We all know and have marveled at Ming's amazing ability to hit a high percentage of shots. There is no secret to this. He just takes high percentage shots, and has excellent touch around the basket. We have plenty of players with good touch around the basket, but for whatever reason the majority of them seem to have difficulty finding good, quality high percentage shots the majority of the game. Ming is changing this. Whether it be because his presence is opening the court up, or because the players see how much easier it is to win when you only take high percentage shots, I don't know. But it really doesn't matter because it translates into wins. Watching the game last night, it seemed very close for the majority of the game, and it was, score-wise. But it occurred to me through most of the first half that the Wizards were scoring most of their points on hot shooting from the outside, and the Rockets were scoring the majority of their points on shots in the paints either from Ming or guard penetration. Eventually the Wizards cooled off from outside and we pulled away. The outcome was never really in doubt after that. I see no reason why this can't continue for every game we play. What really jumped out at me, though, was the change in the non-Ming lineup AFTER Ming had been in the game a while. This is the game the way I viewed it: Ming starts, the Rockets do a good job getting him the ball. Ming hits shots, the Rockets look good. Ming exits the game, the non-Ming lineup struggles to get good shots. They have not yet been infected. Later (second quarter I believe) Ming comes back in, the offense flows once again and we get good, quality shots. Ming leaves again, but the high percentage shots don't end because they have been infected. Francis takes fewer 20 foot jumpers with his defender in front of him and instead drives and dishes to the open man. Everyone starts playing unselfish basketball, and we are treated to a great basketball viewing experience. The result is never really in question after this. I submit to you that Yao Ming not only improves this team by being on the floor and scoring, rebounding, assisting and playing defense, but also by merely giving everyone an example of how much easier it is to win when you expend that little bit extra effort to get a better shot, and I hope this disease lasts all season.
It occurs to me we are at a dangerous crossroads. We are so good already that we are either going to make a serious run all year, or we may falter and run into a skid. There is a big transition to be made in the next few games and they are all on the road. At first we were scoring and winning with a majority of guard play (stellar play at that). Now that we have gotten most of our front line back from injury and Yao Ming has "arrived", we have started to implement a more diversified offense. The problem with that is we now must involve 6-8 players who must contribute doulble digit offense instead of just Steve forcing 30+ points every night. The encouraging thing about this is we have 12 players more than capable of scoring 10+ on any given night. I think the last game showed we are capable of running an offense that incudes multiple passes and many player scoring options. I really think the injuries and the lack of establishing our true rotation is what hurt our attack up to now. We have a decent defense and we are improving every game in this arena. I think our offense and our depth is going to disrupt teams and get them in foul trouble. Watch us use our depth to develop a team defense (utilizing a lot of switch zone) that is going to be one of the best in the league.
His shot selection has surprised me so far. I only saw him play a little in the Worlds but it seemed a lot of his shots were face up jumpers. I don't recall seeing much action in the paint like he's doing with the Rocks. I wonder if Rudy made a point to him about not settling for jumpers.
the main difference is his cba guards couldn't get him the ball remotely close to an easy scoring area. here, even eddie griffin makes a nice entry pass for dunks. yao's passing skills are as impressive as his shooting percentage. remember that play yesterday were we dumped it in and he kicked immediately to rice for the 3. he's so instinctive. everything is just easier looking when he plays.
I was thinking that, too. On the Chinese national team, he seemed to take an awful lot of 15-20 foot jumpers (well, we can call them that, although I doubt at any point Yao's feet left the floor while taking them). I don't think I've seen him take a single one of those shots in these last 4 games -- all his damage has been done from about 12 feet in. Still, it's great to know that his outside shot is there. In those games when the defenses force him out a bit, he's *still* going to be a legitimate offensive weapon.
This is a great thing. We don't need him to become Chris Webber shooting jumpers all day and disappearing in the 4th quarter. He needs to be down in the pit where the high percentage shots are.
Ricerocket, a crossroads indeed. In addition to Yao and his impact, I am also impressed with our zone defense in the last game. If we do that against the Clips successfully today, I will finalize my thinking that we are going to be in the hunt for top 3 all year. We just need the forwards including Tmo and we will be dominant.
I'd like to take my post one step further. Francis and Mobley are generally considerd one of the top back coutrs in the NBA. Yet, other than points scored (which though clearly important, does not translate directly to wins) they don't do much for the rest of the team. That is my problem with both of them, more so Mobley. Huge talent, but it is not being franchised. What they can do is limited by their own two considerably talanted hands. Real money comes from the ability to have others who can perform your service. Ray Kroc has produced more hamburgers than the fasted cook in the world. He set aup a system that is not limited to his own hands. When Francis and Mobley can do that, with their talent, and the talent around them, we will be world champs.
