i mean come on people, I know some of u got frustrated with yao, cus he was not consistent, and he is soft. but this is only his third year in the L, and he came from a TOTALLY different culture! it will take time for him to change his mentality in the game. Take a look at Jermaine O'neal's stats:http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jermaine_oneal/index.html , it took him almost 6 years to be where he is now. I think the problem is not Yao, is JVG, he is not using yao in the right way, and rockets PF are just not helping yao at all. So give this man a break and let him develop. Yao has alot of talent and he will be a great center.
Frustration isn't solely with Yao, but also with the way the coaching staff is trying to develop his talents. Yes, it is his third year in the league, and one would have expected after 3 years he would be more aggressive and alert. If we're not going to get that this year, then when? I don't know if its a culture thing, or just something about his personality.
Jermaine Oneal situation was totally different it took him six years, but he was burried below a very talented Portland Trail Blazers bench you really can not compare him to Yao. Though I do agree with you some what about JVG he does not seem to be the right coach for Houston right now to me, but you can not blame JVG for Yao not getting enough rebounds and being soft thats all on him.
Like I said before... I seriously would hire a psychologist or a shrink or a hynotizer or anyone to develop Yao's playing mentality. Heck at this point, I'd pay Ice Cube or DMX or any of those "tough" rapper guys just to hang out with Yao and teach him how to toughen up.
put em in some the ghetto of houston to play some street ball, let em start to listen to NWA and watch some hood movies. I'm pretty sure his idol is still britney spears now, like an interview i read a few years ago, when Wang Zhizhi entered the L, some guy asked what kind of music he listen to, and guess what: Backstreet boys.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wang Zhizhi entered the L, some guy asked what kind of music he listen to, and guess what: Backstreet boys.</div> You must have some misunderstanding of asian cultures. Over there, they totally listen to only pop music, so its actually quite understandable to me. And anyways, how did music get into this? It has nothing to do with anything. For Yao, I think he really doesn't know what his problem is. I keep hearing him say that he's working harder, which is actually quite sad because the problem is his mentality. I just feel he's putting too much on his shoulders, which can also end up breaking his mentality. Right now, he's working to hard on the wrong thing, and part of it, can be attributed to Van Gundy. So, the key here would be for Van Gundy to take a step back from this situation, and change some of his strategies and his mentality of the team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post"> For Yao, I think he really doesn't know what his problem is. I keep hearing him say that he's working harder, which is actually quite sad because the problem is his mentality. I just feel he's putting too much on his shoulders, which can also end up breaking his mentality. Right now, he's working to hard on the wrong thing, and part of it, can be attributed to Van Gundy. So, the key here would be for Van Gundy to take a step back from this situation, and change some of his strategies and his mentality of the team.</div> wow, that's great reply, and i totally agree with you. Except that i spend my teeange years in china, and i didn't listen to pop music, there are other music available in china at that time, me and my friend listened to rock, and i do believe that music taste can define peoples behavior sometimes.
I agree with the coaching situation, really. Yao was nasty last year. In fact, against Shaq, he was pretty aggressive compared to what he is now...so maybe it's got something to do with the coach, or the trade (McGrady trade), or something...maybe the elbow is still bothering him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with the coaching situation, really. Yao was nasty last year. In fact, against Shaq, he was pretty aggressive compared to what he is now...so maybe it's got something to do with the coach, or the trade (McGrady trade), or something...maybe the elbow is still bothering him?</div> and i watched some chinese national team's game in the olypics, Yao was dominating, dunking on ever1. INSIDEHOOPS.COM ALL-OLYMPICS TEAM / Aug 29 1) Manu Ginobili (Argentina) - Stats: 19.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, .576 FG%, .405 3P% Carried his team every time it was necessary. 2) Pau Gasol (Spain) - Stats: 22.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.86 BPG, .614 FG% Was a dominant superstar and appears to have gotten better since last NBA season. 3) Yao Ming (China) - Stats: 20.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, .559 FG% A dominant force. The only guy he had trouble guarding was Pau Gasol, who isn't a true center and is far too quick for Yao to guard, anyway. 4) Carlos Arroyo (Puerto Rico) - Stats: 18.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 spg, .430 FG% Scored, dished, defended, and played extremely well. 5) Luis Scola (Argentina) - Stats: 17.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.5 bpg, .066 FG% Scored like crazy from start to finish. Defense is another story. In Scola's case, a non-story. 6) (Honorable Mention) Sarunas Jasikevicius (Lithuania) - Stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.6 APG, .393 3P% Shoots the lights out, dishes lots of assists and, for better or worse, is a very loud vocal leader. Stepped up in a huge way against the U.S JVG has messed Yao's head with his strategies, JVG should be out. Bring in Phil.
