http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5135542 Charley Rosen Mailbag, Dec 03 2:30pm Hey, Charley, love your articles, man! I have been watching the Rockets play and I have serious doubts about Jeff Van Gundy's ability to coach offense or to maximize his players' (limited) offensive abilities. Do you think JVG is using Yao properly? Given Yao's limitations, would you use him differently? And why is Yao picking up so many fouls? — Jeff Your doubts about Van Gundy's offensive tactics have also been raised by his former players. Allan Houston once told me that VG's offenses were much too predictable, and to a certain degree, that's still a problem. It's easy to put the entire offense in the hands of T-Mac and Yao, but this tactic also enables the defense to know exactly where the ball will wind up. The Rockets need more diversity. To say nothing of a better supporting cast. Yao needs to get the ball on the move more often. When he's stationary, it's too easy for the defense to load up and jump his handle — because of his size, the ball is simply up for grabs for too long as it travels between the floor and his hands. Also, instead of always positioning him on one box or the other (usually the left), Yao would benefit from claiming a post-position halfway up the lane. This would make double-teaming him much more risky because the passing lanes wouldn't be so clogged and Yao would be able to see both sides of the court. Moreover, by moving him out from the shadow of the hoop, Yao wouldn't be subjected to so much of the body-banging that wears him down. His offense would still be dangerous up there because he's a terrific jump shooter, he could still use his spin and duck-under moves, and he'd be one power-dribble away from his jump hook. The numerous fouls he collects are directly attributed to his slow lateral and vertical movement, and his high center of gravity (which keeps him upright for too long). To protect Yao, the Rockets should also zone more. - Rosen
Rosen says JVG's offense is too predictable, and Eddie Johnson says it is too complex. Is is predictably complex?
I am the Nr1 Charley Rosen hater, but I don't disagree with anything he said in that paragraph. I would love to see Yao showcase all his skills as opposed to becoming one-dimensional on the block
I didn't think Eddie Johnson said that his offense was too complex, but that he has so many plays that it's difficult to learn them all. So I believe the individual plays could still be predictable even if there are a great deal of them? How's that for trying to make sense of two contrasting arguments?
I don't see why we are hating him... Everything he said in the preseason has pretty much come true. Stro's a flake and Rafer isn't quite what we were expecting. He just told it like it was.
Exactly what I was thinking. What kind of douchebag enjoys reading Rosen's hating, pessimistic crap. Though he didn't really hate too much in this blurb.
It isn't what he said during this preseason. Rosen has a very long history of being inaccurate and inflammatory about many teams, including the Rockets. Keep reading this forum consistently and you will see clearly. Or, for that matter, just read Rosen's NBA columns on a regular basis and you will see him for what he is.
Well Rosen was right about this team in the preseason and I think he makes some good specific suggestions about Yao. I think JVG and Ewing have been teaching Yao the low post game the last few years and its probably time for Yao to do some advanced work on his offensive game. Free Yao.
He is saying what we have all been saying.... JVG may have a complex offensive playbook but all I see are 2 plays, one dump it in to Yao and 2. High screen at the top of the key with Yao as the screener... Not gonna cut it....and I have been screaming for a zone for years. DD
Agreed. Rosen's got a prob with JVG personally IMO. However, he's dead on about putting in the zone. Yao's lack of quickness screams for this.
I hate Rosen, but I agree that Yao should be allowed to do more than just post on either block. I don't see why Yao never takes a jump shot. The guy has three point range! While I don't want to see him become another body standing around the three point line, it would be nice to see him take an open jumper every once in a while like Hakeem used to. Especially since on fast breaks he's always the trailer, he could drain a few open jump shots off back passes in transition.
