I very rarely post, and typically prefer to read the constant debates on the forum but this time I thought I would raise a question that has seemed to be missed throughout Yao's performances this year. As I continued to watch Yao's progression, I have been taken back this year because I expected Yao to have a much more dominant season than he has mainly because he had bulked up a bit and I imagined that his third year he would begin to move into the 20 pts per game catagory. Needless to say, I was wrong. This brought up more focus from my part trying to find out the reasons for his problems (besides the usual --- he's tired, he's not getting plays called, he's not physical enough, etc. etc.). So I began to watch Yao throughout the game and I noticed two major issues that seems only more reasonable as I think about it. Issue #1 - Can't hear out of the left ear While this would not seem to be a major issue on the offensive end, it may (and I mean may not is) be a problem on the defensive end. Each game with continued frequency, I have noticed Yao not correcting himself on transitional defensive and it appears that from the left side players seem to be able to get behind him and Yao noticed much later than he should. Even occassionally you can hear a teammate yelling Yao's name to make him aware that he's missed his man. I know this seems an odd problem to mention, but I see this happen almost 2-3 times per game, you may want to watch for it in the games to come because I believe his hearing loss may be effecting him just enough to cause him issues with hearing the opposing players move behind him. Although I cannot say for sure because I do not have hearing loss, I believe it is a fair assumption that even loss of hearing in one ear can still handicap you in certain situations. The is no way to fix this issue, and truely Yao cannot be blamed, but reckognizing the problem and correcting it with better awareness may be the only solution. Issue #2 - Size Matters, But Maybe Too Much As I stated before, when the season began, Yao's size I thought would bring him much more success than it has. He needed the bulk to provide a more dominating presence and help move him in the block. But two things seem prevelant this year that may be factoring in on the negative side. The first thing is that Yao's obviously lost some of his quick mobility that he has the first two years. Adding bulk to a 7-6 guy could weigh him down considering he cannot jump as it is. It appears he has lost some of the swift movement he had when he was thinner and although his strength may be better, he is now having even more difficulties with quicker defenders. And finally, the bulk has also seemed to effect his outside shot. For the most part, Yao seemed to get more lift on his jumpshots because he could get higher off the ground. More and more it appears that he is hardly getting off the floor when he jumps. This one is a reach because I cannot see how this would effect someone, but again, putting a lot of weight/muscle on a 7-6 frame could ultimately have a different result than doing that with a 6-3 guard. Just some food for thoughts... all simple opinions which you are welcome to rip to shreds if you like. But I think they are fair valuations to some potential issues that, by no fault of his own, effecting Yao more than the average player. Good luck discussing...
Yao is a damn giant, but he doesn't use his size to his advantage. He doesn't intimidate. This gentle giant crap doesn't work in the NBA. The guy is the #1 target among high schoolers surveyed who were asked who they want to dunk on. Yao has never received a flagrant foul, and I think that may actually be bad.
First, great post. I enjoyed it. Hope to see you posting more often. Those observations are certainly plausible. I haven't gotten to watch as many games as I'd like this season due to travel and such but I'll start looking for the left side hearing issues in future games. As far as his added muscle being an issue, I'm sure it's possible but it seems hard to believe since all he has essentially done is toned up. He has gained very little weight. I could understand how that would be an issue if he had gained so signifigant an amount of muscle that he had put on a substantial amount of weight, but can simply toning your body have that effect? I won't say it can't for two reasons. 1. I've no muscle tone to speak of and 2. I've never been 7'6 before. If it is the case that his muscle has slowed him down and altered his jump shot, wouldn't time adjusting to his new physique correct that? I know we all hate to consider the possibility of Yao needing more time to develop but maybe that's all it'll take?
he has also never gotten any calls for those hard fouls these undersized Centers put on him - which is a lot worse
Now in regards to the hearing part - I, myself am deaf (in both ears) *actually my whole family is deaf*. First of all, he probably does depend on his right ear much more than his left ear. But I dont think it plays much of a factor in a game. If he has one totally good ear - then he should be able to hear just fine and if he is slightly hard of hearing, he would just hear sounds but not comprende them. My mother in law is deaf in one year and hearing in the other. She functions just fine in everyday life and can hear quite well. But you know, I am just wondering if his slump that he has been going through is because his best friend Boki was traded. From what i understand those two were like best friends. And Now Yao has almost everyone he had on the team that he came to gone, now only has Mo from the original team that he came in with. So it is all a bunch of new faces. I have been watching him, and I swear it pisses me off everytime I see him jump, I dont see him going aggressively after the ball. (that has nothign to do with hearing) He just needs to set his tone and say "It is MY way or I am gonna bash your face in attitude" I swear he goes after the ball so softly it just drives me nuts. I can't tell you how many times I have seen him get his fingertips on the ball but only to let some undersized players nab it out of his hands. He needs to start playing HARD like Shaq and make people learn to stay the hell out of his way when the ball is near him. Make them FEAR him. I mean geez, this guy is 7'6" and over 300 lbs and yet he is getting beaten. I dont know if he is scared of hurting someone, but he NEEDS to hurt someone to show them to get out of his way. I mean when you look at Mutombo - most people stay back, cuz no one wants a date with his elbows. The same shoudl be said for Ming! I just hope he learns and learns quickly - otherwise we will be sitting in the lottery! I still think they can pull it off and make the play-offs but we arent going to do it if Ming is going to play scared.
Thank you for conveying a bit more information in regards to hearing loss. I, for one, cannot comprehend what it is like nor will I pretend to and I appreciate you weighing in to clarify some things more clearly. I would imagine that being fully hearing impaired and particially hearing impaired have two completely different effects on a person. From what I understand, to a normal person that loses hearing in one ear can also lose some abilities to balance as steadily as they may have with hearing in both ears because of the potential for some equalibriuam imbalance. I am no doctor and would love to hear more in regards to this, but could it not be that the hearing out of a single ear could effect your balance and also your ability to locate specific sounds coming from areas where your hearing is not focused? I have truely no concept of the potential problems that may occur and I do not really believe that Yao could have made it this far if it really did have a major effect on him. I am more interested than concerned about Yao in this situation, but again... food for thought.
