I'm just an old clutch fan that doesn't post often, but I still follow the Rocks. I still lurk on the boards and try to catch those early rumors about possible trades and such, and I come accross a lot of negativity about Yao and his game. Quite frankly I don't understand it, and I'm glad we have CD still around from the championship years or this franchise would have fallen apart. You guys can complain about his role players all you want the point is, CD had the foresight to pick Yao and also pick up McGrady. Quite frankly its van gundys job to get these guys to understand their roles and play well. I dont think a lot of the recent guys on the boards, or maybe even the large influx of Asian posters on these boards appreciate that. Yao IS evolving. I've been lucky enough to catch the last 2 nationally televised games. Maybe its not a complete snapshot of how his been playing this year, but I know his production has gone up since he has been in the league. I know a lot of you are pissed because he didn't take over when McGrady went down, but I'm sure McGrady's gimpy back will give out again at some point. Yao will get another chance, and one thing he's shown is that he will learn and that he's durable injury wise. I'm looking forward to his next oppurtunity to run the show. Yao's game is very similar to KG"s in that they are a face up player on offense. They just dont' have great post footwork and power moves like Hakeem, or Shaq do. Thats why Garnett's team never do anything, and it's why Yao won't succeed with the offense going through him unless they run the offense differently and get some shooters to space the floor. The most important thing is he HAS the tools. Having Ewing as an influence on Yao is basically a cancer. Ewing's ****ty face up game was disposed of by Jordan in the playoffs every year. You need your post players to do just that, play in the post. I wish we could get Hakeem in to work with him. Yao is perfectly cabable of some of those quick spin moves that Hakeem would do in deep post. I'm not delusional. Its just its obvious they have teached yao that one power dribble face up game that Ewing sucked at. They need to get Hakeem in for the power dribble BABY HOOK across the lane, which would set up his spin baseline when they overplayed it. Its why he struggled so much when McGrady was out. I didnt' see the games, but I can't imagine his face up game doing well when the offense runs through it. Its give him virtually no offensive rebouding opportunity because he's not going ot the basket. The defense doesn't react to the drive, so swift games suffers on the week side as well - cause he's not a power position player. When they do that pick and roll with Mcgrady the reason its so effective is cause Yao is going to the rim when he gets the ball. Van Gundy is an idiot cause he can't devise a similar offensive game plan when its just Yao vs a zone. Yao has a sweet touch, but when he's shooting that 12 ft jumper its the equivalent of Ray Allen shooting the 3 and not driving to the rim. He's just too good a player to settle for that. I GAURUNTEE you that if Amare Stoudamire didn't have Nash he would average about 20 and 10. Which is right about Yao's clip without McGrady. If you think that Yao wouldn't be geting 25 and 12 on the Suns right now your just ignorant. Looking at points and rebounding averages is completely the wrong way to compare players. Look at the PERCENTAGE of rocket's offense and rebound that Yao produces in Van Gundy's walk it up slow ball offense. Yao getting that technical last night was awesome. He's becoming more Amercianized. The only way the ****ty NBA's ref's give respect is when it is out of fear. They feared the Jordan stare down, they feared Hakeem's wrath, and they are just plain scared for lives with Shaq. Yao's production will eventually put him in that category, and its reason why guys like Danny Fortson don't get it. Unless you produce at an all star level the refs just aren't going to give you the call. I'm positive if the Rockets start making some noise, the refs will take notice. The more techs for Yao the better, I think its just a cultural thing. Yao's game is really shackled by the rules the league has put in to basically even out Shaq, and that hands on defensive slow down style that is killing the league. Once he starts splitting double teams and going to the rim more in the post it will open up his game. I dont care if they waste the next 2 games, I would just throw the ball into yao every possesision until he "gets it". I would tell him he's getting the ball every time and if he's shoots a face up jumper I'd call a time out and scream at him. Just do it over and over and over and over ..... Dont even have him play defense. If a guard didn't throw it into the post I'd yank them from the game. Just save all his fouls for the offensive foul BS the refs call. The important thing is to understand that nobody in the league can handle him down low one one one when he goes to the rim. Its the last step for him to go from 19 and 9 to 24 and 12 type Hakeem numbers .. maybe beyond. I know its important for it to be a team game, and for it to have a flow over the course of a season make sure everyone is rested , prevent injuries etc. But I think Yao's evolution is more important at this point. He needs the confidence to know that nobody can stop him down low. What he doesn't