How do we really judge a center's passing ability? What makes a center a good passer? Here are a few things we may look for: - good outlet passer - quickly recognizes and passes out of double teams - finds cutters with accurate passes out of the low post - can find and hit cutters out of the high post - can execute an accurate high-low pass out of the high post - can draw double teams on the move and pass out But, like I said earlier, you can't really look at "passing" as a single dimensional thing. There's no one number you can attach to a player to indicate how good a passer they are. I listed a number of different areas above in which a player could excel as a passer. I think a more interesting topic would be to judge how Yao rates in each of those specific areas. What we should also try to do is separate out non-passing skills from the raw assist totals. For example, Yao is such a potent scorer that he'll draw more double teams than most other centers. Does that, in itself, make him a better passer? I don't think so. It's not about how often he gets opportunities to make passes, but rather how good he is in taking advantage of those opportunities. If Yao was put in a role where he was asked to pass more and score less, how would he do? With all that in mind, here are some players who I think would work better as a passing center in a typical NBA offense. Not all of them are stars, but I think they all show better all around passing ability and instincts than Yao. Tim Duncan Shaquille O'Neal Pau Gasol Marcus Camby Brad Miller Andrew Bogut Al Horford Mehmet Okur Jermaine O'Neal Joakim Noah
You clearly don't live in the Houston area and watch games regularly. Yao is the focal point of the offense this season especially in Dec. The majority of the time they pass the ball to Yao in the paint. Someone leaves their player to double up on Yao so he doesn't score easily in the paint. Yao often encourages this by waiting for the double team. When the help defense comes, Yao kicks the ball out to a wide open teammate. That person often misses his shot usually Rafer or Tmac, or passes the ball around (hockey assist) to another Rocket player. This happens at least 7 times a game. Usually a lot more. Remember Yao is the focal point of the offense and initiates a lot of stuff. Ofcourse I wouldn't have to explain this to you if you watched games regularly. That's why I asked you the question if you watch games. From your response, the answer is clear. You don't watch games. You are probably only interested in the Rockets because of Mcgrady and you are probably one of the misguided fans who believes bashing Yao will help Tmac. So sad.
Wow! You newbie. Duvasa is the most unbias, beloved, stats nut on this forum! Shows how much you know.
Dang BB, I kinda feel you took the bait on this one. he is notorious for arguing something to no-end, prob a waste of your time. But hey, you seem to be enjoying yourself
I don't know if he is "the most unbias, beloved stats nut" on clutch but if you say so fellow newbie. That still doesn't take away from the fact it appears he doesn't watch games. Anyone who watches games know they dump the ball to Yao. Teams double on him. He passes it out to a wide open teammate. I guess people don't have to watch games to be stats nuts. I mean I do fantasy basketball but don't watch all the games of my guys on my team. I only watch the Rockets and what games are on national tv. But I'll take you are your word that he is "beloved".
I just think good centers or big should be 1:1 . During the ring yrs, Dream was 1:1. As we look right now, Howards ass/to ratio is just as good as Yao.If a poll was on this board about who was the better passer, it would be big time for Yao, but when you bring up the numbers, people will start pulling other numbers out the asses. When he gets to 1:1, i'll consider him avg. If he gets to Camby,Gasol, Miller, then i'll say really good. Right now, it is what it is and that 1asst per 2 to's.
Yes, I live in Houston. Yes, I watch the games. I didn't think you were seriously putting that question forward as an argument, so I didn't bother to answer it earlier. Your initial claim that Yao should average at least 4-5 assists if his teammates hit more 3's is totally unsubstantiated. When Yao passes out, the opponent will rotate. And his teammates make the correct play in passing over to the open man. Players shoot at a higher percentage when they are open, rather than when they have a defender rushing at them. Shooters also shoot better from the corner, so if you can pass to a corner shooter who's open, you do so. So, forget this "those hockey assists should be assists for Yao" stuff. How many assists should Yao get based on the shot his teammates miss off his pass? That's the relevant question. Why don't you actually record with a pencil and paper over the next 5 games how many times Yao passes out to a shooter, and how many times they miss off his pass. There's no way on earth that there are even close to 7 such pass outs and misses a game. I can tell you right now, from both watching the games and simply using my brain and looking at the actual evidence, that this isn't happening.
Whatever that means, rookie. It still doesn't explain why he doesn't know Yao is the focal point of the offense and his teammates get at least 7 wide open shots per game on average when they collapse the defense on Yao to double up on him. I thought that was common knowledge. I still must wonder if "the beloved one" watches games. Anywoo I'm not into drama, which you seem to be very into. I don't get into catfights online. Later rookie and to your pal "the beloved one".
read the wrong way, it reads as if Yao Ming is in fact dead. My heart rate went up for a second then I laughed at myself...
I never disputed that, or said anything to contradict it. Sure, the Rockets get several 3-point looks off of Yao (directly and indirectly) during the game. Of course they run their offense through him. Everyone knows that. The tremendous leap you took was to claim that Yao should therefore be averaging 4-5 assists a game if his teammates just hit more of their 3s. That was just a ridiculous statement. No person who actually watches the games and understands what they're watching would say that.
Average for a big guy. Below average for an NBA player. We all know Yao is a very smart guy but that really does not translate to the court. He needs repetition to make plays. He does not see the court well and he does not recognize situations naturally.
Dude, while BrooksBall isn't my favorite person in the forums, I wouldn't antagonize him. Look, he called you out, let it be. While I know I am the king of derailing a thread, please this one is actually a good one, let's not let it get derailed. I've never been completely wowed by Yao's passing. He can make some plays, but all in all a good passer is only good if he could also turn around and make the shot. Personally, I think Tmac is a great passer if he makes his shots, if he misses them, he can't really create something for his teammates. I think Nash is the only player who can make good passes without making his shots, thats all centers, forwards and guards included, well, except for Kidd...
