Not sure if this has been brought up, but I just heard JVG on 610. He said that Shaq had 4 games in his career where he never went to the FT line. Yao had 6 games THIS SEASON when he never went to the line. And that the officiating is killing the Rockets because they run their offense through Yao. He also reiterated that Yao should not be penalized for not complaining. Is it possible that Van Gundy is picking this moment to bash the officiating? You know we're going down to Yao all the time in the playoffs. Perhaps Van Gundy wants some calls when it's the most critical, in the playoffs.
two thumbs up for JVG, this is a mind-blowing statement that really shows there is a problem "Shaq had 4 games in his career where he never went to the FT line. Yao had 6 games THIS SEASON when he never went to the line. And that the officiating is killing the Rockets because they run their offense through Yao"
the logical refute is that Shaq is more aggressive in the paint and that opponents foul him more often due to his poor FT shooting %. But for Yao to not go the the line at all is very telling of just how poor the officiating is. Opponents know that if Yao gets the ball deep, game over...they foul him BEFORE he even receives and then again after...on practically every play. Good for VG!
Yao has to complain and work the officials. If he can't commit to a whole season of that, he should slip in some F-bombs during halftime interviews.
Actually, the quote by JVG about the complaining was that the Rockets should not be unfairly penalized because their center is 7'6'', and doesn't complain constantly to the refs like other players do. JVG also said that he admired that in Yao(not complaining), and wouldn't want him to change. He also said that he wasn't crying about it but that it really was hurting us.
Yeah, Yao should not have to become the typical whiny assed b**** that most every other player in the league is. A foul is a foul whiners should not get more calls than someone who quietly goes about their business. On most possesions Yao has been fouled multiple times before he ever touches the ball.
My new boss, a Spurs fan, was telling me he doesn't think Yao is an NBA center. That he's too soft. I don't think he's seen Yao play lately. But Yao's still getting there. It's tough to know just how aggressive to get when the refs don't know how to call for/against you.
I hate whinning about Refs, but some of calls they blew on Yao were ridiculous, like his elbow hitting ohter's head, his shoulder hitting other's head. The guy is freaking 7 foot 5 tall, what is he supposed to do? The irony is that people in the bastetball biz constantly moaning how few good traditional centers are in NBA nowadays. Well, it was the NBA that changed the rules to dis-favor the low post game years back on the consideration that Shaq is too dominant. No wonder 7 footers these like to face the basket, run high post PnR instead of fighting for position down low because of the rules. Yao is more like in the WWF match down low. People are getting away Murders. Until the league start calling two hands pushing, arm locking, shoveling..., there wont be much more low post game left unless you Shaq has 10 sibblings. There gotta be a rule change regarding the low post.
The big issue to me is all the fouling thats occurring while he is away from the ball. Fighting for position, being fronted, pushed etc. Though I will say this, the refs don't seem to be as big of fans of the half nelson as they are the bear hug. I have noticed on rare occassions they will make the call if his teammates make an effort to pass it to him while Yao is put in the half nelson by his opponent. The bear hug is a different story though. They refs must have been big fans of the Junkyard Dog because they seem to love to watch poor little David use that tactic on Goliath. As a matter of fact, any tactic to contain Goliath, the refs seem to support. Put Yao in arm lock, no harm done. When trying to front Yao, toss him aside like your a radiers defensive lineman, that amuses the refs. Body bump him like your King Kong Bundy, the refs really love that one. Pretty soon the refs will start allowing a super fly snooka to Yao's head. Any thing to topple Goliath. I just throw my hands up and laugh. Its a joke. Opponents break every rule to guard Yao. If the refs would just go by the rules and start calling two hands on the back. That would be a start. If they call that, like they should, Yao would be shooting 10 more freethrows a game.
whoa, whoa, whoa.... so he's a spurs fan AND he doesn't think Yao is a real center?!? no offense, but your new boss is a moron. i'd check his credentials.
I wonder if it's a good idea to hire a offsean NFL lineman to brusie for Yao. He would have to knock down who ever is coming at Yao at strong side. Of couse use one hand, which is permitted by the rule.
Well at least Yao isn't a "legit center hiding behind the PF label" because he is too chicken to guard Shaq. You know who I'm talking about.
How did I rule change back when it was the big man's game and the small fellow cant compete. You gotta fight for it. There is no exact science how the rule should set. I really diagree the cliche "Rule is rule"
Well, he's a TRUE TRUE Spurs fan. I also think that, as a boss, he's wrapped up in a million other things, so he doesn't always get to see the Rox play. Not that I'm backing him up too much. I did tell him he needs to see more recent Rox games, such as when Yao has earned the right to turn to Shaq and say, "Did I just drop 33 on you? Guess I'll just call you The Big Beeyotch."
where are the fans in the stands who should be screaming in the refs ears everytime yao is getting fouled?
