But it wont be "forcing" when he becomes stronger and quicker. The only reason to shoot outside is to complement his game while Yao develops. The key is that at least he *knows* how to shoot outside; which he does. It will always be a weapon. As time goes on his inside effectiveness will increase. So, don't compare THIS YEAR to 3 years from now and expect us to "lose" "bog down" "stagnate" the same way we did this year. That's a strengh and endurance issue. That will improve. Thus, his inside game will improve as well.
I disagree. Doleac, Nesterovic, etc... can hit the outside shot... but I wouldn't really call any of them good shooters. I think Yao might be. Yao gets the Rik Smits comparison too often... but think of Rik Smits with a better post up game, a few inches taller, bulkier, and a better defender. That's what Yao can be. That's freakin' awesome. I want Yao to be able to go inside, but think that he'll always be primarily a better high post player. I think trying to change that too much is a mistake. I don't think it matters too much if he's primarily a high post player, with the ability to go low... or if he's a low post player, with the ability to step out... as long as both are an honest threat. I see your argument, and think we've come to the point where "reasonable minds can disagree."
Additional comment: In addition, using Yao too much down low negates his excellent passing ability. Divacs can really control a game from the high post, and think Yao has similar ability in that respect.
I agree. Divac and Sabonis are truly versatile in that respect. But let me ask you this....Who will be the best post player of the three? Divac Sabonis Yao ??? Don't forget that Yao's career has yet to be told (development) and all three of them are 7 footers or taller, i.e. they are close to the rim.
True. If he does both well. It wont matter. It will be indistinguishable. A true "basketball player." We'd be spliting hairs then... If that happens, guess what will happen to Yao? He'll experience "Anti-Goliath" sentiment around the league. That is, "No one roots for *Goliath*. Everyone roots for the underdog." Or, people will start saying, "The only reason he's so good is because he's soooo big." We've all heard it before with Shaq.
You can compare today's center with Kareem, Moses, and Hakeem because of the zone defense which allow defenders to pack it in and put two bodies on the big fella before he even touch the ball. That never happened in the past. The reason centers come out to shoot the 15 ft jumper is to stretch the defense, and you want Yao to shoot the 15ft because he could make 50% from there. Can Doleac, Nesterovic, Foster do that? Yao also can back his man down if the defense doesn't collapse. It's the ideal postion for him to run the offense. Rocket offense has finally clicked in the past 3 games, despite poor outside shooting by Mobley, Boki, and Jim Jackson at stretches of the game, Rocket offense remain fluid in all 4 quarters and the big guys inside can continuously attack the basket. Much of it is because both Ming and Cato are constantly moving which disrupts double teaming. I honestly expect the Rocket team to play at another level for the remainder of the season. Other teams will have to adjust their zones against Ming and MoT at the hi-post. Only team that match up well against Rocket offense would be Indiana, Minny with a healthy Kandiman, and San Antonio with Mobile big men.
We ended up moving to the hills because there were too many alligators in the swamp and we never could get it drained.
