Chron: When evaluating Yao, don't overlook how we measure up

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1639311

Oct. 29, 2002, 10:38PM

When evaluating Yao, don't overlook how we measure up
By JOHN P. LOPEZ
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

INDIANAPOLIS -- Since arriving from China to this land of the free and home of the unrestricted free agent, Yao Ming has made a nice first impression.

Just nice. Nothing spectacular, nothing horrific.

But anyone who expected more after just 11 days with the Rockets should remember that even the mere glimmers of hope Yao has offered are better than the first impressions Rocket City has made on him.

In fact, if Yao's first 11 days in Houston were the only gauge by which to draw conclusions about his new home, Yao probably would be looking for an out clause in his contract and a ticket back to Shanghai today instead of quality minutes against the Pacers tonight.

Since Yao's arrival, it has rained virtually every day. Maybe his 7-5 frame changed atmospheric pressure or something.

At any rate, it hasn't been just sprinkles or showers raining on Yao's welcoming party, but torrential rains, with dark clouds, lightning bolts and ark-building seminars at Home Depot.

"The last time I saw (the sun) was about two weeks ago," Yao said Tuesday. "It seemed like we were taking a boat home from practice, not a car."

Also since Yao's arrival, the biggest newsmakers on the airwaves have included lunatic snipers roaming the streets, a gubernatorial candidate hinting at laundered drug money in the other camp and a movie star standing trial for shoplifting at Saks.

Keep in mind, Yao was educated by a state-run Chinese school system that portrays Americans as lunatic killers who take drugs, make idols of deranged Hollywood stars and are led by crooked politicians.

We haven't exactly been kicking down the doors to freedom and the American way around here lately.

The point is, maybe you can only make one first impression and maybe first impressions are important.

But with Yao's debut against the Pacers already upon us, what we've seen from him thus far is hardly the best barometer for what to expect this season.

He has been good, no doubt. There have been hints at greatness. His size is remarkable and his athletic ability probably better than anyone could have imagined, considering previous 7-footish lugs like Manute Bol and Georghe Muresan.

"Nothing I've seen has been any different than what the coaches told us to expect from him," Rockets guard Steve Francis said. "There's been a lot of strenuous things for him, but his attitude and work have been great. He just needs to be himself and it will be great."

Yao admittedly has been nervous, tired and eager at times with the Rockets, even during practice.

Picking up the Rockets' system has been difficult, much less picking up everything else about day-to-day life in this foreign land.

But it has been just 11 days. Every conceivable thing in Yao's life changed overnight. Adjusting doesn't come in 11 days.

"On top of everything else," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He came into camp later than everyone else and had to go through all the usual things rookies go through. It's not easy adjusting to this league for American guys. I can't imagine for him. It's been so much, so fast."

Projecting wins and losses right now, then, is impossible.

It probably will take 11 weeks before the legitimate trends and impressions begin revealing themselves. It could be the All-Star break before Yao fully grasps the offensive and defensive schemes.

Further down the road are things like tired legs and bleary eyes from four games in six nights. Homesickness surely will set in.

There will be stretch-run adjustments, mysterious fouls called by officials hoping to keep the big rookie in his place and raising the stakes even higher for the playoffs, presuming that is where the Rockets end up.

As much as Yao has indeed impressed already with a fluid offensive style and an ability to learn quickly, he says he probably has showed just 70-80 percent of everything in his game.

"I am adjusting (to the NBA)," Yao said. "Every day is so busy."

We haven't seen anything yet from the big young man with a nice turnaround jumper. The first 11 days have been just a blurry, single snapshot. A first impression. A blink.

We'll have our eyes wide open tonight when the games become real and the minutes more meaningful. And every night we'll see a little more clearly everything that Yao could be for the Rockets.

Until then, all we know is he's made a nice first impression on us, and that's a lot better than we've done for him.