I wouldn't be opposed to running the offense through Artest late in the game. He was pretty beastly in the double overtime win against Utah that we wouldn't have needed to go to if our offense hadn't crumbled in the 4th quarter.
I think its just for the different team!Like we meet some bule guys,they play really dirty and Yao need to antagonize with them before 4th all the time!I agree in the 4th used others to end the shot ,but I think the ball need to passed by yao!He can allure one or two around him ,but no mistake first!And for the time to pass ball to Yao,I think Brooks need to learn more!
u can also see that yao is tired in the 4th, and trying to get a tired player to do everything is pointless. but the problem is that we have many young players who u cant count on in clutch situation, it take years of experience for players to be comfortable in those situations. i dont see why they just dont pass the ball around and find the open man instead of force feeding yao which is soooooo predictable.
i agree, teams know with mcgrady out our strategy is go to yao and pray...we need to continue moving, have others score, nothing should change in the 4th quarter, pass the ball and stop trying to score on dble teams and tripple teams in the 4th yao, unless you feel THAT beastly
you need someone that can break down his man. i'm not so sure scola can do that against the KG's and Duncan's of the NBA. on the flip side, i'm not so sure AB could do that either. but i agree, force feeding Yao is really causing a lot of problems. the rockets shouldn't waste 3/4 of the clock trying to get him the ball, if it doesn't happen early, then he should set the pick and create something else.
It's all about ball movement. We shouldn't completely stop the motion offense just because it is late in the game. We need to run more plays with the motion offense to get Yao good positioning inside. If he's open and you have the passing lane, feed the big fella. If not, don't panic and keep moving the ball. That's the point of the motion offense. With a lineup of Yao, Scola, Artest, Battier (or Wafer), and Brooks... we should be comfortable with anyone taking an open shot late in the game.
i agree. let's not be so mechanic and pre-determine who should be the first option late in the game. it depends on the situations on the court. and under many circumstances, yao certainly should be the first target you'd like to look for and take advantage of. there have been games where he came up big in the 4th. btw i don't really understand the excessive confidence in brooks. the guy is fast and can hit shots, but imo he has yet to show his ability to set up his mates.
First of all, we shouldn't try to force feed anyone during the 4th. The problem is during crunch time they think that all of a sudden one single person must take over and that's what's killed us in the past. All of a sudden you have 4 players that stand around and watch. What we need instead is for them to be proactive. Keep the motion intact and go to whoever is open. I know it's easier said than done but it's at this time they need to trust their teammates and "The System." Also, you can't blame Yao completely regarding the fronting. Most of the time he gets horrible passes.
This is why I am okay with Wafer's bone-headed shot selection/misses at times because we need to test this guy to see if he can consistently be the 'go to guy'...because I have little faith in Artest,Yao, Scola, or Brooks to be reliable scorers in the fourth.
The 4th quarter collapses due to missusing Yao have been the problem of this team since JVG era. It is all about beating intense defense and winning the calls. You need superstars (no, Yao is not a superstar) to do it or sheer good luck. no other way around. not Brooks, Wafer or Scola. what can we do in close games now? 1. force feeding Yao. 2. try Artest. 3. pray.
1. Yao is often more successful on the right block (right side when facing the basket). he takes a dribble to the middle, then turns baseline for his hook shot, which is very high percentage. The dribble to the middle does not result in a strip/turnover/fast break for the opposition. It's beyond me why we don't go to this in the 4th, or all game long. 2. conversely, Yao is often unsuccesful on the left block b/c of the dribble to the middle/turnover. I swear we play right into the hands of the opposiion. In fact, they probably scheme to make this situation happen because it is so favorable to them. conclusion - in the 4th quarter, put Scola or Artest in the left block, Yao on the weak side. if Scola or Artest are covered or doubled, swing the ball back to Yao on the weakside for a hook shot. Or, run an actual play. Like curl Wafer around a screen or double screen for a wide open jumper. Or Artest for the same. that's about a 40 percentish propositon. Which is far more productive than most of our late game possessions. then rely on defense to win it.
according to you, we shoud bench him for entire 4th...you expected boards and hustles and maybe some athleticsm from a blue collar, obviously a "fourth quarter Yao" ain't giving you that,try Dorsey maybe?
i remember a thread early this season indicated that, to a lot of people's suprise, Yao is actually our most "Clutch" player? anyone feels me?
The problem is, if Rox didn't get the ball to Yao, normally nobody would be open. Force feed Yao is not only looking for his scoring, but open shots for others as well.
Dont worry, RA do has plan on this. Scola/Landry and AB/Lowry run pnr, and than they make a extra pass to Yao/Artest/Battier or shoot it.
I love this thread, this is excatly what I think. Of course, Yao should be our 1st option late in games but if he is turning it over or he is clor or he is tired, we shouldn't force anything, we are not gonna win games playing like this. Remember we still have Artest, Scola is pretty good post up player. And I woldn't mind playing a high P'n'R with Aaron and Scola.
Instead of AB, Lowry is a much more reliable option (at least right now) in the penetration (for a layup, as he has a stronger body and can absorb the contact) or dish out for a three (he does have better court vision than AB) IMO.
for whatever reason, getting yao the ball against a fronting defense clearly isn't as easy as you think it is, because that defense has been very effective against him for as long as he's been in the nba. 3 coaches (rudy, van gundy, adelman) and who knows how many point guards (francis, sura, mark jackson, rafer, bobby jackson, brooks) have been unable to overcome the problem. putting the blame on the PG, or 'poor' team passing, is oversimplifying the problem, because yao's own lack of reaction speed and quickness makes it harder to combat the fronting defender.
