I like the simple idea of that.. but I don't think it's as simple [Spurs-11/6 ; Tims-11/7] Take into account the high pick n roll schemes the spurs like to use AND how Yao does not match up well with those (which reminds me- I strongly believe we need more pick n rolls with either Scola and Yao or Brad Miller at the high post and Yao). Hell, he may have even injured himself stepping on someone's foot with those kind of plays. ALSO- take into consideration the players each team has. While the Spurs centers are.. >Timmy Duncan (pf/c)- 6'11 @260lb >Dejuan Blair (f/c)- 6'8 @265lb >Matt Bonner (f/c)- 6'10 @245lb The Timberwolves have.. >Kosta Koufos (f/c)- 7'0 @265lb >Kevin Love (pf/c)- 6'10 @250lb >Darko Milicic (f/c)- 7'0 @275lb >Nikola Pekovic (c)- 6'11 @265lb CLEARLY.. the Timberwolves had more weight to throw around and would have done so more effectively against our team if Yao hadn't been there to help stabilize things off the bat. Besides.. didn't we all enjoy seeing J.Hill finally get decent PT (I liked his defense against the aging Duncan and smaller Blair)? However, it does make a really nice and more secure HOME game if Yao were to play
This is good news. Im sure the guys on the team like hearing this. Now they can work on building that chemistry that seems to be eluding them so far this year. Yao can get in more of a groove also. I'm sure they will still monitor his minutes to a certain degree and keep checking with him to see how he is feeling. Adelman wont just plug him in for 35 minutes right off the bat, but this will help with the player rotations. Maybe that is why they decided not to sign Damp afterall. Yao, Miller and Hill is all we need at the C pos. Now lets get this thing rolling Rockets!!!
Even if it is just a realistic possibility that Yao's minutes will increase, and that he'll be able to play back to backs, I think it's a plus for the team. The "grand declaration" that Yao would only play X number of minutes and miss certain games until "date certain" had to have an impact on team psychology, and not in a good way.
Yep agree. Yao could limit himself to that imposed 24 minutes in fact on the back 2 backs to make everyone happy about the back 2 back situations. Then come out and go up to 28 or 29 minutes at the most on some games that have days of rest in between. Its still a hard set plan in place with limits on back to backs and less minutes overall in other games. Never go over 30 minutes rule for Yao. 24 set minutes for back to backs on both nights.
Rockets considering giving Yao more minutes (Chronicle - Jonathan Feigen) Hope they make the call to let Yao play back to backs and increase minutes. Team needs a consistent line up.
I think allowing him to play back-to-backs is almost as important as the increase in minutes for developing team chemistry. The Rockets are a completely different team without Yao. They desperatly need a constistent line up.
There's some big differences between Big Z and Yao... one... there have been a lot of medical/surgical advances since Big Z had his surgery... and two... Rehab has a lot more science behind it to reduce stress on the foot during the process. Yes, I think a plan is a good idea, but the doctors have just as much invested in Yao as the organization. If they say it's okay I trust them.
Not to mention Big Z came back a lot sooner than Yao, Yao has had like 16 months since the surgery, if I am not mistaken Big Z came back in 11 months.... DD
Lets wait and see how things go the next few games (like the next 3 to 5). The way Ish and Hill have been playing, we may have finally found the elusive chemistry we have been looking for. If we start to garner wins with Yao at 24 minutes, I say don't change things. If we continue to lose, then perhaps 28-30 minutes and eventually phase him in for back to backs (over months). I just remember the half decade we pushed him and he broke down when we needed him the most, and this time it may be a career ending injury if you consider his retirement. So I think past history and caution should rule over impulse until we see how this team plays now that they have started to learn what it takes to win with each other.
Awesome, if Yao can get 33 mins. per game he will be back to a 20 and 10 guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hayesfan, the DOCTOR who performed the surgery set the 24minute guideline. Are you seriously going to argue with the doctor? I'm going to ask you guys again: Are you seriously going to argue with the doctor? Like I said, if the Houston Rockets can't win with a 24minute Yao, then they don't deserve to win. Yao's limited playing time is the least of the Rocket's concern. As the win against Minnesota proved, Aaron Brook's play is the real reason the Rockets started off 0-5.
Seriously, after all we've been through with injuries, I don't understand how so many of us are still in favor of changing the guidelines set by Yao's Doctor. Better safe than, oh shoot now Yao is out for the entire season because we let him play 30 minutes in a regular season game. I'd rather risk some losses with a 24 min Yao, then possibly ruin all chance for any kind of run with a never-coming-back Yao.
