Was it the index finger? (Ming scored 6 pts before it was hurt) Was it because he tires fast? Was it just weight-lifting?
i think he is tired, most rookies get tired after a couple of months in the nba. and the defence start to watch him and make game plans to stop him, it is called the Rookie wall. the fact that yao ming hasn't had rest in the last 2 years doesn't make his year easier.
Shot selection has a lot to do with it. Most of his shots after the first quarter were fadeaway turnaround with a hand in his face. Shaq also played great defense and kept Yao from getting the ball where he wanted it. As the Rockets mature, they will learn to swing the ball to help Yao get better position and Yao will vary his moves more. The way O'Neal was overplaying the fadeaway, Ming should be able to get that dropstep hook shot in the middle anytime he wanted it.
Absolutely agreed. But maybe on Lakers game, he was specifically instructed by Rudy to use a lot of fadeaway jumpers against O'Neal.
I think yao unconsiously fades away a little more on his shot since the was getting blocked sometimes which leaves his shot short. He is also a little tired which prevents him from getting lift in his shot. He just needs to adjust a little bit. He will be fine by the playoffs.
