Needless to say that the Suns' defense isn't good. They played good defense in game 4 third quarter, but that won't win you a series or championship. Defense is not their plan. They didn't do that in regular season, they can't just pick it up in playoffs. They had the best record in regular season, not because of their defense, just because their great offense and talents. They let you score, but they will out-score you. So bad defense is a given already, if they can't outscore Spurs, they won't win, that's why they were a block away from being swept. 104 points is enough for Spurs to win, but never enough for the Suns to win. That's why Marion and Q's lacking of offense in the series was the reason they lost. hey, if you want to talk about bad defense? Then they are meant to lose. No discussion even worthy.
The problem with Yao's defense is he can't defend without fouling. If I'm not mistaken, Amare did have some pretty huge blocks and rebounds during the series. You can't expect him to guard Duncan AND defend the Spurs 3-point shooters.
The only time they dared Yao and Mcgrady to beat them was game 7 when they won by 40. For most of the series, the Mavs used proven methods to prevent Yao from making a big impact. (1) getting him in foul trouble, (2) fronting him, (3) double teaming him. That's really the biggest difference between Yao and Amare at this stage of their careers. Teams have not figured out a way to frustrate Amare the way they've figure out how to frustrate Yao.
When have I ever said I expect Yao to defend 3-point shooters? All I expect from him is to play defense without picking up ticky tack fouls.
How did they win game 5? Please look back at post game comments and in game analysis. Yeah, Yao can only foul. That's new to me. I thought Rockets were among the best defensive teams, especially their interior defense. Of course Yao could only foul, the interior defense was made up by Deke's 20 mins, Howard, Spoon etc. Yao's minutes only made it worse, otherwise, Rockets would be the best defensive team. Amare's defense was great, if not for Nash's lacking of defense, the Suns would be the best offense AND defense team. Therefore, he's better in offensive player now than Yao, we already agreed. You just proved that he's better defensive player as well.
Please stop putting words in my mouth. I've never said Amare's defense was great. I said he made some big defensive plays. He also made some bad ones. When I complement Amare, it doesn't mean I think he's the greatest player of all time and when I criticize Yao, it doesn't mean I think he's a scrub. There are a few things that I think Yao could learn from Amare. That's all.
okay im sorry to got this post started. I agree with someone who posted earlier that both Yao and Amare are very very good players with great futures in this league. We should be happy that we have one of the two top future players in the league. But i do want to add that I think amare gets a lot of unfair bashing from Rockets fans just cuz he isnt on our team. Imagine if amare was on our team and yao was on the suns. we would all be claiming how much better amare is over Yao. But eh thats the way things are. Of course I would want to see Yao succeed and dominate. I love the quotes from Yao and I hope he does show everyone just how great of a player he can be.
Just so you guys know, Yao has been working out here everyday, and from what I saw today, he is looking really good.
What freaking points are you trying to get through the Rockets fan here? Most of them admitted that Amare is a little better than Yao at the moments and thats not enough for you? It seems like you're obsess with Amare and want us to bow down to him and say every good things about him. Please, Yao is not that far off from Amare and actually Yao is overall more efficient when they go head to head...you making it sounds like Amare destroyed Yao or something. Yes some Rockets fan are bias and it is a Rockets board after all. Just go to a Suns board and most fans there think Yao is one of the worst and most overratted player in the NBA. They're both great players for the futures regardless of who's the better player right now and that thing could change 4-5 years from now. Lets just end this and enjoy the fact that we have great player like you said.
I have been following this thread with a great deal of interest. Just curious, which is "your" team? How can one be loyal fan to two teams especially when the two teams hate each other. Oh, and I love Yao now because he is on our team. If Yao ever gets traded for Amare, Amare will become my favorite player.
I thought the same thing...maybe he's a Rockets fan in Disguise so he could come in here and try to get people to say good things about Amare. Where was he when Yao had a good game?
Amare is a great player. I wish we could have him at 4 on this Rox team. But until that happens, Yao is still God.
1. Amare doesn't get double or triple-teamed even a quarter as much as Yao does... because he has Nash, Q-Rich, Johnson, and Marion. 2. Yay, so Amare can block some shots. He number of shots he alters isn't remotely close to Yao. Amare could be a great defender because he's athletic and strong, but he just doesn't pay attention to/care about defense.
After reading your first post again you sure sound like a troll and confuse the heck out of me. First of all your screen name is SunsRocketsfan which made me thought you're a fan of both team, but your post made it sounds like you're a Rockets fan, yet you go on to say how much you hate the Suns and Amare. The funny thing is you said this afterward... "But i do want to add that I think amare gets a lot of unfair bashing from Rockets fans just cuz he isnt on our team. Imagine if amare was on our team and yao was on the suns. we would all be claiming how much better amare is over Yao. But eh thats the way things are" Didn't you say you dislike Amare and the Suns in your first post?
Playing good defense demands discipline. That's one thing Amare does not have. Phoenix has a great system for guys like Amare and Nash. I don't think Amare will fare as well in a rigid halfcourt set like ours.
This is what I've been saying since near the end of the year. It isn't that hard for Yao to improve his stats at all. Just reduce the silly fouls and reduce the number of games where his mind doesn't seem to be into it. He had a 5-10 game midseason stretch where he was wretched. When Yao makes these improvements, we will see how much of his playing time problems are due to fatigue. I also think the Dallas series proved JVG needs to rethink the way Yao defends the PnR. I fully expect 21/10/3 next year. Yao also MUST reduce the dumb turnovers. Sometimes he just doesn't concentrate and is very careless with the ball. He needs to learn how to hold it above his head and fire a two-handed outlet pass, ala Wes Unseld. With his height, he should be the best outlet passer in the game.
I don't really think it's beacuse his head isn't in the game - but rather overthinking - which can lead to tentativeness and turnovers. You're right on about holding the ball above his head and the PnR. Maybe he needs some pine tar.
Fine, the formula worked. They shut everyone down and dared Amare to beat them all by himself - and he didn't. But damn, did he make the most of his opportunities. Averaging 37 points in a series?! That is freaking incredible. If Yao was put in the same situation, where the Spurs shut everyone down, including tmac, and dared Yao to beat them with just single coverage, could he average 37 points in the series?
