<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy has decided he is done worrying about Yao Ming's foul troubles. Ever since the All-Star break, Yao has racked up fouls early and often. Van Gundy has monitored the situation closely, trying to sit Yao longer and keep him from fouling out. This weekend, Van Gundy will change his approach. He no longer plans to sit Yao if he gets in foul trouble. He hopes the change will spark Yao and the entire team, which has lost four of its last five games. "I'm going to keep him on the floor," Van Gundy said. "He's going to have to foul out. I've never believed in it that much anyway, 'Two fouls, come sit on the bench.' I'm going to play him his normal minutes, and if he has fouls, he has fouls. Because it's not working the other way. "He's got to bring an energy. He has been, frankly, very lethargic in his play since the All-Star break, and we're not going to beat the quality of teams we've been facing rebounding the way we have or with him not being at the top of his game." In the Rockets' first game back from the break, Yao fouled out but left with 30 points and nine rebounds against Seattle. He hasn't fouled out of the last four games, but his numbers have dropped dramatically. He averaged only 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in the games against San Antonio, Utah, Chicago and Washington.</div> Link
I hope it helps Yao's fouling rather than just taking it out of the game before halftime in dallas. These next many games are really tough and without the big mjan theyll be even tougher so hopefully he can step it up.
Van Gundy was doing that a little a few months ago with Yao, when he was struggling with fouls. It's a very smart move. The system of sitting players with 2 fouls in the first, 3 fouls in the second, and 4 fouls in the third is somewhat arbitrary. I think sometimes coaches put too much emphasis on making sure a player is available late in the fourth quarter, and allow their team to just struggle until then. But, there are few big reasons why this move makes sense: 1. If Yao's constantly worrying about foul trouble while on the court, he's going to play tentatively and not be as effective on defense and on the boards. Plus, when he's only on the court for 5 minute stretches due to fouls, he's going to have a harder time getitng into a rhythm offensively. 2. Refs are more hesitant to call fouls on "star" players when they're already in foul trouble, particularly early in the game. A lot of fouls that get called on Yao are border-line calls, and you won't see nearly as many of those called when Yao's already in foul trouble.
I don't know if this move would work, but this should be worth a try. By doing this, like Durvasa said, Yao should be able to play more effectively. It would be so much easier for him to get into his shooting rhythm unlike the last few games, teach him to play smarter, and help the team overall offensively. The only real problem I see with this is that he may start being even more tentative if he picks up more fouls. That might affect his rebounding and I really don't want to see that. For an example, if he picks up his fourth foul near the end of the second quarter, Yao may not fight that hard for boards, blocks, and such since he knows he might foul out.
I like the approach. I equate it with a parent no longer sending their kid money if they don't spend wisely. If they want to be careless and not use their heads, they will go broke. Same thing with Yao. If he doesn't concentrate 100% on the game and picks up fouls because of mental lapses (slapping down at the ball rather than going straight up, etc.) then he will eventually run out of fouls (go broke). Now most kids will change their spending habits pretty quickly if they know they don't have their parents financial support. Hopefully it will be the same with Yao, knowing that he doesn't have Van Gundy waiting to pull him from the fire when things get hot.
I think Van Gundy would know his limits in making this move. If Yao has five fouls by the second quarter, he won't be as stupid to keep him on and let him foul out before the half is over. This move could work wonders for Yao, but it might also make him less agressive than he currently is. If Yao can successfully control his fouls, his production would go up, but would he be too passive on offense? At times, I'd rather have Mutombo on the floor because of his shotblocking and rebounding.
Yao should try it because it will be good for him to play smart. Don't try to block or do something unnecessary. It's Jeff's belief in him to play better and stay out of foul trouble. Good example of foul troubles, G4 NBA finals Lakers VS Pacers, Kobe got 4 fouls in the early 3rd but played through with smart defense and offence. Never picked up another foul later and lift the Lakers to Victory. Gotta know when to just let it go. :-o
