The particulars of Yao's recent surge and questions regarding the future

Glendelicious · Mar 10, 2006

Hey folks, what a pleasure it is for us all to be discussing Yao's emergance!

A friend of mine, a NYC Knicks fan, has been the rare non-Rockets fan to appreciate Yao from the beginning and has thought that the rest of the world was nuts. Poor guy is watches the Knicks' ugliness all season and is astounded that people don't understand what Houston has in Yao. Anyway, he send me an email:

"I think people are starting to come around. I mean, they'd have to."

The substance of my response is below, and I wonder how you feel about my questions and remarks. I'm very curious to hear his as well, a non-Rockets fan, who knows the game exceptionally well.

"Is ESPN talking about it?...I wonder what the rest of the NBA thinks. I only see articles in the Houston Chronicle and haven't had a chance to see if the TV analysists are dillegently supping on crow.

I also wonder if he'll have another gruling summer in China to sap his energy again and cause some regression in production. If only they would allow him just 8 weeks a year to relax before putting him back to work. Of course, that would only allow him just a month with the Chinese team, but it would allow him to dominate for them all the more. Still, a good deal of this isn't just energy, it's agressiveness despite double teams. One of the most impressive things about this is that he has (almost) always been double teamed as soon as he catches the ball. He still is; he's just dominating anyway. The more he does this, the more the defense will collapse on him, and (as wonderful a passer he is) he's going to start picking up the assists the way that Hakeem and Shaq did as their careers went on, except that he's a far better passer than they ever were.

Though it's almost blasphamy to say, as he's shooting over 83% from the line, I believe that he may become an even more amazing offensive force than either of those two [perhaps I was a bit overboard here; these are two Hall-of-Famers who averaged 30 or almost 30 at their peaks] . He'll never be the defender the Hakeem was—the best defender since Russell—but already he's becoming a real force in the middle on defense, so maybe he'll be at or near Shaq's peak level of D. Shaq was much quicker at his peak, still is even, but there were very few times in his career when he put forth the effort on both sides of the court the way Yao does every game.

[Here I gushed a little, a Yao love fest, which is redundant on this site; and then I mentioned his work routine, showing up earliest, leaving last, his dedication...] You put that work together with a willingness to dominate, get him just a little rest every year—for god's sake—and I do believe he can have a Kareem career. [on offense at least—seriously, no center I can think of has ever shot so well from the line. If he takes 18-20 shots per game at, say, 52% on the floor, he'd likely average 25-30 a game, depending on FT attempts]

Am I insane? [to make such pronouncements]"

I ask for you friendly clutchfans for help, your eyes. Amongst the most biting of the typical slings and arrows of my daily life is that, being in NYC, I can't see Yao and TMac's every game. And damn ESPN for denying me two more games! Is there really so profound a difference in Yao's game or is this dominance much a function of freedom from foul trouble? His offensive dominance is evident in the box scores—especially in fouls committed by his opponents, but I've seen a bit of copy in the Chronicle on his defensive improvements—though mostly from JVG quotes. Is defensive improvement discernable? What's he doing differently? And what about rebounds, the quantity of which have also improved considerably? The only writer who does full scouting reports on players in his columns is the ever imperfect and prejudiced (and sometimes downright evil, but still worthwhile) Charley Rosen. He always said that Yao was just a straight up rebounder, he didn't effectively box out and get any boards that were out of his zone. From what I'd seen, I couldn't really disagree. He didn't seem to move about and fight and box out and spin for rebounds that weren't right to him. Has this changed?

Forgive the long post, and the gushing (I'm not prone to gushing) but reading the Chronicle is just about my favorite passtime at work these past few weeks—it's like reading a column every day that Superman has saved Metropolis yet again—and I'd love more in-depth perspectives.

Best,

Michael

PS. just imagine what this offense will look like with a healthy TMac next year (god willing) and perhaps one sharp shooter at SG and at least one more off the bench.

tiger0330 · Mar 10, 2006

Glendelicious said:

Hey folks, what a pleasure it is for us all to be discussing Yao's emergance!

A friend of mine, a NYC Knicks fan, has been the rare non-Rockets fan to appreciate Yao from the beginning and has thought that the rest of the world was nuts. Poor guy is watches the Knicks' ugliness all season and is astounded that people don't understand what Houston has in Yao. Anyway, he send me an email:

"I think people are starting to come around. I mean, they'd have to."

The substance of my response is below, and I wonder how you feel about my questions and remarks. I'm very curious to hear his as well, a non-Rockets fan, who knows the game exceptionally well.

"Is ESPN talking about it?...I wonder what the rest of the NBA thinks. I only see articles in the Houston Chronicle and haven't had a chance to see if the TV analysists are dillegently supping on crow.

I also wonder if he'll have another gruling summer in China to sap his energy again and cause some regression in production. If only they would allow him just 8 weeks a year to relax before putting him back to work. Of course, that would only allow him just a month with the Chinese team, but it would allow him to dominate for them all the more. Still, a good deal of this isn't just energy, it's agressiveness despite double teams. One of the most impressive things about this is that he has (almost) always been double teamed as soon as he catches the ball. He still is; he's just dominating anyway. The more he does this, the more the defense will collapse on him, and (as wonderful a passer he is) he's going to start picking up the assists the way that Hakeem and Shaq did as their careers went on, except that he's a far better passer than they ever were.

