The constant among playoff teams with definitive power players is they pound the ball into the post. There is a reason why Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Kenyon Martin, heck, even Pau Gasol, have led their teams in shots this postseason. It's called common sense. And then there are the Rockets, who don't seem to grasp the concept that their center is the biggest of them all. So they essentially ignored Yao Ming these past two weeks. Now they're home for the summer. Fairly brutal. The guy says dump everyone except Yao. Even Jackson! Raven
Why does anybody care what out-of-town regional sports columnists have to say about the Rockets -- these guys see fewer games than we do and don't really follow the team. Hell, if even all you did was look at a box score you would be able to tell that there was something wrong with Yao that is internal to Yao. You don't have to be a pro to see that. I love how he cites Pau Gasol as a model of postseason success....sweep?
Just goes to show that it isn't just "Yao only fans" who think this way. It's funny you guys have to use personal attacks on people just because you disagree with them. It isn't crazy to say that Yao isn't getting the ball enough. It isn't just about Yao establishing position (although he needs to improve that), it's also about figuring out where he likes the ball, getting him easy baskets, etc.
Cept i'm saying I do want Yao getting the ball, the quicker he proves my right the quicker we can get on building around a real franchise player. I've conceded that until this happens the Yao infatuation will continue. Only Yao can prove me right now, all the honus will soon be on him and the excuses YOFs use to defend him will all be gone.
If you think the problems with Yao over the past month stemmed from him "not getting the ball enough", you need to rewatch some game tapes. The funny thing is it's not the first time he has faded down the stretch...is it just that he doesn't "get the ball enough" every April? You can be a YOF, a SOF, a laker fan, whatever...the fact remains is that the same Yao Ming wasn't here in April as was here in February, and that is independent of any other player. Not acknowledging that, like the person who probably knows more about the situation than any other has: ...is a bit shortsighted.
Except at times your posts suggest that you are a Yao hater, even worse than YOFs. They at least want Yao do well which never hurt Rox. Yao on the other hand, wish Yao fail which always hurt Rox.
I'm not saying he is necessarily right, but to just say he is wrong because he is Florida is unfair, especially when you will then claim that the "Yao only" fans here in Houston are too biased. Who's opinion is valid then? Is Yao a franchise player? I am not sure. He could be the next Rik Smits but I think he is already better. But one this is for certain: I want to see what he can do with a real point guard and guys around him who know how to play the game. Only JJ and Mark Jackson at times seemed to take advantage of all of Yao's abilities. I remember one great pass Mark Jackson made to Yao on the break. That will never happen with Steve. I saw JJ playing the 2 man game with Yao perfectly. That didn't happen with Cuttino. Steve and Cuttino are good players but it is true they don't grasp how to play with a real center. As JVG said "Jim Jackson is the only guy that plays toward the basket" (or something like that).
Are you talking about the shots, or actual leader? You know why the Laker have been struggling? Because Shaq hasn't shot enough, and Bryant shot too much. Oh, Yao is no Shaq, Francis is no Bryant.
I'm not saying he's wrong because he's from Florida, but his ineptitude at characterizing the series and his inability to recognize that Yao's drop off down the stretch is not a new phenomenon, coupled with the fact that he was probably not paying attention to the Rockets any closer than you and I, and probably a good deal less, leads me to take his opinion with a significant grain of salt. As far as playing with Mark Jackson.....most of his halfcourt game consisted of backing the ball down and tossing it out to the perimeter...is that what you want to see Yao doing, standing around and watching this ? Otherwise, the primary responsibilty of a point guard with a dominant post player is dumping the ball in for an entry pass and then getting out of the way. That was performed with regularity during the Lakers series, and throughout the season by Francis and Mobley and Jackson and Nachbar and everybody else wearing red and silver. I'm not really sure what Jason Kidd or anybody would have done differently within the confines of the offensive sets that were being run. I really don't know what your talking about regarding the "2 man game" with Jim Jackson. I do know that JVG's sets quite often called for the 3 player to throw the entry pass and set up on the baseline for a three pointer in case of a double team, that's not what I would call a 2 man game. WHat I would call a 2-man game would be what Francis & Mobley regularly are able to do with Kelvin Cato (the pick & alley) yet are not able to do with Yao as he tends to float by the free throw or 3 point line rather than dive to the basket.
It is fair to say there are three factors contributing to Rocket's unsatisfactory performance in play off. 1) JVG's coaching failed to give full play to Yao Ming's advantages as a 7'-6'' center. 2) Yao Ming didn't take enough initiative. 3) The team-mates didn't give Yao Ming chances.
I was trying to be safe, in case I didn't read one or two of his posts which were not 100% bashing Yao.
It is not that Yao did not get enough touches. It is that Yao set up way too many pick n rolls. Yao is not quick enough to post after the pick and roll, how to get the ball in the post? This all comes down to the lack of Malone-type player on the Rockets. Do you see Shaq does pick n roll?
The only way to see if this is all true, Stevie and Mobley must not be on the team next year. I have no doubt this team will play better BB with them two gone. Their time here been nothing but useless basketball that got to nowhere. It's a joke since we are only 2 to 3 games better then Denver and Utah. LOL! If you people still want Stevie or Mobley around for another year of disappointment stick around. I don't believe how much just 1 1/2 game performance by Stevie all of a sudden changes peoples mind. Talking about narrow minded. Tigers don't change their freaking stripes.
You know, that is a great point about SSG. He so badly wants Yao to fail it seems, why? He's the same as guys who want SF to fail. What's the deal? Dont we want all our players to succeed? If you don't like someone personally, maybe being on a FANsite isn't the place for you to be
