Great point, joeguo. Yao needs to relax and just play. What happened to his high post game, i.e. facing the basket and passing the ball?
I didn't get to watch the game, but the post-game interview from Yao confirmed my suspesion, the Rockets' offense tempo is too fast for Yao. The Rockets don't have much of a half court offense. Their strength is their speed at the back court, that kind of style will have a lot of turnovers as well, so the defense will have a fast tempo as well. The problem is that Yao is too slow for it. People tend to think that Yao will catch up after a few games, but that is not necessarily true. Yes, he is considerably quick than most of the 7 footers, but he will never be fast enough to play with the speed of the current Rockets back court. He confirmed this problem in his postgame interview. I still believe Yao could be an impact player, even this year, when in a right system, because I saw his playing when he was 18, and the progress he's made in the past few years. I just don't think the Rockets' up tempo style is right for him. --daoshi
I think Rudy T should start Yao and give him the confident. Although I never see a game of Yao except one at the World Championship, I think the Rockets need to use him more. I hardly get to hear Yao do anything with the offense out there. Just 1 shot? C'mon now. Why can't they run the simple play with him since he don't know the Rockets offense yet. I know the Rockets are cautious and not risking of losing the game with Yao's in there since he hasn't fully understand the offense yet, but you got to experience him more and give him the confident if you want him to develope. I know being a Kings fan, our coach always leave the player in there even if they have a bad game, don't take him out. Let him feel his embarassment and he will learn that way. By leaving him out there even if he didn't play well, you're showing confident in his ability. And I think that's one reason why all the Kings players have so much confident out there. SO i don't know...that's just my opinion, but i could be wrong. I got to see a Rockets' game to see what is going on with Yao.
