This really starting to worry me. I understand that we have had problems getting Yao the ball. But I remember Hakeem telling his guards, it you can't get me the ball take your shot, I'll go get your misses and put them back in. I don't need play run for me to score!!! I guarantee you that even on some of those nights when Yao wasn't going good or teams were collapsing on him, he he would get 15 to 20 rebounds and controll the paint, the Rockets could have won those games. People forget, Rik Smits was an excellent offensive player with low post moves and a good face up jumper. But not much of a rebounder or shot blocker for his size - sound familiar. We always demand that Steve to not focus on his offense but do the other things that will help the team win - rightfully so. We should demand the same thing with Yao. At the very least, with only as small of a team Milwalkee played, they shouldn't have gotten another rebound or another layup. Our 7'5 center should have controlled the paint, grabbed all the boards, and intimidated them from driving - like dominate centers do. But instead, they kept getting offensive rebounds and layups. Yao must do better. And I don't accept the rookie excuse. Every big man that was a great rebounder came in as a great rebounder. If YM gets at least 12 - fifteen rebounds a game from now on, the Rockets have a great shot at winning all of them.
What a picky guy!!! He is only a rookie and has not yet fully developed both physically and mentally. Except quite a few extrodinary superstars, tell me who grabbed 12~15 rbs per game during their rookie year!!
You should change this thread to "Request for Larry - Coach"... Can he just call a timeout when needed... Make a lineup change at the right time... Get Yao the damn ball... Very frustrating...Yao is not the blame...
If some players are busy on parties (even before the nights of games), it is excusable for Yao to act a little bit lazier. After all, basketball is a teamwork.
Yao's recent rebounding deficiency is very troublesome but NO WHERE compared to the OTHER problems on this team. Bad coaching too much iso no role players too many turnovers Eddie shooting too many 3s Moochies over dribbling Cat's ball hog style ... ... ... ... ... Yao's rebounding!
The rebounding problems have been directly attributable to the recent losses, just as much as everything else. New Jersey outrebounded the Rockets by 19, and got 21 offensive rebounds. That's a MAJOR problem. It's not just Yao's problem, but it is something that has to be addressed.
Juggie, I agree with 100 %. Yao needs to do a better job on the glass. 12 boards at least will put us through. Steve on the other hand needs to step up his offensive game,right now it's isn't working passing to these ball hogs./ Let him to do his thing on the offensive end. And it's not about the turnovers, turnovers were killing us all season long but if yao and steve step. We can make it.Period.
It is very hard to get a rebound when the coach has you standing near the 3 point area most of the time.
Granted Yao could have rebounded better the past few games, especially in yesterday's game, but Yao isn't a superstar. Can you name the only 3 nba players to avg 12 or more rebounds a game? Ben Wallace, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan.
Probelm with Yao's rebounding is that he only goes after boards that lands next to him. He doesnt hustle for the others that are a little further from him. He gets push where ever the opponent wants him to be. His poor rebounding can be atrribute to his lack for agressiveness coz hes soft as jello.
Why dont we have just intimidate, rebound, dribble the ball up court, pass it to himself, and score too? And throw in a couple blocks in there and some steals... The fact is, we ALL knew Yao will have these poor rebounding nights. He is not in condition to bang every night. More importantly, having played PF in high school, Yao's rebounding style requires his team mates to box out (Griffen). Yao is not an explosive type of rebounder like (Wallace or Garnett). He at this juncture in his career is solely a positional rebounder. He gets rebounds because he stays in front of you and he is taller. Simple as that. How many times have you seen the opposing teams PF and SF crash the boards and simply tip the ball while no one boxed out? Desmond Mason did this a few times last night as did Haislip early on. Quite frankly, I feel that we are relying too much on the big fella. Face it, he has many weaknesses and our team needs to try to cover up those weaknesses (strength, stamina, aggression) and exploit his strengths (shooting, passing, weak side blocks). And when I say weak side blocks, I dont mean to let the opposing teams player have a full head of steam into Yao for either the foul or dunk. Make them shoot in between shots (floaters) and have Yao either block it or force them to alter their shots. Unfortunately, we are not utilizing well properly.
If you weant Yao Ming to be a great rebounder then Eddie, Cutino and Steve need to stop taking rebounds from within the hands of Yao Ming.( check last nights game). At one point,undefended ,the Point Guard came into score with a jumper from the left, where was Francis? He was close to the basket on the right side waiting for a rebound!
can't agree more with Yetti's observation. Yao's teammates stole a lot of reboundes from Yao while they failed to guard their oppenents.
I dont buy that he's not condition to bang every night. He's been playing in the big league for months now and also he has been playing basketball for years. I think he's just lazy. No matter what type of rebounding style you have, you do not require your teammates. Grabbing boards just requires a couple of things. Hustle, timing and sometimes boxing out.
Yao will rebound more when he learn to jump over 2inches. All of the top rebounders can jump and hustle; Yao can do neither.
quit making sorry a$$ excuses for yao... the man has his faults. Its obvious yao's not accustomed yet to the atheleticness and quickness of nba players. I'm sure he's spoiled by years in the cba when his height alone would allow him to snag alot of boards... that's why sometimes even when he DOES get the rebound, a player will slap the ball loose... I just don't think yao's completely adjusted to the speed of the game yet.
Yao does need to work harder at times, I agree. But he uses a lot of energy running up and down the court due to his pitiful coaches making him inbound the ball after each made basket. A forward should inbound the ball...and let your big man get on up the floor, like most other teams. This'll save Yao a lot of energy he can use to bang with folks. 7'5 is a lot to lug up and down the court on each and every possession.
