Maybe if Yao were averaging more than 1.5 assists I could buy this. When teams double Yao and shut him out of the offense, the offense looks like complete garbage. Everything unravels. Yao will turn the ball over time after time. The team will waste 18 seconds off the shot clock waiting for Yao to get position. His teammates are forced to take shots from spots on the floor where they are not comfortable. The Rockets are pretty much relegated to taking nothing but outside jumpers. It may not be Yao’s fault that his teammates are not making open shots like Miller’s teammates do, but you play with the hand you’re dealt with. When deciding who belongs on the all-star team and who has had a more productive season I don’t think it’s fair to throw out a bunch of hypotheticals like if this player were on this team or if that player had to face that defense. As I said before Yao may be a better player that deserves more attention from the defense, but it doesn’t mean he’s had a better season.
Yao's not getting assists because his teammates aren't spot-up shooters in general. A lot of times the recepient of his pass takes a few steps before shooting, or try to drive, or make another pass. Yao passing out of the double-team definitely helps other players getting better shot. Even if he doesn't get assists. On the other hand, the Kings' offense is built for racking up assists. Not to mention that the fast-paced style means more opportunities.
Dude.. even I could hop in the game for a minute and get an assist with Peja... pleaaaaase....Sac's offense is just different than ours...
I just have one question. What position has Miller been playing for the Kings this year? this argument is so irrelevant...he spends most of his time playing one position, that is the position he should be considered for when decidinig if he is worthy of the publicity stunt that is the AS game. You dont see people tryin to get Duncan in as a center do you? Even tho he someimtes plays that position in SA's smallball lineup.
Just for the record, if I had to choose to build this team around either Francis or Yao, I'd choose Yao so that doesn't do much to your above statement.
If Yao doesn't make the All Star game he's playing in the rookie-soph game and will probably log more minutes in that game than the All Star Game.
Again, not true. I'd choose Ming in a heart beat because of his potential. That doesn't mean that I think Ming is currently more deserving of an all star spot THIS SEASON than Brad Miller. If that makes me an "anti-YOF" in your eyes then so be it.
New Jack, I see what you are saying. Let's just forget about the assist numbers for now. Think about this: Is playing 4 on 3 easier than playing 4 on 4. If you have a guy on your team that keep two of the opponent players busy all the time, you are essentially playing 4 on 3 on offense (well, not quite, but you know what I mean). If the guy can occupy two of the opponent players, he doesn't even have to do anything to be productive. If on top of that, he put up similar numbers as another player who is seldom double teamed, than he is clearly doing more than the single-covered guy for the team. About the assist number, again, I don't see Miller play a lot to be sure. But it is highly possible that Yao gets fewer touches because he keeps getting double teamed WITHOUT the ball. We've been debating to death on this BBS why it's so hard to pass Yao the ball. One obvious reason is that he gets fronted and weak-sided a lot. I doubt that Miller gets the same treatment. In other words, Miller has more freedom to catch, pass, or shoot, not to mention he has better finishing teammates. Look, I think few people here are denying that Miller is having a fantastic season. It's just that even with "special treatment" from opponents, Yao still put up similar numbers. That's got to be the deciding factor. Also, I'm with those who hope that Yao actually won't play in the ASG. The arguments are just for principle's sake. Saying that Miller is more deserving than Yao is wrong.
So let me get this straight... you're saying that if we take Brad Miller off the Kings and put him on the Rockets, he would do better than Yao (or conversely, if you take Yao off the Rockets and put him on the Kings, he would do worse than Brad Miller). I deduced this conclusion since you said "When teams double Yao and shut him out of the offense, the offense looks like complete garbage." Your own words.
Yao could increase his number of assists by a bundle if the Rox had half of the number of spot shooters that the Kings have. Heck, it would be a great help in Yao's assist number if Peja was with the Rox. The Rox guards are not good spot shooters. They tend to drible it closer to the basket after getting the ball from Yao or they pass it to other players. I am not saying that Yao is as good a passer as Divac because he is not yet. But he would be as good a passer as Miller if he played for the Kings at Millers place.
Here is a test for you all who want Miller on the allstar team more than Yao: would you jump on a trade if you were offerred Yao for Miller? The Maloof brothers would, I ensure you.
Where is MC234243123413451j128904019i340-1 Im just dying to see his Steve and Cat for Peja trade proposal
How many times have I already stated in this thread that I'm not saying Miller is a better player than Yao, just that he's having a better season than Yao. I'm sure if the Rockets offered Yao to the Kings for Miller, the Kings would jump at that deal. Yao may very well excel playing for the Kings, but the fact is Miller is playing for the Kings and Yao is playing for the Rockets. I personally think Miller has had a better more productive season playing for the Kings than Yao has had playing for the Rockets. Miller has been used to his full potential and has excelled playing with them. Yao, in my opinion, hasn't played to his full potential and hasn't excelled playing in the Rocket offense yet. The statement is the truth. When teams successfully keep the ball away from Yao or forces him to give the ball away, the team looks like garbage on offense. If Yao truly is making all the players around him significantly better by forcing double and triple teams than why does the offense look still look so bad?
I like Miller. Heck, I applaused the Kings when they traded for him. But you have to remember that Yao has been the focus of the team on both end of the floor. On offensive end, he ALMOST draws the double team every time at the block, many times even before he recieved the ball. On Defense, the Rockets ranks the 1st in pct allowed, Yao has been the biggest reason for that. Yes, JVG has made the Rockets a better defensive team, but the Rockets ranked as a top defensive team last season as well. Stats are nice, but you need to follow the game closely to evaluate the effectiveness of the players. --daoshi
