Finch Has Done It Again

It's not that I'm saying Chris Finch is a miracle worker... how about we just call him a winner?

GB Men Poised to Take Highest Seed for Eurobasket 2011

Finch Believes GB Should be at 2012

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Congratulations as well to Boston University's own Rachael Vanderwal for helping the Great Britain Women to qualify for Eurobasket 2011. A first place finish. Quite a turnaround for GB.

Looks Like Yao's Coming to the Valley

Great news came down from Toyota Center yesterday... Yao Ming is... wait for it... HEALTHY!

The Rockets' official Medical Press Release:

Yao Ming Medical Update

Rockets center Yao Ming underwent a medical evaluation by Rockets Consulting Physician Dr. Tom Clanton yesterday, which revealed that the hairline fracture in Yao’s surgically repaired left foot has fully healed. Yao has been cleared to take part in normal basketball activities with no physical limitations, but will have his minutes initially restricted for practices and games. The Rockets medical staff will continue to monitor his current training regimen with the expectation that he will be available for the start of training camp.

This has been our thought all along, but now it seems to be coming true. Yao Ming's return to the game action is on track to be October 5 at State Farm Arena against the Orlando Magic.

Jerome Solomon expects him to return to elite status.

Jonathan Feigen writes that Yao's wit is as good as ever.

I had the opportunity to stand near Yao Ming when he visited the Vipers on March 10. He's so incredibly huge. I can't wait to see him go up for a tip against Dwight Howard on the Vipers logo at center court. I thought Chuck Hayes vs. Kevin Garnett was pretty cool, but this will take the cake.

If you don't have your tickets yet, now's the time, before they're all gone!

Taylor-Made Move?

The Rockets acquired Courtney Lee yesterday. That likely puts him in the guard mix with Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin.

What does that mean for Jermaine Taylor? Minutes will likely be hard to come by for the second-year player in the NBA this season... barring injury of course. You might remember the Rockets assigned Taylor to the Vipers three times last season and had to recall him soon after each time because of injuries. Assuming health, though, I wonder if this move means Taylor is heading for some extended time with the Vipers this season.

Taylor played well for the Vipers, averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 48% from the field in eight games (four starts).

However, when given extended minutes down the stretch, Taylor showed he can compete at the NBA level. In three games from March 27-through-31, Taylor averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Of course, I'm cherry-picking. Taylor hit 3-of-11 shots in a loss to Indiana on April 4.

So, I guess what I'm saying as, Taylor has the talent, he's just a little inconsistent right now. The best way to become more consistent? Regular minutes with the Vipers.

It worked wonders for Joey Dorsey, and it helped Taylor a bit last year too. Some players just need a few games to get themselves going (see: Aaron Brooks). Others need more. I'm not sure if Taylor needs a ton of games, but, it's probably better for him that sitting on the bench.

The Vipers' home opener is November 21. Do you think Taylor will be in a Vipers uniform? Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Assume Nothing

Stanley Asumnu's been with the Vipers since the beginning. He actually was not on the opening night roster in 2007... was the last cut out of training camp, but he was added soon afterwards and he's been here ever since.

Stan's a power forward in a shooting guard's body. When he plays big, he's successful. Stan plays a lot bigger than he is. That was his game the first two years, and it worked fine.

He tried something new for the 2009-10 season: to shoot. It didn't go so well. Stan struggled for the first few months of the season, first on the court and then with getting minutes. It all turned around in March, though, when he went back to doing what had always made him a success. Tear-drops, acrobatic dunks and rebounds. He became a very important rotation player and had three key baskets in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBADL Finals to set-up The Shot Heard 'Round the Valley.

Asumnu's too small (6-5, 220) to not be able to shoot and make it to the NBA. So you know what he's doing this off-season?

By day he's an intern in the Vipers' front office. By night he's a shooter. Stan is playing in any basketball game he can find, whether they be rec. leagues or pick-up games. Sometimes he'll shoot by himself, or play a game of 21 with co-workers (such as Vipers VP of Ticket Sales and former Pro-Basketball player in India Shu Muthyala).

Stan is not ready to give up the dream (and why should he at the age of 27?)

And the best way to achieve that dream? Continue to develop in the NBA's official feeder league.

Does this mean he's coming back? Not necessarily. I don't know what Stan's plans are in that regard. If he gets a big-money offer from overseas, it might be hard to turn down. But the one thing that I have learned about Stan is that he loves it down here. He's happy, and he's still just one step from the NBA. Hard to give that up.