Moving Yao to the high post should also be part of Plan B. It's not like Yao is utterly useless when he is in the high post. The last game against Spurs is a proof of that.
We may match up with the Lakers well without Yao but that doesn't mean we don't need him. We match up with other teams with Yao as well.
Agreed, the question is really what is better for his feet? Is it playing in the post, or is it moving on screens and rolls? Putting Yao at the high post more often might help with the feet issues...... DD
The key is to mix things up. I think wrestling for positions down low takes bigger toll on Yao's stamina.
so given all that...the tough decision is going to be whether you offer a max deal...or whether yao tests the waters elsewhere if you don't. but if we're sitting here saying that we need to: 1. play our 7'6" guy further from the basket; and 2. limit his minutes even more then I'm telling you I'm not for making a max deal offer when this deal expires. of course, i think you knew that about me, anyway!
Why is everybody touting how Hayes "locked down" Gasol? 11-17 fg, 8-13 ft, 30 pts... I love Hayes, I agree with JVG who repeatedly said on national TV that he is an elite post defender... but Gasol had a great game. And it won't be his last. Hayes played Gasol extremely well, especially when Gasol tried to back him down and couldn't dislodge him. Hayes got a strip or two, and got his hand in Pau's face a few times as well... but Pau is a LOT taller than Chuck. Once he has made his move, and if Chuck hasn't stripped the ball, he's got a very good look at the basket. The most successful defensive possessions occurred when a fast double team came precisely when Pau made his move.
4-0 life time ok but this season alone we are 2-0 in game 4's. That should say a lot. Last time the Rockets won game 4 they ended up advancing. Hopefully we as fans can see deja vu happen all over again.
Lets make it 5-0 without Yao Ming on top of that win the 1st quater and you will win the series. Rockets won the 1st quarter in game 1 and game 4 and lakers won the 1st quater in games 2 and 3 and they won which set the tone throughout the game. GET IT DONE ROCKETS!
