Wang Meng: Yao Ming's New Assignment From Rick Adelman

I think this is a terrific change worth exploring. One of Yao's weaknesses is his habit of turning the ball over. JVG emphasized a low post game where it's back-it-down over and over again. Any more than two dribbles and Yao was swarmed, having to pass it out for a perimeter shot or a reset. We rarely had cutters, Yao's game was very predictable. Moving Yao out to the high post from time to time will cut down those turnovers by cutting down the dribbles, as well as opening up the middle for others.

Yao's not the only one that can finish inside. Tmac himself said he was looking forward to plays being created for him. The only easy one he's had in the last three years was that backdoor oop that teams could easily scout. We need to make things easier on him too. A number of players on our squad have good post games that we can utilize. Bonzi destroyed the spurs two year ago because Brad Miller could give him space. Maybe we can let Yao and Bonzi take turns, as opposed to Yao facing Duncan each time.

The point is that we have options. RA himself said he'd see what worked and what didn't and make adjustments from there. If Yao's not that great a playmaker, expect to see him on low block again. I just don't know why people are shooting down the idea before seeing it in action.

 

adelman has said in the past he's not going to remove yao from the low post just add to his game to make him more flexible in different situations. these interviews read more like he wants to make him a point-center which would be ridiculous.

i'm just going to assume he plans on keeping the most dominant low post player on the planet, in the low block as much as possible.

 

If Yao is now "the old man", then what the hell is Mutombo?