Two things I remember from the PreJVG Yao's nice jump shot from the Elbow and Yao's nifty passing. These are reasons I think that this can work well. While Yao has learned to bang downlow . . . He doesn't *HAVE TO* to be effective on the offensive end. In Fact, I think *not* banging downlow will preserve him more. Allow him more minutes and not get as tired I think that will be Brad's main assignment! Rocket River
On more thing, I think we might need to look for someone else to take his place down low Patterson maybe? Scola probably. Having a 7'6 good passer at the foul line could mean alot of good entry passes. Rocket River
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It would be nice to have a power wing player that could take advantage when you invert the offense, Chase has some post up skills but he is not strong enough yet.....KMart doesn't.....Ariza isn't....Battier does though...that might be interesting.... DD
Brad can no doubt help, but with the Princeton(-ish) offense we run, a lot of it is just going to come from familiarity with the offense. Practicing, getting the timing down, etc. The problem is, I don't think the Rockets ultimately see that as Yao's role. Let's be honest, he presents a tremendous mismatch over basically any defender in the NBA when he's in the low post. NO ONE can guard him one-on-one. While you're right that he does possess the skillset to be an effective offensive player playing the Vlade Divac role, the Rockets are obviously a better team when he's down low, forcing double teams, taking high percentage shots and drawing fouls. No one else on this team, hell, no one else in basketball can match his presence down low. I do think it would be a good way for him to diversify his offensive repertoire, but ultimately, to turn him into Miller/Divac would be misusing him.
I know the what i will sound like, but yao is a slow thinker. The only way to overcome being a slow thinker and becoming an effective passer from the high post is film study. Basketball is all about angles,anticipation,and determination in a sense. If u cant anticipate the opening and pass the guy open, you will never be a good passer. A player has to see the cuts p and lanes before they happen, not afterward. If u wait, the speed cathes up and closes it down. For me, yao can hit that jimmy if he just shoots it without hesitation. Trying to get yao to make a fast paced decision is a recipe for a turnover..
WHAT!?!?! Slow thinker? He's probably the most intelligent player on the whole durn team, at least top two along with Battier.
It is a great video... BUT, isn't entirely indicative of a high post passing big man offensive system. They were just running pick and rolls with Yao fading to the open spot. Basically, don't see what/how Brad Miller will help Yao with that?? IMO, I think the high post big man system is a bit overrated. No doubt, it's a joy to watch when run smoothly. And it does prevent some unique challenges to a defensive team. But, the best big men at this also can put the ball on the floor decently enough without fear of turnover. Something Yao can't do well. Plus, as noted, Yao's true advantage really IS down low, in the post, close to the basket. What I'd rather see more of is innovative ways to get Yao in the deep post, at a time when a perimeter player is ready and capable of getting him the ball. I've saw way too much of those cross the lane screens that ultimately never worked tat well for Yao anyway - he would either get pushed out of the lane, get fronted, or the screen would get mixed up and the perimeter player would have to move on to the next option. Again, the above video is great and shouldn't be ignored. What Yao does have going for him is that he's an above average 15 foot shooter, especially near the FT line. So I'm all for pick and rolls that get Yao an open 10 to 15 foot shot. But if anyone is going to be in the high post, I'd prefer it to be Scola. Scola is an equally solid 10 to 15 foot jump shooter, but also athletic enough to put the ball on the floor, etc. Basically the reverse of the above is what I see as a more frequent play. That said, the reduced wear and tear from playing more in away from the basket is definitely a positive. I see what you are trying to say, but I'd disagree about Yao being a slow thinker. He's a fast thinker. He's a slow do-er. Which might have something to do with the fact that he's, you know, 7'6. I'm all right with him sitting open at the high post and taking jumpers, or even passing out of it...but if the defense even remotely rotates properly, then he is out of options, as he can't put the ball on the floor against any defender.
Yao shoots over 80% from the FT line, so he should be looking for that high post shot while running the offense. NOBODY could defend that unless they are right up on him. If they are, then that opens cutting lanes. He has to take that shot with confidence. I think B Miller will look for that shot within the offense and that will be a big plus for us.
It is not really about thinking but about being able to quickly process what you are seeing and react before anyone else does. Intelligence is not the same as being a quick thinker...... Guys that can take information on the fly and process it faster are better players on the court. DD
That's exactly what I hope to see from Yao and Brad. Trigger and trail the break. If the D gets back, set up the high post offense. When match-ups allow, I'd like to see us play a lot of zone D. I'd like to see if Yao could play effectively while jogging between free throw lines. If the break doesn't score, let him pick-and-pop, get the ball to his shot pocket up there above his head, let him pass or shoot... Everyone crash the boards... And, every once in a while, let him roll off the pick.
It doesn't matter how well he shoots from the FT line, a 15-foot jumper is never a higher % shot than a layup/dunk from two feet away when you're 7'6". You don't get the other team in the penalty shooting 15-foot jumpers. Yes, it does open up lanes for cutters if the defense doubles. But I don't think a "true" read and react Princeton offense does enough to take advantage of the type of one-on-one mismatch that Yao presents. If we run out a lineup of Brooks-Martin-Battier-Scola-Yao, it's going to be very difficult for opposing teams to double down on Yao. Look, I don't disagree that Yao should add some high post offense to his repertoire, but his bread and butter should be demolishing opposing centers on the left block.
I agee, I hope so too I do like the idea JayZ750 brought up of Scola running it, he is athletic enough to rush inside the paint quickly after the pass. I never really liked centers too far from the paint reducing chances to get rebounds (Being 7'6 Scola's lateral movement is probably a better than Yao's to recover). But with Yao improving his passing learning from Brad could only be a good thing.
