One caller posed a statement and question on JVG's radio segment concerning Yao's touches. The caller stated that J. Barry is by far the best at finding Yao in the post when he is open (not necessarily an entry pass, but finding Yao...). He mentions that Sura doesn't appear to actively look for Yao very long, and quickly looks for other options. He then asks JVG if that is by his instruction or if it's the players. JVG states that it's an astute observation, and that about 6 weeks ago, he had the team limit, or lessen the amount of times that Yao is made the first option in the offense (meaning he isn't given the ball at the start). Rather, he wants Yao to be brought into a play as it plays out, to take advantage of moving the defense via the play. He feels that Yao was missed far too often with his defender at his back, and in the paint. He is our best percentage shooter and needs to be found more often. Interesting that he wants Yao to get the ball in the middle of a play more often, and that he feels the perimeter players need to look for him more often than they have.
I agree with JVG on this. Yao is much better when we don't "pound it into to him." He is not Shaq or Hakeem where he will beat every opponent 1 on 1/2/3 or how many they throw at him. If Yao catches the defense (all 5 guys) offguard on his post play then he is much better (1 on 1) and it doesn't let them rush a second or third guy at him.
I agree, posting up isn't his strength. He gets better shots when the other offensive players pull Yao's defenders off him is the point I think JVG is trying to make. Yao can get lots of easy points when the driving guards pull his man off him and then dish the ball off to him.
Thanks for the recap, Tech. That was an excellent question by the caller...I've been wondering that myself. Like Van Gundy, I sometimes do feel they go away from Yao too much. Case in point, last night....he was sweet-stroking it like a Chinese Dirk Nowitzki. Every time he threw up a shot, I expected it to go in. He could have easily racked up 40 points like Skiles said. If Tmac throws up 20+ shots when he's in a groove, why can't Yao be afforded the same luxury? Yao wound up hitting 90% of his shots, and there wasn't a dang thing Eddy Curry could do to stop him. Yao was downright unstoppable. Feed the big fella when he's rollin' !!!!
The thing that irked me a lot is that lots of Rockets fans and general NBA fans think that he is not aggressive and blame him for not being dominant while ignoring the fact the Yao does not get the ball.
If yao demanded the ball I'm sure he'd get it a lot more,i think the team is so focused on sharing the ball that they just don't think to keep giving it to yao. while t-mac can take the ball handling duties whenever he wants and take how ever many shots he wants. Besides, Yao is a true team player, if he's hot he'd still pass to the open man..
I see him with his hands raised everytime he has position, calling for the ball. What else do you want him to do?
Actually his season average is at 12.5 fg attempts a game, and this doesn't include the 2.5 that end up as FT's each game. So actually he takes 15 shots a game on average, this isn't a huge number, but its a good deal higher than whoever takes the third most attempts on the team. I think if they went to Yao every time when he was "hot" it would lead to defenses collapsing on him faster leading to misses shots or more turnovers. When our perimter players are taking shots, it forces defense to leave Yao more open, so that when he does get the ball he gets a better shot.
"Give me the ball!" In a timeout tell the team he wants the ball every other play. Raising your hand isn't always enough, it should be, but thats not the case...
Then let the defense adjust ... If Yao is hot and has good position, we should feed him more, until defense collapses on him. We should not stop going to him just because defense WILL collapse if we do so.
Let the defenses collapse.....they'll just be picking their poison. Unlike last season, we can make teams pay for leaving our perimiter guys open when the sag off their man to double Yao.
Wow, so apparently some of the so-called YOFs who were complaining that Yao wasn't getting the ball enough had valid concerns afterall. And this coming from the coach's mouth. Hmmmm...interesting. I guess it means JVG is a serious YOF and should move outta Houston. "Why Sura no pass Yao Ball? " Who was the one who posted that brilliant attempt at sarcasm originally?
I don't think anyone here wanted Yao to not get more touches. But the YOFs bashed anyone who did not pass to Yao, well basically just Sura. I would love to get yao 15+ FGA a game! but only on the most effective entry passes, our TOs have been down lately and I don't see Yao gets stripped or TOing as much anymore.. the big reason is we aren't feeding the post as much, we are passing to Yao in motion (where he previously stated he likes best). This is where I give JVG a lot of credit, he has been adjusting to his players. I never thought he would. Guarding Yao hasn't been as easy on our win streak has it? Yao is more mobile, no longer sitting in the post with 3 guys just waiting for the entry pass. That is the sole reason I had no problem with Sura not passing to Yao in the post when he sometimes seemed to be open. The way we run our offense now, I would love to see Yao get more touches now that he is not limited to only getting the ball in the post.
