greetings rocket fans, reading over A LOT of the posts on this board, i can't help but feel like a lot of you are disappointed with yao ming's play as of late. At the same time, I noticed his numbers are up a lot from his promising rookie year, and i was wondering if you expect that trend to continue? In addition, what type of stats do you see him putting up in the near future and in his prime, and does he have the potential to be a MVP candidate some day? Here in LA, Shaq seems to be clearly on the downside of his career, and I would love to see a player like Yao take his spot on the roster in a couple years. If most houston fans are down on him now, all the better, as the fans are what drove shaq out of orlando. But back to yao, if anyone or everyone could give me their thoughts on what type of career he will have, i would really appreciate it.
He'll peak out sooner than later. Average 22 pts. per game for his career, which will be shorter than expected... shorter due to the shame of repeated blocks from 6'6" opponents. He'll make Vlade Divacs look like Hakeem.
Yao is a perfectly serviceable center and may end up being the best in the league at some point. However, I think that he will always be a disappointment in Houston because he will never measure up to Hakeem. Hell, he'll never even measure up to Akeem.
Yao Ming will never be an Hakeem or a Shaq!!! Not in a month of Sundays!!!Never!! Although he will be Yao Ming!!.[imagine a taller Duncan and you would be closer] Yao Ming is still in his early stages of development. Adapting to the NBA mentality is not easy for the oriental mind set. Then there is the Stamina, remembering to Jump, Positioning etc.etc.all of which needs to be learned so that he might use his great height and cunning to advantage. One might expect it to take several seasons for him to find his path.If the real Yao Ming is to stand tall he will need to be on a Team with a a clever playmaker who knows how to pass into a Center at very precise position and timing. I just hope that he doesnt get discouraged playing for our Rockets.
Yao will be a dominating force in this league in another year. He will be THE dominating force in about 3 years. No, he won't be windmilling dunks and throwing his weight around like Shaq does. He will dominate in the same way that Kareem dominated in his MVP years. He will get his opponents into foul trouble guarding him, and then he will just nail straught up jumpers, turn around jumpers, hook shots, layups, and dunks on them, a greater variety of weapons than Kareem. When they double him, he will pass out of the double for the wide open jumper or dunk. Yao will average more assists than any big man before him. He'll average about 10 boards a game, and people will be disappointed with his rebounding numbers, but he will learn to box out and his front court mate at the 4 will average about 14 boards a game, simply because Yao is helping to box out and letting the 4 get the board. He will also be resigned to a max contract and will play his entire career in Rocket Red. The Lakers will have to settle for signing some 7 foot stiff from Russia to man the middle and Yao will crush the man every time they meet. The Lakers do manage to sign Steve Francis after his max contract expires and he has blown out a knee. Lakers give him $12 million a year and he plays about 20 minutes a game, putting up 10 ppg, 2 apg, and 6 turnovers. Lakers lose the conference championship in Steve's first year with them when on successive plays, Steve runs the fast break 1 on 3 and Yao smacks his fadeaway dipsy do into Jack Nicholson's hands. On the final play with the clock running down, Steve dribbles the ball off his foot for turnover number 7. Kobe is long gone by this time, putting up 35 ppg in New York. ...................................oh, I'm sorry, you just wanted to hear about Yao.
He will be a dominating force similar to Hakeem. Like Van Gundy said, there is no physical skill he does not ahve. This is his 2nd year in a league that he still has not fully adjusted to. He is doing very well for a 2nd year player, even better for a foreign 2nd year player. He has not scored fewer than 10 points in any game this year, he is shooting almost 50%, he is averaging almost 10 boards a game, and over 2 blocks a game.
Yao's not going anywhere. He's far too marketable a commodity for the Rockets organization to just let him walk. And if it ever came to a salary crunch problem, someone else will go other than Yao. Yao is going to be the franchise regardless of whether or not he rounds into the force many expect him to round into.
Dirk Nowitzki averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds his first season and 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds his second. Yao is already beyond that and improving as the season goes on. Yao will be a perenial all-star and a hall-of-famer.
This thread certainly shows who are the Yao haters or Francis haters. I think its right on that Yao will never be Hakeem, he doesn't have the same temperament or style of play. The comparison with Kareem seems a lot more apt. I predict by around the all star break we will see Yao's rise as he gets more comfortable with JVG's system and hits his stride in this season. I still see him a few years from domination and what domination we will see from him will be unlike any other big man with the exception of Ralph Sampson in his brief heyday. As for having him go to the Lakers its in the realm of the possibility but I don't see that likely. Yao already is a decent player who will only get better but with his marketing appeal the Rox would be fools to let him go unless he ends up more Shawn Bradley than Wilt Chamberlain.
I blame Al Gore for inventing the internet...in fact, I blame him so much I will start thread after thread about it....
Yao and Moochie will be traded to LA after the season end for Payton, Malone and Rush. Rox becomes an immediate contender.
Yeah, I guess people are looking for Yao to take over games... I would love that too, but I'll be patient on that one. I read the board everyday, and based on the posts you would think Yao was averaging the same amount of points as last year, but right now, its a healthy 17.2 with 9.6 rebounds. It looks like he may end up a 20 - 10 guy this year. How can anyone be down on that? Everyone is down on Francis too... the only thing that pops out with statistics is a drop in assists. The only reason I'm upset with Francis is becuase he is not living up to his potential as a leader and superstar by making his teamates better. I don't know why people try predict how Yao will be remembered as ( taller Duncan , kareem, etc.... ) when everything about him is an anamoly (sp?) . His height, skills, nationality, etc... I'm just gonna sit back and see what he does....
After watching him this year .. I do not think a comparison between him and Olajuwon are at all appropriate. They are totally different players with totally different skills. I also disagree with JVG .. there is one physical skill that he does not have that makes all the difference ... Footwork and Ball Handling while being double teamed. Olajuwon was one of the most graceful players on the court with the ball, and I do not think that is going to be something that Yao can ever attain. Yao is graceful for a player that is 7'6", but he still gets the ball knocked out of his hands way too much. I do believe Yao has the size to overcome that. I just feel that you cannot compare Yao to Dream as they are totally different players. That said .. I think Yao will be a great player, but never a dominant player like Shaq that can carry a team all by himself. I hope he proves me wrong though.
Actually, Yao's stats are very close to Shaq's so far this year. Shaq: 19.8pt/10.9 rb/2.7 blocks Yao: 17.2pt/9.6 rb/2.1 blocks We're definitely getting pretty good production out of our center spot in Yao Ming.
They are close without a hall of fame point guard, a hall of fame shooting guard, and a hall of fame power forward. How about his game in overtime last night?
