Quote:
Yao then discussed why he played poorly. "I was not focused in the first half. I let Boozer score a basket, then I looked around for my man, and they were already going up for the shot already," Yao said. "I didn't prepare enough for this game. I had 3 fouls in the first half, but I thought two of them weren't fouls, the one defensive foul and the offensive foul. The second half I didn't have good rhythm, and I rushed a bit."
Thanks Pryuen for the story.
Yao does seem confused at times during the game but his statement reflects the fact that it was NOT a matter of being in a new system.
Yao says he allowed Boozer to score then looked around and his man was already going up for a shot.
Sound like last year? Yes, because the defense was one and the same---unchanged because Adelman hasn't tweeked it yet. Rox are still focusing on getting the offense down.
Last year Yao was frustrated while unable to defend against Boozer in the playoffs last year and that was under JVG.
This game he had the same defensive assignment as last year and roughly the same results. Give RA time to make adjustments because we can't have Yao switching assignments (Boozer then Okur then back to Boozer). Confusing for us to understand and even more confusing for Yao to play this way.
Anyway, JVG already proved that it is
physically impossible for Yao to be in two places at the same time. It takes certain people longer to understand the laws of physics.
Yao is best when he is planted on defense like a big sequoia battling slower big men, but when a center moves out to the 3-range he should be able to play it similarly to defending the high post.
He might not have to play man-to-man on Okur...Maybe more like a modified zone where he can also play passing lanes on his side when defending Okur. He will effectively be near the high post area such as he is on offense. And Okur is not as active as Boozer thus easier for him to defend.
This also gives the Rox the ability to cut off certain passing/shooting territory when Yao is out there in the 15 to 20 foot area.
We all know the Jazz are a good shooting team from all areas of the floor BUT Boozer is their number 1 option and eventually he will need to be neutralized by someone quicker and more athletic than Yao. If you still think Yao should guard Boozer then just consider not only that Boozer burns Yao consistently but that Yao picks up fouls quickly while defending Boozer as well.
Boozer is one of the best PF's in the game. He has both a size advantage and strength advantage over Chuck and Scola. There is nothing to suggest that he won't score that many on either of them. It isn't all about Yao guarding Boozer either, its about Yao's range on help defense. I think they put him on Boozer to get him closer to the basket so that when OTHER PLAYERS cut to the rim etc., Yao doesn't have as much ground to cover challenging the shot. No, Yao cannot defend Boozer, but I don't really think Chuck or Scola can either. Plus, what does it matter if Boozer gets his points if the rest of the team is well defended? I think the strategy worked. Yes Boozer got 30, but Yao effectively guarded the rim from other players (5 blocks) and had a good defensive game otherwise.