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Top 10 Yao Ming improvements and to-be-improved

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ruyun5, Nov 30, 2002.

  1. ruyun5

    ruyun5 Member

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    I don't think I have the complete list. But I hope this list get added/modified by other Yao Ming fans here.

    <b>Improvements</b>

    1. Aggressiveness. In his first 10 game or so, Yao was often shy and intimidated. Now, his mere presence draws double teams (O) and alter opponent game plans (D).

    2. Defense. The last game with Seattle was his first great defense game. He really clipped the basket for the poor Sonics.

    3. Passing. Yao has great vison on court. He really sees where the open players are when he is double-teamed. The Sabonis-style behind-back pass under the basket was just great. Some passed were miss-handled by the intended receiver. That may be caused that they weren't used to anticipate those passes?

    4. Team-oriented altitude. Man this guy is a team player! He cheers Rockets free throw shooter every time. If a team member is down on court, he always go to help them up. He does not hesitate to pass the ball to open team mates for a better shot option. On the bench he was always cheering for teammates. In post-game quotes, he mostly talks about how to improve, how to play better with the team. I see a great leadership emerging.

    5. League-leading field goal percentage!

    6. Avoid fouls. He has improved greatly. Last night game even though on defense he is all over Sonics player's face, he only got 2 fouls in 29 minutes.

    7. Footwork. Defensively, I noticed he is always watching the player he is guarding as well the player with the ball. He move really well to challenge anyone trying to drive to the basket. Offensively, I noticed he started to use these sudden-move-to-the-paint-from-outside moves, which gave him great position with the ball.

    8. Offensive rebound. I have noticed that he quickly moves near the basket whenever his team mates shoot, to anticipate an offensive rebound. With his height, he often does get the rebound and finishes it.

    9. English. I was amazed in the Warrior pre-game show that how well he spoked. Very clear and articulate.

    10. Fast learner. It is really a beatiful thing to watch him improve and mature right in front of your eyes. He had coming-out party with Lakers and Dallas. Then he had a few slumps. With Warriors he starts to dominate the paint defensively, but was out too early with foul troubles. With Seattle he quickly learned to avoid foul troubles and completely dominated the paint.

    <b>To-be-improved</b>

    1. Strength. He has improved a lot but still need improvement. This will greatly him to hold his ground and dominate in the paint.

    2. Endurance. He is often fatigued. In CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) he play like 2 games a week. In NBA you have to play 4-5 games a week often. Also the players he will be facing are a lot stronger than those in CBA.

    3. Defensive rebound. With his heights he should be a lot more defensive rebound. Need to anticipate rebounds better.

    4. Defensive jumping. He still have the bad habit of not jumping when trying to block. (Maybe that's a good thing? )

    5. Free-throws. Off because of all the strength trainings?

    6. Fade-a-way jumpers. Though he hasn't had a lot of them, but the % is quite low for him.

    7. Offensive footwork. With his height and agility, he and his team mates should have created a lot of easy baskets for him in the paint. Strength traing will help I guess.
     
    #1 ruyun5, Nov 30, 2002
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2002
  2. TheReasonSF3

    TheReasonSF3 Member

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    Yao has made a ton of fadeways.
     
  3. ruyun5

    ruyun5 Member

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    I was comparing his fadeways percentages with his overal field goal percentages. :)
     
  4. TheReasonSF3

    TheReasonSF3 Member

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    Do you expect a player to shoot 70% on fadeways?
     
  5. hama lama

    hama lama Member

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    Hi, Mr. Ruyun5. I don't think "acclimation" is a more suitable word than "improvements". He has been doing this for a long time. Maybe you couldn't see much when he player less than 20 minutes in his first 10 or so games.
     
  6. ruyun5

    ruyun5 Member

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    I disagree. In his first 10 or so NBA games, he clearly was a non-factor in the game. That's also why he did not get any good minutes. In his last 7 games or so he has steadily improved in the areas I mentioned.
     
  7. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

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    he still needs to be more assertive and aggressive especially when it comes to rebounding; he still gets boxed out pretty easily.
     
  8. micah1j

    micah1j Member

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    I'm more of a Rockets fan than a Yao Ming fan, but he needs to learn how to box out to improve his defensive rebounding. For a 7'6" guy he doesn't rebound well.

    Also his endurance/stamina are not good. He is often winded and tired after a short stint.
     
    #8 micah1j, Nov 30, 2002
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2002
  9. ruyun5

    ruyun5 Member

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    Yeah, defensive rebound he will need to improve.
     
  10. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
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    I would argue that a 7'6" player should only rarely fade away at all. If he goes straight up on people, he will still safely get his shot off, most times, and then he'll be in a better position to get a rebound.
     

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