Here is my opinion of Yao's offensive moves (shooting only): Up and Under - (B+) - I don't know how, but the one time a game he uses it, it always goes in. No explanation here. Too bad we don't see it more often. Baseline - (A-) Yao seems to have this move down faster than anything else. He can catch guys off balance and then actually dunk it from behind the backboard, which is something no one else can do. Turnaround Jumper - (F) Although he makes this shot against some opponents, it is a shot that gets rejected on a high percentage by others and sometimes doesn't even have a chance when he is bumped by stronger players. Basically, it isn't going to work against Shaq until he is stronger, and it only goes in at a poor percentage right now. Wish he didn't go to it so often. Hook Shot - (B-) This shot seems easier for him to get off against larger opponents than others in the low post, but he doesn't decide quickly enough to go for it most of the time. Just a technique thing in my opinion until this shot becomes reliable and high percentage. Jump Shot - (A) Yao can really knock them down and rarely gets challenged. Wish he was positioned to take more of these.
you rate his jump shot an A and I agree. Wish they could do more pick and pops. They did this in the beginning of the last game. I have a really good feeling if the Rockets go to this, it'd be lethal as most teams like to double team the dribbler and IF the dribbler passed it to Yao (big target), he'd be in position to drain these....I know it's JVG's belief that Yao needs to establish deep post position and this is where he belongs but from time to time, let Yao make his opponent unsure of himself with pick and pops...
I agree, why not use Yao's range? Once he makes a few it will open up the lane significantly. I think that eventually we'll see more of this, but right now JVG and Rox are really focusing and concentrating on developing a nasty postup repertoire for Yao at this point. Can't say I really fault the logic there, because the post game is where Yao needs the most work.
You rated his go-to, favorite, shot that he gets off and makes consitently an F? While rating the hook that has terrible form and only been used effectively once this season a B-? It could and should be an A but he seemingly never works on or uses it in games so you cant trash his turnaroung J which works most out of all the moves and rate one of his weakest shots a B-. Agree with the rest though
I would give his jump shot an A and everything else a B- or less. The up and under is not used much, but the few times he does use it, he ends up taking a very awkward looking shot. He doesn't perform the move as fluidly as I would like. The baseline move I hardly see any more basically because the defense is defending it better. Also because the refs are not letting him get away with hooking the defender any more. The turnaround jumper is my least favorite shot of his. He either ends up taking a highly contested shot or he gets the shot blocked. He'll make it on occassion just because he's taken the shot so much a few are bound to go down. His hook shot has been horrible. He's the only player I've ever seen that actually fades away while shooting a hook shot. Some of the hooks shots I've seen have just been completely wild looking prayer shots. You'd think at 7'6, it would be difficult to contest his hook shot, but it isn't. Overall, his back to the basket game has not developed the way I thought it would, especially his hook shot. I'd say most of the damage he does on offense is from putbacks from offensive rebounds, dishes from his teammates, or just catching the defense off guard.
Yao's three has form. He definitely should do it more often. Who's going to guard him at the 3-line? I would rather have Yao take the three than moochie.
if yao takes a three, no one's gonna rebound if he misses though... --if only he can hit a 80% percentage from down town...
Turnaround fade-away jumper in the lane: D-. He rarely make these and his shots get blocked too often. Baseline spin-fade-away turnaround jumper: B. He makes these pretty consistent and no one can block this shot. But there is no chance of an offensive rebound for a 2nd shot. Hook shot - D. He looks awkward and unnatural taking these shots (especially when he fade away.) If he can get this to an A, he's going to be unstoppable. I agree with everything else.
rep·er·toire (from old french) 1. The stock of songs, plays, operas, readings, or other pieces that a player or company is prepared to perform. 2. The class of compositions in a genre: has excellent command of the chanteuse repertoire. 3. The range or number of skills, aptitudes, or special accomplishments of a particular person or group.
I should probably take a look at the hook a little better... everyone seems to rate that a little lower. BUT, I have to stand firm on the turnaround jumper. Yao may make some of these on certain nights against smallish or weak centers, but it is only promoting false confidence because it isn't going to be there when we most need it. Yao constantly looks off balance when he takes these. -He gets blocked too often. He can't get enough spring out of the vertical leap or fallaway to separate enough from the defender. -He is constantly off balance when he is taking the shot. Strong centers don't even flinch when he bumps them prior to leaping. It usually knocks Yao out of position more than separating him from his defender. The reason I think he should move away from this shot is because the problem doesn't seem to be a mechanical or technical problem. It seems to be a strength and power problem. Yao isn't going to get stronger until he has a chance to work out over the summer.
I agree. The reason the shots were off because he was fouled off balance without a favourite call most of the time. This shot usually fell for him during international tournaments. You could blame the ref for that; but that is the real life in NBA. He should not take that shot often until he gets stronger to resist those fouls.
