WTF Yao

[fabio]

I can't even imagine what would you say if Yao actually played bad I know this board is kinda strange and there were the Yao fans against the T-Mac fans (I wondered myself many times if there are actually Houston fans in this board). I don't know, the guy has many weaknesses, that's for sure. But his strengths make up for his weaknesses, and as some people said, his only presence is important, he takes 1 or 2 players out of the opponent's D, and that's amazing.

Back when I was a coach, we had this guy, really tall, the tallest in the league, but he was just ignorant of anything related to basketball (the previous coach scouted him when he was a volleyball player). And just because of his height, we could use him, and he scored some points and grabbed rebounds, nothing amazing, but enough to keep 1 or 2 opponent players busy. Although some people doesn't get it, basketball is a lot like chess: tactic. strategy. creativity. You don't need 5 superstars, sometimes 5 workers that do the exact needed job is enough. And Yao is that: the exact piece for the exact need.

btw, just in case you did forget, Houston is playing without its superstar. And "curiously", is playing way better than with him. The bottom line is that you'd enjoy this rather than trying to find weaknesses on your players, because there's not a single player in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. As long as the strengths make up for those weaknesses, everything is perfect.

And as we're at it, some of you should take a Valium or something, if this is how you're when winning, I'm afraid you'll commit suicide if you lose

[bklynstoops]

I can't even imagine what would you say if Yao actually played bad I know this board is kinda strange and there were the Yao fans against the T-Mac fans (I wondered myself many times if there are actually Houston fans in this board). I don't know, the guy has many weaknesses, that's for sure. But his strengths make up for his weaknesses, and as some people said, his only presence is important, he takes 1 or 2 players out of the opponent's D, and that's amazing.

Back when I was a coach, we had this guy, really tall, the tallest in the league, but he was just ignorant of anything related to basketball (the previous coach scouted him when he was a volleyball player). And just because of his height, we could use him, and he scored some points and grabbed rebounds, nothing amazing, but enough to keep 1 or 2 opponent players busy. Although some people doesn't get it, basketball is a lot like chess: tactic. strategy. creativity. You don't need 5 superstars, sometimes 5 workers that do the exact needed job is enough. And Yao is that: the exact piece for the exact need.

btw, just in case you did forget, Houston is playing without its superstar. And "curiously", is playing way better than with him. The bottom line is that you'd enjoy this rather than trying to find weaknesses on your players, because there's not a single player in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. As long as the strengths make up for those weaknesses, everything is perfect.

And as we're at it, some of you should take a Valium or something, if this is how you're when winning, I'm afraid you'll commit suicide if you lose

funny, i just made a similar observation on the other Yao-hate thread--not as eloquently. So odd. You would think the Rockets just lost the last 2 games. Maybe T-mac has a lot of relatives with a lot of time on their hands?

[teamny1]

There are a lot of fans in Houston that hate Yao. It's strange as you say. Even when Yao is double and triple teamed, you'll see people say Yao is useless when 1) the team won 2) everyone else on the team other than Yao is 6'9 or shorter and all the forwards are unathletic or if they are, about 6'5 and 3) no one else on the team can create a shot for themself.

But as you noticed, Yao is basically Kwame Brown around here according to some people. If you stick around, it's pretty amusing actually.

[smapor]

There are a lot of fans in Houston that hate Yao. It's strange as you say. Even when Yao is double and triple teamed, you'll see people say Yao is useless when 1) the team won 2) everyone else on the team other than Yao is 6'9 and all the forwards are unathletic or if they are, about 6'5 and 3) no one else on the team can create a shot for themself.

But as you noticed, Yao is basically Kwame Brown around here according to some people. If you stick around, it's pretty amusing actually.

Dude get it straight, its Shawn Bradley

[Guy986]

Really... i thought he was Greg Oden.


OOOOH SNap

[teamny1]

My mistake fellas. But on a serious note, I can see Houston winning in Portland in Game 5. It seems they have figured out single fronting somewhat. The front and back double front was neutralized by Scola and Landry in the 1st half of the last game. Offensively the only problems this team will have is when/if Artest decides to go Artest and if Brooks continues to be aggressive at the wrong times and unassertive at the wrong times.

The thing about fronting is that it was never only up to Yao to solve it. It's a team thing. Yao could solve it, and the pass could still not come if the person passing isn't a good passer. It'd be easier if Yao was a freak like Dwight or Shaq and just snatch it from the air, but Yao can't do that. As long as the Rockets continue to run the sets they ran tonight to free Yao from the front, and Yao works as hard as he did tonight to give the passer that extra space to work with, the Rockets should be alright in terms of the fronting attack.

