Indy Star: Rockets quickness a problem & Yao Mania

By Sekou Smith

sekou.smith@indystar.com

Rockets Quickness a Problem

December 19, 2002

HOUSTON -- In boxing, contrasting styles make the fight. In basketball, Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas said, the same rule applies.

Whenever his team matches up with guard-heavy Houston, like it did Wednesday night, Thomas said it makes for an interesting subplot.

Even though they have 7-5 Yao Ming on the roster, the Rockets' three-guard rotation of Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Moochie Norris is what gives the Pacers the most trouble, Thomas said.

"They play small and spread you out and it's speed and quickness against our strength and physical nature," Thomas said before the game. "If we can't slow the game down and get them into a half-court game, it's really to their advantage. And now with Yao, they've got a real stopper inside who can change shots and score inside, so they can really cause problems."

The Rockets brought an 8-2 home record into the game. That's another factor Thomas figured would make for an interesting matchup between teams that opened the season against each other. The Pacers won the first meeting, 92-81 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"History tells you that in this league, when you go to somebody else's arena and they're playing well," Thomas said, "There's going to be an a - - whoopin' unless you come ready to play. That's just the way it is."

Yao-mania

Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich is full of praise for Yao, stopping just shy of projecting potential greatness for his current pupil.

"He's a different player than Hakeem Olajuwon," Tomjanovich said of the inevitable comparison.

"But in Dream's development, we would be on the bench and say 'My God, he stole the ball from a guard.' With Yao, it's different things. The passes are unbelievable. The poise that a young guy like that has is really something special. It makes the game easy when you're getting layup opportunities in the half court."

Yao's ability to mesh with his new teammates helps, too.

"He's a basketball player, man," said Rockets guard Francis. "Nothing he does surprises me anymore."


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Call Sekou Smith at 1-317-444-6053.