Has anyone noticed a difference from last year and this year? The opposing centers still bully him around and he doesn't have that aggressiveness that we thought would change this year. Does he have to be on steroids?
As much as Yao gets "out physicaled" (is that a word?), I wouldnt want to see him add any more upper body mass. IMO, he has a hard enough time getting up/down and around due to the bulk he already has.
total agree. he's gained a lot muscle compare to last season and that doesn't help at all in terms of improving his quickness. if any effect i think it slows him down. i'd rather see him working on improving his quickness and positioning.
You can be lean and mean like KG and still can dominate and put the fear in apponents minds. I think 310-320 is Yao optimum weight. Yao already have the physical tool and fundamental skills. Yao is already the second heaviest player in the NBA behind Shaq but he embrassingly get pushed by player much smaller, lighter and shorter than him. What Yao need is ATTITUDE! If he's getting bigger and still play timid and soft he's nothing but a biggest marshmallow ever to play in the NBA.
He could still add some more muscle. Not like it'll ever happen but if he got a barrel chest like Shaq or Zach Randolph, Yao would have all the separation he needs to get an open look that won't get stuffed in his face. But most of all, he still has poor footwork. He still falls on his ass at the slightest breeze because of his poor footwoork. He still lacks lateral quickness which may never improve dramatically but enough to keep his defender in front of him the majority of the time. He needs attitude yes I agree, but as much as Yao is praised for being so fundamentally sound, he still lacks in other fundamental categories such as good footwork, and positioning. And while he does still need to work on his footwork, it's not as though he's a weakling stick figure. He's big enough still that no one, not even Shaq should be able to bully him around, but he still doesn't know how to use his body well. If he could ever learn how to seal his defender and keep him sealed. He could have a layup session (not dunk because it's gotta be one step at a time before he starts dunking ). Shaq gets a lot of his points because he hustles down the court before his defender can push him out of the paint. If Yao's conditioning would permit him to rush down the floor faster then his defender, he'd get a lot of easy points. Easy points that the Rockets don't get, but desperately need.
agreed....now what the hell is Ewing doing? Whenever I see him on the bench it looks as though the dude is daydreaming. Bring in a real freaking big man coach.
Yao Ming will be and is a Finesse Center. He is the wrong body type to be the Banger Power Center that most Traditional Fans would like to see him be. He will never be a Shaq or an Hakeem but he will be a Yao Ming. Expect him to get stronger and more detertmined but dont expect his agression to become anything that is alien to his culture.This is Yao Ming and we should adapt our thinking to the reality that is him.
I have watched him time and time again try to back in people toward the basket, and he always has to resort to a fadeaway or has to pass out. What the hell is Ewing teaching him?
Ewing's specialty was a fadeaway jumper. Moses Malone teaching him would of been nice. I'd like to see someone who had a good hook shot work with Yao on that. That shot could be unstoppable if he used it more often.
I thin kYao has the strength to play aggressive, but whem he does, it affects his jumper, so he's laying off that a bit. The guy is solid, he's at his optimum weight. He just needs to get more toned up, and add a little more spring to his step. In terms of strength, I think Yao can outmuscle pretty much anyone but Shaq right now. The will to do so, however, is not there.
People keep talking about adding more weight to his upper body, but I think that will affect his FTs. He needs to find his own niche. Be it hook shot, jumper or left hand dunk.....
If adding weight will improve his game and lower his FT% then so be it. Two of the most dominant players in the game in Tim Duncan and Shaq aren't exactly good FT shooters. I'd be willing to sacrifice a few missed FTs if it means Yao's game is taken to the next level.
I just don't see any dominance in his game....not yet. There is no fire in his eyes or anger in his motion. It's like he's just out there....
Elbows, nails, all of those dirty tricks....Yao needs them! I don't know what the heck is Ewing doing. shoud have hired Bill Lambier instead. He's slow, can't jump but always got position in the paint. Got love for the dirtiness.
its got nothing to do with weight or body type. it has everything to do with being aggressive. yao isnt on a regular basis. he is more so than he was last year, but he still has a long way to go. if yall notice whenever yao takes charge during the games he has no problems with others overpowering him. it has to be a decision he makes to take control all the time. thats it and he can do it and he will do it.
If Boykins can bench 300 lbs, Yao better get in the weight room. He better stop with this offseason basketball in China stuff, and build up muscle mass which takes the entire offseason if done properly. Yao needs put on more muscle to withstand more physical pressure.
His upperbody strength is zero now. He's Shawn Bradley up top. He's getting an elbow in the back from guys who are much stronger than he is.