I remember a Phoenix/Houston last season where he was limited to something like 12 points with Diaw keeping him far from the basket. So it seems that if you make him run (Phoenix) and keep him out of his zone it could work.
But it was just one game I don't know if it would work now.
Umm, putting a small big like Diaw is pressing/disrupting Yao defensively, not offensively IMHO. If by upping the tempo would mean making his teammates into a trigger happy shoot first mofos, by all means it would very well work. But from the game that watched vs Dallas, even TMac knew exactly who's the top dog at this moment. And i believe the Rox are the lowest scoring team on transition game, so they indeed try hard to become dump a chump team aka the Spurs of 98-02.
IMO Diaw was efficient defensively (only one game so I don't know if it would work again) because he knew he would have been killed once Yao in his confort zone. So he was completely focused on keeping Yao far from the basket. It could have work with a "bigger big".
yao eats turds like diaw for lunch dinner and tea
Yao eats turds for lunch, dinner, and tea!?!?
Yao: N...no
Sorry, couldn't help the obligatory Happy Gilmore reference.
If Elson/Oberto/Butler can do a decent job on Yao like they did against Dirk, Spurs will be fine at center this year.
Yao will definitely dominate the paint vs. Spurs. But Yao has 2 weaknesses, he gets into fould trouble and tires easily, those are not small weaknesses
On offense: Keep the ball moving, and make him keep moving. Let Elson run on the fast break when the Spurs manage a rebound.
Run a lot of high screens with the post player he is defending. I think Elson and Duncan could run the high low game that Dave and Tim were able to run several years ago, but I'm not sure if we want to throw extra plays at Elson yet. Finally, the Spurs athletic back court must drive at Yao. Force him to make the play and not foul. I think Manu could be very effective at attacking Yao at the basket.
On defense: I think Elson is athletic and long enough to front Yao. It's hard for Yao to hit shots if you are denying him the ball. I would not consistantly double Yao. I'd try it a couple of times early in the game to see if he handles it well and then save it for the fourth quarter to see if Yao can make the play when the pressure is on.
Go right at him early. Yao has a tendency to get in foul trouble when teams are consistently driving at him.
Play some hard defense on him early and take some hard fouls if necessary. I've noticed in the past that if Yao gets off to a bad start, it kind of gets in his head, and he usually has a bad game. Just don't let him get started early.
Also what someone said about running him. This guy doesn't have that much stamina. Get him blowing and he'll have to sit. On offense keep running him back and forth across the lane to make him defend. Don't just sit down and let him stand in one spot. Run his ass off.
Yao something to watch
Rockets center dominates Shaq in blowout of defending NBA champion Heat
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4329869.html
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
MIAMI - All that "best center in the league" stuff was fun, a nice verbal hug for Yao Ming from his teammates. Though increasingly difficult to argue, it is sort of an honorary le.
This was more tangible, more meaningful.
The Rockets demonstrated something they hope is more revealing Sunday when they not only had the NBA's best center, they were better than the NBA's best team.
With Yao carrying them through a fourth-quarter surge past the NBA champions, the Rockets rolled to a 94-72 statement win over the Miami Heat before 19,600 at AmericanAirlines Arena, including 500 screaming, singing Rockets season-ticket holders.
With Sunday's win, the Rockets have beaten last season's NBA Finals teams — Miami and Dallas — by a combined 53 points.
"The big fella is playing at his best," Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said. "I don't know if he can get better. He's phenomenal out there, man.
"Now, I know what it feels like to sit back and watch a great player right before your eyes. Guys I played with in the past got caught up in the moment of just watching something great. That's what I'm doing right now, watching something great."
While the Heat spent half the game trying to get Yao's name right on the scoreboard, Yao took another huge step into his prime and past Shaquille O'Neal in winter.
Yao followed his 35-point, 17-rebound, seven-blocks performance Saturday with 34 points on 11-of-19 shooting and 14 rebounds, eventually running O'Neal off the court as the lead swelled in the Rockets' most prolific quarter of the season.
Yao scored 14 points in the Rockets' 34-point fourth quarter, making six of his seven shots on everything from a nifty fast-break scoop to a 17-foot baseline turnaround as the shot-clock buzzer sounded as he pumped his fists above his head in triumph"
This guy has learned his lessons and is coming into his own. Everyone in the league should be wary of these Rockets.
his turnaround jumper from outside was beautiful to watch the other night, he's not another shaq who can only take it inside...i'm excited about tuesday night's game, it should be a good one, whatever the result
Even though he's been an All-Star center since he came into the league, Yao has finally reached that MVP-type level that everyone had been waiting for. He presents problems for any team because not only is he very efficient in the post, but he can also nail those turnaround baseline jumpers and is a consistent threat from outside. In short, he has an extensive offensive repertoire.
This is an interesting dilemma for the Spurs. With the departure of Rasho, they no longer have a low-post defender with the bulk and size to match up against Yao. Obviously you don't want to put Duncan on him for fear of foul trouble.
Elson is quick but lacks the overall girth and strength to keep Yao from getting position. He may be able to tire Yao out by pulling him away from the basket making him work hard at the defensive end and forcing him to run in transition.
Oberto may be a stronger post defender than Elson, but still is outmatched and likely wont be able to kepp Yao from doing what he wants on the offensive end. Even if Oberto is able to make him work some, he'll likely get into foul trouble while jostling for position.
At this point, there is no one on the Spurs roster than can make Yao work for his position, or for that matter, even contest his shots. Their only hope is to double-team him and take their chances with the outside shooters. However Yao is an excellent passer, as well.
Seeing what Yao has done so far this seasons, it'll be interesting to see what Pop decides to do to counter Yao's effectiveness.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 11-13-2006 at 05:32 PM.
If the Spurs can take away everything else, ala Stoudamire in the playoffs, all they will have to do is try and wear Yao down on d, and get him in foul trouble. I think Bowen will shut McGrady down, he doesnt look like the same player he used to be. As long as the Heads, Alstons and Wells (if he plays) dont have huge games, the Spurs should be able to weather the Yao storm
DIAW is highy overrated.
small ball ? hope not
Give Yao different looks, double him, front him, pressure the ball and deny the entry passes, and most importantly...how the Spurs stop Yao Ming?
Run Forrest Elson Run!!!
Duncan and Elson should play very tough defense. When he will be away from the rim, then Ginobili or Bowen should double-team him and try somehow to steal the ball from him. Just don`t let him be close to the rim and make easy dunks.
Problem is, he doesn't have to bulldoze his way close enough to rim for the dunk -his game is actually closer to TD/Hakeem than Shaq. Yao only need some bumping in the paint to establish good position. After that, he WILL use a plethora of offensive moves that could make Duncan proud, especially his almost unstoppable turn around baseline jumper.
When he should shot some baseline jumpers, Bowen should try to get in his way, so he could not have a clean shot. And with double-team on him, he will not score a lot. I don˙t care if he scores 10 or 40 point, just win is important.
Have we tried putting Parker on Duncan's shoulders?
anybody know if this game will be on league pass? i see it listed for NBA tv and hope i can set the dvd recorder up for it.
Give him directions to a free buffet.
im sure it is but is that against an nba rule?
Ah HAHAHahaha.......
The best way to stop Yao is to keep the ball away from him.
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