http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2006-03-09/16382092232.shtml Credit to poster on CF for the translation. He talks about how Yao's work ethic and dedication are the reasons for his improvement. Why he's used Yao more as a low post scorer (a la Shaq), despite his jump shooting abilities. JVG is also confident Yao will continue to improve. From what Bill Worrell said the other day, and this interview, it appears there has been a debate between JVG and Thibodeau on whether we should take more advantage of Yao's face up jumper (Thibodeau, who's been working with Yao, would like us to). JVG appears to have a different opinion, which he explains. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting translation:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wang Meng: Yao Ming had not stopped making continuous progress over these years. What role you think you've played ? JVG: I had no role to play (over his progress). Wang Meng: (Let me rephrase my question). What kind of changes you have inflicted onto Yao Ming ever since you came to the Rockets ?? JVG: Nothing. I have not changed him. Let me put it this way. In this league, there are only a few players, Oh let me correct it, it is not a few players, it should be there is no other players acted like Yao Ming; he unconditionally and wholeheartedly put his team in front of everything; certainly he would also be elated about his own individual progress. Players like him will certainly succeed ( in this league). Just like yesterday on our flight to Minnesota. Although he had scored in a previous game a season-high 32 points, he did not relax a bit; just like what he used to do before every game, he sat in the front row and reviewed the video of the previous match together with assistant coach Tom Thibodeau. He always discussed with the coach on how he could do better, where he had done wrong, and which part of his game need improvement, and in this particular instance, how he should cope with the Timberwolves. I can guarantee you, I would be extremely surprised if you can name me another player in this league doing what Yao Ming did. That is why he is making progress unceasingly. Wang Meng: But the changes you have on Yao Ming is so obvious (for everyone else to see); (you changed Yao Ming) from a finesse centre who excels in mid-range jump shots to a centre that dominates in the interior/ under the low post. JVG: It is rather interesting regarding this question of mid-range jump shots. I also had had indepth discussion with Tom Thibodeau on whether we should allow more flexibility for Yao Ming to do those mid-range jump shots. You have to understand this; I am not saying Yao Ming is not capable of making all those mid-range jump shots. But I can guarantee you. If you ask all the coaches in this league where they want Yao Ming to release his shots, they will definitely tell you: Tell him to shoot 4 to 5 meters away from the rim. Thanks goodness, just let him shoot there. At least if I am not his coach, I would certainly hope he will shoot far away from the rim. As a coach, I am not willing to see a player that roams in our interior/low post area, attacking, scoring and drawing fouls, destroying our defense. All I want to say is: at his height, he is a great free throw shooter, as well as a stable mid-range jump shooter. And of course a dominant scorer in the interior/down the low post. Wang Meng: Does it include 3-pointers ?? JVG: Somebody raises this up with me that we let Yao Ming shoot some 3-pointers and he can also do it well. But as long as I am his coach, this won't happen. If he wants to shoot 3-pointers, wait for the next head coach. Wang Meng: In other words, you have not changed Yao Ming, but just guided him to play basketball the correct way ?? JVG: I really don't know how to put it. Hmmmmm let me think. Let me put it this way. Yao Ming is a very co-operative player ever willing to seek self-improvement. But only if you take the initiative or else you will not make any improvement. That is exactly the reason why there are lots of players in this league stay in-situ for many years. But on Yao Ming, I can see his ambition and continuous pursuit of excellence. You may never see Yao Ming suddenly makes big stride of improvement, but looking back all these years, you actually find him making continuous improvements unceasingly. I can guarantee you. He will still be able to have this kind of progress in the future. </div>
From this interview, I get the impresssion that Tom Thibodeau is more involved in the evolution of Yao's game than Patrick Ewing. Also, I would love to see Yao take a couple of threes every game. He is probably the teams best shooter, and he will always have a good look at the basket.
What Van Gundy says is true, in that Yao will get shots that are much more higher percentage in the low post compared to the perimeter, but what about his courtvision? Him in the high post situation will spot a lot of cutters, like he did in his first season. Of course he'd be better to score with his back to the post, but with him controlling the ball at the top of the key, it'd open up a lot of passing lanes. Either way though, the way he's playing now, I'd like him in the post more. 2 points is 2 points, no matter how you score it.
