It's so sad that Yao had injury problems (although I guess that's the downside of 7+ footers - much more injury prone) because he was getting so damn good. He was always underrated defensively because he was so vulnerable when teams brought him outside, but he was outstanding when he stayed inside. He was never dominant on offense the way people wanted, but he was starting to get there when the injuries set in, and he certainly had all the moves and potential. It's fair to harp on his passing, but the Rockets never built the team properly around him. He was definitely not a versatile player, but with the right team and system he would've done a ton of damage.

Wouldn't make for a very sexy or exciting team, but a super efficient 25/10 center (rarest position) with major impact on defense, who shoots 85%+ FTs? Oof.

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

July 18 2013 00:56 GMT

#1062

Howard can only dream at this point to have skills like Yao one day. Speaking of Dreams, if he played more like a young Hakeem, the Lakers would have probably amnestied Kobe for him and handed him the keys to the team imo. At least have taken him more seriously. But even us fans didn't want the keys handed to him.

A lot of reputable sources close to the team have hinted at how he refused to play pick and roll like the team wanted him to. He would just not run the plays. This after them doing a lot of research into how efficient a pick and roll player he was and hiring the best coach for that.

Let's see if he is more willing to in HOU.

edit: Hamm killing it at the ESPY's. Instant-like for that bash on Howard hah.

BigAsia

Canada451 Posts

July 18 2013 01:49 GMT

#1063

On July 18 2013 09:56 MassHysteria wrote:
Howard can only dream at this point to have skills like Yao one day. Speaking of Dreams, if he played more like a young Hakeem, the Lakers would have probably amnestied Kobe for him and handed him the keys to the team imo. At least have taken him more seriously. But even us fans didn't want the keys handed to him.

A lot of reputable sources close to the team have hinted at how he refused to play pick and roll like the team wanted him to. He would just not run the plays. This after them doing a lot of research into how efficient a pick and roll player he was and hiring the best coach for that.

Let's see if he is more willing to in HOU.

edit: Hamm killing it at the ESPY's. Instant-like for that bash on Howard hah.

Howards a much better defender than Yao was, especially in p&r situations. You do know that he was playing injured and wasn't even close to 100% right? When healthy hes easily the best center in the league.

Ps I still think Yao Prime 2006-2008 is a better player than Howard is

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

July 18 2013 02:04 GMT

#1064

I agree he is the best center in the league. I also think skills are just means to an end (ultimately what matters is the ball going in the hole). I am just saying he is no Hakeem, not even a Ewing who he compared himself to.

I also agree he was playing injured. I have been defending him on that all season. I think he will have a better season this next one.

With that said, he is just so weak mentally. He is already making excuses in that Stephen A. interview in case he doesn't win. Saying things like "championships don't make you a winner" is just baloney. Last time we all checked, championships do make you a winner.... I don't have a problem with a player leaving a team, but if you(proverbial you) are leaving it to win a championship like you said, then say that. Don't pussy out.

Meanwhile he is saying he needs a 3rd max player. It just shows how he doesn't think of himself as being the number one option on a championship team. Well in the mind of fans who have seen him play, we are wondering if he can even be the 2nd option (boom, slightly kidding).

Back in the days, if we heard Shaq (when he was with Kobe) say he needed another 3rd max player, it would have been hilarious.

BigAsia

Canada451 Posts

July 18 2013 02:15 GMT

#1065

On July 18 2013 11:04 MassHysteria wrote:
I agree he is the best center in the league. I also think skills are just means to an end (ultimately what matters is the ball going in the hole). I am just saying he is no Hakeem, not even a Ewing who he compared himself to.

I also agree he was playing injured. I have been defending him on that all season. I think he will have a better season this next one.

With that said, he is just so weak mentally. He is already making excuses in that Stephen A. interview in case he doesn't win. Saying things like "championships don't make you a winner" is just baloney. Last time we all checked, championships do make you a winner.... I don't have a problem with a player leaving a team, but if you(proverbial you) are leaving it to win a championship like you said, then say that. Don't pussy out.

