Remeber during the summer when we were all puzzled by Wang Fei the Chinese NT? Why didn't he give the ball to Yao more? Remeber we all bashed the Chinese guards for not passing the ball to Yao? Remember Rudy commented (indirectly) how he was also puzzled by Wang's strategies? Remember we all were so excited because we were so sure that with the "great guards" that we have, Yao would have no problem getting the ball? Remember Rudy told the female Chinese reporter at Indy that in the NBA, when a big man called for the ball in the block, he would get it every time? That it would actually easier for Yao to play in the NBA than with the Chinese NT? It is true that passing the ball to Yao is not as easy as some of us here think. Maybe he got double teamed. Maybe he got zoned, or got fronted and backed. But we didn't have problem during Dream's prime to get him the ball. The Lakers have no problem giving Shaq the ball. The Spurs have no problem giving Duncan the ball. Surely these dominant big men all get lots of defensive attention from the opponents. I am pretty sure Rudy knows that Yao needs more touches. What I am not sure is whether this lack of touches is due to (A) the lack of execution or (B) the lack of design. Let me explain the choices: 1. Competence problems on the players part. The Rockets simply can't execute what Rudy orders them to do. (And Rudy is as frustrated as we are.) 2. Competence problems on Yao's part. He cannot or is not aggressive enough to get himself in the position where he can effectively get the ball. 3. Discipline problems on Rudy's part. He cannot control his players to execute what he wants them to do. 4. Chemistry problems on the whole team. They don't have a consistent rotation yet. Yao and the others don't know each other well enough to execute good passing consistently. 5. Competence problems on Rudy's part. Rudy does not have plays specifically designed to get the ball to Yao.
