Remember during the summer when we watched Yao play with the Chinese NT? Remember how we were all puzzled by Wang Fei the coach by his not getting Yao more touches? Remember how we bashed the Chinese guards for not passing to Yao? Remember Rudy was also puzzled by Wang's strategies? Remeber Rudy told the female Chinese reporter in Indy that in the NBA, when the big man called for the ball in the block, he would get it every time? And that it would be easier for Yao to play in the NBA than with the Chinese NT? Remeber we all were so excited how our "great guards" would have no problems giving Yao the ball? Remeber how we thought the scoring threats posed by our guards would give Yao more open spaces? Now we know that passing to Yao is not as easy as some of us here might think. But we didn't have problems during Dream's prime getting him the ball. The Lakers have no problems getting Shaq the ball. The Spurs have no problems giving Duncan the ball. Why can't we pass it to Yao more? I am pretty sure that Rudy knows Yao needs to have more touches. So it shouldn't be a strategy problem. What I am not sure is whether it's an execution problem or a design problem. In light of the Chronicle's article by Blinebury and the many posts on the subject, I'd like to get your opinions with this poll. 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.
If a Rox fan doesn't think it's Rudy's problem, he/she is in self denial. It could be ugly when Yao Ming calls for the ball in the media, diplomatically or not.
When i watch the game, i don't see any difficulty in passing the ball to Yao. All you got to do is lob it up there and he'll catch it. I think rather you should say it is difficult for the players to give up the ball and let Yao touch more. It's up to the Rockets players and the coaches.
by watching the past games, i think they are afraid of giving yao the ball because whens hes trying to post up and puts the ball on the floor, he gets it stolen so easily. its like he doesn't see the other defender coming. to me, i think its both. the other rockets are jealous and yao needs to get more agressive and be more aware. yao should be getting enough shots off offensive rebounds alone if he can grab them. after watching the dallas game, i think yao is more affective as a catch and shoot, right now he still has to get stronger to be an effective post-up player.
That's not totally true. On 2 occasions. I saw the ball poked away from Yao as soon as he received it. It is the job of the guard to decide on when to make the pass. When you already have a defender getting ready to come over from Yao's blind side to help, you dont force the pass, but rather swing the ball around looking for other open men, or look for the pass once the backdoor defender back away. Quite often, our guards just dont have the BB IQ to do that. They forced the pass when Yao was about to be double teamed or totally ignore him when he did get into a good position with only one defender on him.
We have guards auditioning for the new AND1 Mixtape, we have 1 power forward playing for a contract, 1 a 3pt specialist, and one trying to prove he isn't overpaid. Also we have a coach who has never adjusted on the fly, just make trades.
Yao only takes good shots. When Rudy T. puts him in the post against a stronger defender, or if he's doubled, he's gonna pass the ball out to the open man. The problem is the whole offense stinks. Nobody can get many open shots except Francis who can create for himself. Yao is not going to start forcing up shots. Next game, I am going to count how many times the Rockets don't even run a play. It seems like every 2 or 3 trips up the court it's just a broken play and someone forces it up.
Looks like about 33% blame it on the players' incompetence. 39% blame it on Rudy one way or the other. I myself picked the chemistry option. Maybe I'm an optimist. I just have hope that the team will gel some time soon.
Chemistry, in the Kings game, Divac and Webber were starting for the 215th time together in the last 4 yrs. Of Rocket starters Kt and Steve were starting their 105th together, Steve and Yao their 6th, Steve and JHawk their 8th. Steve and Cat know each others games, but its still a learning process putting the rest of this years group together. Six starts for Yao and Steve, 215 starts for Divac and Webber....is there a difference?? You decide. Six games just arent enough to build chemistry.