[stockmarketgod]

:D My mistake fellas. But on a serious note, I can see Houston winning in Portland in Game 5. It seems they have figured out single fronting somewhat. The front and back double front was neutralized by Scola and Landry in the 1st half of the last game. Offensively the only problems this team will have is when/if Artest decides to go Artest and if Brooks continues to be aggressive at the wrong times and unassertive at the wrong times.

The thing about fronting is that it was never only up to Yao to solve it. It's a team thing. Yao could solve it, and the pass could still not come if the person passing isn't a good passer. It'd be easier if Yao was a freak like Dwight or Shaq and just snatch it from the air, but Yao can't do that. As long as the Rockets continue to run the sets they ran tonight to free Yao from the front, and Yao works as hard as he did tonight to give the passer that extra space to work with, the Rockets should be alright in terms of the fronting attack.

yes I doubt there going to front Yao with someone behind him on a extended basis in game 5... Scola is just as efficient as Yao when he gets his shots.

and no one on Portland seems to be able to stop Scola one on one,

Scola has been shut down with a doubles in at least one regular season game. but I doubt Portland will attempt to do that. im sure they are gonna pick there poisen with Scola taking those 15 to 20 footers

[wilt]

i´m lazy, so i´ll just copy what i wrote on the general board even if it´s not fitting a 100% but only 90% to this topic :

Last year the Lakers softness was exposed against the physicality of the Celtics. This Houston team is > physical than the Celtics of last year were.....................

A defense anchored by Yao is more physical than last years Celtics??? HAHAHAHAHA

It´s funny how people get caught up by reputation. Strange, for anyone looking close i´d thought this series so far would definitely help seeing Yao is far from soft. Seriously, when he´s not in foul trouble he´s tough like few defensively. He challenges everyone driving at him, isn´t the least bit rattled when teams attack him. Like in game 3 when Oden tried to draw a foul on him and tried to back him down at all costs he didn´t move an inch and all 3 tries resulted in Oden not even getting of a coordinated shot. Just cause he doesn´t jump high and manically screams at people doesn´t mean he´s not a tough and very good defensive player.
Because for all the credit Artest and Battier deserve defending Roy and Scola defending Aldridge, it´s only possible because they can channel Roy right into Yao (and where Yao is doing an incredible job moving his feet and challenging up top instead of reaching down) and because Yao gets over to pick Aldridge up everytime he makes a move.
Or all the times tonight Outlaw beat his man off the dribble only to see Yao coming up and then stop to shoot a jumper.

Yeah, i´ve long been a fan of the guy, since he entered the league basically, and if you want to call me a homer go ahead...

But seriously, his impact is so much bigger than when you look at him averaging 15/11 this series.

His offensive impact is just invaluable to all the other Rockets. Tonight again he created a ton of open opportunities for the Rocket 4-men, Van Wafer was wide open everytime he put the ball on the floor because of Yao´s presence and in the 4th quarter those offensive rebounds were in large part due to the Blazer concentrating on Yao, allowing guys like Scola, Landry and Artest to come from the weaskside and crash the boards.
And then he´s much more patient on offense, never gets frustrated. He doesn´t stop working just because he doesn´t get the ball, doesn´t foul out of frustration and forces the issue but just does his part. That´s sth you can´t value high enough in terms of team chemistry.

He´s also presenting himself as a leader more than ever before. In games he´s directing traffic, talking to guys when they are in a slump and outside his interviews are pure determination.
And then last night he plays 44 freaking minutes as a 7´6/310 behemoth working his ass off on both ends on every single posession. I´ve seldomly see a big Center work as hard as he does every night. I can´t get over the fact that on a couple of occasions he was basically the first one down the court.
His teammates will throw themselves in front of a bus for him, he´s their leader now and not just a talented player.

He really is that teams´s foundation and just for his sake it would be great for the Rockets to reach the 2nd round, he flat out deserves it.

He´s not the only deciding factor and that´s great about the Rockets. They are a team without a true superstar (Yao isn´t, he has too many limitations really) but with a ton of hard-nosed players that know their role and execute. A couple sparkplugs, a couple decently skilled offensive players, a few defensive players. And then Yao Ming in the middle of it. And Ron Artest who´s an idiot. But a fun idiot that for some reason adds to that team and is well established. Go figure. Ah well, as long as it helps the others play better : chuck along, Ron.

I love this team as it is now. Yeah, McGrady could have been an adition, but then again it would be a totally different team with different roles and different openings offensively. Plus there´d be no way you´d see Battier/Artest on the floor at the same time which would definitely make for worse defense.


I´ve allready expressed my respect for the blazers , so don´t get offended that i dedicate this post just to the Rockets and Yao.

The series isn´t over yet, too. The Rockets aren´t invincible at all for as much as i like them as a group they get stagnant at times and the Blazers are at least just as talented as them.