I observed this during I think the 3rd quarter and I'm pretty sure everybody else saw this too. Yao got the ball slightly outside the paint on the left side. Nobody came to double on the weak side and I'm pretty sure he had time before the 3 second violation. He was backing down Jeff Foster like he's not even there. Then what does he do? Instead of keep backing down and go for a dunk he shoots a turn around fadeaway. OK I know he hits those shots with consistency but why the hell not make it easier on yourself? I'd rather see him back down, lean in and draw the foul instead of fading away.
Here's the game theory explanation: If you have multiple "good" alternatives, occasionally it's better to exercise the less "good" alternative to force the opposition to respect it. The classic example is in tennis, when players occasionally have to use a weaker shot as opposed to a stronger one, as consistently using one's best shot plays into the other guy's hands. I have no idea if any of this ever crossed Yao's mind... but I know better players do it, even if they don't think of it as game theory. You occasionally use your weaker hand, etc, a jump shooter drives, a bad shooter shoots... just to maintain the threat as a viable option and force the defense to adjust. Also, this only applies between multiple "good" decisions... if one decision is just bad, then it doesn't work.
I think the guy is just more comfortable shooting that shot. He said that Dream is one of his heroes and no one shot the fadeaway better on the post. He always looks more awkward when he tries to pull a Shaq and knock his guy over. Besides, shooting 50+ percent from the floor, he can take pretty much whatever shot he likes.
I just think he should force himself to shoot as close to basket as possible. Sure he can make those fadeway, but layup and dunk are always the highest percentage shots you can get. You must think further when we play playoff game, which I am confident we can make it this year, the game is much more intense, more phyical and refs won't make as many foul calls as regular game. The game will be decided by couple key shots. Yao has to learn to go strong for low post move instead of fadeway jumps. That is the key for him to succeed in the NBA.
Yeh, I think it's just more comfortable for him to take that shot. But against Foster? Come on, you got 7', 50lbs over the guy, just go up strong, shot over the guy. There is no bonus for difficulty with those fadeaways. --daoshi
Yao should go for the higher percentage shot whenever he gets a chance. If he can back someone down and score on him in the low post he must go for it. If he has a better chance with his jumper in a situation than he should shoot it.
hahaha...now everybody's in love with Yao....2 weeks ago it was......trade Yao for a second round draft pick toooo funny.
Yeah I can still remember some people just wanted to dump Yao for almost nothing not too long ago. Stay tune though. We will see those posts again after the next Rocket loss.
Valid, but -- and sorry for the but -- an occasional dunk in a Foster (or whomever's) face and Yao will win face with his defenders and with the refs.
As I remember that play, the commentaros mentioned that he received the ball too far away from the basket. He should have passed back to the guard and force himself a little closer to the basket and ask the ball again. The problem with our guards is that once he re-establishes position, they don't give him the ball back. Anyway, I think everybody is playing better and hopefully someday all guards would be able to pass more and dribble less.
There's actually been a pretty noticable turnaround with that lately. Historically true, but the past few games ( Jackson's influence?) they have been working hard to get different angles for the entry and even giving him the odd second entry pass.
Exactly. I liked the NY game when Mark Jackson, near the baseline, threw to Yao at the high post, who could have taken a shot (it wouldn't have been WIDE open, but then again, for Yao, when can he not see the basket?) Yao flipped it to Jim Jackson at the 3pt line. Jim tossed it straight back to Yao who then took and made the shot. It all took maybe 3 seconds. If only our primary guards would be involved in such plays.
Hey I understand what you're saying, but think about this: how many times Yao gets hacked with no calls? He'll get slapped on the wrist like 4 - 6 times a game (underestimate). Say if he's pulling one of those fadeaways and the defender pushed him (like JO'Neal did tonight) he might miss and half the time he won't get the call. What I'm saying is go up strong, make the contact obvious so the blind zebras have to call it, not to mention take a higher percentage shot. I mean we're not asking him to back down Shaq or anything. We're talking Jeff FREAKIN' Foster here.
Yao's power game is still the weakest part of his game. I agree foster is no match for Yao and he should of gone to a baby hook, or a drop step layup. I think Yao expected a double team, which never came on the strong side. But to Yao's credit after missing that fadeaway, he came back with a drop step on the strong side for a finger roll. I wish he does that more often.
His problem being aggressive right now, and has been since November, is: a) No calls when he turns in and his opponent does the Malone Flop b) No confidence that when he gets the hell knocked out of him, he will be able to finish the shot OR get the whistle Leave us not forget the Ewing coaching influence here. Ewing never saw a turnaround baseline jumper he didn't like.
Another problem is that the longer he is backing his man down, the more chance a double team has of coming and stripping the ball away from him. It would be great if Yao could hold the ball tight enough that weak guards couldn't poke it away, but he doesn't. I think it is a higher percentage PLAY if he goes early, even if he takes a lower percentage SHOT.
