ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 2/25/2003

Read from a New York sports columnist about Yao Ming after the game:

"Yao's next game is tomorrow night in Washington, where he will have a chance to shake Ewing's hand. <b>Too bad he won't be around the next night to accept the torch from the Knicks' last great center. </b>"

Hey, what do you mean?! Yao Ming is houston's, not New York's. He already accept the torch from the Dream.....

 

Yao nearly always use the hook shots when he is inside the paint. He was forced to make those turnarounds only why he couldnt back down his defender, and the rest of his team just stood around and watched. He shouldnt try those turnarounds until he builds up more strength in his upper body, so he could maintain his balance. Whenever he is that far out, he should only take his face up 12-15 footers, which he could hit at least 60-70 % of the time.

 

True. Yao's gotta find other ways to get deeper in the paint. The Barkley back down works, but it often takes a while. I'll still take his fadeaway though, even though he's been cold with them lately.

 

IMG]http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/MSG104022519_640x480.jpg[/IMG]

Yao's arms seem to get meaner. What do you think.

 

sorry, there.

 

Yao definitely has some pythons on him.

 

Yao's red rubber band used to be on his forearm! It doesn't fit there anymore and needs to go on his wrist!

Boy has he grown!

 

i think yao's shot is getting affected by his workout. i bet his workout includes lifting weights which i think he is not used to. but then again, he does not have any choice if he wants to be able to banged with the best of them. he used to shoot with accuracy. but not lately.

regardless of the outcome of last nights game, the rox should continue to go to yao. we are forgetting that this guy is a rookie. how many games did the rox lost because of francis and mobley?? a lot!!! this is yao's first and i'm sure not the last one. but i think given more time, this guy will be great.

 

i agree but i think they should make it easier for him. it seems that the rest of the team are just standing around lately everytime yao gets the ball. so he is forced to go one-on-one. the only play i see is someone cutting behind him. he sets the pick and if the guy gets free then he passes the ball back for a layup. other than that, nothing else. he goes one-on-one for a hook shot or a fadeaway shot.

 

Man...I hope Yao not only gets stronger...but uses his strength. He is too soft in the games. He is frustrating to watch at times, because teams strip him so easily.

Well. just another element in the frustrating to watch team.

 

Yao's FG% is still high past 2 games. Rox lost because the 3rd quarter not the last 2 minutes. Nothing was wrong with Yao's shooting.

 

I think Yao getting the ball stripped away has more to do with him having slow reflexes than with strength. His hands are kind of slow. If he had quicker hands he would be able to react quicker and snatch the ball away before someone could slap it away.

 

Tough loss. But hey, I was hoping for 2 out of 3 and we can still do that. I like that the Rockets went to Yao at the end. This is a learning experience for him. If we do make the playoffs this year, I believe this game will signify a turning point in Yao's success at the end of games.

 

Interesting. Yao needs to learn how to be aggressive in the right way so that he can get at least 10 FTs a game.

 

Bill Walton's take on Yao Ming:

He said Yao has the fundamental flaw of bringing the ball too far down after receiving the pass, which then makes him a 6' 9'' player and helps the defense to strip the ball. Second, when he goes up to "throw it down", he brings the ball over his head exposing it to the defenders behind and beside him.

Walton broke down replays as he explained this, and it was very evident that he has alot of growth yet in this league. So before being more aggressive, he needs to work on his technique, and fundamentals.

 

when was this?

 

Tough loss.

Great thing to see how much faith the rest of the Rox and coach have in Yao by going to him consistently in the fourth quarter.

Yao made some rookie mistakes by not holding on to the ball late in the game. The ref is not going to call anything that can affect the outcome of the game late in the fourth.

I think we lost this game because we could not put these supposedly weaker teams away earlier. We lack the killer instinct.

I sense there's more good thing to come. Rox will make the playoff.

 

Any one saw the replay of Last night's game. I watched it on sports news today.

After Sprewell stole the ball, he run back to the top of the 3 point line. It looks like Glenn Rice is doing a horrible job defending. So sprewell has a pretty easy 3 point shot. I saw Yao was already back under the basket when Sprewell get to the top of 3 point line. If I am Rice, I would go aggresively at Sprewell and AT LEAST try to contest the shot, instead of just helplessly put 1 hand up. Even if Rice over pursuit, and Spree goes to the hole, I will be much happier to take that chance because Spree ain't going to get a good shot off against Yao in there.

It's obvious Spree made a decision to shoot the 3 pointer against the no defense of Rice instead of go to the hole against Yao. He saw Yao defending inside.

Although I like Rice's outside shooting, is he too old to play any defense?

 

Yes, at least one of the 2 TOs at the end was a big time foul by Spreewell. Well nothing you can do about it when the ref did not call it.

 

yes he is...that is why he is a waste.
We are waiting for his contract to expire. one more year.
or maybe someone would take a trade with him since he would only have 1yr left on his contract.