Rockets can NOT win it all with Yao in the middle

[abcdef]

Yao is averaging .5 missed dunk per game....

Yes, getting stuffed by the rim is the worst embarrassment that anyone could experience on the court, and Yao has already had two of those.

The people criticizing Yao for "softness" are missing the point. They are confusing "softness" with declined leaping ability and declined lateral quickness, which is what is causing Yao's problems. There is no doubt that he is not recovered from his injury, the only question is whether it is temporary or permanent. I am beginning to think it is permanent and that Yao is washed up.

[tisbee]

What is the difference between last yrs team and this one? No Shane Battier. We now see what "all the little things" really does for a team. Deke didn't play at all til Yao went down last yr,and when he did play it was 15-20 mnutes,the Rockets weren't getting killed on the glass when he-or Yao-went to bench last yr. It's the same too-small PF from last yr,but the team doesn't have Battier blocking out somebody so they bigs are now rebounding in a crowd where last yr they were going one-on-one and their hustle got rebounds. Artest may be a great individual defender,but he is not a very good team defender-or hasn't learned the system fully. Battier would come off his man and help on penetration by taking charges or blocking some shots. Having Battier trying to draw charges caused penetrators to hesitate,shot off-balance shots or rush passes. Now,it's a free ride to the rim. If Battier comes back healthy and still has his quickness we'll see a marked improvement in Rockets' rebounding and defense.

Yao needs to be coached,basketball is not instinctive for him and he didn't play against the best competition in his formative yrs. When he had Ewing he turned into a very good low-post player. Last yr he worked w/the Dream in the off-season and ended up being extremely good until he was injured. For the past 2 yrs the Rockets big man coach is a former PF and we've seen some good work w/the Rockets PFs. This is where Deke is missed. Not having another 7' to talk to about C play leaves Yao trying to figure things out on his own and has caused him to be very hesitant.

This off-season the Rockets should borrow Kareem from the Lakers and have him teach Yao how to hold the basketball hi. Yao starts everything from his waist where help defenders can rush in and swipe the ball. The Dream could do it because he was so explosive,Yao isn't.

Yao is retiring a Rocket. The team stood w/him on his National committments and Yao is a loyal guy. Remember how shocked he was when Francis was traded? He's not voluntarily leaving all his friends and his comfort zone behind to sign w/another team.

[MaxRider]

WE ARE TRULY MISSING MUTOMBO

[Baller 24]

Yao = Overrated

[Iggyemu]

Yao = Overrated

Rox on a whole = overrated.

[tha_rock220]

I say we offer him to Orlando+ whatever they want for Dwight Howard.

McGrady + Artest + D12 = Championship. Plus it would get rid of all the fans who could care less about the Rockets and instead only about Yao and his stats.

[dunleavyjr]

I say we offer him to Orlando+ whatever they want for Dwight Howard.

McGrady + Artest + D12 = Championship. Plus it would get rid of all the fans who could care less about the Rockets and instead only about Yao and his stats.

The problem is, Tmac ain't no Kobe.

[midnight]

im pretty darn sure if Yao score only 2pts in a game, there will be 32298789765 "trade yao, yao sucks, yao's soft" threads on this board.

[bballmaniac27]

I say we offer him to Orlando+ whatever they want for Dwight Howard.

McGrady + Artest + D12 = Championship. Plus it would get rid of all the fans who could care less about the Rockets and instead only about Yao and his stats.

I seriously hope you're joking... do you honestly think that's realistic? Why the f*ck would Orlando do that trade? People on this board are ridiculous sometimes.

And really, it's not like the Tmac only fans are any better then the Yao fanboys. Both are equally annoying so how about we just trade both of them. They're both soft and of course we all know the Rockets will be doomed to be second round virgins as long as they're on the roster anyways.