Jesus, I hope he doesn't get too comfortable with the outside shot. He's doing well in the post and the majority of his game should be there. A big man with the ability to shoot from the outside (Dream, Ewing) opposed to a shooting big man with the ability to post (Ric Smits, Robinson) is completely different. The only time Ming should be shooting a three is when the shot clock is down or during the end of a blowout like what Dream use to do, and not like Barkley. Remember those 3s?
When Manute Bol played for the Warriors, didn't he go on a hot streak from 3 point land? Like 3 for 3 in a game or something? (No, i'm not comparing Ming to Bol.)
Manute could be the trailer on the play he'd stop right at the 3point line (from the top of the key)...a la Jack Sikma. Of course, opposing centers getting back on D would drift back into the key, leaving big Manute open. Nelson had to be the coach of the Warriors back then. They'd kick the ball to Manute and his shooting form...**** it way back behind his head...would have been blocked by anybody, anyone if he was 6'0". Instead, he was so tall, and not like anyone would even try. I was in the Bay Area at the time as a kid and people loved it (as Codell said, "sideshow"). I tried to find his career 3PT%...anyone got his basketball card?
Bol was 21% for his career 3pt shooting 1988 he went 20/91 - 22% 1989 he went 9/48 -18% 1990 he went 1/14 -7.1% His best year from beyond the arc was 92 when he shot 10/32 -31% The rest of his years are not worth mentioning since he too very few shots and didn't make very many. If you want to look up anyones stats in the future go download this historical database... http://www.bballsports.com/
he might not shoot a three this season, but when he flashes out to the top of the key to receive a pass from the wing, if his man is sagging off of him, playing passing lanes, then he has to shoot that shot. it wouldn't be a three, but just inside the three point line. currently, when yao gets it out there, he doesn't even look at the basket and threaten a shot, but instead is set 100% on passing. if he's not a threat to shoot that shot, what's the point of sending him outside so far to catch the pass?
I'm out here in the west coast and yes, Nelson was the one who encourage Manute to stand at the top of the arc on offense. The reason was because he was a non-factor in the post (he did have the "space" hook shot, wasn't really effective, but cool to watch) and couldn't really pass much. They told him to stay at the top of the three point line so a) the opposing center would be drawn out and b) if the other team got a long rebound and tried to go on a fast break, he would have a chance to run down to court and block their shot. He only jacked up threes because he started draining a few during practices and the Warriors goal at the time was to score 120 pts a night. He never hit a three out in the corner or anything like that. But his shot was more like a "loft" or a two handed "throw". People who have seen it can attest to this.
anybody has doubt about Yao's 3 point shoot pls take a look the following Yao Ming interview on sina: http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2002-12-13/1028364553.shtml in 2000-2001 CBA season, 1st game vs Wangzhizhi's BAYI, he banked two 3 pointer in the first 3 minutes of the game. Wang went on and attemptd thirteen 3 point shoots in the game and didn't hit any one of them.
