I don't think Yao would be anything like Shaq. Yao is unique in his own way and so is Shaq. They both have their positives and negatives. Shaq can't shoot free throws and Yao can. Yao can shoot them 10 to 15 footers while Shaq doesn't. They play different games and they shine in their own way. Yao just needs more time I guess. He'll be more agressive and won't turn the ball over as much in a couple of years. He'll mature and see that for us to win a championship, he's gonna have to step up and give some very good numbers night in night out. He's gonna have to understand that he is one of the main parts of this team in our bid for the title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Even if it is the most obvious thing to do, listening in on another teams plays and strategies is wrong, you can't justify that. I'm not blaming the loss on just that, obviously if we played better throughout the whole game we wouldn't have even been in the situation where he would listen, you never know if him listening in did factor into us losing, that is unless you can read minds or turn back time.</div> Hope it didn't seem like I was talking to you in particular, just expressing some of the ignorance from other boards.. The Rockets played a good game. Yao played an aggressive game. But honestly, we don't want him to be so one-dimensional. Think of the high pick'n'roll with Yao and McGrady, with the Heat game coming up, Shaq will have to stay on the perimeter if Yao is hitting his shots. That'll give a chance for Wesley and Padgett to rotate in the corners, and hit open three's. Or open up the paint for Bobby or Howard to hit an open layup. Regardless we lost. But another thing I saw. Is it just me, or did anyone else realize the atmosphere was INSANE at TC? Even more than the Orlando Game.. Got this from CF.net, it annoyed the daylight outta me, thought I'd share, Written by Sam Amico (in case you're wondering..): <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Talkin? Yao Mark Gilman sent an interesting e-mail about Houston?s Yao Ming, and all I ask is that you don?t hate me for printing it. Here it is: "Is Yao Ming overated? My answer is YES! He?s 7-6, 310 pounds, and how many blocked shots does he average per game? Two? That is unacceptable. Worse, he doesn?t even alter many shots, which in my mind is as good as a block. When I see Yao play, he?s good for a couple of trips up and down the court and then he?s tired and out of breath. ?The biggest disappointment in Yao? He is WAY TOO NICE! His dunks are soft. He won?t attack. He doesn?t ever seem to get fired up. ?That is a personality issue, and it?s him -- but imagine if Yao had the aggressiveness of, say, Alonzo Mourning or Amare Stoudemire. ?And finally ? the Rockets really should trade him for some great players who will better complement Tracy McGrady. I know Yao puts fans in the seats and all of China is buying the Rockets jersey. But in three years, when all the experts are saying he will be the ultimate force, he will in all reality probably be broken down and very Shawn Bradley-like.? OK, my turn. 1. Mark is right -- Yao is not nearly aggressive enough, and probably never will be. But he is more aggressive than last season, and he is getting better at holding his ground underneath the basket on defense. 2. As uninspiring as Yao has been, he?s still among the top five centers in the game today. Obviously, that?s not exactly a huge compliment when you consider the less-than-stellar state of pivot play. 3. Yao is already better than Bradley, Mark Eaton, etc. None of the other extra-tall centers guys could shoot, and it seemed like the only reason they played basketball was because they?re tall. Say what you will about Yao, but he loves the game. 4. Finally, Yao has a great, team-first attitude. He may never be worthy of the No. 1 pick, lead the Rockets to a title, or live up to expectations -- but at the very least, he should be a strong No. 2 guy for McGrady once the two of them get each other figured out. 5. So do I think Yao and McGrady can win a title together in Houston? No. As much as I appreciate how McGrady has brought back memories of George Gervin, he?s nothing more than a spectacular athlete who can score. But the Rockets do have the potential to do great things if they can find another piece, like a rebounder along the lines of Carlos Boozer. </div> My take: 1. Yao doesn't alter shots?! Does this guy (the guy with the question) watch the Rockets?! It doesn't matter if he's aggressive, I'd rather him take jumpers all day and have 20 points, over him trying to dunk on every possesion and get humiliated by the likes of Brad Miller and Loren Woods. Rebounding, that's another story. He was never a stellar rebounder, and to ask him to become one is a waste of time. 9 or 10 rebounds is fine by me. 2. I don't know what to think of this. Yes he's a top 5 center in the game. But is that because he has Big Z, Dampier, and Brad Miller, or is Yao actually good? 3. Duh. 4. Never be worthy of the 1st Pick?! So, draft Jay Williams? Amare? It would be funny to watch Francis and Amare play on the same team.. 5. Nothing more than a spectacular athelete that can score, eh? What else do you want in him? A triple double? The guy puts up 25, 6, 6 a game, and he's just an athlete that scores? Wouldn't Kobe, LeBron, Richard Jefferson, all be 'spectacular athletes that can score' ? He's no Garnett, he's no Duncan, he'll never be a Jordan, but to say all he does is score is biased. I wonder what team this guy roots for.. Just my 2 cents.
Who is this Sam Amico guy? Sounds pretty hypocritical to me. What he says is true, but so? Who doesn't know that Yao is a poor shotblocker for his height? Who doesn't know he lacks aggresiveness? This dude's just pointing out the obvious and making money for the crap he spurts out.
Saw the heartbreaking game and made me wonder... How would Yao do if he was in Brad Miller's position instead? He would be running a high post offense a la Kings and I think will be just as effective (if not more so) than B.Miller because Yao can actually post up once in a while and then move out and shoot his mid-range jumpers. Oh well, as long as JVG is the coach I guess we'll never know...
