If Yao can measurably improve these 3 aspects of his game, I think he can become the most dominant big man since Shaq's prime. He could get these sort of numbers: 27 ppg, 4apg, 11 rpg, and 2.5 bpg. 1. Get better at establishing low post position. In MAV's game, he had all sorts of trouble receiving the ball with Eduardo Najera guarding him. Ewing needs to work with him on this part of his game. It's easy to pin all the blame on his teammates for not getting him to ball properly (they deserve SOME responsibility), but he also needs to get better at establishing good position. 2. Improve his quickness getting off the ground. This part will be tough, since as he gets older his quickness should diminish. While he's young, he needs to do whatever exercises it takes to improve his quickness off the ground. What made Hakeem so great (blocking shots, rebounding) was his ability to jump quickly off the ground. A big part of the reason players are able to shoot or grab rebounds over Yao as easily as they do is that he's slow getting off the ground. It's possible that his body type simply won't allow it, but if there's anything he can do to maximize this aspect, he should. 3. Conditioning is also extremely important. I'm confident that he'll be able to play more and more minutes as he gets more aclimated to the NBA game. He gets extremely tired after playing around 8 minutes. His stamina seems to improve late in games though -- perhaps due to an increase in adrenaline. This is also something that I think he can improve through exercises off the court.
I completely agree with reason number one. One reason Yao hasn't been able to dominate is that teams are forcing him to post up 8-12 feet from the basket. If you look at any great post players that always set themselves up within 6 feet of the basket. This is where Yao can actually do something constructive with the ball. Ewing needs to work with him not only on getting position but maintaining it because a lot of times he just gets shoved right out. The weight room needs to become Yao's best friend. durvasa, I think one reason for Yao's tiredness and lack of conditioning is because this is his second year of playing NBA type basketball added to the fact that he really hasn't had a break from playing basketball in the last few years(Chinese National Team). Once his contract expires with the Chinese National Team, I fully expect him to be play for longer stretches.
Yes, I think positioning and conditioning are really holding Yao back from becoming one of the elite of the NBA...
Shawn Bradley and Eddie Najera did a good job of guaring Yao, but I think it's mostly based on his commitment to getting the ball. From what I've seen of him this season, he sometimes just doesn't want the ball, letting his trigger-happy teammates shoot the outside J. It's mostly a problem with his commitment and dedication.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Shawn Bradley and Eddie Najera did a good job of guaring Yao, but I think it's mostly based on his commitment to getting the ball. From what I've seen of him this season, he sometimes just doesn't want the ball, letting his trigger-happy teammates shoot the outside J. It's mostly a problem with his commitment and dedication.</div> I do think aggressiveness is a part of it. But, more than that, fatigue might play a role. Notice that he tends to get more touches early in the game then late.
I agree. Also, his passing was very much talked about before and after he came into the league. Yet, I don't see it in the box score. But, I'll believe he'll pick it up later on.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Yugoslavia:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree. Also, his passing was very much talked about before and after he came into the league. Yet, I don't see it in the box score. But, I'll believe he'll pick it up later on.</div> The boxscore is deceiving. He's not getting lots of assists because he just doesn't get a lot of touches, he doesn't see many double teams yet at this stage of his career, and the Rockets don't move well without the ball as a team, which any good passer requires. I think if he works more on the three things I mentioned above, the assist totals will naturally come up (not to mention rebounding and blocked shots). His teammates need to do a good job spacing the floor (like the old Rockets team with Hakeem did).
durvasa, you are correct, box scores are very decieving. The one stat that I want to see is how many times he gets the ball a game in a position to score. I bet if we look now that number would be very low as most of the time his catches are 10+ feet away from the basket. He honestly should get no less than 20 touches a game in a position that he can score(within 8 feet of the basket, preferably 6).
He should position himself in such a way that he can do these simple moves: 1. One dribble 2. Pivot to the basket 3. Dunk It shouldn't be hard since he's a 7'6 guy with lots of mobility. But the ONE thing that he needs to dominate; the ball.
yeah but did you know Yao doesn't like to dunk because he stated earlier in his career that he likes to respect his opponents. So i dont knwo if he'll ever be dunking consistentley until another Shwn Bradley heighted person comes along. But even then, I dont think thats Yao's game I think he's going to be a hook artist sort of like George Gerving was a layup artist. "Hey everyone can dunk but everyone can't fingeroll" George gervin
One more thing I'd like to add is Yao's quickness. He is not really the fastest center in the league and maybe not even faster than the other Chinese players. He really needs to work on it. Yao can be more mobile than he is now.
those are three things every center needs to work on. they are all essential in becoming a good center in the nba. the rockets just need to feed the ball to ming, and let him produce. he is a low post threat, and the rockets need to take advantage of having a 7'6 center down low.
And he has to know how to avoid fouls!!!! After he gets the maximum amount of minutes you can talk about quickness and aggressiveness...
This offseason I have a plan. Someone needs to kindnap Yao Ming, blindfold him in a trunk of a car, than release him in a locked gym for the entire summer. I gurantee you when he comes back next season he'll be the most dominate player in the history of the NBA. It's simple, he needs to become a close acquaintant with the gym room. Yao Ming's problems all directly stem from his lack of conditioning. His stamina is terrible. Mainly because he doesn't have the strength to carry around his HUGE frame up and down the hardwood for 48 minutes. Houston tries to limit his minutes, but until he gets in peak physical condition he's simply going to be unable to be effective for more than 30 a game. Working on his body will not only allow him to become productive for longer stretches of time, but it will increasingly improve his low post game. Yao will be able to bang and post up centers back down towards the rim, with every foot closer to the basket Yao Ming's percentage will rise. The guy has unlimited potential, with his size and his natural ability he could be a dominate force for years to come. Yao Ming first needs to hit the gym though, he doesn't have to be Ben Wallace ripped, but he needs to have better endurance and learn to use his size to be more aggresive and a better post up player.
