The Vintage Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month came to
national prominence in college basketball’s “Game of the Century” and then won
an NBA title while becoming one of the top players in league history.
A three-time college basketball All-American at the University of Houston, Elvin Hayes helped lead the Cougars to three straight NCAA Tournaments and a pair of Final Fours.
Carmelo Anthony will join the “Houston” squad soon. Before that, the player has had a reputation of being a star and now is playing for “Atlanta”. However, the club intends to expel Carmelo and even pay him a fee in advance. Then, the player will pass into the withdrawal domain where he can sign a contract with “Houston”. With it, the club offers him a minimum wage, 2.4 million dollars.
In the last season, team fans were very nervous about “Rockets” having some problems at the tournament. However, they’ll seem to be a trifle after the transfer of Carmelo.
You can follow the results of “Houston Rockets” on the broadcasting platform that presents all main basketball events.
New Challenges for the Team
After the transfer of Carmelo, the level of playing will be impacted by the following factors:
1. The last season was quite successful for “Houston”. D’Antoni has especially shown himself from the best side and achieved good results. To understand the problem, remember what happened to “Knicks”. So, the club signed a contract with D’Antoni but broke it because of Carmelo who made it choose between him and the new player. Obviously, these men’s relationship will be quite complex.
2. Another problem is how to find some space for Anthony among the famous “Rockets” Five. Carmelo isn’t going to show the game and leave the bench and wants to be a first-stringer. Read the rest of this entry →
In a perfect world he would have played another five years and be best remembered for having a Dirk Nowitzki –like moment where he put the Houston Rockets on his back and carried them to an NBA title. However, that was not the destiny for the NBA’s first Chinese superstar as fragile feet proved to be too much for Yao Ming to overcome.
Now that he has officially retired from the NBA after missing 250 games over the last six seasons, we are left to wonder what might have been had Ming’s body allowed him to live up to his full potential.
Unlike fellow NBA top pick Greg Odom, whose entire NBA career has been marred by injuries, we were able to get a glimpse of the talents of the 7-foot-6 Yao Ming during his first three seasons in the league.
After being the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets in 2002, Ming played in 244 of 246 games during his first three NBA seasons. During that time, his production continued to increase from 13.5 points as a rookie to 17.5 in his second year and 18.3 during his third season.
His first battle with an injury occurred during the 2005-2006 season when Ming developed osteomyelitis in his big toe and missed 25 games. However, he quickly recovered from the injury and had his finest season to-date with averages of 22.3 points and 10.4 rebounds.
The Chinese born player was also becoming the NBA’s biggest global superstar and one of its most popular players. He was named to the NBA All-Star team every year between 2003 and 2009 and often received the most All-Star votes of any player. Read the rest of this entry →
Louie Dampier’s name might not resonate as widely as other basketball legends, but the Sports Then & Now Vintage Athlete of the Month’s impact on the game, particularly during the American Basketball Association (ABA) era, is undeniable. Known for his pinpoint shooting, exceptional ball handling, and relentless work ethic, Dampier enjoyed a stellar basketball career that saw him thrive in both the ABA and NBA. As one of the most consistent and prolific guards of his time, Dampier left a lasting legacy, and his role in the ABA’s history solidified his place in the annals of basketball greatness.