There will be plenty of Yao assist next season because we have another legitimate low post thread in Swift.
I've said in the past I don't expect Yao to ever take a "giant step" from one season to the next. He will gradually become more dominant. With his long rest this summer, his workouts with Falsone and with him apparently being at training camp, if he ever takes a big step, this will be the year. I want him to become a tougher rebounder more than anything else. He offensive production will take care of itself.
We got all the right players to complement Yao now. But still, there is one problem that still has to be addressed. How can we stop a quicker, more agile defender from fronting (or 3/4ings) Yao and effectively shutting him down? Will it be better passing? More lobs? What? Until this problem is solved, Yao will never have that "break out" season.
There are a lot of 'if's. Take his rebounding as an example. If only he can stay in the game and push his mins to 36 mins/game, he can average 2 more rebounds even with no improvement in other aspects of his game at all. If only he can hold onto the ball, he can average 2 more rebounds per game. (I saw him either drop a rebound or got knocked out of his hands at least 2 times a game last season). Just have these two problems solved and he can average like 13 rebounds/game. I hope the strength program which he is going through in China can help him in these areas.
Yao has stated that Amare improved so much last year and that he did not improve much. I think he will be motivated to step up his game this season in small part because of that. Houston Native
The Key word here is STAMINA . if he has finally improved that aspect of his game, 22 and 10 is a realistic goal.
I fully expect that he will average 35mpg this year because of improved stamina and fewer fouls. The 12% improvement in his mpg should make 22/10 a realistic goal this year. This is the year Yao must put to rest all the doubters and haters, he has no excuses.
If yao's average 22/12/4/3, i ll said rockets for the championship.... Personally i think he will average 20pts 9rebs 2asst and 2blks. Please remember Swift will grab a couples of rebounds away from yao... so i dont see yao averages double digit rebounds!
