I somewhat agree. Rookie Yao was more mobile than present Yao. His coaches have focused too much on Yao to be a low post threat like Shaq. I wouldn't mind seeing Yao shoot jumpers in pick and pops, as well as own the paint like Hakeem did. He could lose some weight, but not too much.
This is an interesting thread, but comparing Hakeem and the old days isn't fair. Remember, back then we used the "dump-in" offense, which we all grew to hate on this board. We would surround Dream with 3-point shooters whose job was to hit open 3's -> guys like Matt Maloney, Kenny Smith, Robert Horry, etc. Well, the NBA thought that style of play was boring so they allowed zone defense to help encourage ball movement, and get away from dump-in offenses. As a result, the game isn't big man oriented like it used to be since defenses can sit in a zone and defend the inside-out game much easier.
Yao needs to reinvent his game. He needs to shoot those long wide open 15 foot jumpers that he receives. This in turn would open up the middle for him to post up.
Is it too late... To change Yao's game. I remember listening to Bill Walton's comments on Yao leading to the draft and how Yao had the potential of redefining the center position. That he had the skills to go inside and out. That he had range up to the 3 point line. I think the Rox and Team Yao should take a hard look at this. When Yao came into the league, he was a lot more thinner than he is today but he was a lot more agile and quicker. Under JVG, he was made more into a traditional center so he had to bulk up and IMHO, the reason why he is so injury prone now. I don't think it's the minutes that is the main factor for Yao's injury history. It's his body type. Before Yao, most players his height were rail thin - Bradley, Sampson, Bol, etc. I think it's going against human nature to be this tall with this amount of bulk. Not only does Yao's feet have to support his height, but it now also has to support his bulk. I think if we can get Yao's size down to 280 lbs and change Yao's game from a power game to more of a agile/skill game (ala Gasol but at 7'6) Yao and the Rox can prolong his career immensely. And maybe Walton's prediction will still come true...
I also forgot to add, That since there are so few traditional centers in the L and that the rules favor speed/skill over the power game, the answer to this question should be easy.
the knock on yao was that he was too skinny when he first came in the league. he would get pushed by guys bigger than him. now that he's bulked up he can handle the paint but he's also lost the little mobility he had. yao won't ever be as fast as pau gasol or any other athletic center, so i dont see how losing weight will help. you have to take the good with the bad with yao.
his size decide he must get stronger and go inside the paint ,to knock people and tread down the rim ,though I still love "Shanghai Dance Move "!
Yao had been staying healthy until he tried too hard to beat LA all by himself. I don't think that's a big problem.
Honestly, I don't have any old video and I can't really remember. Yao has always been a giant. Can people give their personal opinions on this - Has Yao lost mobility since entering the league?
at 280 he wouldn't probably be too exhausted to play in the NBA. Him losing excessive amounts of weight is not the answer. There may not be an answer.
No! time for Yao to say ^&*%%^$%^%* to the Chinese GOV't. Tell them the hell with it, he ain't playing for them no MO!!! Find himself a hood chick. Spend one night with her so she can man him up. Take a good summer break and come back with a vengeance!!!
If Yao is 310 at the beginning of the season. What is his weight by the end of the regular season? Do athlete like running sports like basketball, soccer, hockey and football lose a lot of weight over the season?
Athletes don't lose weight over the course of the season. They keep a steady diet and tend to gain muscle weight sometimes.
