Well for a guy with a supposedly "insanely short wingspan" the guy averaged 1.96 bpg in 33.8 mpg, on a team that doesn't play at a very fast pace to get more chances to swat shots. Tim Duncan averaged 2.38 bpg in 34.1 mpg, which is not far off from Yao. Houston is one of the best defensive teams in the league and last year were one of the best as well. And if Yao is an "incredible liability on the defensive end" that must mean that they have a lot of other players making up big time for this incredible liability. This year: matchups <u>Against Shaq</u> Yao was out second time Miami played Houston, the 1st game: Shaq: (Nov 12th) 6-14 FG, 15 pts, 10 rb, 5 TOs Yao Ming (Nov 12th) 11-19 FG, 34 pts, 14 rbs, 0 Blks, 4 TOs For the season, Shaq shot 59% FG%, on 17.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 2.4 TOpg. <u>Against Tim Duncan</u> Yao was out the later two matchups Houston played San Antonio, the 1st and 2nd games: Tim Duncan (Nov 14th) : 7-16 FG, 19 pts, 15 rbs, 3 Blks, 4 TOs Tim Duncan (Dec 22nd) : 4-13 FG, 14 pts, 11 rbs, 2 Blks, 4 TOs (4 asts, 5 stls) Yao Ming (Nov 14th): 7-21 FG, 20 pts, 6 rbs, 1 Blk, 1 TO (4 stls) Yao Ming (Dec 22nd): 8-15 FG, 22 pts, 7 rbs, 2 Blks, 2 TOs Tim Duncan shot 54.6% FG%, 20 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.4 bpg, and 2.8 TOpg. <u>Against Eddy Curry</u> Eddy Curry (Nov 10th): 2-11 FG, 7 pts, 5 rbs, 1 Blk, 4 TOs Eddy Curry (Nov 20th): 3-10 FG, 8 pts, 2 rbs, 4 Blks, 4 TOs Yao, one of the games 35 pts, 17 rbs, 7 blks, 8 TOs other game, 26 pts, 9 rbs, 3 blks Curry averaged 58% FG%, 19.5 ppg, and 7 rpg for 81 games <u>Against Bogut</u> Bogut (Nov 8): 2-7 FG, 7 pts, 3 rbs, 1 Blk, 1 TO Bogut averaged 55% FG%, 12.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.3 TOpg It seems most centers don't have great nights offensively against Yao.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with Yao is he doesn't play defense (or doesn't know how). He's an incredible liability on the defensive end. If I was the offense and I see Yao in the paint, I'd attack him because he can't block your shot anyway. His wingspan is insanely short. </div> And your basing that off of 7 games? Have you been watching any Rockets season games? He averaged 2 blocks a game. The problem is not that he doesn't know how to play defense. The problem is his footwork, he is not quick enough to guard quick PF/C like Boozer. That doesn't mean he can't play defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Clear It Out Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The problem with Yao is he doesn't play defense (or doesn't know how). He's an incredible liability on the defensive end. If I was the offense and I see Yao in the paint, I'd attack him because he can't block your shot anyway. His wingspan is insanely short. He'd foul you every time. </div> Are we talking about the same player? I'm beginning to think that you've only watched him play the Utah series (again, recovering from leg injury, soon to undergo another toe surgery, trying to guard a mobile PF, a huge mismatch for him) and labeled yourself an expert on the matter. Anyway, arguging iwth you is a moot point; so it's official, JVG is gone.
