I noticed during the Knicks game that Yao had "faced up" a few times, something which he has rarely done in the past. That was one area of Yao's game that I really wished he'd do more, if effective, to broaden his game. I remember when he did that in his rookie or sophmore year, one time driving past a guard from the 3 pt line and laying it in. If Yao can do this more often, it'll open up his driving ability, since he is obviously knocking down his jump shots. He can fake a jump shot, get the defender to react, and get around him or draw a foul, which he did a couple of times against the Knicks. It may only be effective if he's being played straight up though, but the face up game can be a weapon for Yao, much like Tim Duncan with scoring, as well as giving Yao a good view of the court for passes to cutters. GO ROX!
maybe Yao have been realizing this point thus it can make his offense wiser and more efficient. But what he need to attention is that he has to take care of the ball and avoid travelling when ready to do so.
I agree, Yao facing up is dangerous for the other team. Yao is fast enough for a 5 foot burst that could be effective. But the main problem early on is he would have lots of turnovers when he faced up. I think he's getting better when he has the ball in the post, but obviously still has a some ways to go on taking care of the ball. Elbows Yao! Elbows!
You are right, Yao is so nice he never uses his elbows as weapons. Imagine that long arm and sharp elbows flying around. It will teach any 6-footer who even tries to get close to him. So what if he gets a couple of fouls from it, as long as some teeth fly. Mutombo should teach Yao some elbow moves.
He's been using a more faceup style since he came back from the toe injury. He catches the ball about 15 feet out, and faces the hoop. If the defender sags, he just shoots it. If the defender crowds, or falls for a fake, it's to the basket. It's been very effective for him. It's easy and simple, and it conserves a lot of energy compared to backing a guy down every single time. His jumper from about 15 feet in those situations is pretty close to automatic.
I agree, since last year, Yao has developed the "face-up" jump and left hand hook. Personally I think the "face-up" jump is most dangrous weapon, once he is in his range, he doesn't need to jump even. Given that his jump is not high and his height advantage, what he needs to do is just shooting over the defender, and using fake move occasionally.
Yeah, I like that he's using the face up jumper. A quick and easy way to get points without expending too much energy. Don't know how well it will work against big centers will a long reach -- like Shaq or Alonzo. Against those guys, he needs to find a way to take it strong to the basket.
His 15ft jumpshot is just money right now. He's drained it over tall centers with ease. Now he's just got to work on his pump fakes because he's traveling a lot when he lifts that pivot foot. His pump fake doesn't have to be THAT convincing, people know that he can hit it.
When it's falling, Yao may as well take the 12 footer when it's available. Just another weapon in his arsenal. A couple of times against the Knicks he hit the shot right in Curry's face. Of course, it's better when he's down low, can draw fouls and wear out the defender.
yeah i remember that drive. it was from the left side, and he drove by pat garrity for the bucket. good memories
Yao owned curry last game. Everytime got the ball, he turns and fires. Doesnt care about curry at all! He almost converted that "dream shake" play on curry. I would love to see yao shake shaq when they meet tonight.
I'd rather see him with the ball in the high post more often, rather than setting so many screens. Not to the exclusion of setting screens, but I'd like to see him with the ball more often.
yao is instructed to use less face up and to more post up to draw fouls and more effectively use his strength and size.
Actually, Yao does use his elbows. And as an integral part of his arsenal too. For those with footage of the Knicks games, you can go check it out. There's this one play where Yao posts Curry on the left block, raises the ball, turns and clips Curry's arm to draw the foul and follow through with the shot. Check back to the older videos, you can see that he's been doing that a lot to get clear looks on his turnarounds - by clipping his defender's arms down. It's a fallacy that Yao doesn't use his elbows, just because he doesn't flash them like Mutombo when he's going for rebounds or Shaq when he does his dropstep.
Tonight's game is a perfect illustration why Yao's face up game will always be secondary to playing back to the basket. He is unstoppable!
