Yao's role, more than a role player? felt like this deserves its own thread. Of late it seems that Yao himself and perhaps the coaching staff are contempt with Yao being a role player, and his minutes plumeting as a result. What does every think about Yao and his role on the team lately. Is JVG simply trying to rest him for a Yao powered playoff push? Has Yao just simply hit the wall and will bounce back soon? or has he reached the peak of what seemed like great potential? Discuss.
i really think that JVG has tried really hard to utilize Yao, it shows at the beginning of the season when Yao is the go to guy, not t-mac.. But Yao hasn't been able to live up to the expectation. That's why JVG probably looking for another solution in mcgrady and probably..(hopefully not) has lost patience in Yao's development. That's why his minute is significantly decreasing Yao is a great player but his 2 main problems are FOUL TROUBLE and INCONSISTENCY.. sometimes he can put big numbers but most of the times he only played like a mediocre player..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting chineseafro:</div><div class="quote_post">Hes tired, in 4 years he hasnt had an offseason.</div> That's very true. Anytime you don't get a chance to rest your body for long periods of time, it takes a toll on your play. Yao has had no time to work on his skills, or his body, and that has translated into recent poor play. Another reason would be that the team is focused on winning every game right now, and the key to doing that would be going through McGrady. Yao's doing a better job as a complementary scorer now, but I don't think it will be his long-term role.
Im just confused by the fact that during the beginnings of the game, Yao, with Tracy on the floor, will get off to a good start. Then he either gets fatigued or gets into foul trouble, and when he comes back into the game without T-Mac on the floor and the offense not flowing through him, we try to force down to Yao instead of letting it come back to him naturally, which could explain why we play better as a team when Deke comes in.
i think yao is a role player only when he has to be, which is not every game. whenever he feels that he needs to help the team out he does it as you have seen in some of the past few games during this season he can drop 20+ and grab a good 7 or 8 boards ( maybe 22 ) but the way he plays in chinese team and the way he plays with the rockets are totally different in where he has to be more aggressive with teh rockeets team and lss aggressive and more respect on teh chinese team. some nights he can explode and other nights he just cruises on taking a couple shots form teh field and call it a night or he gets in foul trouble and has to sit out. i think when he is able to distinguish and seperate from the way he plays with one team to the way the other team plays i think he will be more effective.
Whatever happened to the BS that JVG said he wouldn't sub for Yao if he was in foul trouble? Complete BS. Yeah I am scared that Yao is just becoming a role player and I don't want that to happen..
Before you know it, Dawson is gonna trade Yao to GS for Richardson and Baron, and then we'll have a a cool backcourt with a weak front court that can't do anything. OH NO!!!! I am joking on that one, but if Houston's patience runs out on Yao, a Trade could be possible in 2 or 3 years time (assuming he is re-signed which he WILL be). And if that leaves T-Mac, we will be the old Orlando Magic. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! that ain't happening.
I think JVG is starting to understand the what's been a reality with the Rockets all year -- we're a better team, most of the time, when Dikembe is on the floor versus when Yao is on the floor. Look at the numbers at 82games.com, and you'll see that the Rockets are +6 per 48 minutes with Deke on the court versus only +1.6 per 48 minutes with Yao on the court. Even though Yao has better offensive numbers, he simply doesn't impact our offense as much as Deke impacts our defense. And with all the talented perimeter players that CD has brought in, its more important to have a strong inside presence defensively than offensively. Is Yao just a "role player?" That's a funny question, since everybody is a role player in some sense. Some just have bigger roles than others. I think Yao's offensive capabilities can be useful against certain teams, but much of the time Dikembe is simply playing better. As a coach, you always have to go with whoever will help you win games. I don't have any problem with Yao and Dikembe basically splittling minutes if it allows us to play more effectively. Early in the year, I though JVG didn't use Dikembe enough when Yao was struggling. Now, the coach doesn't hesitate to sit Yao and we're winning. I'm quite happy with that.