I was thinking about Yaos situations and I came up with this theory. Every great player dominates during there high school years. Yao has dominated in china playing for his olympic team, these are like his high school years. Now every player learns how to play more competitivly in college and it may take them a couple of years before there ready for the league. These three years are like Yaos college years. Hes learning how to play in the US and in the NBA at the same time so its a different situation for yao because hes learning two things in one. I think that we wont know what Yao will truly become after the next season. So what im hoping for is hoping for is that as Yao puts the finishing touches on his game this year that next year will be Yaos breakout year. Yao will never become a dominant center like shaq but he can if his skills are used correctly. Right now I think that van gundy is trying to make Yao something he isnt right now. The rockets always try to start the game off with yao posting up inside, but it usually ends up with yao missing or turning the ball over. Thats why he always has a slow start because he ends up getting frustrated with his game. I think the way the rockets should start the game is to have guards drive to the basket and give yao easy shots. And also to run picks with tmac and get yao easy shots and layups. As he starts to make shots i think itl build up his confidence and then thats when they should post him up and have him dominate inside.
I think the problem is who is surrounding him, maybe a better PF would help, but the two we have suck, and have long and expensive contracts, making them impossible to get rid of. I really agree on firing JVG. No one is able to play in his system and i think that with someone like phil, yaos stats will jump along with everyone else's. If we score more and get some more rebounds, we'll be fine.
You guys r too hard on yao because our team isnt doing good. Just because our pfs suck, don't blame it all on yao. But I agree yao makes mistakes in games, but this is only his 3rd year. Let me give an example on kobe, this is in no way baiting..just an example..kobe was once a major ball hog(whoo looked to shoot in every touch and use his athleticism; rather than pass) in his first few years as a laker..even in the all star game he looked to shoot rather than pass to the open karl malone which pissed karl off. Now he distributes the ball a bit more. it all takes time..and for yao, he's still learning how to adjust to this league..c'mon this is my opinion and many others agree, that what teams do to yao is totally unfair. They use their scrubs to beat yao up since they know yao wont hit back. Mihm and grant each would foul out and wack yao. This is unfair. It seems to work since yao is still weak mentally. IMO it's all mental for yao. I think there's a lot of room to improve for yao, much to what u ppl don't want to see since u guys don't want to see yao becoming a huge threat.. lol. Nevertheless..his averages are higher than 85-90% of centers in the league...I guess ppl just expect MORE of him since we all know he can do better, and if u oldies give him time he'll improve. lol. in short..u guys r being too hard on him, he has many many supporters to live up to and i think he has too much pressure. I thnk yao has too many fans ..other centers who r below him hav no fans thats y they dont get any criticism lol..even though they're not doing as good as yao.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bplld:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the problem is who is surrounding him, maybe a better PF would help, </div> A PF who can D, grab rebounds, and maybe put 10 points per game would be a perfect fit, then Yao won't be worry about getting into foul troubles, so he can put better number.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with the coaching situation, really. Yao was nasty last year. In fact, against Shaq, he was pretty aggressive compared to what he is now...so maybe it's got something to do with the coach, or the trade (McGrady trade), or something...maybe the elbow is still bothering him?</div> Possibly it's not the coach ..because no coach could stop 2 scrub centers to intentionally hack and foul out on yao so yao would get beat up and get hurt and tired out that he can't play anymore..it seems to be working..unless we have a kmart of a PF to stand up for him and help him defensively and offensively in the PAINT rather than the twigs howard and mo taylor. Our next move should definitely be getting a PF who actually plays at the NBA level. If we do that we will be a much better team and yao will be utilized much more better. If games were played fairly Yao would flourish..but this is not the case. The refs rnt giving him any love either. Maybe in a couple of years calls will go his way. I hope l.a doesn't try to lure him but i dont think we will let him go any time soon.
