It did seem that Adelman set Yao up more on the left block during the second half, presumably to get Yao more involved. But I also noticed that when did this, Adelman would also set up two players on the three-point line on the same side as Yao: one to make the entry pass and another in the corner. This made it pretty crowded around the left block and difficult to get Yao the ball, especially since the Portland player defending the corner Rocket would be sliding down to double Yao. On the other hand, with so many players near Yao, it opened the rest of the court up for the remaining Rocket players. And I believe this was what Adelman was after.
When Yao was involved more in the game, we can win big. Otherwise, when Yao was ignored, we lost to the Blazers in the last two games, one lost 4 points, and the other win 3 points, that's -1 totally. If we keep Yao out of the game, I say we get no future in the game 4.
I dont think that's the Blazers' problem. the Uath Jass fronted Yao more and Yao averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds. I think that's RA's problem. If we can keep winning and win big, no one care about Yao's stat. However, I checked the stat, it's from win 27 points to a 4-point loss on the road to a 3-point win at home. This is definately a not good sign.Right?
it's sad to see teammates failing to give Yao the ball in many times that he was open. although they can probably get away with it in the blazers series, it'll def. come back to bite them later with the Lakers
Actually the Jazz played Okur behind Yao for most of that series. They didnt even double team much. Of course, that team had T-Mac and that dictated a lot of what they would do on D. You could also look at the Rockets progress on the front-o-meter: First instance = -4 Second instance = +3 Third instance = ??? So the graph from instance 1 to instance 2 shows a net gain of +7 in differential. We shall see how it goes in game 4.
But they doubled him. right? And dont forget we win 3 points at home, and lose on the road. It's very close and Yao seemed to lose his confidence. From 9 for 9 to 3 for 6 and then 2 for 7. If he keep this, winning 3 points will become lose 3 points soon. I really worry about this. Hope RA can envolve Yao more on the offense instead of chucking 3-point shot everytime.
No, most of the time they let Okur take him one on one. Doubling was infrequent. Sloan didnt want the Rockets to get used to it, so most of the time it was one on one. And the Rockets shot more three pointers in the first game where Yao had 24 points than they did in game 2 or game 3. They only took 9 3s in Game 3. Well below their season average.
the game plan is give the ball to yao. i'm sure EVERY player wants yao to touch the ball. the point is he has to make himself a big target b/c the passer doesn't want to have the possibility of turning the ball over (example - when he returned in the 2nd quarter, they went to yao 3 straight times and 2 of them became turnovers). we all want them to pass to yao but with this defense, it's like everything has to be aligned for yao to get the ball, and get it in position where he can do something with it. it seems to require absolute precision and most of our guys aren't magic johnsons or steve nashes. again, it's something yao has to solve b/c this has gone on for a while now. and if a great offensive mind like RA cannot do anything to get yao going, it's never going to happen. so what yao has to do is expand his game somewhat to the outside where he can be a legit threat. so therefore, whenever teams front him, he can operate at the high post ala vlade at times and control the offense from there.
Upon reviewing this, I think JVG is right. The entry passer was way too high, at 45 degree or higher, for a proper pass. At the one or two occasion when Ron passed it from deep angle, it resulted in good catch and position. I don't know why they do this, it almost looks like it's a half-ass effort (no wonder some people were saying this). It's like they just want to check if an easy pass is available, and more than ready to swing it to the middle for that open J. In other words, good decoy.
Luke: "What's in there." Yoda: "Only what you take with you Regardless of what is actually going thru the players' minds, you have already made up your mind why Yao did not get the ball. Therefore no other facts matter to you.
Don't make me laugh. Please point out what I said isn't true in stead of this. I can redirect your words right back to you. I know though, your opinion is kinda popular - when Rockets eked out a win.
I saw most majority of good entry pass from deep corner, mostly from Shane, over the years. It was the case under JVG, it was the case with RA in the regular season. Tmac used to be able to do those 45 degree entry passes. Although with Rick, more passes are from 45 degree. What do you see?
I really don't think there is a problem getting Yao the ball. The problem is the Rockets' players have horrible timing when it comes to passing the ball to Yao. Timing and angle are horrible. Like i seen Artest standing at an angle that was just impossible to pass to Yao. Or i seen Yao sealing his man off and was prepare to receive the pass but his teammate aren't passing, not aware or not prepare. I just think this Rockets team has horrible passers. Either that or they're horrible at timing passes. When they screen Yao's man and Yao screen the other player and as soon as he came out of the other side to post up and seal off his man...that instant RIGHT THERE, you can just pause and play and say...that's when the ball should be coming to him right there!! So to me it's all about timing...and not just about fronting that prevent Yao from getting the ball.
since the 06-07 season where the warriors started this trend of fronting yao, i've seen enough of blaming on coaches and the other players. if it keeps happening despite the coach change and player changes, maybe it's something else.
same blah...sorry, I thought you have something new to offer, like...actually pointing out what's in the tape. I guess I was wrong, I should know better...
so 3 years of games aren't enough? RA keeps saying the same thing? fans asking the same thing? there's a reason RA has the SAME explanation for everybody when he's asked this same question.
