Here is my list of things to do this offseason for T-Mac and Yao. I was bored...<u>T-Mac:</u>1. Fix jumpshot form. Since arriving in Houston, his jumpshot form has been noticably worse from his Orlando days. His release is closer to forehead than above head, the arc on his jumpshot is much more of a line drive (which is lower percentage than regular arch), and he focuses on keeping legs parallell instead of one leg out like in Orlando.2. Lose some weight. Last year he came into training camp at 240. Extra weight puts extra stress on back and slows you down. he is not a power player, and if playing around 220 works for Kobe, it will work for T-Mac.3. Make a concious effort to really practice in the offseason. Coming into camp last year he said something along the lines of, "It feels like I forgot how to play basketball." This is definately evident in his horrible start to last season.4. Make an effort to crash boards. He is a 7RPG that had only 5RPG last year. That is unacceptable.5. Plead your case to Dawson/Adelman to get a new PG and allow T-Mac to play like Orlando T-Mac again. He is still, next to Kobe, the most talented scorer in the league IMO. He needs to be in post more, like where Orlando had him, instead of endless pick and rolls like last year. Without the T-Mac that will go for 52 one night, then 44 the next night, the Rockets will never win a title.<u>Yao:</u>1. Watch tape, and work with Adelman on passing out of the post. Nearly 4 TO's per game is totally unacceptable.2. Work on defensive slides and shot blocking. In order to get deep into the playoffs, Yao cannot play as bad of defense as he did vs Boozer (who, granted is a tough guard anyway).3. Keep working with Hakeem Olajuwon on post play. Yao needs to get better in getting position down low, and if not in the best position, still making something out of the play.4. Work on stamina. He really improved this area last year, but he still will need to last longer than 7-8min a quarter without being dead tired.5. Don't hold the ball too much. The offense was better without Yao because of better ball movement. With Yao in there the ball just dies. If he doesn't have a great post position, pass it back out and either set a pick or repost. Can't hold the ball and waste valuable shot clock time.
Rafer Alston1. Learn how to shoot2. Learn how to shoot3. Learn how to shoot4. Learn how to shoot5. Learn how to shoot
Yao should go to NY and play ball with some thugs. Maybe he'll get some balls from that. He still needs to become more aggressive. He has to work with the Dream and develop more post moves and other moves that Hakeem used in his time as a Rocket to win the Rings.TMac has to work on his jumper and get it consistent. Don't think about the back, sometimes it's just mental. Return to his old self where he drove to the hoop. Remember to stop taking stupid shots.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (P0W3RBALLIN @ May 28 2007, 01:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Return to his old self where he drove to the hoop. Remember to stop taking stupid shots.</div>Why do people always say this?!?I can give you links to some of T-Mac's games from Orlando 2002-2004 and you will see he took just about the same shots he did now. Difference is his form, the fact that those shots aren't falling, and he was allowed to get into better scoring position then. He drives it to the hoop as much now as he did in Orlando.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ May 28 2007, 03:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why do people always say this?!?I can give you links to some of T-Mac's games from Orlando 2002-2004 and you will see he took just about the same shots he did now. Difference is his form, the fact that those shots aren't falling, and he was allowed to get into better scoring position then. He drives it to the hoop as much now as he did in Orlando.</div>Well, because of his back injury, he's been scared of driving, or hasnt drove as much, because he is scared of hurting it again..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (P0W3RBALLIN @ Jun 3 2007, 01:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, because of his back injury, he's been scared of driving, or hasnt drove as much, because he is scared of hurting it again..</div>He seriously needs to get over that. It's all a mental thing now.
