Am I the only one who thinks Yao should take more outside shots? I would hate to see him exclusively turn into a post-up player. His FG% might drop, but there would be a lot of benefits for the team. He would draw opposing centers away from underneath the basket, opening up the court for drives and offensive rebounds. I'm not saying he should take a ton of outside shots, but enough to keep the defense honest, maybe 5 a game. Kind of like how Vlade would hoist up the occasional 3-pointer. Plus, Yao could get this shot whenever he wanted, unlike his post-up game, which is dependent on many factors, some of them beyond his control. I'm afraid if Yao doesn't use his long range, he might lose it, which would be a shame.
So, you're proposing we make the inside player take outside shots so that the outside players can go inside, rather than letting the inside player taking INside shots, while the outside players make their outside shots to take the pressure off him? Brilliant.
His post reminds me of a game when Sean Elliot was broadcasting one of our TNT games, and he was calling for Yao to take the wide open outside shot. Now I agree that he has a good chance to make that shot, but these are the same guys yelling at Yao to play inside and be more physical, and when doesn't shoot the outside jumper they are all over him even more.
I think what he meant is to mix up his strong inside play with some outside jumpers, making opponents confused and slower to react.
Your analysis is quite shallow. I never proposed that Yao should ONLY take outside shots. I'm suggesting he should take MORE outside shots than he is currently taking. He's probably averaging about one long shot per game. His FG% from that range is probably about the same as any of our guards. This shot is available all the time. Regardless of where Yao plays, he forces the other team to adjust. The flow of play should be funnelled through him as often as possible in my opinion. If we had slow 3-point shooting guards, I wouldn't recommend this strategy, but since our guards are better at attacking the basket than dropping long range bombs, it only makes sense.
Agreed. I would venture that this should not be unintentional. For example, if the play call is a drive by Steve, move Yao outide to clear the lane and/or recive the kickback for the open basket. This would also make it easier on Mo working the post. Yao drags the big guy out, especially if he makes a few open jumpers from the outside. But don't wing it. Design the plays this way! my two bits, --rhad
winwook; A lot of ppl have been saying the same thing. Yao's soft touch and passing ability means he has more versatility than most centers and he should be used like that. I think the Rox have tried every now and then to give Yao a few more outside shots in the high pick and roll but I think they could use him in even more offensive sets where he takes the ball outside and either shoots over a smaller defender or passes over to a cutter.
Excuse my shallowness. However, I still disagree. It's not the time in the season to change the way we play the game, this is the time where you stick with what you got, and focus on being damn good at it. Then in the offseason, we look at outside players who can score from the outside. Until then, we live and die by the outside shooters consistency/inconsistency.
The play last night where Yao passed up an open jumper and passed it to the referee was just another huge rocket blunder. He was wide open, and he made the last jumper he took. In reality, that was a very selfish play for him to not take that shot, especially considering that the suns d was keeping us from getting shots as good as that. Huge, huge mistake. I just wish he would let it fly in that situation.
i would have agreed earlier in the season. but now it looks like yao is as automatic as anyone, including shaq, in the deep post. there was a couple of times yesterday he could have shot it and passed off... yeah maybe he could have taken those, because it's as good a shot as anyone else's on this team. but he definitely should'nt set up for outside shots.
All the Rocket players except for Cato, if you're open by all means shoot it. That is what the offense if for - to get you open shots.
Yao should take wide open jumpers. Once he makes several, opponents' big men have to come out guarding him, thus open the lane for penetration, also allow Yao to cut in catch and shoot. Yao's FG percentage is much higher when he catchs the ball in running.
I agree with allowing yao to make outside shots as long as he doesn't make it a habbit in sticking to outside shots. I'd like to see the rockets bring out some Dream and Tim Duncan plays and use them on Yao in order to add more of a mix in the offence. It might also help bring out Steve's game.
i think yao should take more outside shots. though some of you don't agree i think we would all agree that yao needs more shots period. it would really help him conserve energy. also think of hakeem, robinson, malone, jordan all these players scored 1/2 their field goals from 16 feet in their mvp seasons.
