What exactly is the Rocket's answer to when teams front Yao? Is there a set offensive scheme they try to run to counter it? Or is there nothing they can really do about it? And if they are running a set scheme, why is it not working - is it Yao's fault, coaching, or inadequate execution? What are the X's and O's of attacking this sort of defense to keep the big man involved? As I see it, the only option, aside running the pick and roll, is to just lob the pass over and hope Yao catches it (not necessarily a good idea). Any other method, it would seem, would just burn the entire shot clock. BTW, what is Miami's answer to teams fronting Shaq? And would it work for Yao?
I've advocated this many times before. You guys remember one of the Lakers series a while back in which the one of the commentator said something along the lines of "the best offence that LA can run right now is having Shaq getting the offensive rebound and dunk it" or something along those lines. That's what I think should be done with the Rockets when Yao's fronted, he's in the PERFECT position to box the defensive player out, it should be so easy for him to get the offensive rebound. If he's fronted, he should immediately proceede to block out the defensive player and let rest of the 4 players run a play to get a quick shot and get the offensive rebound if it doesn't go in.
I'm not sure that would work with Yao though; he has a tough enough time reeling in boards as is. Additionally, there is no way predict where the ball will end up.
During his peak years, Shaq was very effective at sealing players off when fronted. Basically the only way to stop him was a double team (sometimes even when he didn't have the ball). This is why weak players like Derek Fisher and Rick Fox could be effective on offense. Shaq was just that awesome and he inflicted serious punishment on players who guarded him. In single coverage, fronting him just didn't work so he would back players down until he got in position, received the ball and it was over. Yao is not as athletic as Shaq used to be. He doesn't seal off well, is very slow, doesn't keep his balance, has questionable hands and doesn't jump. As far as I can tell, fronting will always be the most effective defense against Yao.
The problem is, how do you seal your man off when he is practically in front of you? Most of the time, the defender has better position on Yao due to being smaller and quicker. Thus, he is literally in front of him, as opposed to being on the side where Yao could then seal him.
[Imagination]Man I want to see Rafer throw one of his street alleys off the back board right towards Yao, now that would be sweet.[/Imagination] Here's my take on the front- 1st) Yao commits 1.5 defenders 2nd) These defenders spread out to rotate a guard to Juwan or Stromile if passed to to mess with their jumpshot. 3rd) The defending guards spread out because the defending Power forward will generally be the 1/2 defender used behind Yao. 4th) This setup only occurs when the passer to Yao has the ball. Here's my counter using the above assumptions: Have Juwan/Stro cut to the free throw line and catch the ball. Have either of them fake a jumper and proceed to post up the smaller guard who has now rotated to him. Back said defender down and force a double team. Follow standard double team procedure - open shot. If a small forward is used - immediately get it to Tracy. If Tracy is not in the game or if a guard is used - have the small forward/guard cut - lob it to Yao and have Yao touch pass it to him immediately.
You seal him on the outside by standing still for about one second after the ball is tossed inside. You jump, catch it and then put it in. Very simple for Shaq, which is why many teams gave up on fronting him. After a while you at least want him to work a little bit before he slams it down. Sometimes another defensive player can help out if the pass is successful, but for players like Shaq and Yao, getting the ball 3-4 feet away from the basket with a defender standing there just leads to a basketball and a foul. You can seal a defender away from a pass in any direction. Sideways, front or back.
http://www.cybersportsusa.com/hooptactics/triangle.asp Rockets could deploy a sideline triangle with Tmac taking the options of the "2" and Anderson (or Barry) taking the options of the "3". That way, we would split the court with Tmac free on the weakside, aided by the power forward. Yao would have good passing angles from either the point or the shooting guard. If the opponent fronts Yao with 1 man, the ball zips from the shooting guard to the point and can go to Yao from the back. If the opponent doubles Yao, Tmac is free for easy bucket. Here's another one (that JVG doens't like). UCLA High Post Rub : http://www.cybersportsusa.com/hooptactics/ucla.asp Scroll down and look at the ball-reversal continuity options.
I have said it before and I will keep saying it. Yao and Tmac combo is built for triangle offense. That system will bring out their strengths while masking their weaknesses, more specifically, Yao's weaknesses. As it stands, our offense is too predictable. When opponents get enough time to do HW, and are halfway decent defensive team, they can create serious problems. We are slow, have terrible player movements, and are very predictable. Unfortunately for the Rockets, JVG is too stubborn to try the motion offense. Truth be told, I dont think he would be able run it. Its either dump it to Yao, hand it to Tracy, or run pick and rolls for 3 point shooters. Great defensive coach, but limited creativity, if any at all, on offense.
Just bang the ball off the glass to him for the dunk. Yao should turn his back to the fronter and immediately start backing him out of the paint.
In my opinion fronting defenses is more of a weakness on the guards than Yao. Hold the position for 1 second someone one said? ... when it takes the guards longer to decide to throw it in or not. When the guards have passed to the ball to Yao when he is fronted, Yao has yet to turnover the ball, in fact he has always scored.
Now, if Yao learns how not to bring the ball down to regain balance after receving lob, we can lob it to him.
there are a lot different ways to attack it. without having guards simply shoot and have yao rebound a possible miss. spacing is the key. that's why the triangle has worked so well for phil jackson. people try to say he's just had great players, but he has an excellent basketball mind. the triangle creates great balance and spacing, which allows room for great players to operate and create for others. in a triangle if they front yao and have the backside defenders sag, you swing pass and hit the opposite side players on offense for open jumpers or a possible easy post entry to yao because if they run out, yao will be in front of the defender, rendering the front useless. to me it's all about spacing and finding out what the defense is doing. we need to start doing that. instead of running yao ragged in the fourth quarter setting screens, not getting anyone quality looks. yao needs to be in the post. howard and swift can run around and set screens.
two options either, both of which involve Yao letting the front happen and then seal the defender out so the inside is his.... then the ball can be kicked back up to the top from the wing and the player at the top can feed Yao or the a player flashes to the foul line and the wing player passes them the ball the player at the foul line can either shoot the jumper and more importantly have a great passing angle to Yao who has inside position of the defender who was fronting we used to use this and be pretty efficient when Taylor and Cato were manning the 4 spot and sure JVG has used this before....
1.Let Yao play some high-post instead of low-post everytime 2.Let other teammates attack the basket instead of shooting outside everytime
