What other option has the team tried? A simple Brooks-Scola pick and roll, while they aren't Stockton and Malone, could work, especially with the extra attention the defense is giving Yao. Look, a Yao Ming post up is far and away the most high percentage option for this team. I realize that. Unfortunately, it's a poor percentage option when the defense is focusing in on him like that. It's a b**** just to get him the damn ball, and if you do get it to him, he's simply to slow to make a quick enough move to avoid being stripped. I would prefer to not be so rigid and try something else.
That's a good option. Yet for this option to work you still need Yao to stay there being a legit threat. You have to make attempt to pass to him at first, and change to this option when it doesn't work. If you don't even try, the other team would not be so stupid to whole heartedly put effort in denying Yao the ball. Look I'm not against alternative. I just have problem with the attitue of "Yao sucks in 4th. Just turn away from him or maybe even bench him" because that led to so many frustrating "Philidelphia games" IMO.
This is why we need more players who can put the ball on the floor and attack the paint (AB, Lowry, Wafer, James White). If we don't have those guys it wont work. There has to be player and ball movement to expose the defense being out of position when trying to front Yao. If we burn them 2 or 3 times they will get out of that because they are giving up layups and dunks (and potentially 3 point plays). I'm sure they work on that during practice, it is just up to the players to recognize it and run the play to beat it. AB has to see it and call the set. It's a learning process with him.
so badgerfan, do you need anymore evidence that you have to have a great perimeter player at the end of a close game? once again, the rockets offense crumbles in the fourth.
No cabbage, you just need to get the ball to AB and Lowry and take your chances.....those are the guys now. DD
AB is intriguing, but too much a liability on defense... especially against playoff contenders. And why would any team ever double Lowry? His strength is penetrate/dish... which is easily defended by a zone. He's not a good enough shooter, and he has zero post-up game.
Agreed, they are our only hope. Yao won't get it done and Artest is too out of control. Brooks is our only hope as stated in the original post. But for purposes of the philosophical discussion that broke out in the middle of this thread, I think this just further establishes the need for a great wing for success. Brooks is our only hope, but he won't be able to get it done if we face second round competition.
The only players that play anything remote to composed basketball are Wafer, Landry, and Lowry. When the fourth quarter comes along take Yao out of the game, he is absolutely useless. Yao does not rebound, block shots, or make big baskets when they count. Instead he loses the ball, falls down, or misses the shot. Artest is Artest. When emotions are high he is absolute garbage.
Brooks, Lowry, and shockingly Wafer...... You need to attack the basket... I am highly dissappointed in Artest and Yao tonight, they played absolutly horrid down the stretch. Artest tries to do too much...and Yao played softer than Jon Koncak's left butt cheek which everyone knows is the softest one he has. DD
I hardly ever post on this site as im more of an observer but this is one of the best posts ive seen. I agree completely that we need a backcourt player to provide some scoring punch in the 4th. To me that person is wafer as he is the most capable of getting to the rim and creating his own shot
It's discouraging when your best player can be so easily neutralized. Yao needs to be on a team with a CP3, Lebron, Wade, Kobe, etc. Building a championship quality team with Yao as the #1 option is going to be difficult.
