The lack of face up jumpers of Yao is one of the myths and biggest waste of offensive talent surrounding this team, and made us forget about Yao's strengths - he is a pure shooter. I've never seen him misses an open jump shot. We have posters that say the Rox need a pure shooter - we have him, but for whatever reason the Rox run plays to get other players open looks, but NEVER EVER for Yao. Yao doesn't get any designed easy buckets. This is CRAZY! Rudy just said recently that he likes to mix things up, well then prove it. Yao has both power game and finesse game, but he should rely on his current strength, the finesse game as his comfort zone, and try to learn on the fly the power game, not the other way around as is now! Even the Chinese commentators said that Yao should not only play the game like a bulldozer in the Timerwolves game. Before Hakeem said that Pat Riley knows a big man's game as a reason to leave the Rockets, implying Rudy T doesn't quite get it how to play a big man, I found that hard to believe, but what can I say now looking at the one sidedness of Rudy's offense? You have a 7-5 pure jump shooter with underdeveloped upper body and yet there's no easy jumpers for him? The key to get Yao 20 points a game is simple, mix things up, run a pick to get Yao open and let him shoot his jumpers. That's the way Rik Smits got his points and Yao is by no means a lesser shooter. It's that easy! CB4ever you are the man to point this out. End of my rant.
Well, one thing I noticed in the game that was kind of discouraging is that even in the post it looked like Ilgauskas had an easier time getting his shots off than Yao did.
I guess Rudy wants Yao to learn to play the low post first and bang it away further with time. Every great scorer is like that. Inside 1st outside 2nd, never the other way around. We shouldn't let Yao get too comfortable with his outside game or he would never bang inside again. Now is just growing pain.
Get comfy? I just hope he doesn't forget how to shoot without turning around. I wouldn't be surprised if the first time he gets a spot-up J off the PNR this (or next) season, he turns, fades and shoots it into the crowd. Oh well, at least he's stopping-and-popping in practice. Middle right... Yao-Sa! http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_20022003_Video_Featur-48911-34.html?nav=MediaClipList# Sigh. I would take every one of those shots, even the misses, in a game situation over about 75% of the shots we currently get.
I agree Yao should develop his inside game more. Maybe posting up for 10 times a game, but it doesn't mean he should be chained in the post and be a post machine. Post play isn't the more the better for Yao at this stage. For one, Yao doesn't have the strength, stamina, nor the moves, to consistently post up. Two bad things occur after repeatedly posting up: Yao gets worn out fighting for position and becomes less effective. Yao's moves become predictable and get him blocked. Excessive post play is counterproductive. Get Yao some easy points, and the Rockets will win more.
I just wonder how hard is to make that fade away jumper? 50% of shots Ming is making right now is that turn around fade away. I think that is pretty difficult to make, why limit him only to that? He isnt strong enough right now in the low post, most of his money come from cutting, and put backs. I too want to see make those 15ft jumpers, at lease 3 to 4 times per game, mix it up. The fade away jumper compeletely destroys his confidence right now.
