How will Yao fit in with our current group?

[meh]

A question for some of the more knowledgeable basketball fans out there. Can Yao fit into our current style of play? Or does Adelman have to make further adjustment next year, and we'll see a different type of team?

In every single year since Yao has been on the team, the Rockets have played at a snail-crawl pace. This was true under Rudy, under JVG, and under Adelman. We were always in the bottom half when it comes to pacing. But with the acquisition of Kevin Martin, Adelman has upped the speed to ridiculous levels. We're nearly approaching Denver/Phoenix/GS level of pacing. Since the trade, I'd venture to guess we're easily top 5 in terms of pace.

Given Yao's injuries and his history of injuries, I'm sure it's much more likely that Adelman tries to fit Yao into our current scheme, than the other way around. So any ideas how he can do that? I was too young to watch basketball during the 80s Kareem Lakers days (the most often cited example of stiff big man fitting into a running team). But in the 90s and 00s, I have yet to see something similar.

[DaDakota]

Think Kareem Abdul Jabbar with Magic Johnson, rebound - outlet pass - fast break - if it is not there pull it out and wait for the big fella to get to the block.

Also, I think Yao should be more at the high post using his height to make that pass to back door cutters.

And if he can work on his 3 ball, well.....

I think he fits fine.

DD

[cjtaylorpt]

Originally Posted by DaDakota Think Kareem Abdul Jabbar with Magic Johnson, rebound - outlet pass - fast break - if it is not there pull it out and wait for the big fella to get to the block. DD

One problem, we need a Magic Johnson on our team. :P

[redao]

no.

Yao will fit Yao's offense after he comes back. Adelman will design the play according to Yao's strength. BTW, the current offense is nothing really special.

[Rocket94-95]

when yao plays, we go with a slow pace or half court set, when yao sits, we go with a small lineup and play a fast paced game like we currenlty are with scola at center, ariza at the 4, batier at the 5

[srrm]

Originally Posted by DaDakota Think Kareem Abdul Jabbar with Magic Johnson, rebound - outlet pass - fast break - if it is not there pull it out and wait for the big fella to get to the block. Also, I think Yao should be more at the high post using his height to make that pass to back door cutters. And if he can work on his 3 ball, well..... I think he fits fine. DD

I remember his passes to Scola last season, but man, what a crappy role to relegate a premier low post scorer to.
Obviously I understand that this would not be his only purpose, but still.

I agree with it for the most part though. Yao's outlet pass runs the fast break, and if it's not there, then Yao is, and he can run help either a pick and pop, or if there's enough time, he can get into the low post.

Clearly the closer he is to the basket, the higher percentage shot that Yao has, and we certainly don't want to waste/heavily underuse his awesome hook shot.

I imagine Yao's inside presence, and Brooks+Martin on the perimeter making shots or driving and getting fouled, will be most useful in the playoffs, when our fast break will be less effective.

[Hayden_SFC]

I don't think you force Yao to far out of his comfort zone. Let him play the game he has always played. Yao has said himself that he has a hard time running up and down the court during the all-star game. Now before anyone verbally attacks me, I know, the Rockets running game is nowhere near on par with that of the AS game. For me it starts inside and works it's way out if nothing is there. And when Yao is sitting, then the Rockets can push the ball like they have this season. Hell, they can do it when Yao is in the game, you don't have to have all 5 guys on the break. And most importantly hopefully Yao restores a defensive identity with this team. Our defense has sucked throughout a lot of this season, and hopefully we get back to being a balanced team...and not one of run and gun.

[ASidd_1990]

Originally Posted by cjtaylorpt One problem, we need a Magic Johnson on our team. :P

LeBron James?

Git R' Done Morey!

[meh]

Originally Posted by DaDakota Think Kareem Abdul Jabbar with Magic Johnson, rebound - outlet pass - fast break - if it is not there pull it out and wait for the big fella to get to the block. Also, I think Yao should be more at the high post using his height to make that pass to back door cutters. And if he can work on his 3 ball, well..... I think he fits fine. DD

Didn't we try Yao on the high post before, and he failed? If Yao can play Divac's old role a bit, it would definitely be awesome. But I'm uncertain he's capable of that. JVG has turned Yao pretty one-dimensional.

Originally Posted by redao no. Yao will fit Yao's offense after he comes back. Adelman will design the play according to Yao's strength. BTW, the current offense is nothing really special.

