Like I said in other threads, if that Chicago loss brings us closer to a permanent solution to Yao's fronting problems, then it might have been a blessing in disguise. Teams have already started figuring out that if you commit yourself to fronting Yao, you will absolutely limit his effectiveness which can go a LONG WAY in defeating us in the playoffs. I'm glad we still have 22 games left to try and figure out the problem, so that by the time the playoffs come, we will have a battle-tested solution.
^^ I haven't read all the threads so I'm sure this is being discussed somewhere else...but while some teams do more fronting of Yao earlier in the games, no team seems to do it as frequently as they do down the stretch. You would think more teams would. Logically, then, you would also think that the Rockets must be better against it earlier in the game...why? who knows. a variety of reasons I'm sure. I'm optimistic that they will continue to get better at the late game fronting. However, I am also realist and will not be surprised if they never get as good as they should be. The solutions seem obvious and certainly should work...but they don't seem to. It's not like this is a new problem. Though, alternatively, since the solutions do at least take some thought, it is somewhat comforting to know that it is at least somewhat of a new problem for someone like Brooks, and still somewhat of an interesting problem for someone like Artest. Heck, even still a little new for Scola (who never really played consistently with Yao until this year). So, I'll be optimistic they will continue to practice anti-fronting strategies and gel from a chemistry perspective, but am not expecting these types of sporadic offensive struggles to disappear completely.
I saw some good things last night albeit very raw. First Lowry was able to drive and then draw Yao's defender away and lob it into him. If they stay with Yao that would have been an easy layup. Second, Brooks was on the side trying an entry pass, Yao was being fronted so he shielded his man and then Brooks passed to Battier who quickly passed to Yao who had an inside track to the basket. Third Brooks was trying to pass to Yao who was being doubled and when they switched to Brooks Lowry was open for a wide open 3. Finally Yao was fighting his man much harder and trying to occupy his space which caused 2 fouls on the other team. Yao needs to flop a little because their is no question he is getting beaten up. The problem with Yao is even though he is getting killed because he isn't knocked to the ground he doesn't get the call. Yao needs to fall when he gets an obvious foul. He will get those calls if he falls.
a lot of this fronting bs, like someone else has said already, are outright fouls. the rockets as an organization should do something about it to at least make the refs do a better job. sending tapes, if they are still doing that, is not enough. yes yao is a 300lbs and 7'6 giant and he at times should be able to fight for his position better. but in a wrestling match (literally) against scrubs like brian cardinal who doesn't have to worry about scoring, rebounding or foul situation, yao's advantage diminishes rather quickly (if there's any advantage left for him) if the refs don't call those blatant fouls. it doesn't take 6 fouls to get the other team back to decent play. a quick couple of foul calls will send their starting center to the bench; another quick couple of whistles will have the other team have no bigs to sub in. decent officiating is all what it takes. of course, this is on top of the plays we need to execute on the court. but we really to overcome this hurdle, and do it well - before the playoffs come around - to get far.
categorically, to counter the fronting and its varieties, the options available are largely (1) a lob pass if there's no one at yao's back; (2) swing the ball to the other side (either yao moves to the other side and gets the ball there, or someone else attacks); (3) run pick and roll with our 4 man if the 4 of the other team is also committed to yao; (4) using yao as a shield and either shoot (so yao has inside position for the rebound) or penetrate through the cracks created by the fronting. nothing complicated. it just takes repetition in games and practices. i think adelman and his troops should be able to solve this in the remainder of the regular season. and for all yao ming fans, if this means yao has to sacrifice his stats a little bit (won't be by much, i suspect) and the team gets more wins in a more consistent fashion, then it is the right way to go.
Coach said Yao has to get wider and do a better job of keeping his man from coming around. He also said they have to attack it. That's what I've said for yrs but people on this board don't seem to understand.
I hate to mention the name but Tmac used to be able to feed Yao with a lob pass in a fronting situation. Maybe Brooks is not tall enough to do a safe lob pass consistently. I wonder how much time Yao and co spend to practice lob pass and other things. I guess it is difficult since you need at least 4 players to effectively practice this stuff. Brooks/Yao, one fronting and one double off. Cook should spend time fronting Yao in drills, that's the least he could do.
Wow, talking about pathetic coaching staff. All these years and they still haven't figure out about Yao being fronted??
I seem to recall alot of those plays being suggested here as a solution... nice to see them working on it atleast
Most (good) teams aren't going to front alot, because fronting means the basket is unprotected. Bad teams or bad defenses can afford to do it, because they don't want us driving into the paint getting easy (high percentage) shots from wing players. Why don't the Lakers, Spurs, any team with Shaq, Cavs, Celtics, and other post dominated teams front Yao as much or regulated to certain situations. It exposes the paint defense.
it seems logical using a wider base, worst case is it dosent work... and they will have to try something different...
I've never seen anyone successfully lob it to Yao. Maybe Francis and Mobley, once or twice, but that was ages ago. Yao doesn't have the hops that he did just a year or two ago, so he doesn't jump anymore to get passes. Tmac used to just shoot it! when he saw Yao being fronted. And Rafer couldnt' seem to get him the ball in that situation, either.
RA shall have more solutions against the opposite coaches' ways to front Yao. I do not think he knows enough.
Yao needs to do some cross training in wrestling and I am being serious. Wrestling teaches people balance as people are pushing or pulling at you. The problem Yao has is balance. He just loses it too easily while fighting for position and sealing his man off.
This shoud be found earlier. The main responsibility of C and PF is "point" and "rebound" when the team is in offensive end. If you can't get the ball and "point" because of the "fronting", then think about the rebound thing.