Meanwhile he is saying he needs a 3rd max player. It just shows how he doesn't think of himself as being the number one option on a championship team. Well in the mind of fans who have seen him play, we are wondering if he can even be the 2nd option (boom, slightly kidding).

Back in the days, if we heard Shaq (when he was with Kobe) say he needed another 3rd max player, it would have been hilarious.

Didn't hear that but that wouldn't impress me either. But in his defense he did carry the Magic to the finals in 2009 and averaged like 20/15 beating out the defending champion Celtics and Lebrons Cavs. So he's proven that he can get to the finals at least

iLoveKT

Philippines3615 Posts

July 18 2013 02:48 GMT

#1066

Would he trade all that money for a possible 3-peat though.

edit: talking about mike miller.

zeratul_jf

United States808 Posts

July 18 2013 03:07 GMT

#1067

On July 18 2013 11:48 iLoveKT wrote:
Would he trade all that money for a possible 3-peat though.

edit: talking about mike miller.

Im sad to see him go because its not like he didnt contribute to their winning in the playoff. This guy played when he was needed. I remember him knocking threes against the spurs when they were down by 10 points. And who is gonna forget the final game vs OKC when he was just on fire.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 18 2013 03:23 GMT

#1068

Dwight didn't carry Orlando to the Finals. He was their best player but Turk and Rafer Alston were extremely vital to their success.

RowdierBob

Australia13007 Posts

July 18 2013 04:08 GMT

#1069

That Magic team had a ridiculous amount of shooting in it. And Gortat was the back-up to Dwight.

slyboogie

United States3423 Posts

July 18 2013 06:10 GMT

#1070

On July 18 2013 12:23 Ace wrote:
Dwight didn't carry Orlando to the Finals. He was their best player but Turk and Rafer Alston were extremely vital to their success.

Look at this sentence! Just look at it!

Holcan

Canada2593 Posts

July 18 2013 07:10 GMT

#1071

Also relied heavily on Garnett being injured

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 18 2013 15:43 GMT

#1072

Sigh. Could have been a 3 peat. Poor KG.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 18 2013 16:09 GMT

#1073

Having to watch this Brooklyn Nets press conference with this worm Billy King on TV. ugh :/

andrewlt

United States7702 Posts

July 18 2013 20:12 GMT

#1074

On July 18 2013 09:11 RowdierBob wrote:

Yao O_O

I thought Hakeem was only 6-10? He's taller than Dwight?

Vindicare605

United States16071 Posts

July 18 2013 20:17 GMT

#1075

On July 19 2013 00:43 Ace wrote:
Sigh. Could have been a 3 peat. Poor KG.

You can blame that on Metta World Peace on Derek Fisher too

.

But yea, I'm going to agree with Ace and Holcan here. Put a healthy KG in the 2009 ECF and the Magic don't go to the finals. Boston took them to a game 6 without him, with him they would've probably beaten them in 5 or 6.

karazax

United States3737 Posts

July 18 2013 20:25 GMT

#1076

Rockets are having a voluntary mini-training camp in LA this week to start getting used to playing together:

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/chemistry-lesson

a176

Canada6688 Posts

July 19 2013 00:02 GMT

#1077

lakers resign farmar

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

July 19 2013 15:26 GMT

#1078

Woj reports the Clips are close to signing Byron Mullens. Not bad, I actually kind of wanted him to sign with the Lakers (would be good in DAntoni system).

Maybe it means they won't resign Odom though.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 19 2013 15:28 GMT

#1079

heh interesting. Isn't Mullens a stretch 4 too?

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

July 19 2013 15:44 GMT

#1080

Yup, he shot like 3 to 4 threes per game last season (only know b/c he was on my fantasy) haha. Not that great %'s either, but should have better looks away from the Bobcats and with CP3, while being a year more experienced. He was putting up decent numbers (pts/rbs/blk) at beginning of last season before he got injured.

Might not play much but an interesting signing if it happens. Kind of like an x-factor. It could be really good if it goes well, or it could just be not much at all.