Though it's almost blasphamy to say, as he's shooting over 83% from the line, I believe that he may become an even more amazing offensive force than either of those two [perhaps I was a bit overboard here; these are two Hall-of-Famers who averaged 30 or almost 30 at their peaks] . He'll never be the defender the Hakeem was—the best defender since Russell—but already he's becoming a real force in the middle on defense, so maybe he'll be at or near Shaq's peak level of D. Shaq was much quicker at his peak, still is even, but there were very few times in his career when he put forth the effort on both sides of the court the way Yao does every game.

[Here I gushed a little, a Yao love fest, which is redundant on this site; and then I mentioned his work routine, showing up earliest, leaving last, his dedication...] You put that work together with a willingness to dominate, get him just a little rest every year—for god's sake—and I do believe he can have a Kareem career. [on offense at least—seriously, no center I can think of has ever shot so well from the line. If he takes 18-20 shots per game at, say, 52% on the floor, he'd likely average 25-30 a game, depending on FT attempts]

Am I insane? [to make such pronouncements]"

I ask for you friendly clutchfans for help, your eyes. Amongst the most biting of the typical slings and arrows of my daily life is that, being in NYC, I can't see Yao and TMac's every game. And damn ESPN for denying me two more games! Is there really so profound a difference in Yao's game or is this dominance much a function of freedom from foul trouble? His offensive dominance is evident in the box scores—especially in fouls committed by his opponents, but I've seen a bit of copy in the Chronicle on his defensive improvements—though mostly from JVG quotes. Is defensive improvement discernable? What's he doing differently? And what about rebounds, the quantity of which have also improved considerably? The only writer who does full scouting reports on players in his columns is the ever imperfect and prejudiced (and sometimes downright evil, but still worthwhile) Charley Rosen. He always said that Yao was just a straight up rebounder, he didn't effectively box out and get any boards that were out of his zone. From what I'd seen, I couldn't really disagree. He didn't seem to move about and fight and box out and spin for rebounds that weren't right to him. Has this changed?

Forgive the long post, and the gushing (I'm not prone to gushing) but reading the Chronicle is just about my favorite passtime at work these past few weeks—it's like reading a column every day that Superman has saved Metropolis yet again—and I'd love more in-depth perspectives.

Best,

Michael

PS. just imagine what this offense will look like with a healthy TMac next year (god willing) and perhaps one sharp shooter at SG and at least one more off the bench.
Click to expand...

From what I understand Jack Sikma was the best big man FT shooter in NBA history, shot 85% for his career and shot 90% some years. FT are BIG in Yao's game, if Shaq could make FTs like Yao they would put him in the HOF before he retired.

Your friend should get NBA league pass if he wants to watch Yao. I thinks its 1/2 price now because the season is almost over.

pirc1 · Mar 10, 2006

tiger0330 said:

From what I understand Jack Sikma was the best big man FT shooter in NBA history, shot 85% for his career and shot 90% some years. FT are BIG in Yao's game, if Shaq could make FTs like Yao they would put him in the HOF before he retired.

Your friend should get NBA league pass if he wants to watch Yao. I thinks its 1/2 price now because the season is almost over.
Click to expand...

In my area pplive is the only option, since the cable doesn't carrry nba league pass.

tigermission1 · Mar 10, 2006

The difference is simple: mental.

MJ once said that the game is 70% mental, Yao was already a great talent and a great big men (skills-wise), there was nothing he lacked. The only thing that made a difference is that now he comes to games to dominate and assert himself, he doesn't back away from a challenge anymore and won't be intimidated. As a result (a sideeffect, really) he's gaining more and more respect from the refs and the league, and his stamina is somewhat improved.

It's all mental, Yao just happened to finally put that two aspects of his game (physical and mental) together, and we're now seeing the results.

No doubt his time off helped him observe the game from a different POV...no doubt his confidence has been helped a great deal seeing how integral a piece he is to this team's success, and no doubt his pride kicked in when he heard/read about how his NBA peers think he's one of the most overrated players in the league.

So as I said, it's all mental.

Tango · Mar 10, 2006

It's beena combination of things. Here's my breakdown off the top of my head in no particular order.

(1) Getting Healthy: Regaining of speed & strength from a healthy foot

(2) X's & O's and better passing:

(a) Better use of angles in receiving entry passes to defeat fronting, physical, and double teaming defenses. Instead of fighting for a single position he'll intentionally move to/from left & right block or to the lane. The combination of Yao in motion accompanied by his teamates moving the ball well have opened up more angles for entry passes. Passes have been thrown into Yao not just on the deep wings but also from the "mid wings" and high post as well.

(b) Posting & reposting to force the defense to react and allow Yao to establish better position.

