Look at last nights game. Howard (who TO ME is an upgraded Ben Wallace) held his own against Yao. And how many times did Howard front Yao on a consistant basis?? So frustrating to see Yao and his weak ass keep getting uprooted by Howard! Let me throw some dirt on the Coach... How many times did we see when Shaq and Hakeem played that Hakeem KNEW Shaq was stronger than he was and what did Hakeem do? Well, one, he would use his speed and we know that Yao DEFINITELY doesn't have that. But, what Hakeem DID do and what Yao SHOULD do if the COACH pays attention is run some picks for Yao where he is coming off one near the free throw line to shoot a jumper over any human on that court. THATS how you create shots for someone who can shoot from 12-18ft! We know that Yao can't seal his man. We know Yao isn't quick. We know that Yao is this and that. But you know what Yao CAN DO? Shoot from the outside. Ewing had the same plays run for him all the time. Pay attention RICK ADELMAN!
Yao has been woefully inefficient with the 18 ft jumper though. I'm not saying they shouldn't integrate it, because I really think he has the potential to effectively add that to his arsenal. But up til now, it has rarely been used, and when he has shot the jumper (aside from his baseline fadeaway), it has been for a terrible percentage. I'll post the evidence here soon.
I compiled this from nba.com/hotspots I used to think that they were missing the 2007 season stats, but after checking it out, it's just mislabeled. They have it 2008-2009, 2007-2008, 2006, 2005. The fact is 2006 means 2006-2007 and 2005 means 2005-2006 and so on. Over the last 4 years, Yao has played 234 games and taken a jumper from either elbow or the top of the key only 108 times. He's made 33 for a whopping 30.6% shooting. Now compare that to say KG. He's shot those jumpers 1004 times over the last 4 years, almost 10 times as much as Yao. KG hit 458 of those shots for a 45.6% shooting. This is why KG is effective from there and Yao is not....or at least hasn't been yet. Again, I DO believe that this can be a weapon. KG shoots the elbow and top of the key jumper 3.6 times per game. He also shoots jumpers from other spots on the floor. Yao shoots the elbow and top key jumper less than .5 times per game. So, I think Yao just needs more reps. Is he KG good with the jumper? No. Can he be? Maybe. At least Adelman is freeing Yao up a little more than JVG did. In JVG's last 2 years, Yao only shot that shot 21 times; made 6 for 28.6% shooting, and only attempted 0.16 of those shots per game. Under Adelmans 2 years, Yao has shot it 87 times; made 27 for 31.0% shooting and has attempted 0.83 of those shots per game. So while Yao only shot the jumper less than once every 6 games under JVG, Yao has shot it almost once a game under Adelman. So honestly, Yao still sucks at it, but Yao also sucks at being fronted because he's not quick enough to seal and catch the lob, especially with the 2nd defender shading. Yao would have been so much better if he played before zone defenses. He would have been a super Rik Smits...and that's no dis...Rik Smits was damn good and a Finals caliber starting center. I think Yao's limitations will always exist no matter what era he plays in, and so I don't think he's an All-Timer, but Finals caliber starting is good enough for me. Sorry for digressing, but yeah, Yao can't shoot that shot, or hasn't shot it well yet. He needs more reps though because the fronting is just down right terrible for the current Rockets. Let Yao shoot it and have Scolandry crashing the boards. I mean, if JVG allowed Rafer to shoot his .0007% floaters as an okay shot of last resort, then he should have allowed Yao to work on his development too. I loved JVG, even though he really was too short sighted as a coach. He'd cut off a players limb to win that day while not caring about how missing a limb would make it harder to win the next day. I digress again.
I've brought up those numbers before with another poster (badgerfan). His counter-argument was that Yao doesn't take enough of those shots per game for it to be a meaningful sample. Like, most of the time he only takes it at the end of the shot clock under duress. Honestly, I didn't see it that way. But the last few weeks Yao has been taking those shots more frequently often as part of the offense. Has he shot it any better? Here's his shooting since the UTA game, based on the ESPN shot charts: Code: UTA 1-1 LAC 1-1 (baseline 16 footer) PHO 1-2 LAL 1-2 ORL 1-4 I don't remember if that make against the Clippers was off a post move, or a catch and shoot. But I included it anyways. He didn't attempt any outside shots against Portland. But he's 5-10 in these games, which is pretty good. If that's how he's going to shoot them, I don't have a problem with it at all. Hopefully he can sustain it.
durvasa, did you counter-argue a small (or un-meaningful) sampling size with an even smaller and less meaningfull one? Or, did i miss the point of that post?
