NY Times: Rockets Seek to Uncover Yao's 7-Foot-6 Mean Streak

1&5. Good points. Maybe after 2004 Olympics, the Chinese will see this and let him do it in 2005.

2. I agree about the hesitation, but I think it does relate to technique. He has to master the techniques so that he doesn't have to think about them in order to speed up the process to the pace of the NBA game. Example: rebounding is a three step process: position, recognition, reaction. You position yourself both to block out "your man" and to maximize your basket coverage. You recognize where the shot is going and where the rebound is going, then you react by moving your WHOLE BODY toward where the ball is going. Part of Yao's problem is that he is still working on the concept of blocking out; part of it is that he uses only his arms to go after the ball; and part of it is just slowness to react. He's always been tall enough to get rebounds with only his arms. He's never played against players quick enough to come from offside to beat him to the ball, so he's never learned to make moving his body toward the ball a part of his "automatic rebounding reflex". He's always been able (before the NBA) to reach over people (without even fouling them) to get the rebound. Doesn't work in the NBA. Learn these techniques to the point where they are automatic and he will get far more rebounds while committing far fewer fouls.

3. True. But for the Rockets to be a championship contender in the next 2-3 years he has to reach that point, and the Rockets have to learn to incorporate him into the offense.

4. If and when he learns the techniques at a deep enough level for them to be reflexes, the confidence will return. Because of your point #1, this will take longer than it would otherwise, but it will happen.

 

Huh, I dont know if J.Oneal is a big guy. He didnt turn amazing after several years of play. T.Mac might be another case.

 

Not a bad idea at all. Not with his parents though. The rocket girls can go too.

 

I don't think it will happen. Yao can not focus on the NBA much due to his NT duty during the off season. The CBA basically gives you 3 years to reach your potential (to sign the next contract). I do not see Yao to be a dominant center after year 3. This summer, he has to play the olympics, he will be back training with the NT immediately after the season is over. He will probably re-learn the old bad habits.

 

Not necessory. Last year Chinese NT allowed Yao joining the NT almost one month later than he should. They asked Yao not to accept any interview from any press just for him to rest. They knew Yao were tired.

And I don't think team Yao won't do a thing this season if Yao still struggle the rest of season. A lot of heavy talk will happen behind the scene and I believe both Yao and CNT will finally realize that it is necessory and benefits for both ends that Yao should stay in States longer and improve his game in the offseason.

 

Bad idea. I don't even sure if Yao can walk when he is back from the vacation.

 

Olympics is in August. The NT will ask Yao to be there at least in June or when the season is over.

 

I'm not sure how anyone can any longer blame Yao's problems on the guards. They look down into him every trip down, but it's not their fault he gets pushed all the way out to the 3-point line or simply loses the ball when he gets it. You can't keep going into a well when it's completely dry.

 

Yao needs to get tougher, I'd love to see him throw an elbow in somebody's chops. But I think the league has to change otherwise it is gonna turn into the NHL without hockey sticks.

How many times did we see Kareem getting physical or "mean" on court? Once, twice, three times in a career when he reached the point of frustration and took a swing at some stooge that was simply put in the game to hack on him. I can't remember any specific incident in Kareem's career where he threw an elbow or a punch but I would think 20 years in the NBA, he had to have thrown a few. I know the bumping and grinding that he endured had to be overbearing at times.

My point is that he didn't have to do it too many times because the league wouldn't let it go. He got the calls. He was the STAR that people came to see play. I remember towards the end of his career, some epic battles with the Celtics where they beat around on him pretty good. But he got his fair share of the calls. Yes, he got beat up, but it was not excessive. He wasn't initiating the physicality and the refs kept the other team honest. And when he got the ball in his hands or when he was fighting for post position, the calls were tighter on the defense.

Now the mentality is that to get any calls, you have to go out and throw elbows and bang around and establish that you are gonna be physical before you get any calls. Shaq gets calls all the time, and he is an offensive fouling machine. But because of his physicality, they can't call 12 offensive fouls on him, they can't even call 5 or 6 offensive fouls on him, not because he ain't committing them, but because he is the STAR of the game. They can only call 1 or 2 offensive fouls at the most. Everything else has to be called on the defense or let go.

I'll say it a thousand times. The NBA has to change the way that the refs call the game. It is too physical. Too much defensive contact is allowed. And it hurts the game. It makes for 85-66 debacles, multiple replicas of the Heat-Knicks battles a few years ago, more appropriately titled the Meat-Kicks battles for all of their pushing, shoving, banging, pulling, leaning, kicking, biting, hacking, and whatever other defensive methods were employed by those great ministers of defense Van Gundy and Riley.

I hate watching this game. It is UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGLY. If the NBA doesn't change it, we will have 18 ppg scoring champions before long because the whole league will be turned on to this style of play. All the offensive dynamos will be playing Europe and all the thugs will be playing in the NBA.

I think you are right. Van Gundy doesn't want a Kareem style center. He wants a Mark Olberding style center. Because he knows that is what it takes to win in this league and Van Gundy wants to win.

So, as much as I hate to say it, if Yao doesn't change his style of play and start throwing elbows and banging bodies, and if the NBA doesn't change it's spots, then the Rockets are better off to trade him..............................for a couple meatheads.

And I can turn off my TV set and stay away from TC because if I want to see some football I can watch the Texans and the NFL. And if I want to see violence, I can watch the NHL. And if I want to watch poetry in motion and artistic athleticism.................well, I guess I can watch figure skating, because I won't see any poetry in motion and artistic athleticism watching the Rockets and the NBA.

Come on Yao, cold **** Marbury tonight when he comes driving in the lane to dunk on you.

 

I don't understand why folks b**** about a player but then say that trades don't need to be made. Kings and Mavs have acquired most of their key players through trades. Let's say Yao doesn't get that aggressive attitude that so many want. Should management act like they did with Eddie Griffin with a thumb up their ass or be proactive about it? The assets in this business are not fixed. Players do not live and die with the team. Trades are not a sin.

 

What's the point in trying to change a player's personality? Isn't it easier to trade him?