I apologize if this is mentioned in a thread. I didn't peruse through every thread. In response to fronting defenses, if the basket is the starting point on a protractor, there exist x-many degrees where you can simply just throw the board off the backboard ( past the fronting defense) and to Yao. With the fronting defense out of position now, this would be most advantageous to Yao. Coupling that with misses leading to offensive rebounds, it could potentially discourage or decrease the frequency in which Yao gets fronted. It is essentially the Chris Paul lob to Tyson Chandler expect Yao is catching it off the glass instead of dunking the lob pass. In order for this to be effective, it would require guard penetration while Yao is stationed on the left or right block. So guys like Brooks and Lowry would knife into the lane or seemingly wander in free throw extended area to deliver such a pass. Thoughts?
The thing is that's not a very high percentage pass. If we can't even throw the ball to Yao when he's ope at times how are our guards gonna do that?
So you're saying to have one of the guards toss it off the backboard like a retro t-mac pass to himself. Problem with that is you can't be sure that Yao will grab a ball off the backboard because he is slow to react in those type of situations. It would often result in a turnover or missed shot however you want to classify the so called "pass". Also, even if Yao were to grab the ball he can still get stripped when the weakside comes over which is something that happens often. He is at his best when his man is sealed behind him and he catches a simple post pass. Nevertheless, good idea I think we need to brainstorm different things like this to beat the front because that will absolutley be a huge problem if we are to go deep in the playoffs.
I agree it's riskier than a traditional pass but that's what practice is for. To work on things and minimize the risk. Adding another counter to fronting (not saying it has to be employed all the time) will at least make teams think twice about the fronting tactic.
I bet we could put AB on a forklift, and have Meadowlark Lemon toss an alleyoop off of Curly's head to him, while Artest pulls down Okur's shorts!
Charles was a rebound beast. Yao, though he gets his 10 rebounds per game, misses some of the easiest rebounds. Yao's hands aren't that great, even if the passes are perfect (which is a big if) the chance that Yao can get it low.
Obviously, Adelman will tell Yao, in a time-out or something, before a play like this happens. If Yao grabs the ball, the defender on the player making the backboard pass will most likely try to double Yao. In that case, Yao can pass it out to the open man.
How about this... When Yao is being fronted, have him go to the basket. Whoever has the ball needs to shoot it or pass it and have that person shoot within 3 seconds. Yao will be in prime rebounding position to get some easy points off put backs.
Even better... The wing players can try to penetrate and attack the basket giving Yao the chance for the offensive rebound with his man sealed off behind him... Same difference right, except it doesn't employ a "high risk" pass off of the backboard.
it's not a hard pass to make. i've been thinking about this for quite a while. it's been done routinely by a few teams in history. i just don't think yao is mobile enough, or has the hands for it. those are the same seasons why he can't just catch a lob over the defender.
I think this might work...once. The helpside defense is always watching Yao. As soon as we did this once (and as mentioned, it is a very low percentage pass), that helpside defense would be coming earlier and earlier. Defenses that front Yao arent a problem because they are in front of Yao...they are a problem because fronting Yao means they are instrinically double teaming him from the start of the play. If an off the back board pass were to work, so would a lob over his shoulder...and we dont do that because of the helpside defense...which is the same reason the backboard pass probably wouldn't work. Now if we could just sign someone from the Harlem Globetrotters...we might have something here...SOMEONE CALL DARYL!!!
If Yao is unable to recover the loose ball (and that's what it is, when you try to pass off the backboard), it's a turnover. If the help defender is small or late in rotation, maybe its worth a try.
If Yao has trouble catching normal lob passes I don't see how throwing it off the backboard is going to help at all. He's usually got a guy behind him anyway. That's basically asking him to grab offensive rebounds while sandwiched.
The problem would be the same as the entry pass, it has to be perfect for Yao to get it.... His reaction time is just too slow, and that could lead to a lot of turnovers. DD
i've wondered why this isn't done more, with pgs who are able to throw lobs from halfcourt and place it perfectly, this shouldn't be too difficult. i agree though that Yao may have toruble reacting to how the ball bounces off the board, however, the passer can control how the ball comes off depending on the angle and force used. As long as Yao knows how it's coming off it should work.
