Something about how Yao goes up for blocking shots

I think it takes strong hands for someone to be able to block a shot like that, which Yao most certainly does not have.

Bradley's shot blocking can be explained by his really long arms. Plus, some players just have a knack for blocking shots.

 

No, Yao's problem is that he has to avoid fouls...jumping straight up is the easiest way to do that. He didn't always defend like that but learned to in his first year that it was his best way of altering shots and not getting called for fouls.

 

long arms are more advantagous than being tall.

But even when Yao raises his arms up to alter shots he looks tentative.

JUST STAND CONFIDENTLY and raise your arms. Look at clips of Mark Eaton, who is shorter and has even less hops than Yao Ming.

 

any display of aggressiveness in his block automatically results in a foul called.

 

I played high school ball and my coach ALWAYS told me to stick my hands straight up to block shots...if we ever came down with the arm we would have to run laps. But that was high school ball, but could maybe explain that Yao was taught the correct fundamentals of bball

 

Right, it can't be Yao's fault.

 

i've seen yao swat some nice balls...so dont' go dissin his blockin skills.

 

Plus Yao did a great goldtend at a key moment against Serbia, which wasnt called as such. He just needs to get THAT kind of respect from the officials.

 

Goal-tending rules are different overseas - though I didn't see this particular call. But that is another thing Yao has had to adjust to as well.

 

When he actually goes and attempts to block a shot he usually does but most of the time he is just trying to alter the shot and avoid contact or trying to draw charges. He definitely needs to be more aggressive with going after blocks and not waiting for the ball to come to where his arms are.

 

Yao doesn't block a lot of shots but he does alter a ton of shots especially against opposing big men, making them miss badly even though he may not send it back. Occasionally some guard may time it correctly and lay it up high over him though. If only he had like 6 inches more lift, he would be a shotblocking monster.

 

I wish he could block like Mutombo at lesat. Mutombo is a great shotblocker and I wish Yao could play defense like Mutombo. Yes Yao is trying to avoid fouls..he still jumps sometimes :/ and is fcalled for the foul. I wish he could stuff people like Cato and Mutombo. I think if he tries..sometimes he's too slow and will end up fouling the person. But I think he's capable of going after the ball and blocking it. I think he should try going for blocks when he has the chance to..but he'll end up fouling out most likely. :/

He does alter a lot of shots..

 

This is what pisses me off about Ewing. What the hell does the guy do other than sit on the bench and show no emotion whatsoever? We've got a former "dominant center" sitting on our bench, and Yao has actually gotten worse defensively. I'd rather have Mark Eaton as an assistant coach if he actually taught Yao how to block shots.

 

To be a great shot bloker, you need more anticipation than just be tall. Yao is just too slow to try to block shots with his hands, the better way is to alter the shots with hands straight up, which is what he has been doing.

Don't get fouled by the blockers/game stats. that's not necessary a sign of a great defender.

 

Somebody on the coaching staff (Patrick, wake up! We're talking about YOU!) should be studying tapes of Eaton. If that unathletic behemoth could become a shot blocker, Yao has the potential to be a shot-blocking demon.

In fact (getting this off my chest now), everytime I see Ewing on the bench looking absolutely uninterested, I want to scream. Can we PLEASE get Yao a big-man coach who can impart some enthusiasm? It's no wonder Yao plays such a lackadaisical style.

 

exactly. he jumps straight up with his arms in the air and clearly committs blocking fouls. easy to call and they will be called every time. and the fact that he does it so much, even when he is just standing his ground, refs are going to give others the benefit of the doubt because he does this so much and hasnt learned. most of the best shotblockers let people get a step on them and can contort their body and make blocks from the side.

shotblocking has less to do with size and arm length. and more to do with timing, and the ability to spring up quickly. it doesnt matter if you swat it, because you are only trying to get your arm in the path of the ball. but the best shot blockers have that little extra going for them of long arms and extra height.

 

He just needs to posistion himself better and use his length to his advantage instead of a disadvantage.

If he does not have his posistion SET for a charge then he must stay mobile and try to block from the weak side.

 

Yao seriously needs to learn more about the art of shotblocking from Deke, as opposed to JVG or Ewing. Mutumbo, at this stage of his career, and Yao have similar lack of quickness. Yet Mutumbo can still swat away balls in the paint because of great technique. Yao needs to learn that technique. Learn to time things right, come at the right angle, ways to avoid touching the shooter. Because he's not doing it right now. He's just jumping straight up, and the refs are calling against him because of opposing players' "aggresiveness". Even if it's suppose to be a charge.

 

Since when is jumping straight up an automatic blocking foul? If Yao has position and jumps straight up, it should not be foul. He has a right to that space. Do you see Duncan, Shaq, or even Mutombo get called for minor body contact that Yao always gets called for? nope.

Many times this season, the refs have shackled Yao with ticky tack calls. Then, Mutombo comes in, and does the exact same thing without it being called. He sometimes blatantly hacks people or bumps them with the body. Having Yao and Mutombo on the same team really makes this phenomena stand out more.