Just something I thought I would add that I found on the net concerning Yao Ming. This is some information I saw on the FoxSports.com site. I don't have the link handy, sorry about that. --- [Talking about Yao Ming] Tony Ronzone, Director of International Scouting for the Detroit Pistons, who has served as an assistant coach for the Chinese national team: "If you have the No. 1 pick, you have to pick this guy. He would start and make an immediate difference for any team in the league right away. "He is a gym rat. He loves the game, being around the game and talking about the game. He's the first one in the gym (for practice) and the last one to leave. Some big guys are lazy or are playing basketball because they have been pushed into it because they are big. He plays basketball because he loves the game.[b/] --- I thought that was really telling. From what I understand Ming's parents both played ball in China and he has been playing ball since he was 9. Sounds to me like he has a huge passion for the game and wants to do whatever he can to improve. I think that speaks volumes. Something else I wanted to add that occured to me... Other than the height difference (and upper body strenght at this point in time), anyone want to compare where Dirk Nowitzki's game was coming into the NBA in terms of his skill level and where Yao is today? What if Yao became a 7'5" version of Dirk? Perhaps that is the comparison we should be looking at instead of Smits or Bradley. Those that are down on Yao, what if he became as good as Dirk is today, being able to dribble enough to move around, shoot the ball from anywhere on the court but at the same time ALSO provide shot blocking and good passing skills (perhaps better than Dirk is now in terms of passing?) Is Dirk a matchup problem for most teams in the NBA? You betcha! Does Dirk have a problem defending Shaq and Duncan? Absoluley! So does everyone else! Can Ming be a matcup problem for most teams in the NBA? You betcha! Will Ming have a problem defending Shaq and Duncan? Absolutely! So does everyone else! The NBA is all about exploiting mismatches. My point is if Ming developed into a more versitle Dirk Nowitski wouldn't that be something that would cause huge mismatches for just about every team in the league for years and years to come? Thoughts? Chris
Well said..his upside is far too high to pass up. We do not get number 1 picks very often, and if it takes a while to work out the China deal...big whop....at least he HAS To play in Houston. DaDakota
