Yao Ming

[Fresh8]

So after thinking about Yao Ming and how hes doing... after two and a bit years in the NBA... do u guys think hes ever gonna dominate?

Hes sorta still young but at 7'6", u gotta take that to ur advantage and hes got a soft touch too. So why isnt he learnin to be more freakin aggresive??? I dont understand why. He should be sorta ripping it up but nothin is really happening that is too interesting!

So wat u guys reakon? Will Yao ever be hall of famer level or will he stay as an all-star or fad into obscurity or howver u spell it!

[Andrew]

I wasn't too impressed watching Yao today. He did come alive in the second half but he sat quite a bit of the first half while Dikembe Mutombo turned in a surprising performance. In Deke's first minute, he showed more intensity and better stats than Yao had during his six or seven minutes on the floor. That usually isn't the case, but the usual problems with his game were on display in this one too.

I think Yao's main problem is that he really doesn't utilise his size enough on defense, or the offensive boards. Too often he's beaten by shorter players. Granted, Shawn Marion is an excellent rebounder for a player his size, but Yao should be able to snatch boards away from him fairly easily. He also seems to have problems finishing around the rim, at least he has in the games I've seen this year. Too many baby hooks and even layups go awry.

There was also a play where Steve Nash made a crazy layup that bounced off the top edge of the backboard, hit the front of the rim and rolled in. Yao could have blocked it really easily - Nash had committed to the move and had to shoot it or turn it over on a travelling call, and would have shot it straight into Yao's hands. But Yao actually stepped back and put his arms straight up (he had previously been challenging the shot), allowing the ball to pass harmlessly over him. Granted, the shot itself was extremely lucky, but he was in position to send the ball flying into the crowd or better yet, simply catch it on the way up and throw an outlet pass. When it comes to shotblocking, Shawn Bradley is a much better example of a 7'3"-plus player who can really utilise his natural advantage. His final stats were respectable, but it really wasn't a great game for him. The Rockets played much better with Mutombo in the game.

Right now, I don't think he's Hall of Fame material, not genuine Hall of Fame material along the lines of MJ, Bird, Magic, Russell, Wilt and so on, the true greats of the game. I doubt that he'll reach that level. To dust off an old cliche, I think he'll be a very good player in the NBA but not a great one. He's one of the best "giants" of the NBA, but I really doubt he'll be as dominant the way someone with the combination of his height and talent could be.

[Amphatoast]

he is not achieving the hype he was given at this point. With all-star appearances ahead of shaq the previous 2 years you'd think he would try to prove the voters right, but he isn't.

[Shakes]

I think he's received more criticism than he deserves. It's not really his fault that he was overhyped, or that people from his country voted him into the all-star game before his performances deserved it. He's still only 24, certainly not too old to improve further.

That said, I doubt he'll become one of the all-time greats of the game. He hasn't shown signs he's that good yet, despite the hype.

[The X]

it's all about the ticker....at the moment his heart doesn't seem to be completely in it....

that could change in the next couple of years and if it does, he could develop into a great big man....

until then, ho hum.....

[Eugene]

A lot Yao's criticisms have stemmed from the notion that he's "soft" or "has no heart." But that same notion stems from our concept of what a 7'5" big man should be. And like it or not, Yao isn't that player.

So, should Van Gundy try to change Yao as a player, or adjust his system to suit Yao's game?

Look, the talent is undeniable, and you can't teach size. Yao has some of the best footwork I've seen in a big man. He also has great court vision. He's deadly from 10 to 15 feet and nobody's going to challenge his shot. We know all this.

So, why not just move Yao to the high post? What's the downside here?

By moving Yao to the elbow, much like Sacramento does with Brad Miller and Chris Webber, you open up the basket area for T-Mac--a slasher--to attack. You also initiate movement by running a split off of Yao's post up. He's taller than almost everyone so he can pass over the top and hit the cutters. Let Yao create. He's not Shaq. He's closer to Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

And if last night's game was any indication, the Rockets haven't a single player who can feed the post. Yao's seven and a half feet tall, for crying out loud. He has great hands, and you know what? He was getting deep inside position on Amare Stoudemire time and time again. Listen, you always reward the big man for working hard to get position. Always. Get it high and fast and lead him to the basket. It's not rocket science (no pun intended). And yet, it almost looked like the Rockets were actively freezing him out.

By the way, Andre Barrett is the best point guard on that team. There's no room for argument here. He pushes the ball every time, has a great drive and kick game, and frankly, his spot up jumpshot looks pretty good, too. And he was the only one setting up the big man. He set up Motumbo for two dunks and Yao for a jump hook. In fact, I think he should start for that team.

Yes, Yao has his faults. He's a surprising weak rebounder for his size, and he's not as good a shot blocker as you'd think. You know what, though? If I were Yao, I wouldn't want to play defense either. Why do I want to step up and possibly pick up a foul when I work my ass off on the offensive end and don't get rewarded?

Oh, and this ridiculous notion that he doesn't have the "dominating persona" because he's from China? Well, you may be right in citing the cultural differences that bred Yao's personality; he's not going to be like Shaq or Wilt or whoever. But his instinct is to defer to the team game. And the last time I checked, basketball is indeed a team game. It's also a big man's game. So, if you have a talented--albeit unorthodox--big man who'd rather make his teammates better, you're saying you wouldn't utilize him to your every advantage? Really?

And so what if he can't take over down the stretch? Isn't that why the Rockets went and got T-Mac? (Oh, and for a pro Kobe argument here, if Kobe was playing for the Rockets instead of Yao, do you really think they'd only be a .500 club?)

My point is, Yao can be that guy who carries his team for three and a half quarters. He'll get you 20-10-4. That is, if you let him be that guy. And when it's time, let someone else, someone who is capable and willing, take over. And when it's all said and done, he'll have won a few championships and be considered for the Hall of Fame.

This is basketball. That's all it is.

All the best,

Eugene

[air gordon]

sacramento can put miller in the high post because bibby, peja, christie, etc move without and pass the ball very, very well

put yao in the high post most of the time, i'm not sure you're going to get the same results with houston's cast of players