Sorry if this has been posted before Check out this quote from YM on NBA.com post game comments from the Nuggets game: "Evaluating this season I think I could do better. I don't think that I have technically improved that much, but I think that I have a better feel for the NBA game." Doesn't this prove the point that some have made about our coaches not teaching our players anything and the players not getting better under our current coaches? Maybe YM is kidding but how can one not technically improve after a year playing in the NBA, especially coming from China? Didn't our coaches teach him anything? Its hard to believe that YM's game did not improve that much this year, unless of course the ones doing the teaching are from the current Rockets coaching staff. Its really time to bring in someone who can teach these players a thing or two about basketball.
Sorry, but I find this a self-deprecating comment from the self-effacing Yao Ming. I don't put much stock in its significance. (A big man coach and a guard coach sounds like sensible additions to this staff, tho!!!)
His biggest weaknesses are strength, stamina and intensity. Those are issues he'll have to work on by himself. He'll learn the nuances as he gains experience.
I think perhaps it's a sign that the Rockets were asking Yao to play to his strengths, and not try to go out there and do too much. It's a good way to play your rookie season. However, I do think it wouldn't hurt for him to work on his low post moves and decision-making a little bit.
He doesn't necessarily need more strength like everyone says, but he does need to learn how to use what he has and be more aggressive. That is Yao's single biggest weakness...lack of aggressiveness and not lack of strength. He may not be He-Man but the guy weighs over 300 lbs. You'd think since he weighs that much and has a lower body as big as his then he would be able to back people down better, but he doesn't because of aggressiveness. I am rambling and I will shutup now.
Sounds to me like he is talking about things like his post moves and outside shot. He hasn't improved much in technical skill areas, which is understandable for a rookie in the NBA. It took Hakeem a long time to master his jump hook.
Damn, some people on this board act like English Lit professors the way they interpret quotes... I don't think many coaches can teach him how to slam the ball when he's standing two feet from the basket...
He is also speaking of October-to-May. Players are so wrapped up in the day-to-day business of practice, preparation, and playing games that there simply isn't time to "technically improve." That is what the offseason is for. (Unless, of course, you are traveling back to China and spending three months practicing for a two-week tournament )
LMAO! we need yao to throw a few tysonisms around. i can't imagine how funny it would be coming from him. maybe a "my style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable" every once in a while. or the above quote before every yao-shaq game. come on yao, be like mike.
It indicates to me that he didnt get what he was expecting- technical coaching. Of course there isnt anyone on the Rockets Coaching Staff that could help. This is where Moses Malone will come in, if the Rox ever see the light!
Behind every joke, there is a little bit of truth. Has Yao Ming really improved since the beginning of the season? It seems as if opponents are still able to steal the ball away from him on a regular basis. Aren't there some simple strategies that can alleviate this problem? I don't get to watch the games, but YM from November to YM in April - has his fundamentals improved? Only judging by the games that are shown on national tv, YM seems to be now caught up in this ISO crap like the rest of the team. This doesn't not look like an improvement to me.
Okay smartass, notice how I posed a question in that last comment to those who have watched the games on a consistent basis? Reading comments on this board and watching highlights unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) is the closest that I can come to watching the games. From what I can tell, it doesn't seem as if YM has improved if people are still stripping the ball from him on a consistent basis, or if he seems to be relying on fadeway jumpers most of the time.
