Yao Ming Mania - Latest Comments in Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Adrian — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:12:12 -0000

Yao Ming touched the ball a total of 5 times in the second half on the block, you nailed it, he set way 2 many screens, the rockets must make a more conscious effort of finding yao,.5 times on the block in the second half, thats amazing..

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

pryuen — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 06:08:03 -0000

The problem is not with Yao Ming. the problem is on Rick Adelman who has no clue on how to use a big and dominant centre like Big Yao PROPERLY in his motion offense scheme.

You think Yao really wants to be parked around the free throw line or even further out, to set high post shields, set the pick and seldom receive the roll, if not instructed by and sticking to Adelman's game plan??

When Big Yao had got into groove in the 1H scoring 13 points, why on earth should he be told to still park outside of the free throw/high post line, or why his team mates were not instructed to continue passing him the ball, since the LA Lakers were not fronting or double-teaming him?

And definitely it is idiotic and suicidal for Rick Adelman to have used Yao Ming that way, by playing him 19 minutes in 1H, and then 20 minutes non-stop in 2H. Big Yao did not get any breaks for his breather in 2H.....He was completely exhausted towards the end to be able to fight for his position in offense, but he still gave his all running up and down the court, and played defense at the back, delivering rebounds and block shots.

As for why he has now started to inbound the ball for the back court, ask Adelman. He said this would sort of save Big Yao energy as his step sons, the fast and mercurial Aaron Brooks or Ron Artest or Von Wafer could start fast breaks and seek for their scoring opportunities without having to wait for Big Yao getting his position down in the low post. If scoring opportunities did not exist, then they can set up the offensive once again when Big Yao ran up from back court and got his position again in the paint.

But the result?? We just saw time and time again that after Big Yao ran up the court, most of the time, he had to immediately run back down the court for defense, as those trigger-happy team mates of his had already bricked their ill advised shots out from the perimeter, resulting in long rebounds for the opponents to start their fast break counter-attacks.

And I don't think there is anything wrong that as a leader, he should speak out on what he saw wrong in the team. In fact, I thought he had not done it too frequently and vocally enough to let Rick Adelman and his team mates know this is not going to work for the team, if despite his coach reiterated time and time again that Big Yao should be the core player, and should initiate every offense, but yet, the inept coach could not solve the fronting defense issues, and his team mates kept ignoring passing him the ball.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Nuwan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:46:11 -0000

Why do the Rockets always seem to sign streaky, trigger-happy guards?

First, Alston, T-mac, Wells, and Head...

and now Brooks, Lowry, Artest, and Wafer!

All of these players have the potential to be great, if only they could take fewer jumpers and drive and dish more often.

Until the Rockets improve at the guard position, I don't see them getting past the first round.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Luckyme — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:00:23 -0000

Somehow I wasn't that disappointed as when they lost to the Suns - the teams which they could have beaten. One of the reasons I think that contributed to their loss was Ron Artest. I like his toughness, aggressiveness and passion. But he got carried away too often and tried to do too much by himself. Like Matt Bullard said, he forgot he had four other teammates.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Kai — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:45:03 -0000

I watched the game, and honestly I don't see this team going past the first round. They have no second options down in crunch time (when Yao is taken away). Artest is not nearly as good as TMac in his prime. And at this rate, Brooks and Lowry are not playing to the same level as Alston. I really wonder if that Alston trade is going to come back to haunt us, especially since Brooks has kind of disappeared as of late.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Tom — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:11:24 -0000

That play in the 1st quarter was really really great. Not only because I'm a Yao fans, but always because of Luis' hustle and Ron's great pass. I wish Ron could have that mind set all the time.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Staff — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:49:21 -0000

Great post, too. Congrats on all the good stuff from last night, too!

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Staff — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:47:17 -0000

I love it. Great post and passion!

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Vince — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:11:32 -0000

I was at this game last night, I agree with you Carl could've helped in getting some of those offensive rebounds. I asked Keith Jones when Carl would be back and he said there isn't an exact date yet. But I did see Carl in the pre-game shoot around and he looked pretty good. Another thing about last night was the poor FT shooting by the Rockets. Yao missed on a technical FT, and a FT on a 3pt. play. Also, a bunch of 24 sec. shot clock violations showed that their offense really wasn't running smoothly. I think the Rockets will take care of business at home on Sunday and finish the season strong after this tough stretch.

On another note, Yao and Mutumbo both stopped pre-game and signed my basketball =). That was the biggest highlight of my night!

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

NYCBOBBY — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:58:41 -0000

The problem is they rely too heavily on Yao down the stretch when Yao don't even wan't the ball. Instead of demanding for the ball, all he kept doing was set pick after pick and when he finally boxes out to get the ball he doesn't block out his man good enough to give his passer a good angle to pass it to him. Then with the shot clock winding down by now, and still unable to get the ball to Yao, they scramble and run and pass like a chicken with their head cut off and finally hoisting up a contested shot with a second left. Or if he does get the ball he gets doubles and he passes it back out. And why is he always inbounding the ball now when the other team scores? Isnt that the job of Scola or whichever foward? And he needs to stop sounding so pessimistic all the time after a loss. A loss is a loss move on and get better. He's always bringing up about the team still not learning. Man, have some confidence. I agree, Landry is what makes this team scrappy. This team needs it, Yao especially needs it. We need more players like him and Lowry.
I hate to beat up Yao like that but it's only because I root for him so much to succeed. Can ya blame me? ;(

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Staff — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:20:08 -0000

I agree. Me, too.

Re: Another loss to the Lakers knocks Rockets down the standings

Xiao Chen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:14:10 -0000

As I said in my tweet to you earlier, this team does not know how to play the second half, or crunch time rather, anymore. It bothers me.