Reading some threads, alot of posters think that Yao peaked in 06/07 because he averaged 25 ppg and that he has regressed since then. So, I went to NBA.com and checked out his stats, specifically his average attempts at FG per game: 06/07: 819 FG attempts in 48 games = 17.07 FG attempts per game 08/09: 514 FG attempts in 39 games = 13.18 FG attempts per game source: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yao_ming/career_stats.html All his other stats for 08/09 are comparable to 06/07, except that his average TO a game is down 2.97 from 3.48 (possibly because he handles the ball less than he did in 06/07) and his FG% is slightly better this year. IMO, I don't think he has regressed at all. Yao is averaging less PPG because he is taking less shots this year. He's probably taking less shots because Adelman's offense isn't focused as much on Yao as it was during the JVG era. In addition, Yao is probably taking less shots because Ron Artest is getting his share of shots. While it doesn't seem like Yao has drastically improved over 06/07, if we are lucky, perhaps Yao has some gas left in him and may yet play his best season in the following years. We'll see, won't we?
I would much rather have a more balance team like the boston than just having yao score 30 nights in and night out coz u don't wanna wear him out and get him injured.
well because if you watched the games back then he basically dominated. Before Chuck broke Yao's leg Yao took over games and pwn3d people all the time. This was the season of him telling people they cannot %^&&ing stop him.
Exactly. He was more assertive, more vocal, stronger (although I do not blame him for dropping some pounds, and demanded the ball each play. He was IMO the most double teamed player in the league. He was a whole different Yao.
Yao has indeed peaked. You can tell from watching the games he's not the same player. He's definitely slower, his (small amount of) hops have completely disappeared and more rebounds get knocked from his hands than since his rookie year. The rebounding problem bothers me a lot. The only reason Yao maybe hasn't peaked is that last year's surgery is still affecting him. If that is the case, Yao may not be at his best until next season. Yao is 29.
The best I've ever seen Yao play was definitely in 06/07. He was a freaking beast almost every night. He was playing with a confidence that he'd never had before, and I've yet to see since. It's about more than just the numbers.
compared to his 06-07 pre-injury status, i say he's regressed a bit. but i expect him to be able to get back to that as he continues to recover from is fracture injury and this team continues to bake good chemistry. now there is another star on our team i'd say has truly peaked. even if he comes back with his head totally leveled and into the team and the game, he won't be able to perform at the level of 3 years ago.
Once again ibm brings someone else into the thread. I couldve sworn this was about yao, but I guess not.
His average RPG in 08/09 is better than 06/07. His best year for RPG was last year, in 07/08 at 10.8. But he averaged almost 4 minutes more last season compared to this season. I think he's still the same dominant player he was in 06/07, and the stats would show it if he takes the same FG attempts per game this season as 06/07 - but he won't take the same FG attempts per game because of Adelman's offense and because Ron Artest needs to get his shots.
No tickets ibm, I just don't really get why you bring up someone else. I actually like a lot of your opinions even if I don't agree, but why not talk about why or why not you think Yao has peaked?
Because stats don't tell everything. If you compare how Yao played then to how he plays now, there is a noticeable difference if you asked me. I don't know that we will ever see that Yao again.
Don't look at numbers, watch the games! Everyone says Yao is the hardest working guy on the team yet you never really see any improvement on the court. Where's the new moves? Why is he still making the same mistakes?
because if you say yao's peaked when he starts going downhill, you won't look like a genius. but let's face it. it's really unrealistic for yao to have a better statistical season than 06/07... half a season actually. yao's peak started then. it remains to be seen how long it will last.
