Possibly this post could go into one of the myriad of other threads about Yao, but I think, before we actualyl get to see him play in the states, it would be interesting to seriously gauge reaction to Yao's new attitude. If you didn't believe it before, available video clips now prove it - the big guy is not only bringing his game, but bringing a aggresiveness that he didn't even come close to showing last season. Question: Why is this? I'd be interested to hear from some long time Yao followers. Is this how he has always played in Asia? Perhaps, and I wouldn't put this past Yao, he was just sitting back, learning the ropes, not letting his 100% aggresive style come out in his first year here last season (although keep in mind we did see it once against Theo Ratliff). On the other hand, Yao may be using techniques learned over here and applying it against somewhat easier competition in dominating fashion. If this is the case, then the arguments of hundreds of posters on this board may be thrown out the window - the argument that Yao (and the Rockets game) suffers from his offseason absence. On the contrary, I don't see Yao learning to play this aggressively by working out in the states over the summer. I think the pride he has in his Chinese team combined with his ability to use a newfound aggresiveness against the Asian competition put Yao in a position to develope an aggressiveness he wouldn't have over here in pickup games at Westside. Conditioning aside, Yao's return to China may be the best thing to ever happen to his basketball game. Will Yao's new attitude join him in Houston? I hope so.
China and Korea are long-time rivalry, and China lost to Korea in the last Asian Olympics Games. Chinese national team is a stronger team obviously, but Korea can be very annoying with crazy 3 pointers in every match against China. This match against Korea was so crucial to both teams, as it would decide who would get the only ticket for asian teams for the Athens Olympic Games. And for China it was also a chance for revenge. These are the main reason why Yao seemed so agressive, I believe. He wanted to send a clear message to Korea-'We are the best in Asia'. But even with the spectacular performance by Yao, China only won with a small margin. But on the other hand, it seems to me Yao did improved himself with 1 year experience in NBA. He becomes more confident, and as a reslut, he looks more dominant. Hope he will also show his progress in NBA this season.
I hope he keeps it up, but I think a lot of the aggressiveness was due to really wanting China to get into the Olympics and really wanted to take revenge against South Korea. He hates them! I hope he doesn't become a shrinking violet in the NBA. On the other hand, a lot of those moves wouldn't have worked over here either. Some of those dunks would have been stripped right out of his hands.
I talk alot of trash too when I am playing against younger, smaller, and weaker opponents, (Asia for yao), but when I play people who are just as good as me or better, I tend to shy away, become more passive, and try to pass more than shoot (Yao in NBA), you watch, it will not be Yao's "new" attitude that improves his game, it will be a more efficient offense that will give him the ball in places where a 7'5" guy can just drop it in the basket.
Yao wasn't only mean against the Koreans. He was mean against other opponents earlier. Particularly those tried to be physical with him. And no, Yao was a finesse player before coming to the NBA. I think it's a matter of three things - the offseason digestion of NBA rookie experience,banging against inferior competition, and added body control plus explosiveness from bulking up. Yao said he thought that the best player is the one who uses his brain and skills to the fullest extent, but after playing against Shaq, he has to add BODY beside smartness and skills. So I think Yao being a smart guy decided his new found approach to basketball to be physical, then bulked up, and gained confidence as well as aggressiveness through banging against inferior competition.
Not sure if it's relevent, but Yao said before the Asian Championship that nobody else stands a chance against China. If I remember correctly he said they will "destory" whoever they meet
JayZ750 (Kawasaki Z750?), Great question. I wondered this myself. The one thing I figured would happen would be that as Yao spends more time in the NBA he will just go back to Asia a dominate at a greater extent. This is just the beginning. As far as the recent games he's played, well. The posters above pointed out a lot of good reasons for this increased aggression. But I do remember that Yao said that during the Japan (?) game, that they were playing dirty and he wanted to teach them a lesson. He didn't appreciate the "cheating." So, he let them have it. Since then, who knows? Maybe his coach said that he liked what he saw in the Japan game and wanted him to play that way the rest of the tournament. As far as playing that way this year in the NBA. During his first season he was quoted as saying that he doesn't like to "dunk" or "show aggressiveness" due to being in a new country and it's not in his nature to "take over a game." He said time and time again that he was a "team player first." I think he was "passive" mostly because he was trying to be courteous. Also, he just didn't know how grueling and rigorous the NBA could be. I think he knows by now that if he doesn't bring the aggression in the NBA he'll get eaten alive. So, we should see a more aggressive Yao. Plus, he knows that what his teammates, US fans, and coaches want. It's not "rude" to dunk on someone, it's EXPECTED! Lastly, is his comments about his arm strength. He said that he forearm strength has improved. This allows for better ball control and the ability to dunk over people without it getting knocked out his hands. The thing that I want to see is his ability to back down centers and forwards in the NBA that lean on his back with their forearms. Yao used to have a lot of trouble backing down stronger players. He had a weak lower-back and stomach. Shoulders too. Let's hope we see the athletic improvement too. So, bring you "A Game" Yao!
From what I understand about Yao, it's probably a conscious part of a comprehensive self-evaluation process. I think he looked at how he did and didn't meet with success, and also took a page from Shaq, for whom he obviously has great respect. Consider his gained weight and strength...add to that the much increased assertivness on offence, and I think it's all part of a decision about which kind of player he wants to be...not that he'll decrease the skills, but I think he's concentrating on the physical aspect right now. I watched a lot of the Asian games, and the American boadcasters were saying that Yao's attitude,style and increased power had them convinced that he was going to explode this year...they were using terms like he was going to " dominate", etc. I'm very excited, myself.
I've seen a couple of clips from the asian game and I've notice that Yao loves to get bang in the inside before he shoots the ball. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS IN THE U.S.!
Yao better explodes this year and dominates the nba with his new attitude.. I just picked him with my first pick in fantasy nba draft. It will make me look bad if he turns out to be a bust.
Well, said MacBeth! Yes, Yao can afford to concentrate on his physically part. He's already done his homework on in the "skills knowledge" department. Now on to the physical aspect of the game.
Man you guys were fooled last season. Yao ming has always been a cocky dude. Even before joining the NBA he was always very confident and had the reputation of a bragger. I remember asking my cousin in China about Yao and the first thing he said was he was too cocky and compared him to Kobe. Well, even last season, the way he talked to the Chinese media and the US media sounded like it was from 2 different people.
I heard the same thing from other Chinese posters on this BBS. Yao was just being polite, being in a new country.
Polite?? You don't know what he's been learning in NBA !! This is from his official BBS, YAO's very own words: ÀÏ·¶ÎÊÎÒ£º×îÄÑÌýµÄÓ¢Îĵ¥´ÊÊÇʲô£¿ Fan Bin( Yao's NT team mate): What's the bad word in English? Îҽʾ¡ÄÔÖ_ÏëÁËÒ»»á˵£º¡¤#£¤%%%¡£ Yao: m*th*f**ker ? ÀÏ·¶²Ù×Åɽ¶«Î¶µÄÒô¶ÔÄÇС×ÓÂîÁË Yao was heard yelling "fvck!" on Chinese national television after dunking. PS: this happend during the match vs Korea.
I was talking about last year in the NBA. Looks like we are getting to know the "real" Yao. Hey! Let's get ready to rumble!
