Did anyone notice that teams are doing things differently against Yao since the Miami game? Defensively, they try to push Yao further away from the paint, this serves two purposes, one, Yao's shooting percentage is down, two, Yao can not get as much offensive putbacks as he used to get. I haven't seen much putbacks for the past 3 games. His offensive rebounds are down due to this. Offensively, teams are using their big men to draw Yao away from the paint, which opens up the lane for guards to drive. I noticed this from Miami's game, Grant constantly parked outside the paint, thus clear the lane for other players. Ming's defensive rebounds are down as well. How do Rox fix this? In the long run, I think Yao has to get stronger thus teams can not push him away from the paint. but in the short run, I don't know.
Great players deserve attention and it's up to Yao to figure out how to beat those offensive and defense schemes the other teams throw at him once yao can adjust well....he would be unstoppable.
Great thread! But I also think alot of the "responsibilities" to adjust to opponents new defensive schemes rests upon the COACH. Everyone knew that defenses were going to be geared around Yao but I always thought that would be a positive for the team for the team as a whole. Whereby other players will get easier shots. But this is clearly not the case. I hope Rudy implements a new game plan very soon. These losses to cellar dwellar teams are going to haunt us come play-off time.
