for you was not.
heypartner, You don't actually expect Rudy to start using this new offense anytime soon do you? I assmued he'd take the same approach he took with Griffin. Plug him in the system to get him comfortable, then when the game starts coming to him easier, move him deeper into the offense. I think this new offensive plan will wait another year.