No, it's not special. But it does play to our roster's strength. If we go back to the old offense where every play goes through Yao in the low blocks, I'm not sure Brooks/Scola/Martin will be able to play up to their potential.

Will you fit your system for one player? Or the rest of the roster? Right now, the only IMO worthy of being centered on is Lebron. Yao is nowhere close.

[RV6]

Any tall center with a shooting touch, post game, the ability to get 10 boards and 2 blocks, and with some common sense would fit in any system.

[RV6]

Originally Posted by meh Didn't we try Yao on the high post before, and he failed? If Yao can play Divac's old role a bit, it would definitely be awesome. But I'm uncertain he's capable of that. JVG has turned Yao pretty one-dimensional.

this isnt the same team as when yao tried the high post. This team is alot more versatile with better scorers, shooters and more athleticism.

It works out fine. We dont want Yao having to carry the team anymore. He gets to share the wealth more and pick his spots. Still plays the same role defensively. No problemo

[bloop]

adding Yao back to the team adds versatility back to RA's offense.

they will start each game establishing Yao but the 2nd until will be run and gun, disrupting the flow of the game.

as someone posted, Rocket's offense aint nothing special. think about our guys... scola, lowry, battier, bud those guys are getting their points from hustle, it's not like establishing Yao is going to somehow disrupt this beautiful thing we have on offense.

brooks obviously is going to have to change. Martin will also adjust his game but from past seasons this is something Martin also does comfortably... cutting to the basket, pick and rolls, catch and shoot etc.

adding Yao is going to add offensive facets to this team so no obviously Houston is not going to be "the same" they'll be better

[DaDakota]

Not to mention Yao will probably be a high end role player next year as the team eases him back from foot reconstruction.

DD

[Yao4REAL]

Why wouldn't Yao fit in?? This team will dominate even if Yao didn't contribute offensively. Yao just have to make his presence fell defensively.

But i think the coaches should design different type of plays for Yao. I don't like using him for pick n roll...it doesn't seem to work at all since Yao is kind of slow moving to the basket. So i rather see someone like Scola doing pick and roll and let Yao rest in the post. Do you ever see Yao pick n roll with Brooks and seeing Brooks pass him the ball for a dunk...ect..? Never.

This team now have so many weapons that they don't have to rely on Yao as much as they used to be. They can go to Brooks pick and roll or Martin one on one. And if Ariza is starting...you have all 3 perimeter guys that can attack the basket. Last year....you pretty much have only 2 options....either going to Yao (which usually being fronted) or pick n roll with Brooks. They would go to Artest but they hardly used him in the post. So next year is going to be different because having all 3 guys attacking the basket and all 3 can absolutely make you pay for leaving them wide open...it makes the team that much harder to guard and i think it makes HUGE different than last year's lineup. Artest suck at shooting 3 last year and Battier is reduced to just stand and shoot..can't attack the basket at all. So our options is somewhat limited.

[the_hustler]

We all know that he pwns all opposing team centers if they play him 1-on-1 .

if he is fronted or double teamed, i dont see too much of a problem next year unlike the Ron-ron season. we have a very versatile offensive line up

Yao
Scola / PF from draft / Bosh :D
Ariza (I think Battier will be traded.. anyway he is a bench guy now)
Martin
Brooks

so.. Yao will have a lot of room to operate .

he will fit in perfectly. I dont think he needs to be the high post unless he wants to save his legs/body..

[devilsdandruff]

if Yao's healthy. he'll fit.

[apollo33]

adding Yao can only help our half court offence. A lot times this year we see our half court offence get stuck with brooks running around running down the shot clock.

with Yao back, at least when offence is stagnant, we can feed him low post and let him do his thing

I think that if Yao is coming back next year, our team will be a lot better compared to the team in 08-09. In 08-09 it was pretty much a Yao or nothing offence, next year we will be able to score with or without him

[MD_in_Training]

We'll probably mix it up between fast and slow pace. All the legit teams in the league are good at both.

[iconoclastic]

Originally Posted by Yao4REAL Artest suck at shooting 3 last year

He shot 40% from 3 last year, making 2.2 three pointers per game out of 5.6 three point attempts.

[LCII]

We'll play Yao based on what the defense gives us. If they dont double Yao, we pound the ball down low and watch Yao shoot hooks and jumpers over his defender with ease. If they front or double Yao, we go to Martin, Brooks, and Scola.