Yao missing 1st 2 weeks of Camp: How big a deal is it?

declan, fwang said "Yao Ming is needed periodically to represent China to attend ALL major international sports meet(s)." (emphasis on "all" is mine) What I want to know, and perhaps it's been said before and has been confused for me by the intermingled political BS by both American and Chinese posters... but what does this entail? What is Yao expected to do for the Chinese National Team? Is he expected to play every summer for them? Is he expected to play regardless of the NBA schedule pre and regular season? Just WHAT do they expect his obligations to be? If it is similar to what the US does with regards to the World Championships and the Olympics then it's reasonable. If it's more than that and consumes every summer for Yao then IMO it's not. I'm still wondering what is expected of him. I don't think I'm the only one.

 

I think it's very important that Yao is missing the early part of training camp. That's two weeks of missing out on learning the offense and getting acclimated to his teammates. It would be a setback, albeit a minor one.

 

I am just praying that he will play Oct. 18th in St. Louis because I will be there and I will take pics, and this indeed will be my only chance to be the "bomb" here on clutchcity since I live in Missouri where we have no NBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Actually, reported in the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets said they were taping the practices and plays before Yao arrives and were sending them to him to study. I think the footage will also let him see the player's strengths and weaknesses and what the coaching staff is trying to get out of each player and in each play. So Yao won't entirely be out of the loop. Since Yao is arriving late, Cato just might get the start (with KT) for a few games, maybe that first 5 MT is out. I could see MT and Yao starting the 6th game. Either way, with Rudy emphasizing Yao's defense and rebounding at first, the hardest thing to learn (offense) won't be as much a priority and this may allow Yao to start right away.

 

Deckard I'm a little concerned too about what the Chinese authorities keep saying about "assurances". But I still think that's really meant to calm Chinese basketball fans in light of Wang's defiance. I really don't think they're trying to unnerve the Rockets or us. I may not be right but I think "authority" just has a different meaning than it has to us, or at least is just much more important over there. The CBA by all accounts is desperately trying to improve so they can medal in 2008. Wang not playing in the WBCs (the CBA not allowing it) is perceived in China as Wang's fault because he disobeyed. The Chinese teams performance wasn't good, but to my eyes their coaching and basketball concepts were just seriously out of wack. They have talent but they have a system that seems more important to them than winning now. Maybe they're trying to put their cultural stamp on the game of basketball, I don't know. I don't think Rudy or anyone else (like me) who videotaped the games and re-watched them could figure out what they were doing.
My biggest worry is that the dialogue between Wang and the CBA presented Chinese authorities presented a different set of problems than they had anticipated when they made Yao available to the draft. What if, in half an NBA season Wang decided that the CBA is clueless and for China to win he and their best players had better understand that. I really believe it's possible after watching the WBCs. I've read the Wang is greedy and selfish posts. But what if he's not? Maybe he loves basketball and China, and his defiance is the only way he thinks he can help? Then the Chinese authorities have different problems when considering their best coming over here. Yao Ming is going to miss his family, friends and life in China when he's here. This year's going to be tough on him off the court. But what if on the court he has more fun he's ever had in his life, learns more than in one season than he has in his career, and understands Wang Zhi Zhi's situation? IF that's what the Chinese authorities are thinking now, then the Rockets may have a bad problem. Everyone saying the Wang situation is unrelated to Yao Ming may be right. But the WBCs really shocked me. The posts about Yao Ming being devestated about the WBC's disturbs me because a month from now he's going to discover what it's like to be helped and not hindered, supported not publically criticized by his coach, and how long will it take for him to think "this is basketball"? He's 22 and seems mature and dedicated. I think my worry is not that he'll be corrupted by "decadent American culture" it is that the Chinese will think his love of basketball might just trash every objective of the CBA and their system. I have a cousin I work for and am very close to and he has been on a tirade ever since it became clear Yao was going to be the Rockets pick, a few of my friends are of the same mind (don't trust China). I have just thought that's a ridiculously prejudical arguement when you consider what the Rockets need. Sorry about the rambling here, but getting back to the thread, the Asian games do cost us a few Ws this year only. It's hard to be content with that, but I am. The Rockets and Chinese have an agreement. I believe the Chinese are very serious about their agreements. And I think those within the CBA are freaking out right now after the Wang defiance and their performance in the WBCs. I don't like what I see. Just an opinion.

 

well with cato having little to no offense skills to begin with, moving ming in to rebound and play defense along with occasional touches should still be an improvement. it would be nice to have him here earlier but that's not the part that bothers me. i just want him signed.

 

Thanks, declan, that post was much appreciated. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. We're in uncharted waters here and so are the Chinese. Let's hope we all stay afloat and reach the shore with all hands. I'm beginning to be reminded of that old Beach Boys tune... "Sloop John B".

Let's hope it doesn't end with a refrain from that song...

"This is the worst trip,

I've ever been on..."

 

I would like to see Ming start just as I wanted Carr to start for the Texans. But for the very short moment i still believe Cato should start the first five or so games until ming gets the speed and play sets down. i don't think it will take Ming that long to adjust to the NBA style of play, but he will have to adjust to seeing it four- five times a week instead of just whenever he has had an international tournament.

Ohterwise, who would you rather have jumping the tip, a 7 footer or a 7' sixer ? For that simple reason he will start pretty soon, but I just want to see how he can come in the last half of October and jump right into the pre-season schedule. if he takes off like a shooting star, then Rudy has no choice but to start him. If he performs anything close to the WC's, then I stick with my prediction. if he can't seem to get the play sets down, the n it may take longer for him to start.

 

No such thing as garbage minutes when you're playing the Rockets, at least compared to last season.

 

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be suprised if he did. Remember, the World Championships, Olympics and CBA means more in China than the NBA. We live here, so sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the situation.

 

That's what I was doing... and if that is the case, I don't like what I see.