I've noticed that many teams beat us with... A Center who can shoot the midrange J This wouldn't work if: - Our overall team defense allowed almost no 1-1 penetration. - We didn't funnel the ball into Yao (takes away his inside defense) - Yao was so dominant on offense (ala Shaq) that he would make any offensive gameplan relatively obsolete because he always gets the higher %. How this problem is compounded: When the opposing team uses our defensive weakspots: PG and PF to drive and dish to their C. How about: Yao allows for the jumpshooting center to be open until he receives the ball (just like now), until the center gets hot (unlikely) BUT - when Yao rotates off to help defend on their PF our PF rotate immediately to the opposing C's location instead of chase after him, - and if the PG burns his man, have our PF cover their C again and have our PG try to cut off the passing lane to their PF from their guard. Of course this is easier said than done, but if executed correctly and the no early penetration is allowed (low shot clock) I don't see why this wouldn't foil several weaker opponents gameplans.
I just dont think Yao is confident enough to step out there and guard a long range center. Plus, if he does step out, guard can easily penetrate and score easy layups. I think we should just let that midrange jump shooting center score his 15 points, and concentrate on other players.
If our PF can do the rotation well and defend well, we might not have the problem in the first place. I think we should just live and die with the mid-range jumper.