That powerforward problem has plagued us for the longest time, and I really don't think it'll be solved until the offseason. If we acquire a power forward, it would mean dropping one of our powerforwards, something that would be really hard. Their contracts are huge, and they don't really make up for it. However, I think Howard and Taylor are actually improving. At the beginning of the season, they were barely putting up twelve points- combined. Now, I actually see them putting up about ten points each and actually on their way to get even better. Looks like time has made them more accustomed to Van Gundy's system. However, their defense is definitely questionable. They really havent' been helping out Yao boxing out in the low post or even help him with guarding those players that drive in their like Cato did. So, I think if we were to dump one of the power forwards, it would be Howard, just because he seems like an older version of Taylor- who can still reach his prime.
Taylor's production has dropped off a lot since last season, when he was averaging 11 points per game and was a sizeable offensive force coming off the bench. Now, it seems that although he has added a nice jumper, he is making far less easy shots and his shot selection has been bad. If he can go back to his old form and bring us consistent scoring along with Howard, things could be looking much better from a stats point of view.
Hey, Yao is one of my favourite players, I like many other people do get frustrated when he isn't dominating, but hey what do you do. Do you honestly think he will get traded?
drm2dnk...fouling him intentionally can't happen though. If it's banging him up, he needs to hit the weights, man. If it's getting to his head, maybe a contract extention will do the trick. The point is...Yao can't be like this. He was hyped, he lived up to it for his first years in the league...but now, Houston fans are obviously worried and are ready to TRADE the guy? Yao needs a coach to push him more...that's what he needs. I'll be honest...he needs someone to do it...and he needs to work on the right aspects of his game. Yao has to focus on defending against guards that drive the lane and destroy him. Guys run circles around Yao. When the guy leaves the paint, he's in trouble. Also, Yao needs to work on being physical when he gets position for a board. Dayum...the guy is soft. Nothing to do with him being Chinese...nothing to do with his mind...he just needs to work harder and stop complaining. I don't think he supported the trade, really, but if he wants to stay in Houston...he's gotta support it. Yao can be great. Yao can be a bust. He can be mediocre...but I never, ever thought I'd be typing something like this. Fact is, something happened to Yao during the off-season. He's different, and something needs to happen to get it straight again...or the Rockets could miss the playoffs, and that would be really disappointing, honestly. Maybe not from my standpoint...you'd have to understand that...but from a Rockets fan's perspective, it would be terrible.
Couldn't have said it better! <div class="quote_poster">Quoting JuLiO-R-:</div><div class="quote_post">I was thinking about Yaos situations and I came up with this theory. Every great player dominates during there high school years. Yao has dominated in china playing for his olympic team, these are like his high school years. Now every player learns how to play more competitivly in college and it may take them a couple of years before there ready for the league. These three years are like Yaos college years. Hes learning how to play in the US and in the NBA at the same time so its a different situation for yao because hes learning two things in one. I think that we wont know what Yao will truly become after the next season. So what im hoping for is hoping for is that as Yao puts the finishing touches on his game this year that next year will be Yaos breakout year. Yao will never become a dominant center like shaq but he can if his skills are used correctly. Right now I think that van gundy is trying to make Yao something he isnt right now. The rockets always try to start the game off with yao posting up inside, but it usually ends up with yao missing or turning the ball over. Thats why he always has a slow start because he ends up getting frustrated with his game. I think the way the rockets should start the game is to have guards drive to the basket and give yao easy shots. And also to run picks with tmac and get yao easy shots and layups. As he starts to make shots i think itl build up his confidence and then thats when they should post him up and have him dominate inside.</div> I hope the coaches watch the second half of the game because when the guards drove it open things for Yao and he even got some offensive rebounds. The pick and roll with TMac and Yao might have opened some eyes and then late in the game once Yao is in the flow he can go down low and post up. The big area of weakness is he has to move quicker when rotating on defense so he does not pick up some of those nickel and dime calls.
