Houston Rockets center Yao Ming believes the basketball style
his new coach Rick Adelman brings to the team will not be a problem
for him in the upcoming season.
"I do not think it's hard to get used to the new style," said
the five-time All-Star center, who arrived at the University of
Texas last Friday for Rockets' training camp. Today is the Rockets'
first preseason game.
"I have been learning his offense throughout the off-season,"
Yao said. "I know I need some time to get fully involved. But it
will not be a problem."
Some have expressed concern about whether the 7-foot-6,
310-pound center will have the energy and speed to keep pace with
Adelman's up-tempo offense.
Yao mostly played as a low-block pivot in former coach Jeff Van
Gundy's system. Adleman's system will require Yao to play more out
near the elbow and act as a distributor, setting teammates up with
passes.
But having spent the summer in China studying Adelman's offense,
Yao said he was feeling more and more comfortable playing with some
of his new teammates and getting back to work.
"Our general manager did a lot of work in the summer," said Yao,
referring to new Rockets GM Daryl Morey. "The team is much
stronger. There are a lot of new guys. I think this team is the one
that I want.
"I understand more about the system," Yao said. "We're
developing chemistry with the teammates, because in the new system,
everybody can shoot and the open-shot timing will be
different."
Yao's teammates are also glad to see that he is capable of
running the court.
"He already seemed pretty comfortable," Rockets star Tracy
McGrady said. "He didn't ask any questions when we were going
through it so I guess he's been studying. He's getting up and down
the court and he's in great shape."
Adelman also tried to ease some of the pressure on Yao, saying
there has been a misconception about how he plans to use the
center.
The coach does want to utilize Yao's passing ability and pull
him away from the basket at times, but he still wants Yao to post
up down low.
"We can't give that up," Adelman said. "What I don't want him to
do is play 36 minutes where he just gets pounded the whole time
coming down the court.
"He goes down to that low post and gets hit and hit. The guy is
just an unbelievable shooter so why not try to get a little variety
with what he's doing."
Asked about his prospective on the club's new season, Yao said
he hopes the team's hard work over the summer pays off.
"You reap the harvest you sow," Yao said. "I think it is time
for us to get something out of the new season."
Yao has led the Rockets into the playoffs three times in his
five-year NBA career but has never made it past the first
round.
(China Daily October 9, 2007)