Yao peaking at the right time?

It's impossible to match up with Phoenix. We are guaranteed of at least the 7th spot. And Phoenix will likely get number one, becasue San Antonio lost to Utah last night and Duncan was playing.

 

Thats what I just replied to Will in another thread, didn't say it quite as eloquently. I have noticed an awareness of avoiding fouls by not leaving the floor and just holding his arms straight up. He is definitely more aggressive out there contending for rebounds, jumping higher, footspeed and energy.

 

I see it too. The other great thing is that the refs give this style of play the benefit of the doubt. His old method of flopping everytime someone came at him almost always resulted in a foul against him. Now he holds firm with his arms up and doesn't leave the ground outside the circle.

I thought his post defense late against Gasol was very good too. Whenever Gasol would try to make a move Yao would eat up whatever space he made and crowd him. Sure Pau scored a couple of times, but Yao was able to play him close and hard without fouling.

 

It's not just the block shots, Yao seems to coming out strong toward the end of season unlike previous two seasons.

Yao seems to pick up his game right after getting injured at the Portland game, then he just played hard and played with determination maybe because he knows he's not 100% so he needs to work harder to win.

The thing I liked most is at the same time, TMac has also picked up his game and shooting the lights out, making big shots and making big plays.

It's possible that TMac and Yao's good plays inspired each other, they both bring out the best in Yao and Tmac.

 

Excellent point, he caused Gasol to pass out numerous times in when he made his post move.

 

YM needs some rest DURING the season.
Luckly he got such a chance a couple weeks ago.
So he looks refreshed and full of energy now.
don't overestimate the offseason activities affecting his stamia.
It is more convincing to me that the non-stopped regular season games worn him out every year.

 

Maybe I'm wrong but my impression was Yao was always holding his arms straight up, its just that they used to call him for it and often still do. The refs adjusted the way they call him the past game against Memphis and in that monster game he had against Phoenix. If Yao is playing better these days, I think its because he's getting better position and easy buckets because I don't think his turnaround is as good as it used to be a couple of months ago.

 

He does appear to be energized of late, which is very encouraging. Just a week or so ago he seemed out of gas. Ming is a conundrum. Just as interesting is TMac; he said his knees were killing him, and now he looks really fluid. Medical miracles? Sura is the one who looks like he is not at full speed. There is an ebb and flow to the NBA game. Last week I thought the Rockets were entering the playoffs on a down note, now they seem to be on an upswing. Who knows. Strange things can happen in the post season.

 

The thing that stands out for me is his blocked shots. I don't think he's had a streak of this many blocked shots in his career. Hopefully, he's figured something out/picked up some block techniques from Mutombo.

Stuart

 

Thanks to Yao Ma Ma's Chicken Soup.

Now if only we could bring back the soup commander as the assistant coach

 

A few things could be going on here.

One is that since JVG gave told Yao to be more flexible and creative Yao has taken that to heart and is playing looser and more comfortably.

Two is that with the playoff's secured both Yao and T-Mac are more relaxed since there no longer is the pressure of not making the playoffs.

Three as someone else said the NBA game is one of ebbs and tides and we just happen to hit upon a hot streak at the right time. These Rox seem fairly streaky both individually and as a team. Lets hope this keeps up well into the postseason.

 

Maybe JVG can hand out soup to at the end of the game to the team and for players who play poorly he yells, "No soup for you!


This would be a great followup to the Cambell soup Philadelphia Eagles ad campaign.

 

I remembered it was just before the Portland game when JVG asked Yao to play with more freedom and to stop thinking so much with the fear of doing something wrong. Yao responded by saying that he will have to stop his robotic plays and take on JVG's advice (who can forget the behind the back dribble for a fast break dunk in that game?). Appears to have worked

-G'day-

 

I miss the Soup Commander in Chief.

 

I was pretty impressed with yaos strength lastnight as well. Gasol was in the post position trying to dribble in closer, and Yao just had his arms straight up, Gasol couldnt push him back, Yao was too strong, he just shot it up and completely missed the whole rim. Yao strength is starting to show at the perfect time. He just needs to go to the basket strong when dunking, cause he gets swatted just about every other time.

 

He's just trying to sting together a few good performances to get a good showing for opening nite of his movie

 

If he continues this type of aggressive and assertive play throughout the playoffs the sky is the limit and by sky I mean WCF or Championship. Who is going to stop him? Maybe Shaq from Miami but that is about it....and we owe it all to Steve Francis....lol.....isn't life ironic

 

I'm not sure how much Shaq can do, it seems like Shaq getting older and Shaq is not 100% most of the time during the season. You forgot Tim Duncan, I think the only has a shot of stopping Yao is Tim Duncan or Shaq. However, if either of the two has to guard Yao, they will be limited in what they can do. For Spurs, it's ok because they got lots of guys that can score, for heat, they'll be in trouble.

 

so Yao has swtiched IT on..

lets hope he doesn't run out of gas for the playoffs..