Yao’s going off for 19 points and 9 boards/game. Obviously that’s not enough for a Rockets team that’s 2-4. The interesting thing, at least to me, is that his production didn’t climb in McGrady’s absence. He was the same old 19 ppg Yao. That kind of production is just not commensurate with his tremendous skill set. He took 8 shots last night. And 7 the game before. He’s averaging 15 field goal attempts on the year. The guy’s shooting 53% for his career! How can he not be over 20 ppg?

Yao is 7′6″, 310. Shaq is 7′1″, 325. But he wasn’t always that “big-boned.” Both were 1st overall picks. And both have +50% career FG averages (Shaq sits at 58%). The big difference is Yao hits 74% of his free throws. Shaq hits 53%. Yet Shaq’s averaged 27 ppg, and Yao 16.5.

In ‘99/’00 Shaq averaged 29 points, 14 boards, and 3 blocks/game for the Lakers. He took 21 shots from the floor and went to the line 10 times/game. That’s not Yao’s game. He’s never going to post up and draw fouls. But he’s a sharp enough outside shooter that, at 7′6″, he should be able to find easy hooks or layups.

Here’s the problem: Yao’s attempted 5 free throws/game over his 3 year career. That number has to go up. There aren’t many centers in the league who can guard him. So you’d figure that he’d draw fouls if the Rockets could just get the ball in his hands more often. What’s the alternative? Let the guy lay the ball in?

I don’t understand how he hasn’t cracked the 20 ppg average. But I think it would be a huge disappointment if he couldn’t get there. Why not let him take 5 hooks/game? His back-to-the-basket game just needs to develop to the point where he’s comfortable with the ball. We’ll wait and see if that happens.

Yao Ming Stats and Profile

Shaq Stats and Profile