From the last 2 games I saw, it was painfully evident that Ming was getting ignored on the offensive side. He did well in the home game last Sat, scoring 2 buckets in quick succession, the crowd was getting into it, things looked good, and then it happened-they wouldn't give him the ball anymore. What is up with that? The announcers were wondering the same thing. Are the guards jealous of the fan feedback or what? Is the fact that Ming is from China a factor at all? Makes you think. After all, China isn't exactly our dearest friend. Is this the way Rudy is instructing the flow, or are other players just ignoring him? Most everyone here agrees that we need more ball movement, and player involvement. How hard would it be to give Ming the ball, and let him at least pass it? Or make the easy shots? I know he can shoot the ball, he just needs to get it once in a blue moon. Sheesh. And it doesn't have to be in post. I'm really wondering if there are any plays at all for this guy. If not, I'm not so sure that him being out there at all is good for his confidence. He needs direction. All of his teammates are foreigners to him, now just imagine the sycological impact of feeling ignored. They need to at least acknowledge his presence on the floor. Share the love, share the ball. Be a team, win games.
I just read his online journal. Maybe he needs more encouragement. His teammates can talk all the encouragement they want, but they need to acknowledge that in his game time. The game should be fun, so let him be a part of it. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45012
I wouldn't mind the Rockets having one play for Ming that they ran if they were up by 20 or down by 20, but right now Ming isn't comfortable enough on the court to know the system let alone become a central figure in it. If the Rockets decide they want to sacrifice reaching the playoffs for this season, and have the whole season become just a Ming training camp then sure they can start calling more plays for him. But that also runs the risk Yao getting demorilized and stunting his growth since he's not able to establish any kind of a post position, and ends up missing or turning the ball over on most of his shots.
Are you saying they won't teach him the system until he is comfortable? I believe he isn't comfortable on the court BECAUSE he doesn't know the system. Hopefully in this 3 day break, they worked on at least something for him to contribute with-not necessarily scoring, but having something to do with the ball. He's played basketball for a good while, so the court is nothing new, it's just the scheme of the team that he appears to be left out in. I think a lot of us are still wondering what that scheme is. As for being a Ming training camp, well, if he's going to play at all, he needs to be used effectively, not just out there to get minutes in-they have to be quality minutes.
We have to start with small things. First, you wait for him to learn how to rebound properly. Once he learns the basics of rebounding, and uses them naturally on the court, then you move to timing on blocks and steals. Then when he's done with that, then he's not a liability on the court. Then you can get him into the flow of the game, and let him work his way inside.
Sounds like a plan Sane, but is he to do nothing on the offensive? Not even be involved with ball movement? ......if we have such a thing......