(c) Passing has been much crisper and faster. The team is getting better at acting on the split second window timing that Yao is in good position before the defenses can set or react. In the past the passers were not nearly as confident about their ability to get the passes into Yao quickly. Rafer, Bogans, Howard, and even Wesley are getting good at this.

(3) Increasing offensive skills: Yao' comfortable working off the left or right block and has developed a confident hook shot with either his left or right hand. He's also getting better at using the baseline spin on the left block and looks to be improving this move on the right block as well.

(4) Confidence & Leadership: He's going at double teams and doesn't always try to pass out of them. He's demanding the ball more and actually directing traffic like a quarterback from the post.

(5) Smarts & passion to excel: His study of his game and how to beat defenses is really starting to show.

I'm sure there are more. Didn't even address defense and rebounding improvements.

RocketForever · Mar 10, 2006

it's agressiveness despite double teams. One of the most impressive things about this is that he has (almost) always been double teamed as soon as he catches the ball. He still is; he's just dominating anyway. The more he does this, the more the defense will collapse on him, and (as wonderful a passer he is) he's going to start picking up the assists the way
Click to expand...

I remember a play in the Pacers game. Yao was tripleteamed right after he received an entry pass. He passed out to Rafer who then immediately swang the ball to a wideopen Bogan on the other side of the court. 3 points. It is a beauty.

With his height Yao can see over everyone. It's easy for him to pass out to set up a wideopen shot.

Zboy · Mar 10, 2006

if there EVER a time for an energy drink or a protein bar to sponsor Yao. THIS IS IT!!!! This is perfect. Just twist the ad to make it seem that Yao has been dominating because of their product. Subtle hint is all it will take. I am surprised no one has jumped on the oppurtunity yet.

Damn, I think I will just go ahead and start to roll out "XYAO Tonic" Mix water with high fructose corn syrup, work up some funky color, and add in a bit of ginseng to make it sound credible. Or just buy a lot of Kool Aid and repackage it.

Gatorade should be rolling out with new Yao commercials soon, I would guess.

RocketForever · Mar 10, 2006

Zboy said:

if there EVER a time for an energy drink or a protein bar to sponsor Yao. THIS IS IT!!!! This is perfect. Just twist the ad to make it seem that Yao has been dominating because of their product. Subtle hint is all it will take. I am surprised no one has jumped on the oppurtunity yet.

Damn, I think I will just go ahead and start to roll out "XYAO Tonic" Mix water with high fructose corn syrup, work up some funky color, and add in a bit of ginseng to make it sound credible. Or just buy a lot of Kool Aid and repackage it.

Gatorade should be rolling out with new Yao commercials soon, I would guess.
Click to expand...

So when will the Yao beer be available in the stores?

pirc1 · Mar 10, 2006

RocketForever said:

So when will the Yao beer be available in the stores?
Click to expand...

link

It wouldn't be long now I bet.

BEIJING, Feb. 17 -- "This is Jet Li spirit produced with Yao Ming steel tube." If you see such an advertisement, do not take it as a joke. Such messages are very likely to appear in the market in the near future.

According to Shanghai media, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce's (SAIC) Trademark Office's preliminary report on examination and approval shows that Jet Li and Yao Ming have been preemptively registered as trademarks for wine and spirit in advance, and if no one files any objection within three months, these trademark applications will be formally approved.

Registration applications for these household names did not come from the celebrities themselves. The application for the trademark of Yao Ming was filed by a Mr. Xiao in Guangdong's Zijin County on March 9, 2004. Trademark applications for Jet Li wine and spirit came from a trade company in Nanjing and a Zhejiang resident in 2004.

The applicant of Yao Ming beer is really sharp-minded, said Zhou Hong, deputy general manager of Chofn Trademark Office. Yao Ming's name has been registered as the trademark of more than 10 categories of products, including automobile and toy, but not of beer.

Mr. Xiao has not only registered Yao Ming's name as a trademark for beer, but also for elbows of metal pipes and steel tubes. The reporter tried to get in touch with Yao Ming and Mr. Xiao yesterday but failed. Zhou said that if no objection is filed within three months, these trademark applications will be formally approved.

(Source: Chinanews.cn)

RocketForever · Mar 10, 2006

so over there you can register anyone's name and if no one objects within three months then it will become your trademark?

I wonder the name of Chuck Norris has been registered for what kind of products.

Hippieloser · Mar 10, 2006

Our Chinese buds have GOT to tell us how to get some Yao Ming beer over here in Texas as soon as it's available.

dwaldman · Mar 10, 2006

not sure if this is mentioned enough, but it seems to me like the change is that the team has got their back to the walls, and it seems like no one else is fighting, so Yao took that step --reluctantly, but dutifully -- to carry everyone else. the change is willpower in the eleventh hour. the minute we are statistically out of contention I bet his numbers fall -- let's hope we're never statistically eliminated though..... and I bet next year he won't shine, because he won't have to hopefully. i think he doesn't want to be a leader, but wants to be a winner. Now he feels like he can't have one without the other. Hopefully he'll realize that will always be the case. being the best you can be isn't always best in a team sport, but in this case, i think it is.

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The particulars of Yao's recent surge and questions regarding the future

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