The Skip and Yao Relationship - An Early Look Inside the Numbers

Now just print out this page and post it infront of Alstons Locker to show how much we appreciate him passing the ball to Yao and that he should continue to do till the end of the season.

 

Agreed. Although, I have to say I did not really doubt this when we got Alston. Just wanted to add that besides Alston, who will take his ppg to 20+, if Yao ever develops the "selfishness" and the assertive quality that almost all superstars possess on the offensive end, he will have no problem cracking the 30 ppg barrier based on his efficiency. He needs to believe in himself. As of right now, he still lacks self-confidence imho.

 

and imagine what if Yao has Nash to feed him the rock like Amare has

 

....Suns fans would whip themselves up into a jealous frenzy stating that Yao was only good because he has Nash to get him cheap baskets.

 

Skip and Yao seem to have a good chemistry from what I saw in the 1st preseason game. I can't wait to see how he will feed Swift at the start of the season

 

i see a future "classic moment" coming

 

Credit CD for getting the job done and filling in weaknesses, and JVG for loosening up his style to match the strengths of his stars.

This should give some people insight to why Shaq whines over touches and having an enforcer PF. It boosts his game as well as give the passer and enforcer great future contracts....

 

I totally agree. Skip and Yao will benefit in the stat line this year. I definitely think Yao will be the recepient of great passes and break the 20 ppg mark this year. He's getting the ball near point blank range and that is what we've needed. As the year goes on, I think we will see the synergy of this team explode. Alston pushing the ball, Mcgrady as option 2, Yao as option 3, Swift as a weak side shot blocker ... solid veteran starters with a solid bench and throw Luther Head in the mix... KAPAYA!

 

Oops I meant t-mac as option 1 and yao as option 2. LOL

 

Good post except I'll throw in there that Yao has incrementally improved every season. And from what I can see, so far this season he has improved his game DRAMATICALLY.

Yao is making aggressive low post moves now. EVERYTIME Yao gets the ball, he seems to make a good move. It starts off because Yao established himself better. Once he has the ball, he's obviously worked on his footwork and sky hook.

Put it this way, if Yao continues to play this way, then the likelyhood of getting to the 4th round of the playoffs are good.

 

yeah, i was wondering who's your option #1? did you know somethin' we don't that jvg has another secret weapon?

 

Great post, thacabbage.

Not only will the improved post passing increase the number of easy points Yao gets, but it should also force Yao's opponents to foul him more often, thus increasing his scoring opportunities even more. Man I can't wait for regular season.

 

Two pre-season games do not foretell the future. See Kelvin Cato. But it is a good start and in the right direction.

 

thacabbage and krosfyah, both of you make great points.

I told everyone after the season ended the easiest way for Yao to increase his production is for us to get a "real" PG who can feed the post. No disrespect to Sura or Mike James intended, but neither guy was adequate in that department. Since Skip knows how to pass the ball inside to someone in scoring position, Yao is guaranteed more shots per minute, regardless if he plays more minutes this season. Simple as that! That said, he's still gotta cut down the fouls so he can play more. If he does, look for ~25 ppg.

krosfyah, you are also correct saying Yao has made improvement. Everyone seems to expect him to dominate this preseason like a monster. Yao is not like that. But he is already playing more aggressive in these 1st two pre-season games than he did at the beginning of any season of his 1st three seasons. It's quite noticeable and I'm quite happy over it. I don't know how "dramatic" (as you say) it will be, but Yao is easily on the way to his best season on offense.

I don't believe Yao will ever take dramatic steps in his career. He will just keep getting better and better. This year is no different. With the addition of Skip, Yao's offensive stats may take a big jump. Like I said 3-4 months ago, if we got a real PG, Yao's stats would improve and we would debate if it was Yao or the new PG.

 

I agree w/ most of the cabbage's points (including that Sura is a horrible post passer), but two .... preseason .... games....against philly and orlando.

Remember Cato.

 

I said something similar earlier but I guess you did this (motions hands together in a sideways display)



Alston is a PG, by nature, they are defined by the players around them, if you have a good passing PG who can get the ball to players in a good position it is going to benefit everyone.

I think I said 14-8 for skip....but after seeing him.....I think his PPG will go down to around 10, while his assists will be in the 8-9 a game range....

Yao will benefit the most, but the entire teams shooting percentage will go up dramatically.

DD

 

I think the reason why Yao and Alston compliment each other so well is because the offense is set into place as soon as Yao gets near the low post. This is due to Alston pushing the ball down the court so fast. If Yao battles another player for any length of time he seems to loose his position. But now since the ball is in his hands as soon as he gets into position its a automatic score. While I love the addition of Stro, getting Alston may just be our best move of the year. Can the season start already!!!

 

I think there are many factors here. Yao gettin into position being the biggest thing to me. Now, he hasn't had any real competition. i.e. someone to push him off the blocks, but ALSO, i noticed that when people were trying to push him off, refs blew the whistle. I couldn't be more pleased with that.

So i see it's:
1.) Yao gettin in position
2.) Alston's ability to give Yao LEAD passes
3.) Yao showing a little self-confidence in holding the ball and making very strong moves. It's almost like he's saying, call me for a charge, I don't care, but I'm making this damn move. I won't play scared.
4.) Alston's ability to give Yao post entry passes

Again, I think it's where Yao is setting up to post up. Previous years, it seems like many times he was just too far out and had to put the ball on the floor to back in...that always spelled steal.

 

Plus we should be pushing the ball quite a bit. Scoring should be up all the way around. Baring a mental breakdown and fouls, this team will win the championship this year.