NBA Basketball has its dark sides. It is really depressing to think that dirty antics of Bowen and constant flopping by likes of Manu and Nowitzki get rewarded. It is equally disgusting to see Shaq being put on a pedestal despite his obvious shortcomings. Last night, I had a good night sleep. Last night, the right side won for all the right reasons. On a night when two All-time top NBA scrubs, Greg Anthony and Tim Legler, began the Houston Rockects vs. Miami Heat game broadcast with the obligatory Shaq and Wade love fest, Yao Ming took notice. On a night when the Heat were presented as the reigning champions and with 2 of the most dominating players in the NBA, Rockets convincingly thrashed them on their own home court. On a night when Shaquille O'Neal came out with a fury, in an attempt to disprove Tracy Mcgrady's proclamation that Yao Ming is the best center in the NBA, he only ended up proving him right. On a night when the ESPN experts repeatedly presented Yao Ming's 87% Free throw shooting as 78%, much like Foley being presented as a Democrat on Fox News, he came up with a 12-13 Free throw performance. On a night when Greg Anthony was not impressed with Yao, a center, taking the technical free throw, he saw his lover boy, O'Neal, brick Free throws after Not-so-Free throws. On a night when the 3 ESPN experts exclaimed in awe after a Shaq move, "Maybe with all that power you dont need to worry about FTs", Yao's play on the court screamed to all the young ones watching the game, "Oh yes you do!" On a night when the same ESPN "analysts" marveled at the explosiveness and power of Shaq and Wade, Yao Ming, a foreigner, displayed the importance of fundamentals to American youngsters watching the game on national TV. On a night when ESPN began the game in anticipation of annihilation of Yao Ming, and excessive criticism of his game to look like pundits, by late game, due to lack of anything substantial, the criticisms had been reduced to his lack of offensive rebounding vs. Wade. Nevermind the fact that Yao already had 10 rebounds by then, and ended up with 14 total. On a night when O'Neal's ill-begotten child, Dick Bevetta, let O'neal knock Yao on his head with his elbows, and leave massive scars and cuts on his arm, even he was unable to give out a technical to Yao for planting a massive scar on Shaq's reputation and ego. On a night when the refs would not allow Yao to put two hands on O'Neal for even a second, but let every inch of Alonzo Mourning's body explore Yao, Yao scored on Alonzo as if he were not even there. On a night when the refs decided to intercede on behalf of O'Neal, by letting him slap on Yao's wrist as Yao began his shooting motion, Yao responded by draining fadeways in is face. On a night when O'Neal was allowed to hack on Yao's arms as he got the offensive rebound, with no foul called, with the explanation that he did not have his feet set, with the added insult of not being credited for the rebound, Yao decided to let his play speak for him. I guess the stories of players getting rebounds, attempting a layup all in one motion, while getting fouled was a myth. Or perhaps it was only legal on NBC. On a night when Greg Anthony declared Yao's bank shot over Shaq a fluke, he got to see Yao drain another jumper right in O'Neal's mug as the shot clock ran down to 1 second. On a night when Greg Anthony kept trying to come off as a genius saying how hard it is for Rockets to score, his Heat team presented him with 3 quarters of offensive futility on a silver platter, while the Rockets exploded for 34 points in the decisive quarter. Going along his thinking then, it would be downright scary when the offense comes "easy" to Rockets. On a night when Shaq came out to let Tracy know he is still the best center, the outcome of the game left Wade saying, “We know who the best center in the league is.” Yes Wade, we can read in between the lines!
Yeah, I still remember the Shaq hit Yao's head hard. And Yao fell on ground. But no call That's pretty ridiculous.
A good commentary on the bias by ESPN "analysts" and Yao's determination to destroy Shaq last night! 5 stars from me as well
Great post! This one's my favorite because it is even more hypocritical than that. Wade was rebounding his own offensive misses...because he shot 36%! Yao, on the other hand, shot 58%...not quite so many misses to rebound.
Mmm, can't wait for the next national broadcast, on February 21, 2007 ESPN 8PM once again. I wan't to see how they start off commentating that game. I wan't to see T-Mac like we know him.
On a night when Shaq was a sour loser not admitting he was dominated, Yao classily gave Shaq some undeserved props that showed how humble he is and only made the old timer's remarks more embrassing.