Why was everyone optimistic that the Yao Mai combination could win the championship?
First, because of the "lessons of the past", Kobe Bryant and O'Neal can win three championships in a noisy way, and Yao Mai can get at least one championship no matter how he looks at it!
Although Bryant already had three championship rings on his hand at the time, everyone thought maddy's personal offensive ability was stronger, after all, Maddy had already won two scoring kings before joining the Rockets.
Maddy averaged 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the 02/03 season, shooting 41.7% and 33.9% from three-point range. (Season Leading Scorer)
Maddy averaged 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the 03/04 season, shooting 45.7% and 38.6% from three-point range. (Season Leading Scorer)
Bryant averaged 30 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in the 02/03 season, shooting 45.1% and 38.3% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range.
Kobe Bryant averaged 24 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the 03/04 season, shooting 43.8% and 32.7% from three-point range.
After the 05/06 season, Yao Ming can be said to be the most offensive center in the NBA, and there is no one.
Yao Ming averaged 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the 05/06 season, shooting 51.9% from the field. (O'Neal averaging 20 points per game)
Yao Ming averaged 25 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in the 06/07 season, shooting 51.6% from the field. (O'Neal averaging 17.3 points per game)
Yao Ming averaged 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in the 07/08 season, shooting 50.7% from the field. (O'Neal averaging 14.2 points per game)
Yao Ming averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in the 08/09 season, shooting 54.8% from the field. (O'Neal averaging 12.9 points per game)
Although the Rockets replaced two coaches with completely different technical and tactical concepts (Adelman and Van Gundy) during the Yao Mai period, the team's regular season record has remained very stable!
In the 04/05 season, the Rockets won 51 and lost 31, fifth in the West.
In the 05/06 season, Yao Mai was seriously injured, and the Rockets failed to reach the top eight in the West.
In the 06/07 season, he won 52 and lost 30, fifth in the West.
In the 07/08 season, it was 55 wins and 27 losses, fifth in the West.
In the 08/09 season, it was 53 wins and 29 losses, fifth in the West.
★ Van Gundy Jr. is a defensive coach, Adelman is good at attacking, and It is really rare that Yao Mai can maintain a stable record under two very different coaches.
【Personal Opinion】
1. The 08/09 season is the worst pity for the Rockets.
2. If Maddy and Yao Ming can stay healthy in the 08/09 season, the Rockets with Yao Ming, Maddy and Artest as the core may not have a chance to defeat the Lakers led by Kobe.
3, the opponent of the Rockets will be the Magic team led by The Magic, this finalS I personally think the Rockets have a 70% chance of winning the championship.