understand is nobody on the ROCKETS is going to give this to him. They are fighting for possesions and points, and contracts and glory and don't give a **** about the team game just like ever other player in the league. Yao has to TAKE the initiative, but thats the irony. Its not his personality, or cultural influence or whatever. As a COACH van gundy needs to recognize this. He shouldn't be happy with 19 and 9 and his defensive presence. This is VAN GUNDY'S JOB and he's not doing it. He can breed the confience for Yao, that confidence that McGrady has. I just think its a cultural issue that the Rockets have to deal with, and FORCE FEED him until he gets it. It would make going back to a team game that much more successful. Yao getting 8-12 shots in those games McGrady was out is just ridiculous. Give him 30 attempts until his he can't lift his arms becaue he's so tired. It's pretty obvious the Rockets have ONE offensive play. That pick and roll with mcgrady and Yao at the top of the key just like in last year's playoffs. I'm sorry, but Van Gundy can do better than that. Just one set designed for Yao to be productive in the post is all I ask. Is that too much ?? Am I the only one that see this?? Is it that hard? I'm mean for F sake. Here are a couple just off the top of my head. 1. That double guard screen that Utah used to do for Malone flashing across the post. 2. Have Yao post and take up 2 people in the zone with Howard flashing the high post. Howard can hit that 15 footer (its all he can do) and he'll be open flashing the week side when they double yao. If the double guy from Yao switches to Howard, all Yao has to do is seal and Howard throws a lob. Layup. 3. The Olajuwon offense. Dump it to Yao, let the zone or double team react. and let him pass out of it. Put McGrday and Luther on Yao's strong side, with a good shooter on the week side as well. Barry would work. And just keep dumping it to yao, and swing when the double comes. I NEVER EVER EVER EVER see a game plan designed for yao to take advantage down low. I don't get it. Drives me crazy. Anybody with me on this?
this is very very very good post! I think YAO is 20-10 guy and right now he needs be more consistant! Also, you made very good point: YAO will have a long healty career. He got strong lower body and the style he plays should extend his NBA lifetime. Also, last night Doug mentioned YAO's balance will get better when he is more mature
Didnt we force feed Yao when Tmac was out. I think it's Yao that does not want to be the sole focus of offense not his teammates. To me, the fact that Yao draws double or tripple team attention even before he gets the ball should be heaven to other players. Our offense has not fully taken advantage of it. Until then, Yao is not going to be comfortable to fight through double teaming and you can't blame him.
I really enjoyed reading that post. I don't know how many games you've watched this season, but our biggest problem(Yao wise) is getting him the ball at the right spot in a timely manner. I mean, Yao is now the DEADLIEST force in the league close to the basket. His numbers in the first month doesn't show it because only Tmac can get him the ball. I also think getting more techs, even at the expense of some games will eventually help Yao out. Last year I made many posts about Yao getting techs and even hurting dirty players on purpose. The guy gets zero respect from other players, the way people foul him and get in HIS space is ridiculous. All he has to do is to do his moves as if no one is near him, people will get hurt. If dirty players fear his elbow half as much as they fear Deke's or Shaqs, his game would benefit greatly. regarding the plays, I really think JVG is purpously saving some for the playoffs. We didn't see Yao get the ball from MM pick 'n roll all last year, all of a sudden in the playoffs Tmac is delivering perfect passes to Yao on the roll. It's as if we've been doing it all year, it was our bread and butter. gotta go, gf's getting pissed.
OK, you are an even bigger fan of Yao than me, and I do feel that we lack of game plans for Ming. We need diversify our offense,about which JVG has no IQ.
I'm sorry but I care about every game. Force feed Yao hasn't been successful for Rockets. Give the ball to Yao every possession and you'll see a exhausted Yao by 3rd quarter along with double digit TOs and 5 fouls. It also makes defense way too easy to adjust. Yao is evolving, but not to the point he can take the team all by himself yet. And I don't see this changing in the near future. Tmac is still the man, for now.
Interesting stuff and agree with a lot of it except that I think Yao's shooting range should be exploited. Yes Yao is a deadly force under the basket but Zone D's allow an under the basket presence to be neutralized by collapsing in. Yao's a good passer and can kick it out like Hakeem but the problem with Zones is that they're making it hard for Yao to get the ball. The Suns get around this through movement and getting the ball to Amare in transition and before the D sets up. The Rox and Yao aren't fast or athletic enough to do this consistently. IMO if the Rox shake things up by having Yao drift occasionally it will allow him to take some shots out of the zone and force the D to loosen up on the inside Zone. Yao's got the talent and an inside out game for Yao would be devestating to opponents.
