I definitely agree. It'd be impossible for Yao to emulate Hakeem's defensive abilities. He's simply not quick enough. Neither Mark Eaton nor Manute Bol were particularly athletic, but both used their size to seal of the paint and were very good shot-blockers.
Man I love watching that video... It is so apparent Yao can learn so much from the Dream and already is. Could you just imagine if he could spend a whole summer working with him. I am sure they filmed the whole session and Yao will get a copy to study. But he could use a daily dose of that mental approach building that Hakeem was feeding him. I believe that is Yao's biggest weakness. He's got all the tools but still lacks some confidence. THis was Tmac's team mostly Yao was not confident enough or didn't want to step on anyone's toes but it should have been more Yao. It's now time for the year of the Yao.
this reminds me of : Olajuwon: There just men Yao, they are just men. Be more man then them!!!! Eye of the Tiger!!! Yao: What favour???
Dream could easily still play in the NBA... if he didn't have to run up and down the court and play defense/bang bodies. Too bad the NBA doesn't have its own version of a "pinch hitter"... having Hakeem play one offesnsive set a game probably wouldn't be worth his time.
Man, I hate to say this, but -- no wait, I actually LOVE to say it -- Patrick Ewing had HALF the game that Dream did. For all the good that JVG did for Yao's game, his loyalty to Ewing as his big man coach may have held Yao back in a way. Yao should've had a better coach from the start. I have no idea whether Hakeem would even be interested in taking a more serious role as Yao's tutor, but there's nobody on the planet who could teach Yao more. Watching that video had me as giddy as a schoolgirl. I got more of a thrill from that than from any game the Rockets played all friggin' year!
Umm, one has used those moves for nearly 20 years. The other is trying to pick them up in a 1.5 hour training sessions. Ease up a bit.
Oh no... now all our opponents can watch Yao's secret new moves and develop the appropriate countermoves for them
Damn, Hakeem is the man, wathcing that video of him teaching Yao was great, thanks to the guy who posted that. By the way it seemed like Yao has a lot to learn, which is a good thing, he can only get better.
Dream is inspirational. This thread gets my eyes all watery. Yao should treasure (I am sure he would) every mins of this training session taught by the legendary Dream. I hope this is not a one time thing. 45mins under Dream > 3 years of Ewing.
Hmm, David Robinson in his prime, Patrick Ewing in his prime, and Shaq at his most athletic couldn't stop Dream's moves. I'm pretty sure what passes for a center in this league can't stop these moves one-on-one, even at Yao's slo-mo speed .
I am thrilled this is happening now.... Yao is quick enough, but the most important thing I saw there was making quick decisions with the basketball. You get the ball, don't hesitate, make your move before the defense can double team you......good stuff. I just wish it would have happened 5 years ago, but better late than never. DD
Another thing missing that I see Hakeem teaching Yao is that strong drop step. Yao in the post usually goes into his post move slowly or starts with the pump fake. That strong powerful drop step will give him the space and power move he needs. He's showed flashes of it at times but he relies too much on the pump fake to get his moves in the post started. I think this will be a great addition.
I had almost forgotten how ridiculously agile Dream was. Good GRIEF, the guy looks like he could school guys today. No way Yao ever gains the same level of fluidity to his move - no one can - but I LOVE Dream hitting his elbows, telling him to keep the ball up, showing him the drop step and the jump hook and, most importantly, telling him to dominate. So freaking cool. Man, I miss that guy.
It's one thing to emulate hakeem's moves it's another thing to know why and when to use certain moves. Looks like hakeem teaches him to use his elbows and arms to feel his opponent. From there you can tell which way you need to spin and which direction to go. Yao already has the tools but now he's learning from the super elite on how to apply them properly. Let's hope it sticks. Yao is gonna get dizzy from learning all of these moves hehehehe
