Will the 82 game sked do in the Ming Dynasty?

IS THIS THE MING DYNASTY?
Only if Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley refrain from jacking shots like they did last year. Otherwise, Yao Ming might never touch the ball after the opening tip. Rudy T hopes to take advantage of Ming's diverse repertoire with a motion offense that spreads shots around. Good luck. The Rockets should improve on 28 wins. But only a cockeyed optimist could say Houston's glass is half full, which is what Ming's pockets will be after the Chinese government takes its cut.

STARTING FIVE
A top five center by default, the rail-thin Ming must prove he's durable. A top seven pick in 2001, Griffin must prove his shot (36.6%) is curable.

Midwest Division

1. Mavericks

2. Spurs

3. T-Wolves

4. Jazz

5. Rockets

6. Grizzlies

7. Nuggets

Scouting Report Index

Kenny Thomas, PF: Shooting jumped from 39.9% to 47.8% in 3 years
Eddie Griffin, SF: NHL netting should be installed when he lets fly
Yao Ming, C: Greatest thing since Rik Smits? That would be a good start
Cuttino Mobley, SG: 1,358 shots last year, but who's counting?
Steve Francis, PG: 3.88 turnovers per game, but who's counting?

BENCH
Bostjan Nachbar, an emerging star in Europe, could grab Griffin's spot. Glen Rice, Kelvin Cato and Maurice Taylor are on the mend.

GLOBAL VIEW
Ming (China) shot 75.3% at Worlds,
but had 3.6 TOs per game.

FREEWHEELIN' WITH WALTON
Where are the brutes to protect the big guy? Not Taylor and Griffin.

This article will appear in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.