Why do opponents double team Yao that often in low post? Because nobody can stop him one on one there. Now? They don't have to worry about that too much, because Yao is in high post for more than half of the game. Contrast to previous seasons, Yao hasn't fouled out the other teams big men so far this season, not even got them in foul trouble early in the game. That means those guys got extra energy on offensive end, our little guys got blocked more often because those guys stay on the floor, our FT attempts are down, the best FT shooter couldn't take adavantage of his FT shooting. For example, last year Shaq dominated the first quater, but Yao kept going at him, eventually Shaq ran out of gas and Yao had his best game against Shaq. This year we only saw Shaq attacked the rim, didn't have to worry about spending to much energy on defending Yao, Yao didn't even get a chance to wear him down. Yao in high post is no better than Brad Miller because Miller shoots jumpers better and passes from there better. I don't mind mix it up a little bit, but half of the game in high post is just a total waste of talent.
Well him playing at the high post is causing him to stay in the game longer. He is posting career high in minutes played which is 36.9. He also seems less tired in the 4th quarter. I'd rather let him mix it up like he's doing now.
It also has an effect on our shooting. Teams don't double Yao when he's on the high post, so they can cover our shooters like Battier, Alston, James, etc. It's a double whammy, and Adelman has to realize he can't play Yao on the high post with the way the roster is currently constructed.
from 33.8 to 36.9, 3 more minutes with less or equal production? That's a waste of whole 3 minutes, or 9% of his total game time, which is quite big percentage wise. I'd rather have somebody else produce for these 3 minutes.
You're discounting his impact on team defense. His individual defense is pretty crappy obviously because of his lack of lateral quickness, but he shuts down the paint.
I'm not sure, but I think I heard him say something like that on ESPN. Maybe not. .............You know what? F*** it, lets go for that 8th seed. You have to beat the best to be the best right? I kind of want to play SA in the first round, and I want to beat our old record of being the lowest seed (6th) to ever win a championship.
I know. But I just don't think Yao's 3 more minutes of defense makes up for the loss on offense. Yao's offense>his defense.
Playing in high post, while Yao stays on the floor for 3 more minutes, opponents starting center may stay on the floor for 10 more minutes.
I meant that in the Rockets' offense, Alston is relied upon to shoot from the arc. I didn't mean shooter in the pure sense, like a JJ Redick or Reggie Miller. I meant he shoots a high amount of 3-pointers. He shot 36 percent from 3 off double teams last year. It only makes sense that anybody's percentage will go down when no one doubles, and that's what we're seeing this year as a result of Yao being in the high post.
The strangest thing about this approach is Yao gets less scoring opportunities with by far the highest TS% on Rockets, while other Rockets get more chances with lower TS%.
I agree. The HP experiment is failing and should be reserved solely for when teams adjust to completely negate Yao/McGrady ala the Utah series. He is hardly the majestic passer you guys hoped for. He is what he is... A clumsy, slow reacting, unathletic liability. Its like me trying to run across I-10 at 4pm on a Friday. On the bright side... Yao is the 2nd most dominant inside force in basketball. USE IT! Punish teams for that. Only when they try to all out defend that do you adjust and move him out. High post Yao shouldn't be part of the offense, rather an in-game counter adjustment. If we keep using Yao in this manner its just not efficient. It would be like putting $20 tires on a Ferrari, using an autographed MJ basketball to shoot with your kids, you get the picture. Yao is who we thought he is. USE IT Trust me. That fact that he isn't Vlade, B. Miller, Sabonis, or Webber is a good thing.
Actually I agree with you. In light of that..you have to look at how another playoff team was constructed with nearly the ability to go all the way if not for the Chicago Bulls. That team - Indiana Pacers with Reggie Miller and Rik Smits. We need that outside shooter to take the pressure off the guys in the low block. If our guards/forwards could make the three with any consistency, we'd be very tough to beat. It would force teams to come out and defend the three point line and Yao would be able to go iso on his man. The 2000 Indiana Pacers: Eastern Conference Champions Rik Smits slow punishing Center Dale Davis Bruising tough rebounding PF Jalen Rose SF Leader -Excellent Passer capable of putting up 20 pts Reggie Miller SG - All time 3 point NBA leader Mark Jackson - Extremly talented passing point guard. Very good 3pt shooter. 2000 Indiana Pacer Roster 45 Rik Smits C 224 120 34 1966 12 2-88 32 Dale Davis PF 211 104 31 1969 9 13-91 5 Jalen Rose SG - SF 203 95 27 1973 6 13-94 31 Reggie Miller SG 201 84 35 1965 13 11-87 13 Mark Jackson PG 191 84 35 1965 13 18-87 14 Sam Perkins C 206 118 39 1961 16 4-84 44 Austin Croshere PF 206 107 25 1975 3 12-97 3 Al Harrington PF 206 104 20 1980 2 25-98 17 Chris Mullin SG - SF 201 98 37 1963 15 7-85 4 Tavis Best PG 180 83 28 1972 5 23-95 55 Zan Tabak C 213 111 30 1970 5 51-91 10 Jeff Foster PF 211 108 23 1977 1 21-99 9 Derrick McKey SF 208 102 34 1966 13 9-87 24 Jonathan Bender SF 211 93 19 1981 1 5-99
