Yao seems to have learned to turn his game on at the right time. Last season, through out the whole game, he would try to fight really hard for position(he wasn't good at it, but he would try really hard). He also would use lots of energy just running around pretty hard. Often when he is needed late in game, he already ran out of gas. Thus far in this season, it appears he has learned what all great players do. That is to turn your game up a notch late in games, while conserving energy and getting your teammates involved early in games. It's pretty clear that in first halfs of games he does not fight really hard for positions, and is not aggressive in general. In fact, I actually see him just standing around sometimes when the play does not involve him, something shaq does all the time. Starting at end of the third, he really starts to turn it up. This is what great players do. Think MJ and Shaq. I like what I see. A player of his size simply can not go full speed all game. Other than athletic freaks like KG and Iverson, few people can go full speed the whole game. So far in the season, when not in foul trouble, he has been very effective conserving energy for the knockout punch. Starting from late third, he has been really aggressive. With Tmac doing what he does in the first half, Yao comes in from late third to deliver the knockout puch, start dreaming guys. We are on the way. Did anyone else catch the play towards the end of the Tpups game. When he was doubled twice, there is two wide open players behind the 3pt line, he kept the ball for himself and hit a clutch fadeaway. I loved it.
Yeah, the gameplan was clearly for Yao to go to the hoop and either score or draw a foul. Worked like a charm when they were able to get him the ball. The TWolves are not defensive slouches. The Rockets can be proud of their offense tonight.
That could be a good plan, because T-Mac has been know to put up huge stats throughout the first 3 quarters only to either run out of gas or get taken out by defensive pressure in the 4th.
Jeff Van Gundy was pleased with Yao's aggression. Check out his quote: After Houston fell behind by 13 in the first half, Yao took control late, demanding the ball down low and making strong moves to the hoop to draw fouls. He took 16 free throws, making 13. "He just played a little tired, but I thought he was very assertive offensively," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Getting to the free-throw line 16 times is a great accomplishment, could have probably been there a little more even." Early in the fourth, Yao spun around Ervin Johnson on the baseline and threw down a two-handed slam to give the Rockets a 76-73 lead. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/11/12/timberwolves.rockets.ap/
Yep, that clutch fadeaway was spectacular. He wasn't hesitant at all about shooting it, like he knew it was going in before he shot it. The whole bench stood up clapping and the crowd erupted. I loved Mutumbo's emphatic gestures and emotion after Yao made that shot. Looks like this team is bonding.
i like what i see, i was very proud of their effort. No turnovers late, cept the questionable call on jj. I almost ALMOST miss Steve and his dribbling show.
It's pretty entertaining actually, now that they are not playing for us. I watch the magic play on league pass. I actually find myself wanting Steve to try to dribble his way to sportscenter, and he does it very frequently. I also find it satisfying to see that he still turns the ball over the same way: off of his foot, off of defender's foot, off of the floor, and many different combinations of the forementioned. It really is some sort of complex on my part. Try it out next time. Go watch a Magic's game, watch Steve be Steve, it's really entertaining now that he's on another team. I wish him well.
That's exactly what LA did to win their 3 championships. Kobe would do all the scoreing until critical moments in game: down by 10 pts, opponent just went on a run, late in game. Then Shaq would have this amazing strech where he either scores a bunch in a row, or get critical rebounds and blocks, or he would be triple teamed and leaving everyone else open. Like Yao, Shaq also have endurance problems, he knows exactly when to turn it on. It's a shame Kobe didn't appreciate what he had. For at least 15 minutes in a game, Shaq doesn't even look like he's playing. He's just kinda resting until he knows he needs to go to work. Yao, like shaq, when rested, is unstoppable when he has the ball. Yao is learning to save his energy for critical times. I remember watching the Laker's games with friends. They would never trip when trailing early. "Shaq hasn't even started playing yet" they would say. I dream of the day I can be that confident about the rockets.
That is part of the reason he gets so many votes from the fans for the ASG, because he isn't on their team. Who care about a player's errors if he isn't playing for you?
Nice finding. I am not sure JVG share the same vision. I hope JVG could learn something from how Lakers using Shaq. Developing a recipe to fully utilize Yao through a game.
Also take note that his elbow is almost at 100% healed. Maybe he's ready to become a 20/10 guy a night like we expected him to be? Right now, his ppg had gone up to 17.5, which is where he stand last year. I think he will have a great chance of doin it with the progress hes making now.
Noize, I felt he was ready to average 20 ppg last season. If we had the group we currently have, Yao would have gotten at least 3 more shots a game. Take a look in "A must see" thread, last year's group would have given up after the first 2 attempts. Francis would have dribbled for 7 seconds before shooting a fade away.
Good thread I agree Go Yao Go Rockets!! We had good offense..Ward is doing fine..Lue is a good backup..Sura's coming soon..Tmac and Yao...our frontcourt has been supporting Yao..Juwan, Mo, Dikembe..Spoon..I like Ryan Bowen too..and BOKI lol wooo
