As a Rox fan, we all complain from time to time about Yao's aggresiveness and we want him to "toughen up". But after watching the Detroit/Indiana fan, I have began to question if our hopes for Yao are correct. I mean, look at guys like Wallace, J Oneal, Artest, KG (punch team mate in practice), Rasheed etc. I dont think Yao would EVER do anything like that. So next time when someone cheap shots Yao and Yao doesnt retalitate, we should be dissapointed as a basketball fan but even prouder of the way he is representing Houston.
Evil twin of clove speaking: Funk that! I want a championship! I don't know if we could do it with a nice Yao. Good clove: I guess you are right. It's best if yao can be nice like Bird and Magic and still dominate. In today's NBA, the post position is not a place for nice guys.
Are you on crack cocaine?!?!? If someone cheap shots Yao, and Yao doesn't knock him out unconsious, I'd run down onto the court and punch out Yao myself!!!
Don't quote the padawan. Use the force (ignore list). It's not a matter of retaliation. I don't think anyone is advocating that Yao play more violently. It's just a matter of playing resiliantly. Never giving up, going hard for every minute he is on the floor and never accepting failure. Yao is already a lot tougher than he gets credit for. He is pushed around by the NBA's strongest and is usually still able to get pretty good position, and score well despite being fouled on nearly every possession. He's also 7'6", and gets knocked to the ground a whole lot. He goes down hard, but he always gets back up.
I really don't think Magic and especially Bird are soft. They might not get into fights but they will make sure to mess with you a little bit if you give them a cheap shot.
I dont think you can honestly say that the post is no place for nice guys... Dream, DRobinson, Duncan just to name three....all of them are nice guys that did/do a helluva job as post players. and...I gotta give props to HippieLoser.....dude, you have been on a roll lately in here....damn good posts all the way around. keep it up.
Being assertive is not equivalent of being a punk. Yao can assert his will on the court without being an A$$. DD
I agree with daoshi. All I remember from Bird was that he was one hell of a competitor and hardly "nice" at all.
Nice guys yes. Will play agressive, give hard fouls and swing elbows, definitely. I don't want Yao to be a thug, but if he is patroling the lanes and a guard get in theer, I want him to send the guy to the ground.
I dont have a problem with that...I want Yao to eventually make people fearful to drive into his face...but still be a good guy. Im the sam way as a few others here....I want my team to be the classy team...full of guys that are acknowledged around the league as "good guys" You aint gotta be a punk to be a fearsome paint defender. A good example is on the Rockets right now.....When Deke comes a huntin in the paint...people notice and try to avoid him....but if you ask any player/GM/coach in the league...they will tell you he is a helluva good guy....
Ok.....so I never watched Bird play. At the time I was a huge baseball fan. I don't know where I got the idea that he was nice. The good clove still believes you can't be nice in the post. Duncan and company are nice guys, no doubt. But if they were fouled and messed with the same way yao is, they would let the other player know. I loved the elbow Yao threw(spelling?) at Juwan Howard last year. Too many times, Yao just turns into a wuss and cries to the referee. I am tired of seeing after dirty plays/hard fouls, other players stand up for Yao. It's better for Yao IMHO, to be handing out punishment rather than receiving them on court. The guy out weighs most players by 60+ pounds, and a foot taller, put some fear in them. Not to be an ahole on court, but let them know they'll get hurt if they don't respect his space.
there's a difference between being a thug and playing competitively. fighting for your space on the court. you don't have to hit anyone to do that...you have to effectively use the force of your body to get postion, though. yao needs some work on that...a little more of the killer instinct going after the ball would be great, too.
Obsolutely. Maybe I sounded like I want him to be a thug? That's not what I meant. I want him to take it to the guys who plays dirty on him, and guys who shows no respect. Not choking them or throwing punches. Play rough with them. Do your moves as if no one is guarding you. If he gets called for an offensive foul, so be it, he gets called for touchy fouls anyway. You will put fear in dirty players. Basketball is a contact sport in the post. You must make people respect your game. It shouldn't be too hard for Yao to do, since he is the biggest one. He's like a men playing among boys. For people who plays competitive basketball: Picture youself guarding someone who is 60 pounds heavier, and 8 inches taller, in the post. If he's nice, and afraid he'll hurt you. You can get right next to him, with no fear, and just abuse him. Slaps, elbow, knees, shoves, pulls... Now if that big guy got mad, and did a move like you are not even there. All you remember is you are slapping and elbowing away, all of the sudden a meat stick hits across your head. You almost lost balance and almost twisted your neck. He might be called for an offensive foul. But next time, there is no way you are getting that close to him. You'd be thinking about how to protect yourself instead of how to elbow the guy without getting caught. You probably won't jump into him on your layup attempts as much. If people respect Yao the same way they respect TD, then yeah, don't be a reckless player. Problem is people perceive him as weak, and consciencly plays real dirty on him. It makes me mad just thinking about it. Steve is not here to protect you anymore Yao. Grow up and take care of your business.
