I remember in his rookie and sophomore year he would shoot more out in the 15 feet range but now hes always inside... Wouldn't it be nice if they let him take some outside shots. Ive seen him nail 3's before the game and at halftime. Hes only made 1 in his NBA Career out of the 5 hes taken. But he had to shoot that cause shot clock was down. Raef LaFrentz is about the only center i know who shoots and makes those 3's. Yao is always up at the top setting picks and when he gets the ball he never shoots it. I think if he practiced more he could make that shot with consistency. It would be crazy with him nailing 3's. I remember reading his profile on nbadraft.net and the scouting report said "has the ability to make shots with consistency all the way to the NBA 3 point line." if JVG is uncomfortable with him shooting 3's AT LEAST let him take some more outside shots. Im getting tired of the hook shot and turn around jumper. Give the big fella some shots
I am not sure about him shooting 3's, but I do not see why he does not shoot a few outside shots each game. Like you said in his rookie year he could consistently hit it.
Has there ever been a true contender who didn't have a consistent low-post threat? While it'll be nice to see Yao can expand his game to include outside shots, that stuff is secondary to the things he REALLY needs to work on: Holding his position, not bring the ball down once he gets it, finding a way to string moves together without putting the ball on the floor, etc. etc. You develop your big man into a low-post monster first, then you add shooting range...not the other way around.
I remember in the allstar game once, he stood at the 3 point line. People started screaming for him to shoot, after 5 seconds embarasingly he shot and missed. Yao should go out for the midrange jumper much more often. He is always stuck in the post making him rather easier to defend. JVG doesnt put to use all of his abilities. With more jumpers, he could wreck havoc. I dont think people realize how great of a shooter yao is.
personally, i prefer him at the point. i've seen him dribble behind the back a couple of times. if he'd just practice handling the ball and putting it b/t his legs ala steve nash, he'd be unstoppable. imagine Yao bringing up the ball, spinning a 360 evading one defender, through the legs to avoid the steal attempt from another and throwing a sweet no-look pass to T-mac under teh basket. yea, i'm tired of the hook shot and turn around jumper too. Allow the big fella more dribble penetration.
Yao can hit the outside shot and he should be getting at least 5 shots per game around 15-18 feet out. This will increase his touches and decrease his turn overs. He won't have to fight for position at the top of the key and if his defender sags off of him he'll be wide open. Plus he's a great high post passer. JVG never asked Ewing to post up so much. He was primarily a jump shooter even in his prime.
Yes, Yao should be able to use his face-up game. He is money from the free-throw line, or extended. It's easier to get his the ball up top. Someone should inform JVG that we can make the team's life easier if Yao is free to go high/low according to his advantage.
dumbest idea ever. on any basketball team, the big man should NOT shoot threes...not because he doesn't have the ability, but rather because if he's out at the three-point line, then who's going to be fighting for the offensive rebound if it misses? same reason you roll your eyes when a guy pulls up for a three-point on a 1 on 1 fast-break...if you miss, there's no rebound.
When we get one that is a useful rebounder, let me know. That said, I wouldn't mind Yao being in the high post 5-8 times in a game. His ability to hit cutters with a pass has been sorely underutilized. If the big man doesn't come out to meet him, he nails an 18 footer. A good lineup to use this with would be Stro-DA-McGrady-Head. Evan
If Yao could only be like Jordan (the 25 years old Jordan) to jump over 3 defenders and dunk the ball from the FT line.
First Barkley should be fired from TNT (oh and he's also a racist), now Yao should shoot 3's. Please, do yourself (and us) a favor, stop posting right now and don't ever do it again.
Why would a CENTER need to shoot threes for?! That's what the GUARDS DO! What do you want the short guards in the paint fighting for rebounds and posting up while the TALL center shoots three's? Why the heck would he need to work on 3's when all he needs to do is master his post/inthePaint game so he can get easy points all days. Why the heck would you want a BIG TALL center to run to outside the arc(while carrying his heavy body and fighting against the center of gravity) and then shoot for 3's. You don't see people trying to build a car that can drive in water over an extended period of time, there are boats that can do that better.
