IMO, this is his best year defensively but that probably wouldn't show in any stat because his teammates were in the midst of their worst year defensively. With the early injuries to Ron, Shane, and Tracy and opposing wing players slashing into the paint at will, Yao was the only reason we weren't getting killed.
First and foremost, Not all the fans coming from china "spoils" yao that damn hard as you imagined. Some of them are pretty critical to yao as well. Even they spoil yao for nothing, I do not see any problem with that. Do not sound like ppl on this board are very rational to speak themselves out! We all know the fact.
i think it's all about expectations. i know it for sure how i have adjusted my expectations of yao. but justice may have got it right for once. for casual fans, taking yao for granted is just a common phenomenon.
Or, Morey could just be assuaging fans with meaningless platitudes since Yao isn't the focus of the offense anymore? Morey could just be helping everyone ease into Adelman's "starless" system where no one really shines and no one does particularly well.
Yao's individual numbers are down, but the team's overall offensive efficiency is up. Isnt that what we expected when Adelman came in last season? This is bad how?
His defense. He's still not that dominant offensive weapon shortly before his injury 2 years ago. However, he's definitely playing the best at defensive end. He's not pulling crazy rebounds or blocking shots like Deke. But I think he's better in anticipating shots, defending the drives, blocking shots, rotating, and help defense. In other words, his presence in the paint is a lot more noticeable than before. I know you are a stat specialist, maybe you can somewhat prove my observation or dispute it
The lack of BS foul calls. Problem is, the awful officiating seems to rear its ugly head again whenever we play the Jazz. Just goes to show you how much reputation is worth in the NBA.
Yes. Someone with a differing opinion of Yao from you is an idiot... Responses like this are why we will continue to go back and forth.
I appreciate the unique point of view, but I don't necessarily understand how Adelman's system is holding anyone back. Yao is only being held back by the refs. Guys like Scola and Wafer have thrived. Brooks and Artest are proof that there are plenty of shots to be taken, and as long as those shots are there, the opportunity for someone to thrive is there - but then its up to their individual talent. I don't think this is a side-effect of Adelman's system.
His improvement this year is not about numbers. Before this year, Yao hid in McGrady's shadows. He relied on McGrady to make the plays. Yao of this year is learning how to play without using McGrady as his crutch. It's like a baby learning how to sleep on its own. The baby will be content if its not forced to learn. This year, more than ever, I am noticing a calmer and in control Yao. He is learning how to win by taking charge of his team. He is showing leadership skills. He is demanding the ball in critical possessions. He is calling out the refs. He is reading the double teams much better. There are no numbers for these things.
He's doing those things, but Yao still needs to demand the ball more. I think being "free" from McGrady has helped the big guy a lot, mentally and how he's playing on the court. My impression has always been that Yao doesn't like uncertainty. Sure, none of us do, but on the court, some players just handle it better than others. You see it in players that can be great off the bench or starting. Doesn't seem to matter. Other guys just can't handle not knowing when they'll play and need that certainty of being a starter. In Yao's case, not knowing which Tracy would show up was driving him nuts, IMO. He's playing much better with the current group and, along with everyone else, will continue to improve going into the playoffs and next year. I don't have the stats handy to back up what I just said, but it's my impression from watching the games.
I'm no specialist, but the +/- information you can find at 82games or basketballvalue supports your view. I agree, I think more than anything Yao has evolved as a defensive presence. Part of it might be there's a better understanding between him and the refs on what he's allowed to do. As long as he's straight and he contests the shot by getting off the ground, the refs usually won't call a foul on him anymore. I think such things can be represented in numbers, and perhaps the Rockets try to do so. I'm certain the Rockets track how often he gets the ball in critical possessions and how he handles double teams, for instance. Obviously, you won't find it in a box score however.
I'm not sure what he's seeing but what I see if that when Yao gets the ball in his favorite spots on the floor he's almost automatic. When he gets deep position or even just position with a guy on his hip he knows now to turn and shoot right away, or go for that little hook in the lane, or go straight to the baseline fallaway. In the past he would be trying to invent shots and do all kinds of crazy things that would result in embarrassing looking turnovers. He still does that sometimes when he faces someone like Shaq who intimidates him a little bit but it's much more rare than it used to be. When he gets the ball in position with the defender behind him, he's about the most effective player in basketball. The problem still is that teams that can deny him position or front him cause Yao to either bring his game out further on the floor which hurts his effectiveness or just cause Yao to disappear altogether because he can't seal him man off to get the entry pass. Yao is not a consistent player like the article suggests. He'll go for 27 points and then go for 12 depending on the opponents ability to stop the entry pass and/or prevent position. I'm hopeful that his production will increase as we slow down the offense in preparation for playoff basketball. One thing for sure is that we'd rather have Yao trying to get deep position and win and lose with that rather than having Artest dribbling around like Steve Francis.
Is it just me, or does anyone else jump for joy when a player does that to Yao in their home arena and get no call. Then comes the booooos from the fans who are so used to wing players getting that call on wreckless abandon drives.
It was saying that Yao will leave Houston next season. Have you heard anything? And what do you think?
How can anyone take him for granted? The very thought is absurd. Anyone who knows anything about the Rockets at this point in time knows how important Yao is to his team. He IS the Houston Rockets right now. Yeah, sure, Ron Artest takes games over from time to time - sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way - but that's just because he's a completely insane egomaniac that can't be trusted. Aside from those "Ron Artest Nights," as he called them - It's "All Yao, All the Time" for the Rox. If he goes down (Knock on Wood), it's over. If he plays well, the Rox can beat teams. Even the Lakers, but that's a tall order. Artest will explode as he gets his manhood destroyed by Kobe should they hook up in the playoffs. Nothing Yao can do about Artest. He's just nuts.
I thought anyone with half a brain should know Old Man Rock made the comment not just because of that particular post of Marcus Bryant. If Old Man Rock is the kind of posters who call anyone an idiot just because he has a different opinion, he would not still be around since October 1999 after 3,000+ posts. Old Man Rock Contributing Member Old Man Rock is Kyle Lowry -- on a good road but it's early Since: Oct 1999 Posts: 3,033 Member: #913 I have not been here for long but I can tell you that based on his past posts, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to arrive at the conclusion that Marcus Bryant is an idiot. Old Man Rock is right on target with that comment.
