This is the yao I'm talking about. I know it will come. Remeber the behind the back dribble all the way to the basket against Portland last season?Remember the one handed dunk right after the one handed rebound against Twolfs?Remeber the cross over dribble with a lay in against shaq in his second year?Remember his splitting double team to a thunderous dunk against Dallas earlier this season?Remember last night's driving dunk?... Yao has the agility and speed and creativity to do many more. Majority of his career is under JVG, who limited him to the low post and turns him into a robot. Before JVG, yao is a all around gifted player(the dream like double fake with Jermaine O'neal...). After JVG, yao gradually gains back his creativity. Under Adelman, yao no longer chase small gaurds and have the freedom to operate from high post. New coach's offensive scheme activated other teammates so yao got more room to perform. Keep adding and improving your moves, big fellow. The sky is the limit.
I agree. Before JVG, Yao had an unreliable post game. JVG forced Yao in the low post to learn and learn he did. He's mixing it up a bit now but the bread and butter of his game is in the low post.
The cross over dribble against Portland was like four years ago..under JVG...JVG just utilized Yao the best way he could to win, he by no means limited his abilities as a player but instead helped him become what he is now, a dominant force
JVG wanted to control everything, from what moves where the highest percentage to how and when to use them. Thats what made the Rockets so predictable. JVG lived in a box, as Rick is open to what players do best. If JVG was coaching this team they probably have a better record but that doesn't mean they would be a better team. I like what Rick has done with this team and Yao will become more under Rick, than JVG.
Gee, JVG just helped turn Yao into a low-post monster. Tom Thibideau really limited Yao's creativity too. Yao: How 'bout we practice my around the back dribble? TT: No, lets do turnaround jumpers and jump hooks in the paint Yao: Coach! Please, I wan't to practice my 360 drive and dish to the PG move..." TT: Now, now Yao, no creativity allowed. I think it happened just like that. One star thread.
The behind the back dribble was 2005, and at least half the examples you give of Yao's creativity were under JVG. JVG (and Thibodaeux and Ewing) deserve some credit for Yao's development. JVG deserves a LOT of credit for Luther Head and Chuck Hayes' development. I don't see what was so bad about him. I guess you just mean to say Yao is so good. I'll agree with that.
I don't understand what you're saying here exactly. If not for JVG he will be more creative? All in all it really depends on whose coaching who. In JVG's system there was no need for Yao to be at the top of the key on the offensive end. His system strictly required Yao to be a force down low in the paint. JVG just looked for the best and most efficient way to use his players and thats what he did. Something had to be sacrificed and I guess in this case it was the "creativity".
Agree on TT helping but the jump hook was CD this summer after JVG left and CD was free to work with him again. DD
I think the layup was more along the lines of: Pick n Roll, give to Yao, the Knicks stand there thinking he's going to shoot the J, and he (seeing the lane open) takes a couple dribbles and decides he's going to throw it down. Rose cant get out of the restricted area in time. EOD Yao just took what the defense gave him
Huh...the one thing I can say is that for some reason, Yao seems to be getting a crapload of more posterization dunks this year then last year. Mentally, I think he's finally as dominant as he is physically.
For sure, he is dunking the ball more instead of laying it in. He is also getting the ball in position to dunk a bit more. Great pass from Head right down the lane to Yao for the easy dunk.
thats because you're a JVG lover yao is yao and has done the same thing he has EVERY year...and thats improve! This year he is looking especially agile but that can simple be traced to the fact he hasnt had as many toe issues or other injuries as he has the last couple of seasons. Like last year, Yao was looking better and better but went out with that injury to only come back much slower and not nearly as agile.
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I don't want to give any credit to JVG, not at all. JVG's strength is defense but Yao's strength is offense. Clearly, there is a conflict of interest. On offensive side, JVG is a below averaged offensive coach. If Yao played under an above averaged offensive coach during the last 4 seasons, easily, we mighty have a much better Yao. On defensive side, JVG is a great defensive coach. After 4 seasons playing under JVG, Yao should be a good defensive player, but it is not true. Ironically, I believe, Yao played a better defense in this season than before.
