yes.... it was actually. Yao certainly made them pay the price for it though we'll still have to work on getting him involved in others ways when teams continue to front him though.
The Kings are a BAD defensive team, for one. Also, with T-Mac just DOMINATING on the perimeter, Yao was open more inside. Lastly, Yao was just more aggressive out there. He looked like he wanted the ball and was more apt to shoot than pass.
Yea the kIngs dont front, and they also dont do what a lot of other teams do (send a quick guard weakside to come steal the ball). But Yao was awesoem in the 4th qrtr and OT...drawing Quintuple teams!
Third times the charm for my two cents: The problem is only there until the team gets some practice time. After watching the previous three games, I've noticed that they weren't running the PF into the high post to give a better angle to deliver it in to Yao. Mo did it one time in the Raptor game, but Howard was noticably late or didn't do it at all. The fronting of Yao was a problem last year early in the season until JVG installed the high post feed. Yao got some easy buckets against the Celtics one night and they never went back to fronting. From then on it wasn't nearly as hard to get Yao his touches, and later he went on a three month run of dominating ball, until his stamina petered out towards the end of the season. Basically with JVG teaching his defensive scheme first during training camp and the China trip, they probably didn't get that deep into the offensive playbook. You can tell that the offense isn't quite there yet and there isn't any sharpness to the execution of plays. So assuming that Yao's stamina really has improved and having two such unselfish superstars in Yao and T-mac, this team will dangerous once everyone gets on the same page.
The Kings did not front him which allowed Yao to get the ball, turn and shoot short jump shots as well as make moves in the paint. They spent most of the game concentrating on T-Mac. Their strategy would have probably worked if Peja had been able to hit his shots but he's buried in a horrible shooting slump. This game clearly showed what Yao can do if he's not being zoned out. Before anyone gets too giddy, recall what happened at Memphis and how their fronting defense took Yao completely out of the game. Houston was very fortunate to win that game because Memphis is having major problems scoring points right now (The Mavs torched them again tonight). I expect good defensive teams to front Yao and collapse their zone around him until the Rockets come up with an answer to counter this strategy.
There are only two ways Yao is going to get the ball in the low block with fronting defenses. 1. Move him around on the block. Roll him across the paint, switch sides, throw entry passes from a range of angles. They have done all those things in the first three games. 2. Yao is going to have to more agressively assert his position down there and not be forced off the block. This is the one area I fully expect to see improvement from Yao this season. The problem with fronting is that, with the zone defense rules, the weakside defender can stand 3 feet away from Yao's back essentially making a defensive sandiwich even before Yao touches the ball. That means Yao is going to have to fight for position and the team is going to need to use multiple schemes to get the ball to him. Learning all the schemes and angles will take this team time because they are just new together. Getting Yao more agressive is up to him, but I think we'll see more of that from him as the season rolls on.
Playing at home restricts the refs from calling too many phantom fouls against Yao, which allowed him to be more aggressive on both ends. Dominating two all stars in Webber and Miller like that proves Yao is a franchise player. Miller looks so bad that the only thing he can do is to blow Yao.
I did see a few different hicthes in the offense tonight, One was the quick one two pass from Mo to Yao and out for a short jumper. I also saw Yao moving better in the post (he was going to the correct block) instead of running away from the ball.
blow Yao?!? That is just nasty.. anyways im glad Yao and Tmac both had a great game and its nice to see Yao pick up his game so early in the season. We have usually had to wait till midseason to see a big game from Yao. PJackson said something interesting in his book.. He said no matter if Shaq wanted to admit it or not everyone knew No One could deliver him the ball as easily as Kobe. I think the same applies to Tmac and Yao. Since Tmac commands so much attention and is always a scoring threat this will definately make getting the ball to Yao easier. He just needs to start hanging onto it and scoring. J
Keep in mind that he isn't always "running away from the ball." There are times when the play isn't designed for him. He sets up in the block, allows the defense to set and then runs a back screen for McGrady or Jackson. This is a very effective way to free McGrady from his man and force a switch. Also keep in mind that the first position Yao takes on the floor - particulary when defenses employ fronting the ball - is not usually the position where he will end up. JVG likes to post him on one side, roll him across the lane and re-position him on the other side of the lane. This is effective both at getting him the ball from the high post in the middle of the key as he flashes across and/or getting him deeper position on the opposite block. Just because Yao comes down, sets up on one side and the ball is dribbled to that side of the floor doesn't mean that it is a low post play for Yao on that side. JVG runs a wide range of offensive sets with multiple options from every position on the floor. How they develop is dependent upon the defense and that means any player on the floor at any given time could be the option or the decoy.
This was a very good came from, but Yao stills needs to show that he can get the ball and score when the little guys front him.
I only got to see highlights of this game, so here's what I'd like to know from the box score: Yao had only 3 fouls in 40 minutes? I can't fault the refs in Memphis. He earned every one of those calls with his stupid slow-footed jumping into people. Did he really clean up his act tonight? Or did he do the same thing and not get called?
The whole team focused more on rotating tonight. They did a good job, even though it left Cwebb and Miller with some open jumpers. I think another reason is that the Kings don't have quick bigs who will blow by Taylor and challenge Yao with strength.
What difference does it make? Are you guys discrediting Yao's performance tonight? In all honesty I feel somewhat relieved that Yao finally had a game where he showed what we all hope for....greatness. Yao is damn good and will become more consistent throughout the season. I hope you or tinman are not saying all this because you dont think Yao is bad@ss. If you don't think Yao is bad@ss please say so.
