A nice insightful read about YAO.

www.sportingnews.com/voices/sean_deveney/20020823.html

A nice read... too many people getting ahead on themeselves on MING.

but,

Yao's positives outweigh negatives in game vs. U.S.



August 23, 2002


OAKLAND -- Since we know so little, since all we have to go on is the word of scouts and NBA officials, since we have only a few grainy, B-grade video clips and a vaguely unconvincing May workout in Chicago, we have no choice but to glean bits of information about No. 1 NBA draft pick Yao Ming wherever we can get them.

When Yao makes an appearance against NBA players in an exhibition game, as he did here in front of a sellout crowd Thursday night with the Chinese national team, it will be picked apart and scrutinized. Heck, even Rudy Tomjanovich had a front-row seat. It's not fair, of course, but it's the unavoidable result of the mystery that has surrounded Yao.

Even before the exhibition, Team USA power forward Elton Brand pointed out that not much should be taken from Yao's debut, because his situation with the Chinese national team is far different than what he will face when he joins the NBA.

On the Chinese team, he is the focus and is surrounded by marginal talent. On the Rockets, his role will be much different, a complementary piece for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and even Mo Taylor and Eddie Griffin.

"It'll be a lot different," Brand said. "He has a bigger weight to carry now."

Still, from what he showed against the Americans, it seems that the Rockets were not entirely brain-dead when they made Yao the first pick. There were less-than-stellar moments, for sure -- such as when, in a span of two minutes in the first quarter, Yao missed two shots, had a double-dribble turnover and a goaltending violation. And we don't need to mention the missed dunk midway through the fourth quarter.

No doubt, the American team was determined to attack Yao from the outset. Three of the team's first four possessions went at Yao, with Jermaine O'Neal working in isolation (O'Neal traveled) and Antonio Davis twice working pick-and-rolls with Andre Miller (Davis made one layup and missed the other).

Yao held his own, though, and there were more positives than negatives on the night. He took a beating from Davis on both ends, with Davis dropping shoulders into Yao's back and sternum at every opportunity. Yao did not back down from Davis and threw a few elbows of his own.

Yao showed the versatility that made him attractive to the Rockets, draining most of his shots from 12 feet or beyond. He finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds and showed a nifty passing touch, collecting three assists.

He still needs to be more aggressive when blocking shots, but when you are 7-6, blocked shots are almost unavoidable. Yao finished with six, and his presence in the paint (China usually drops into a zone) made things difficult for Team USA.

Memphis Grizzlies scout Don Sellers was in China helping to coach the national team when Yao was 16 and has been following him since. He watched him in Oakland and said, "The one thing that stands out about him is that he is a smarter basketball player. There was a time when he would just stand inside and pound the ball into the floor, and let the defense swarm around him. He is smarter now. He can get his shot off, and he can pass and he knows to only put it on the floor when necessary."

There's still the question of Yao's ability to play in the post, and his appearance against the U.S. did nothing to answer that. He has good moves going away from the basket, getting fadeaways and baseline jumpers, but lacks a reliable go-to move toward the basket. He's the first to admit he will need to get stronger, and his overall conditioning must improve.

But, hey, it's not like we can really put too much stock in one game.

Sean Deveney is a staff writer for The Sporting News.