Isn't this a boneheaded response? With regards to your last paragraph- Bill & Clyde already acknowledged that he was planned to go into the locker room to get on a bike/treadmill/eliptical. This isn't uncommon as the body can tighten up if you don't cool down properly. See DWade's hamstring injury... and all he did was take the summer off. You're grading the guy in his first minutes back from a long, long lay-off. Ever take a month or longer away from anything? Everything takes time..but his mobility to get up and down the court were solid. The rest of it will come w/ training; and you'd be wrong if you doubted his commitment and desire to do the best he can.
I'm sure Auburn would gladly pay the man to do so, in the event he'd shut his pie hole... :grin: Poor(un-effective) - That would be Dampier Average (Effective) - That would be Howard Good to Great (very effective) - That would be Dream Also, WHO Howard is playing has also determined how effective, or good his game is. On average against Yao, Howards game has been more on the poor side. I like Howard, but i think his play is a bit decieving...we don't have any real quality centers to measure his game against, like Dream had. Is he worth the money? I suppose that depends on your own perspective of what's good or not...
Folks need to keep their expectations realistic. Too many folks expecting Yao in his prime to start in Nov. It's going to be a slow process. This should also help the detractors understand why a $2M Dampier would be a very helpful addition. Hopefully, Dampier has just been dragging his feet because he wanted to avoid the trip to China.
I think Dampier is (quite reasonably) dragging his feet to see if a center in some team's regular rotation, preferably a team that has not yet spent its MLE, will get injured in the near future, thus creating opportunity for him to have a decent-sized role along with a decent-sized contract.
I thought he looked good. He just isn't in any sort of rhythm or conditioning. But he made one good move on Howard (which he missed, but those will eventually go down). He fell to the floor several times, he took some good shots and got right back up. He is exactly where I'd expect him to be in this progression.
looks about what i expected him to. A tad slow and not use to the tempo of the game. It will take time. I'm just happy he's still healthy after the game.
I see that line of thinking, but Dampier being Dampier, I see him being just as happy to be paid and not have to work as hard to earn it.
Actually, Yao did exactly what we needed him to do last season. Affect shots. Stop the lay-up drills. He will have the double figure scoring back in no time.
I am glad about your last sentence. I hope I am wrong, but it seems like the OP has still some hangover about how many fans in this bbs treated McGrady after his return from injury last year. It seems to me like that is the essence of the OP's misplaced grief about Yao and his first pre season game.
Yao said after the game that he was just happy to be able to run again. More importantly, he was not feeling any pain, which I am sure he meant in his surgically-repaired foot. I think you can take from Yao's comments that basketball stats and the ability to punish DH were not his main priorities yesterday, which of course is the correct approach for someone who hasn't played bb in 18 months. In time, Yao will regain his strength and stamina. I am not worried about whether Yao will be able to put up some decent numbers. Those things will come naturally as long as the foot holds. So far, so good.
Like I said when yao went down in the playoffs, the rockets need yao defensive presence more than his offense. His offense is a bonus,but his size and ability to change shots is what will help the rockets the most. Yao will be 12pts 6rebs and to me,thats good. He will be more play finisher than play creator to keep the fluidity in the offense. He will get a few post ups,but not like in the past. The pick and pop from the elbow and mid post will be a great weapon. Yao and his late game ft shooting will also be a huge bonus for the team,but the forecast of asidd1990 is not going to happen.
Have you ever taken a year or so off from playing sports? I have and it really takes a toll on your comfort level and physical abilities. I don't think you remember him prior to his injury, the guy was slow then as well. He always played smart and adjusted to the disadvantage of being a step behind, it'll take time for him to get that feel back. He might never be what he was, but he won't be that far off either.
It looks like it's Yao's farewell tour. Dont get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Rockets fan, but I'm not stupid. I was right about Steve, I was right about Tracy, and I hope like hell I'm wrong about Yao.
I dont think you are going to be wrong about Yao, I understand everyone on this board is trying to be optimistic because we want the best for him, but deep down I know his career is finished
