Sikma looking forward to helping Yao
Thursday, June 21st, 2007
by John
To follow up on the my previous post with the translation of Yao talking about Carroll Dawson teaching him many great things, this article appeared in today’s Houston Chronicle about how new assistant coach Jack Sikma looks forward to doing the same. It’s such an interesting article, I am posting the whole thing down below (thank you Jonathan Feigen at the Chronicle):
On his first official day as a Rockets assistant coach, Jack Sikma did what he likely will do in most of the days to follow. He focused on the talents and potential of All-Star center Yao Ming.
Sikma, who along with Elston Turner, T.R. Dunn and R.J. Adelman (Rick’s son and a scout for the Sonics last season) signed on as Rick Adelman’s assistant coaches, watched Yao’s workout with Carroll Dawson, the former Rockets general manager and assistant coach, Tuesday.
“In my initial discussions with Rick, I talked a little bit about Yao and ways to use him and positions to use him on the offensive end,” said Sikma, a former assistant and All-Star with the SuperSonics. “We talked about the pounding he takes game in and game out and to find ways to reduce that. He’s still got to be a power player for us. His abilities on the low blocks cause a lot of consternation for opposing staffs. I know that firsthand. Maybe there are other ways for him to be effective — not just powering inside all the time.
“I just got a chance to talk with Carroll Dawson, who has been working with him and watched him. I’ve learned some things already. I’m getting a feel for where Yao is at, some areas to recognize where a tweak here or there or some fundamentals can lead to some improvements.”
To follow up on the my previous post with the translation of Yao talking about Carroll Dawson teaching him many great things, this article appeared in today’s Houston Chronicle about how new assistant coach Jack Sikma looks forward to doing the same. It’s such an interesting article, I am posting the whole thing down below (thank you Jonathan Feigen at the Chronicle):
On his first official day as a Rockets assistant coach, Jack Sikma did what he likely will do in most of the days to follow. He focused on the talents and potential of All-Star center Yao Ming.
Sikma, who along with Elston Turner, T.R. Dunn and R.J. Adelman (Rick’s son and a scout for the Sonics last season) signed on as Rick Adelman’s assistant coaches, watched Yao’s workout with Carroll Dawson, the former Rockets general manager and assistant coach, Tuesday.
“In my initial discussions with Rick, I talked a little bit about Yao and ways to use him and positions to use him on the offensive end,” said Sikma, a former assistant and All-Star with the SuperSonics. “We talked about the pounding he takes game in and game out and to find ways to reduce that. He’s still got to be a power player for us. His abilities on the low blocks cause a lot of consternation for opposing staffs. I know that firsthand. Maybe there are other ways for him to be effective — not just powering inside all the time.
“I just got a chance to talk with Carroll Dawson, who has been working with him and watched him. I’ve learned some things already. I’m getting a feel for where Yao is at, some areas to recognize where a tweak here or there or some fundamentals can lead to some improvements.”