I understand the small sample size argument, and that's why it's a "maybe" in my book as to whether or not they should add it to offensive playbook as a big part. I do like experimenting here and there, but to feature it is...well...I dunno. The offense looks so downright ugly at times, and that's a direct result of fronting by ANY team, not just good defensive teams. I'm not the coach, but I wouldn't be bothered by a "what the hell" attitude and just totally freeing Yao for 4 straight possessions of 18ft jumpers from the elbows or top of the key just to see how it works. I mean, even if he does fall back to his career 30% shooting, it's not like those offensive lulls can get any worse. Under JVG when everything broke down it was Rafer drive brick, Rafer drive brick, crash the boards. Now under Adelman when everything breaks down it's Artest dribble everyone else get out of the way brick. I mean, I understand that there has to be an offense of last resort. Worrell kept getting pissed last night because Artest went into iso mode in the 3rd, but he didn't realize that it was after like 4 straight possessions of Yao being fronted and nothing happening for 20 seconds then a turnover pass or terrible jumper. And when Artest sees the terrible offense in play, he's thinking at least he has a chance to carry the team for a little while. Every blames him for sucking when he misses, but it's usually a result of the whole team collapsing putting Artest in that mode. I'm not saying his shot selection is great...he takes many stupid shots, but I am saying that many times there's a reason for it. And so I finally get to the point that if Adelman is okay with Artest as a last resort offense, then why not Yao. I'm not talking about traditional good low post offense Yao. I talking top of the key catch and shoot Yao. And though it has happened a lot more now than during the JVG era, once or twice a game still isn't going to cut it. I'm seriously talking about whenever there's a funk time, just run 4 straight possessions of Yao elbow pick jumper and let's see what happens. It gives Yao a chance to really develop a rhythm to see if he really does suck at that jumper. It can't be any worse than what's going on now.
No, I didn't conclude that Yao is a good shooter from distance based on the last few games. Merely pointed out that he's been shooting it better, with the frequency of attempts increasing. I hope that's something he sustains, but I can't predict it will happen. Also, even with his recent hot streak from outside, he still hasn't hit more than 1 of those outside jumpers in any recent game. He may not have done so in years.
did you mean the rule changes haven't had an effect on yao? imagine akeem being guarded by a sonics defense (illegal back then) all his career. and i just love your #6 in the 80's and 2nd now ranking on yao, like it's indisputable.
no hand-checking? Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell would go bezerk on this league. what about Clyde Drexler no handchecking?
you do realize i was agreeing with you, eh? (and on the same token, if yao played under the old rules, his performance would like be better and not the other way.)
i know, i'm just thinking about how awesome the rockets of old would be. you know a good example of an old rocket who thrived on the new rules? Sam Cassell look at the numbers he put with the Bucks, Wolves, and Clippers insane numbers, plus awesome shooting % Yao would play better, but then again if he played in that era, he would not be considered the #1 or #2 center.
I actually believe those two would do ok back in then.... Especially CP3, his game reminds me of the old days... The man is just smooth and plays the game with such ease and grace. Plus he's only one of a handful of point guards that believes in getting everyone on the floor involved, almost like a smaller Magic.
I dunno Tinman.... Those guys actually banged back then.... Especially in the 80's. No layups was not just a saying it was the LAW.....
Yeah! Howard sucks ass and so did Ben Wallace. Ben Wallace: NBA Champion: 2004 4-time NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 4-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 6-time All-NBA Defensive Team: First Team: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Second Team: 2007 Only player in NBA history to record 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals in 4 consecutive seasons (2001-04). One of three players in NBA history to record 150 blocks and 100 steals in 7 consecutive seasons (2001-07) (along with Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson). One of four players in NBA history to lead the NBA in rebounding and blocking averages in the same season (along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Hakeem Olajuwon). One of three players in NBA history to average 15 rebounds and 3 blocks per game over a season (along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob McAdoo). One of two players in NBA history to receive NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award 4 times (along with Dikembe Mutombo). In the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, he led the league in both rebounds and blocked shots, the first to do so since Hakeem Olajuwon. but i guess anything post 2000 is insignificant to you. Howard is touted the best center in the NBA and he is a beast (i think Yao is better but overall Howard is more effective). Why dont you go back and look at his stats when he isnt playing Yao. Why dont you go back and look at where the magic are ranked. you flamed me and brought up players from way before my time and prolly your time, but do you actually watch the present games? Howard tore up Boston (arguably the best team boston has ever had(i disagree tho)) and Cleveland. There really isnt a team that can handle the Magic very well other than Yao and the Rockets. and yes Howard also handled the lakers. so that pretty much covers all the best teams in the NBA today. but i guess Howard would be no match for Ewing right? because he cant shoot free throws or from the outside very well. who was that other player back in the 90's who was dominant but had no real shot? i was only a teen so... oh yeah.. some guy named Shaq.
