Well you know how Ewing was working with Yao? Well Ewing's style of play really doesn't fit with Yao. What would you think of the Rocket's hiring someone like Kareem Abdul Jabar? If Yao could master the sky hook, he would be so much better than Shaq in his prime. Better yet, how about Hakeem on the coaching staff!
It would work with Kareem or Hakeem, but this whole 'mentor' deal is played out...Yao's not a baby, hes a professional basketball player, he does not need a tutor...hes skilled enough to just develop on his own thru practice and experience...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tripl3:</div><div class="quote_post">It would work with Kareem or Hakeem, but this whole 'mentor' deal is played out...Yao's not a baby, hes a professional basketball player, he does not need a tutor...hes skilled enough to just develop on his own thru practice and experience...</div> Yea but, don't you think they wanna use the best of him? Not a lot of Yao Mings calibured players are in the nba these days really.
I'm with Tripl3 on this.. Do you really think you need Kareem to teach you the sky hook? Yao can watch tape and figure it out for himself.. Ewing is a good influence in that he can teach Yao some good/effective workout methods since they both played the same position (and really have sort of similar games with the mid range jumper at least).
I really don't think Yao needs really any mentor per say to be a dominant force in this league. What Yao needs to do is to focus on his game more, be more aggressive and be a student of the game. Yao's is a naturally smart player who has a good understanding the game. He needs to add some toughness both physical and mental to his game and he should be set. As for post moves, a lot can be learned just from good old practicing and watching game tapes. Having Ewing as a "guide" to Yao is a good thing because he can relate to Yao on a lot of issues that other members of the team can't. When I think of mentor I think of a teacher and in reality Yao doesn't need one. That is why I like to think of Patrick as more of a guide to Yao who can be called upon when needed.
i dont think that yao need a mentor. he just needs to practice. a couple of years from now he will have a unstopable sky hook