I love Yao as a player, and I love him as a low post option. That being said, if he wants to be a true superstar worthy of carying this team through tough stretches, he needs to diversify his game. By that I mean he needs to pick and pop more in game situations. I think he is quite capable of doing this as his shooting touch is as accurate as anyone. Before each game, he shoots three pointers and mid range jumpers with ease, and he sinks them. His free throw shooting is also reason to believe that he can fill it up from the outside. Posting Yao every single time especially when he is our number one option, is just going to wear him down, because teams(especially teams we play on the road) know that they can just beat on Yao in the low post and force the refs to blow the whistle. I understand that having Yao downlow makes him a threat to get Offensive rebounds and put backs, but Yao is not the best offensive rebounder on the team. Scola and Landry are the best offensive rebounders. In the post-season when everyone is healthy and playing at a high level, Yao should primarily be used as a low-post option. But in times like these when we are short a player or two, I don't think it would hurt to let him take a few long jumpers. It may be unsuccessful at first, but over time, I think Yao can get more comfortable out there. I think it will help him stay fresh and it will help the team get through some of the dry spells we go through on offense. Does anyone else have some thoughts on Yao and his overall game?
I would not mind it, but Yao is often too hesitant out there to do it... It seems like he gets uncomfortable without someone on his back to shoot over... I do believe Yao needs to get more shots and easier shots. We can't just isolate him all game long...Less stress on the body...better fantasy stats
Yao is what he is, which is a low post center. His mid-range shooting this year has been very bad. His routine and muscle memory on FTs is superb, but that doesn't translate into hitting mid-range jump shots. It isn't a matter of him not being allowed to diversify his game. When Adelman tried this last season, he was blasted by people here for taking Yao away from what he does best. Yao is what he is, which is a statue when he's away from the basket (since his defender knows he can't put the ball on the floor). Pulling him away from the basket will just allow the opposing defense to relax. What needs to diversify is the offense so that Yao can get better scoring opportunities. When he gets the ball in the flow of the offense, Yao is deadly and becomes the best low-post scorer in the NBA. When the defense knows Yao will get the ball, his efficiency goes way down. Why Adelman can't figure that out escapes me.
I think Yao's deal is that he has a slow release on his Js (he's great on FTs because time is not an issue.. and his motion is quite methodical), and isn't very good at making mid-to-long range contested Js. The pick-n-pop game seems better suited for Landry or even Scola. I kind of like to see what Yao can make on his 3s, though... if he can make 35% or so, it's not a bad idea to spot him up once a while to space the floor if McGray, Artest or even Brooks and Alston is attacking the basket... I mean, mid 30s on the 3 point shot is more useful than mid 40s on 15-20 foot 2s.
I agree with everything you said. You are basically saying that when the offense is running smoothly, Yao is the best low post threat in the league.That is the truth. But in stretches like these, when our offense is struggling because of injury or whatever it may be, it would be nice to see our star player do more than just post up.
If you want something other than post-up, I think what you need is to find a star player other than Yao to do it. I think we have a couple, but they are both injured. I think they'll be healthy sooner than Yao will develop a new skill. Otherwise, I think the solution would be to find a healthier star player in a trade... or to replace Yao.
His release is slow, but its high. No one should be able to bother it if he gets just a little room.. You bring up a really good point about threes.
If RA can set up some plays for Yao to get jump shots near the free throw line. It would be very hard to stop.
pau looks terrific in the lakers' system. he's look awful if we just simply swap him with yao, even with adelman as the coach. and yao would be like chamberlain number 2 over in lala land.
The problem is that Yao has nothing else to do. If he's not posting up, then what else can he do? Set a pick? If he does, the defense will just collapse on the ball handler, forcing him to give up the ball. Yao isnt a good rebounder, and needs to time get to the other side of the court to play defense, so contesting for offensive rebounds isnt his thing, unlike someone like Dwight Howard. I personally wouldnt mind giving this a try. Didnt he do this a couple of seasons ago, before Rick? Looking at some old highlights and mixes I see quite a few mid range jumpers. But it has been non-existent this season.
I just would like to see them run it atleast 3 or 4 times a game....I know what Yao's strengths are, but why cant he just try something different every now and then. If he's shooting threes, he brings the other team's big man out of the paint every now and then, and scola and landry can crash the boards.
ridiculous what? i think JVG (who said yao is a below-average mid range shooter) knows more about yao than you.
