I think more than anything, Yao is affected by the amount of fouls he is picking up covering for blown assignments by the backcourt. See how many times Yao picks up a foul sliding over to protect the hoop when someone beats Ward or Lue to the basket. That didn't happen last year with Francis and Mobley, and even if it did, he had Cato to help out in the post. Also, Cato used to guard the more physical players in the post last season and this year, Yao has to do more of the dirty work while at the same time putting up as many points, grabbing as many boards, etc..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting johnny33:</div><div class="quote_post">I think more than anything, Yao is affected by the amount of fouls he is picking up covering for blown assignments by the backcourt. See how many times Yao picks up a foul sliding over to protect the hoop when someone beats Ward or Lue to the basket. That didn't happen last year with Francis and Mobley, and even if it did, he had Cato to help out in the post. Also, Cato used to guard the more physical players in the post last season and this year, Yao has to do more of the dirty work while at the same time putting up as many points, grabbing as many boards, etc..</div> Very true. It is undeniable that our guards are also to blame for Yao's foul troubles, but what we sorely lack is a defender in the post. At the start of the season, I had thought that Howard would have been an upgrade at forward for us as Cato has no offensive game, but now it's clear that Cato's contribution on defense was a big key to our success last season. Someone will have to step up defensively right now, and I believe Weatherspoon would do a good job if given minutes.
I agree that Spoon will help the Rockets if given more minutes, he still does not provide the shotblocking that Cato brought last season. While Francis and Mobley did a good job denying penetration, even if a guard got into the paint, there were 2 7-footers in there waiting for him. Now the quicker guards just go after Yao knowing he doesn't move well laterally and will most likely get called for blocking - to take him out of the game.
I put more blame on Yao for not being able to block those shots without getting called for a foul. He did a much better job with blocking shots his rookie year. Maybe players have figured out that he's not such a great shot blocker, so they attack him instead of trying to weakly flip shots over him. There must be some shot-blocking drills that Yao goes over in practice. I would have thought that with Dikembe in the lineup, he'd improve his shot-blocking skills. Seems more like they've regressed.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">HAHAHHA wishful thinking or r u just a kidder...yao is asian..and he's 7'6 ..and you expect him to get a physique of BIg Ben..hahaha ..just be thankful he's not a chopstick like shawn bradley..yao is currently 300 pounds+ and that's quite heavy..what's the point of bulking up even more..u want yao to still be able to jog don't u? y don't u just enjoy my new avatar and stop feeding yao more burgers; that's just not the way to go..oh and from where yao is coming from ..he has respectful family values...so you can't bring an 'attitude' out of him..so your whole statement is jst a mess lol</div> A CHOPSTICK..LMAO..LMAO..LOLOLOLLO..LMAO..LMAO HAHAHAHA
I just read that Chinese muscle factor. What about the Chinese gymnists. Well every gymnists is muscular but it's possible. Anyways, I did really think that Yao would be averaging at least 20 pts, 10.8 rebs, and 3.0 blks but it doesn't look like he will be able to do that. But yeah I feel just like durvasa when it comes to him blocking shots. Even Sean Bradely can block effectively even though he gets dunked on quite a bit. But at least he goes after shots on a consistent basis and that's what Yao needs to do also. Cause he has been dunked on quite a bit himself. He might as well get some swats in there and that will have a big impact on their defense. Total intimidation of people driving in helps out alot.
well, yao doesn't really need to get all these rebound if his other teammates can get it.... I think its offensive game is much more needed than and defensive plays, because hes not allowing the opposing center to be too productive. Of course, with Tmac now in the backcourt, all the lil guards can get pass him with ease cuz Tmac can't defend. I blame i on Tmac, he's supposed to draw out double teams and make life easier for yao, but no all he did was taking wild 3s like he did in orlando. I think it's better to keep Francis.
