I just watched the replay of the tipped pass from Steve on ESPN. Yao grabbed that ball high out of the air. The guy doesn't need to jump to get these passes. If Yao can't handle the high pass, that's a different matter. If Najera is actually jumping up high to get a hand on the pass, then it won't work.
He's leaning on Najera to keep a body on Najera to prevent Najera from getting to the ball. Najera is way too quick. The guy is like a snake. Think about a giraffe and a monkey fighting for some fruit on a tree. If the fruit is hanging down low enough to the ground, the monkey will have the advantage against the slow giraffe. Keep the fruit up high and out of reach of the monkey.
I'd have to see it to believe it. I think the smaller quicker guys can just jump up and snatch it if you try to throw it in up high. Plus if it's too high up and Yao doesn't catch it well, he'll be tipping it around in the air, and that's a turnover for sure.
Did you see the pass to Yao for the 3 point play at the end of the game? It was certainly high, but he got it. If Yao does not catch that high pass, Dallas might have won that game.
