DISQUS

AirChina23 · 2 years ago

I actually had this game the Bucks game on side-by-side. Both Yao and Yi had struggled and both of them only had ONE point at the half. I was curious to see how Adelman would counter the Phoenix track team, instead I saw no D, as you have pointed out. Hopefully they will get some time to rest and reflect and come back stronger physically and mentally.

richard · 2 years ago

Watched the game last night. Too fast too furious was the name of the game. Phoenix is just too fast and talented. All of them can score and can run. Yao is too tired playing consecutive games. It only takes 2-3 seconds for the suns to score. Everytime rockets score....suns score a sec later. I hate to think that without tracy...rockets can't win games. Scola did a good job but you need other supporting cast. Off night for Yao because of conditioning. Ajustment....Adjustment....adjustment with the D!!! I have the same feeling again from last year....scared to watch the game because chances of losing is high!

Luckyme · 2 years ago

I am really not sure if playing over 40 minutes a game continously or playing 5 games in a week during the last week tired Yao out, but it seems he lost confidence and his shooting touch as soon as TMac got injured - granted he got double or triple teamed very often. It seems he pulled back quite a bit for fearing he might get injured too? I wonder if he has the assistance of a sports psycholgist now, and if not, perhaps they should provide him one to help him to prepare better mentally.

curtis · 2 years ago

Is it just me or is T-Mac always gets hurt when there is a line up of hard to beat teams come around? it seems like whenever Yao has been doing real good, (like winning the player of the week award and over score T-Mac) and the schedule gets tough, T-Mac is not there! It is almost like he is trying to prove that he is the leader of the pack, and without him Yao can't do it, maybe its just coincidence, but its like that for a couple of seasons now, so I wonder.
It is not fair to play those tough experienced western teams with Yao alone with many new players on the team, he may be underperformed now but he will dominate once again!

richard · 2 years ago

I agree with you luckyme, I think partly it's a mental thing. I don't know if there's such a thing as sports psychologist. But I think it would be helpful if he regain his confidence. This is Yao's team. Yao needs to step up and prove to everyone that even without tracy they can still win games. Maybe not all the time but atleast 3/4 of the time. Maybe Yao needs some steroids or something J/k. He's too slow on this game. When he gets double team, he doesn't need to kick it out all the time. Where's all the re post ???? Yao if you're reading this! Please be more aggressive on both ends of the court. If you have to shove somebody to regain respect do it! Don't let them push you around. Grab more rebounds if your shots are not falling. For god sake you're 7'6. Don't the rockets teach him how to position so he can get more rebounds? The refs are horrible too with this game. Same with the previous game with the Spurs. Female refs during the Spurs game don't know how to officiate. It's going to be a long season if this is the way they play.

Zoe · 2 years ago

Very disappointed, very paintful to watch Yao and Rockets' game, I have to admit that a bad game ruins a good evening.

I am wondering what is going on behind the poor shooting and poor performance by Yao Ming. I pointed to him, not other Rockets, as I am his big fan, not others. Obviously, compared to the last year, the biggest changes are:

(1) The coaching staff and their coaching phylosophy. This is the biggest change of all changes. It they want to turn Yao to Devac or Miller, they got the worse part, but not the benift of it - both Yao and Rockets lose.

(2) His new teamates. How does he communicate with them on and off the games? Can he invite his teamates to watch the game vedio together to figure out every turn-over and good and bad passes and even practice with them one on one?

(3) His new marriage: I can not comment on this, but this is certainly a big factor to his personal life as well as anyone else's life in this situation. Is his wife expecting a baby which could be a nervous or anxcious experience?

All of above are the immaginations from a long-time Yao fan - I hate to think that Yao Ming's NBA career is now in the declining stage from it peak, as he should be in his peak or going to peak.

