The last few games, I've noticed that Yao is getting banged around more than usual. That's expected for sure. Have you guys noticed that scratch on his arm, the one he covers with the armband? I've got some good looks at it during games when his band is out of position, and it looks aweful. I'm not so sure it's from the game, or a close encounter of the female kind....it looks like he was raped. His other arm is getting scratched up too. Maybe he should wear some sort of sleeve for protection, and put pine tar on it, so whenever he gets hacked, the guilty party will be stuck to him-instant evidence.
As a immunologist, the above statement is very true!!! I think the extra banging will provide extra motivatation for Yao to hit to weight room! But the great thing is Yao's not backing down. Too bad it's not like the old days when Akeem would just turn around and punch the guy in the face. Not like Yao would ever do that but maybe Cato can do it for Yao
The problem opposing teams are going to find with the Hack a Yao Ming strategy is.... 1. Yao Ming will still get his points at the line by hitting 9 of 10 free throws as The Cat pointed out. 2. The opposing big men will wind up in foul trouble if not fouling out all together. 3. The Rockets will play large portions of their games in the penalty. I say Hack away.
Yao has been hitting the floor hard lately and more frenquently...and usually there is no call when he does. He has got to be getting tired no doubt...We are all riding on his shoulders (not entirely, but for the most part) to carry this team to great things...THIS YEAR I am afraid he is going to hit the "Rookie wall" mid season...then what???
Even if Yao does hit the Rookie Wall, his "bad" games will probably still produce 15 points and 10 rebounds. This guy is GOOD.
Yao is tough...he will hit the wall, as all rookies do, but he's gonna hit back, too. He's got a real killer insinct out there...reminds me of Olajuwon how he will completely dominate at both ends of the court during key points of the game. He also really improves the second time he faces teams. He'll make more adjustments to the league than vice versa. If he could perfect his own sky hook, watch out. As it is, he is on the cusp of being one of the dominating players in the league already. Put it this way, pretty soon he won't get any vacations until late June.
Yao will probably get the treatment that has been reserved for Shaq until now. Hopefully, he will be able to take the nightly beatings and not get injured.
I think Yao Ming is fighting the rookie wall right now. His shots are not as crisp as they were earlier and he just looks a tad slow and is not showing the aggressiveness he showed earlier in the month. Of course he is still producing 16 and 12 a game.
I agree that the game that he play against the Timberwolves was like hittting a rookie wall type of game. He fumble away passes and missing some shot (He shot under 50% for 2 game in a row). But still he can found other ways to help the team win (rebound, passing, defense, etc.). So I wouldn't worry much about Yao hitting the rookie wall.
Is there an accepted definition of when the rookie wall is hit. Like when ppg goes down to 50% of average, etc. If not, how would we know when it happens?
I don't think there is a concrete definition of the 'Rookie Wall', but there are some observations that you can make to see when a rookie is starting to get a little tired. Good news, the Rockets have a nice little break for the next few days and are just beginning their longest homestand of the season. This will be a great opportunity for Yao Ming, as well as everyone else on the team, to get some much needed rest. If I were Rudy, today I would probably have a little film session, a little weight room\conditioning work, and then tell everyone to 'get lost' until Thursday.
