Has anyone ever posted this before? Not sure, but I'm sure I haven't been the only one to notice this. If Yao has such a strong low center of gravity, why does he almost constantly fall to the floor, either by reaching/fighting for a rebound or fighting for position, or chasing a gaurd around? Like in the Cav game for instance, he fell so hard on his elbow unexplicably, just by reaching for a rebound. I'm just curious why that is? Maybe the answer's obvious to others, but I have no clue on the matter.
Yao has a strong lower body, but I don't believe that anyone has ever stated that he had a low center of gravity. Unless his center of gravity is somehow located at his knees, it's pretty much impossible to be 7'6" and have a low center of gravity.
In the Cavs game his foot slipped (maybe on a wet spot) and went out from under him causing the fall. Given the non-stop Sumo wrestling he engages in, he holds his own pretty well. Balance is just tougher the taller you are - I'm 6'4" and living proof I can't imagine what it's like being 7'6". I think he'll get better as he improves his trunk and upper extremity strength. D R
Yeah sometimes he can look so graceful, and then other times he's clumsy. Guess that's all part of being 7 foot 6.
Being strong in the legs doesn't mean he had a low center of gravity. Given similar body-weight proportion, the taller the person, the higher the center of gravity. That's why an SUV tends to roll more easily compared to a sports car or a low-rider. This is the least I learnt in my Master's Degree (Engineering).
I'm glad he's so durable in those situations. I expected him to break in half. He got right back up and played. Who said he's not tough?
When Yao fell in the Cavs game, he reached far back to get the reb and all of his weight was on one foot, his right I think. That foot slipped out from under him like it was on ice, must have a been a wet spot there. Good for him hanging on to the ball and getting the time out. Yao most certainly does not have a low center of gravity. I find myself wishing all the time that he would really hunker down, really bend more at the knees and hips and get lower to the ground while fighting for position, boxing out, prepping a post move. Lowest center of gravity wins in almost all pushing contests. If he's studied any martial art (reboundin in the NBA practically is a martial art) he should know this. His legs are ridiculous- they're trees. If he'd get lower down, he could push anybody- including Shaq- anybody around.
I went to the Cavs game, and when Yao was laying on his back with the trainer stretching his leg, it looked like Yao's leg was bigger than the guy.