SIMON TAI · 2 years ago

Yao should not have played all the five games in such a inhumane schedule, especially for him, such a big man (Needlless to explaine). He should have only played the 1st, 3rd, 5th games, the 2nd and the 4th or the 1st, 2nd and the 5th. It depended. This doesn't mean that we were giving up the game without MM. On the contrary, chance of victory would be enchanced.
Yao's unsatisfactory performance could be expected in such a stituation, i.e. tight schedule, hard-to-defeat opponent and, of course, without T-Mac.
If there must be someone to blame, it's the coach. He not only should know how to use his player, but most of all, WHEN NOT TO USE.

cardfather · 2 years ago

After watching the last two games, it has become more apparent to me that Yao definately needs to be more AGGRESSIVE especially under opponent baskets. For a guy who's 7'6", he's taking too many jump-shots. He needs to muscle his way to the basket more often like Shaq and just shove the ball in the basket! His 49.2% field goal percentage is way too low for his height and position. I agree with Richard about Yao's weak rebounding efforts especially on the offensive end. He needs to learn to anticipate WHEN to jump for the ball. It's frustrating seeing him being out-rebounded by guys who are a foot shorter.

I know he's usually double/triple-teamed, but some of Yao's moves are also getting too predictable and opponents are reading him and his moves like a book. Guys like Marion and HIll were swatting his shots and passes from behind. He needs to go up strong and try to slam it home more often. That'll also help him draw more fouls.

I know it's still early in the season, but could the Rockets experiment with a different starting line up? Based on the last two games, I think it's time for Scola to be a starter (Yao, Scola, Battier, McGrady, Head/Francis). C'mon coach, do something!!!!!!!!!!!

Ben, NY · 2 years ago

very close to my prediction that rockets could maybe win one of the three games vs spurs, suns and dallas... let's hope they can at least take the next one...

my one observation: Yao Ming's performance seems to diminish whenever he gets recognized as Player of the Week. I remember that's what happened last year as well...

richard · 2 years ago

Am not sure if Yao ming is aware of this website Yaomingmania? If he does surf...I wish he would check this website out and that he will spend some time reading our comments. We might not be coaches or trainer but as a basketball fan we observe the things that they might have missed. I just want to say that we are here for you Yao! You may not play great all the time but we still support you. If you're not scoring I wish you could grab more....rebound.....rebound....rebound....if you can block shots that's a plus. Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for creating Yaomingmania so that I can voice my opinion and let all my frustration out! whew! =)

H · 2 years ago

Yao has to have a sense of urgency that he only has 3 good years left before his play level begins to go downhill. Step up and be the go-to guy. If he continues to play like this, he'll be a major disappointment to me and a bunch of other people. I truly believe he can be one of the dominant offensive big men ever with his size and shooting touch.

The only way the Rockets will win the championship if he is the got-to guy and dominate.

Luckyme · 2 years ago

I think I agree with some of the readers here saying that Yao should get more aggressive and attack the basket more often. At the moment, his moves are very predictable - back to the basket, pauses, fakes left or right, and then may shoot a fade-away. Other players can easily come from behind and knock the ball away from his hand. He should bulldoze his way straight to the basket and get fouled. He needs to change his strategies often.

Jebb · 2 years ago

A few tips for Yao:-

1. Don't let your opponents push/knock you around! Fight back! Use your elbow if you have to ( ask Mutombo / Karl Malone ), it will help to secure few more rebound per game and reduce contacts from your opponents!

2. Give hard foul ( once per game ) to your opponent whenever opportunity arise! It helps to discourage layup on you. You should instill some fear to your opponents when they come to the paint!

3. Attack the double team sometimes! You did well last year! Don't give that up!

4. Demand the ball more, you & Tmac are both the leaders of this team. Let your teammates know how & when to get you the ball! I saw many times in the past eleven games that even when you were at the painted area, your team mate still preferred to shoot rather than pass to you. Tell them you are not happy with that kind of plays!

Jebb, sorry for the delay in approving this. Since your post very early this AM, I had doctor's appointment that went long today and I'm now getting caught up on my email. -- John