Yeah, he should have 4 or 5 nice 17 footers every night. One way to get Yao the ball close to the basket is have guys like T-Mac or Swift slash to rim and dish it off to Yao. They are already doing this, but I think they should be doing it more. The D has to commit to the slasher and free up Yao. If they don't the slasher has a clear lane to the basket. Even when T-Mac shoots the ball and misses Yao often rebounds it and dunks it or gets fouled. Last night the Rockets used JHo and T-Mac in a sort of triangle with Yao and how many wide open 15 ft shots did JHo hit. JHo went for 16pts on 8-10 shooting. That's the way to make the D pay for doubling Yao. If JVG isn't reading this board he's making one of his assistants do it.
It's funny. When Francis or Fortson get a tech, everyone accuse them of being morons. But when Yao gets a tech, the Rockets fans start a celebration.
If you still do not know a lot of people on this board have been saying that Yao needs to knock down a few people (not that I agree with) and get a few technicals to earn his street credentials.
what i don't understand is how people keep comparing yao to rick smits! his best season was 18 and 7...in his 8th year!!!!! journalists should be fired if they ever make these comparisons. yao's stats look a hell of a lot better than smits....
I bash Yao. I bash him a lot, and he's deserved it. But the man is definitely showing signs of improvement in every aspect of his game. His grip on rebounds is better; his aggressiveness around the basket is better; his timing and space-making on turnarounds is better; his ability to defend without jumping or slapping is better; his opening tips are better; his defensive footwork in the lane is better; and above all, his ability to make a mistake and not beat himself over the head for the next 5 minutes is better. He looks like he's finally getting enough "body knowledge" to play intelligently without having to overthink and agonize and fluster himself. And that T. I have never cheered so hard for a T. I swear it turned the game around. If it means Yao has finally decided "I'm not gonna take this *** anymore," look out. The dude might actually unleash himself.
I definitely agree! Getting a tech from time to time will make the refs pay more attention. Yao should do what Duncan does.
I am one of those people. However I am not saying he should do it to get "street credentials." It's how people play him. Yao gets zero respect from many players. They play him really dirty and stick their noses in places where they would never dare stick in near shaq or Deke. Yao's space on court is about the same size as moochies. Refs are a large reason for that. He is a big man and must let other players know that entering his space is dangerous. He needs to let players know that when you are that close to me, the best thing to do for your sake is to just put your arms straight up. From playing basketball: there are people you can get real close to and foul hard without worrying about consequences. There are also people you hesitate just a bit when you are near them. Bottom line is, refs don't protect Yao the same way they protect Duncan or Dirk, and the whole league knows this. I really don't want to see yao get hurt because someone 100 pounds lighter than him decides to take him down wwf style.
whiplashtony, you said most points in my mind. This is the best post with the deepest analysis I have seen on this board in the past several months. I paid to join this board because I thought I could see good posts as many people on this board are long-time Rockets fans and have watched many Rockets games. But the quality of the posts in this board is dropping: more bashing and less analysis. Why? I don't know, but the Adiministrator of this board may know. Now regarding Yao, I was also disappointed by him at the beginning of the losing steak because he "could not" carry the team without Tracy. But did not you guys see that he was improving step-by-step during the steak and he almost got there to carry the team. Yes, please forgive me, I was hoping Tracy could come back to the team later, so that Yao could prove himself and gain more confidence. But many people in this board were just bashing him, and I can not understand why there are so many Yao-Haters on this boards. I just can not get it. In his entire career so far in NBA and as a Rockets player, he fighted hard for every game! and he missed only a few. Basketball is not one-man's game, and center needs smart ball feeds, but only Tracy is good at it in the entire Rockets team. When Tracy out and other players could not hit opens, how Yao alone could defeat other teams? Just look at back Tracy's losing steaks in Magic when Hill was out. Regarding JVG, yes, he is not a good offense coach and he has not fully utilized Yao's abilities. If he does and Tracy is healthy, Rockets is a Champion contender.
"Turn and shoot" That's it. Turn and shoot. That's what Yao has been doing over the last few games and it has worked WONDERS for him. Dont' need to back you man down, dont need to put the ball on the floor. Just turn and shoot. Unless Yao has someone on him like Camby or Dalembert or Chandler, guys that are athletic enough to block shots standing still, Yao just needs to "turn and shoot" over the likes of Foyle/Murphy, Potepinko, Miller, Kayman, Mihm or whoever. We have seen Yao do more of this over the last few games: Golden State, Seattle, Clippers and Yao has had probably his BEST 3 games of the season strung together. To me, this is very encouraging. He is a GOOD shooter, so he needs to mix in that face up jumper along with his basic back down to the basket post moves.
