Yao's newest interview (his opinion on LS, their private conversation etc.)

Yao has brought up an incredible point in this interview that explains alot of things about his game and the Rockets.

He likes the ball in the paint close to the basket because he is almost automatic from 4-5 feet. That is why Rudy had worked hard on the play where they set a low pick for Yao on the baseline and swing the ball to a forward at the top of the key and the forward either Posey or Griffin is supposed to make a good entry pass to Yao as he breaks open in the middle of the paint.- Yao has been automatic when they have executed this play.

However Griffin has struggled greatly making the pass, to the point he usually hesitates with the ball and feed it back over to one of the guards.

Posey has also been slow to react and get the pass in and it has resulted in allowing the defender to recover position reach around and create a turnover becasue the pass is telegraphed.

When Yao gets the ball on the baseline12 ft. from the basket and he is expected to ISO it puts him in the position of either having to back his man down with the dribble, like Barkley or spin and try to drive in, or turn and shoot over the top. With NBA centers putting a good body on him this is a harder rookie adjustment for him because most times he is not going to get away with putting the ball on the floor and shooting over the top at that distance is much harder in the NBA because you are usually fouled. Hakeem went through this, so he began shooting a fadeaway so he could get his shot off. THis is something Yao will have to work on.

Also after his rookie dues hopefully he will get more foul calls on his jump shot.

Because of his height he will have to get the jump hook going closer to the basket like Jabbar did for so many years.

More and more I think it would be good for fans to go back and look at how Jabbar was used in the Laker offense. - It takes awhile to develop the spacing and passing that gets your center in position to get that open jump hook or a good low post position.

Shaq is the very best at backing down a man off the dribble because he is powerful enough to push his man straight back (with ease) and he is allowed to do it pretty consistantly without getting an offensive foul. Shaq occasionally draws the offensive foul, but if the officials wanted to lose their jobs they could call the offensive foul on Shaq 75% of the time when he backs it in.

So either we adjust ot Yao's rookie status, current development and strengths, or we remain with the current identity- Not showing consistancy in our offense because we do not know what our go to plays are and how to exploit our strengths.

Believe me Dallas, LA, San Antonio etc. know how to use their go to guys and get them in position to succeed.