Anyone else notice that whenever a guard gives Yao an entry pass, they immediately cut to the basket. If the pass isn't there, Yao's left alone with his defender on that side of the court. Suddenly, we're in an ISO situation ... but with Yao?!? There's no one on the strong side. If Yao's not going to shoot, he has to make some sort of ill-advised cross court pass. I'm not one to bash Rudy T, particularly because I think our defensive scheme is pretty darned good (Kobe was draining shots that NO ONE is advised to take last night ... simply amazing & unstoppable), but why the heck is Yao getting ISO type looks?
He's using the same set that worked with Olajuwon. If Steve didn't cut to the basket, then it would be much easier to double Yao. I think you have a point though. These sets don't maximize his passing ability.
I remember Dream having a spot-up shooter type on the strong side with him. If the opponents were crazy enough to use that guy to double team Dream, he'd kick it back out for an open 3. The double team would then come from someone on the weak side.
I think the cutter is necessary as mentioned above so that the double team is not as easy. However, I agree that Yao needs to be able to pass out of the post so he can re-establish his post spot and get the ball again. I think what needs to happen is if the player at the top of the key sees Yao stuggle, he needs to slide over the the 3pt line elbow and be Yao's outlet so he can get the pass back into Yao. Again, Motion, what a concept? Chris
Yeah, I don't mind the cut to the basket. We've had many easy layups as a result of that cut. But why not slide someone over to the strong side after the cut?
I agree with you. When I watch Lakers and Shaq play, most of the time they have that post entry passer with Shaq on the strong side. If Shaq's post position is not deep enough, he can pass it out to re-establish a deeper position. If the opposing team dare use that man to double team Shaq, then that entry passer will have an wide open shot. And if they double Shaq with a weak side defender, then Shaq will pass it to that entry passer, then that entry passer will pass it to that weak side open man around the 3 pt line. That's no need for Shaq to make cross court pass all the time. Cutters usually come from weak side too.
After the post entry pass, the cutter usually just goes to the weakside and either stands around like everyone else not named Yao or slowly rotates back toward the arc. Wouldn't it be a novel idea to set some weakside screens and/or create some weakside player movement instead of letting Yao go 1on1? Yao's passing game is far ahead of his NBA 1on1 game offense. The post play the Rockets use does nothing to utilize Yao's skills.
Further proof, Rudy T's time has passed, he's trying to turn these guys into the 94 Rockets, completely different team. A good coach adjusts his system to complement his players' talents, not try to force his system on players that aren't suited for it.
Last night, Rice stayed at the top of the arc and made it impossible for his man to double. If not Rice, that role in past games has been played by Griffin (sigh) and occasionally T-Mo. I think that part of the game-plan is solid. I do agree that it'd be nice if Yao could pass out for a re-post, though. Should definitely play 2-man with SF and Yao. If SF's man leaves him to double, and Francis gets the ball back, is there any doubt that he can drive to the rim with his defender off-balance?
I don't like the dangerous cross court passes either. They haven't burned the Rockets much yet, but it's only a matter of time before teams catch on and start playing the passing lanes.
The times Yao's been "ISO'd" on one side, there's almost always someone WIDE open on the other side of the court because he's double-teamed. In the last game, he found that guy almost everytime.
Well last night, many times they didn't even bother double-teaming him when he'd be by himself on one side. The defender would just lean all his weight on Yao, so Yao couldn't get closer to the basket. Then, Yao would pretty much be forced to pull up a jumper, and I think the Lakers were happy to live with that kind of a shot.
this threads makes it sound like it is the same thing everytime. it's not. We look at Yao in the lane first, then failing that he goes to the wing, and we throw the entry there. since when is a 7'5" guy back to the basket 10' out called an "ISO." OK, fine, call it an ISO after the cutter clears out, but there was still a cutter. The cutter temporarily prevents a double team, giving Yao a quick option to hand-off or spin with the cutter, or ISO, and Yao can make a spin move like he did for the slam to follow Kobe's slam. Those are the same plays. Sure it is similar to Hakeem, but so what? Jabbar was used the same way. Big guys are very often used this way. It is basic basketball and why people scream "why can't we just get the ball to Yao; it's so simple." Yeah, it would be nice to use Yao like Malone who was in the same position but with much more weakside motion for him to target, but Yao is not Malone, yet. We give him simple touches first and try to keep double teams off him...if you havent' noticed, he has a terrible habit of bringing the ball down and being stripped by collapsing perimeter defenders. Getting that defender out of there, allows Yao to make dribble moves without fearing a pesking guard diving in when he turns his head towards the weakside looking for cutters. Give him the ball; let him get comfortable; add extras over time; rinse and repeat. He is no Bill Walton whiz kid who had 4 yrs of training under John Wooden. He needs time to run more options like Malone did to us.
