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[Yahoo] For Yao, one and done is no longer an option

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by the_hustler, Apr 20, 2009.

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the_hustler Member

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Fran with his take on Yao along with the usual McGrady bashing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...?slug=ys-yaorockets042009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

While his teammates were out on the floor hoisting jump shots, flicking in finger rolls, taking their final warm-ups for the start of the playoffs, Yao Ming was sitting on the Houston Rockets’ bench with his head bowed, his eyes closed and his arms crossed on his lap.

It was the last time he was silent all night.

Yao exploded like a hand grenade in a china shop, and now the conventional wisdom says it’s the Portland Trail Blazers who must pick up the broken pieces.

That’s because Yao did virtually anything he wanted against the defense of Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden. He shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, 6-for-6 from the free-throw line for his 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots in a stunning and decisive 108-81 victory in the series opener.

He was confident. He was comfortable. He was ready to lead. He was not ready to celebrate.

“Get out of the first round,” Yao said. “Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

It is the mantra in his head and the thorn in his side. For all of the attention that’s been given through the years to Tracy McGrady’s failure to win an NBA playoff series, Yao’s ledger is not quite as thick, but just as empty.

Yao was the Rockets’ center when they were whipped by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, blew a 2-0 lead to the Dallas Mavericks coming home to Houston in 2005 and leads of 2-0 and 3-2 to the Utah Jazz in 2007. Then he watched helplessly with a broken bone in his left foot as the Jazz eliminated the Rockets in the opening round again last season.

All of which is why Yao has often used the same response this spring to every question this side of: How’s the weather?

“Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

Yao wears it like a hair shirt, an uncomfortable, irritating reminder that for all of his accomplishments in the NBA, he has not done the one thing that matters most – win in the postseason.

So there he sat on the Rockets’ bench as the clock counted down to the start of another playoff season, reflecting as a way of motivating himself.

“I just think what is important for me,” Yao said. “My wife, my family and these games. I think that’s how we win – mentally.”

It might as well be an anvil dangling from a thick chain around his neck for the way Yao feels the weight, which is just one more way that he is different from McGrady.

While T-Mac can jump and soar and perform amazing feats on a basketball court, Yao was simply born big. While McGrady – in his prime – could instinctively do things with a ball that others only dreamed about, Yao had to toil continuously to make that 7-6 frame into a seven-time All-Star center.

While T-Mac throws up his arms and nods toward his supporting casts when it’s pointed out that he is the only NBA scoring leader (two times) in league history to have never won a playoff series, Yao sees the Rockets’ shortcomings as his personal burden. While McGrady now spends his time during these playoffs in Chicago rehabbing his left knee that underwent microfracture surgery in February, Yao sat powerlessly and painfully on the bench for every game last season following surgery on his broken left foot.

Two years ago, before entering the playoffs against Utah, McGrady proclaimed, “It’s all on me.” Then after the Jazz won the series, he shrugged and said, “It was never on me.” On that night one year ago when the Rockets were eliminated in Utah, Yao sat on a training table inside the locker room with tears running down his face because he could not help.

It is a burden that Yao carries representing two vastly different constituencies and cultures that both expect the same high level of success. He literally stands head and shoulders above the other celebrity symbols of China’s rising power in the 21st century. He is constantly aware of the weight of 1.5 billion countrymen resting on his shoulders. Yao also knows the Rockets made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft with the expectation that he would carry on the franchise’s MVP tradition at center in the footsteps of Moses Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon, both of whom carried their teams to the NBA Finals.

At 28, now finishing his seventh season in the NBA, Yao understands that time and careers have a way of slipping by quickly and he hears the seconds and the seasons ticking loudly inside his head.

“You only get so many years and so many chances,” he said. “I am tired of waiting for the next year.”

So even in another season when the Rockets suffered another crippling injury, there was more resolve than regret in the response of Yao. Who would have believed that Ron Artest could prove to be a better Robin to Yao’s Batman than McGrady? Who would have thought the Rockets could roll on to a 22-8 conclusion to the regular season after T-Mac shut it down? Who could have envisioned such a dominating start to the playoffs?

Perhaps the huge man sitting on the bench with his head bowed, his eyes closed and his mind on one thing:

“Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

It’s Yao Ming’s mantra and his millstone.
Click to expand...

#1 the_hustler, Apr 20, 2009

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While McGrady now spends his time during these playoffs in Chicago rehabbing his left knee that underwent microfracture surgery in February, Yao sat powerlessly and painfully on the bench for every game last season following surgery on his broken left foot.
Click to expand...

God... seriously?

Cue the rampage.

#2 napalm06, Apr 20, 2009
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Already posted in another thread, but I think it is deserving of it's own thread. Interesting to see how others compare the two different, yet similar, situations. Great read BTW.

#3 shaggylambda, Apr 20, 2009
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I think his passive aggressive attacks on McGrady were just a little overboard, but you can't argue with the comparison between T-mac and Yao. One cares too much and the other can't seem to give a damn.

I hope Yao finally gets the praise he deserves when he brings the Lakers to Game 7 by dominating them.

#4 ParaSolid, Apr 20, 2009
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ParaSolid said:

I hope Yao finally gets the praise he deserves when he brings the Lakers to Game 7 by dominating them.
Click to expand...

I can drink to that.

#5 napalm06, Apr 20, 2009
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Fran Blinebury said:

Yao exploded like a hand grenade in a china shop
Click to expand...

what a creepy metaphor!

#6 BaiHua, Apr 20, 2009
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I won't start a thread on this even though it probably deserves it. Did anyone happen to catch Charles Barkley after the Spurs/ Mavs game? WOW, he was talking good about the Rockets and BOY WAS HE EATING THAT CROW!!! Talking about how good Yao is and if he can stay healthy, he could be scary. Eat that crow Chuck! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

#7 NUMBER1HR, Apr 20, 2009

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NUMBER1HR said:

I won't start a thread on this even though it probably deserves it. Did anyone happen to catch Charles Barkley after the Spurs/ Mavs game? WOW, he was talking good about the Rockets and BOY WAS HE EATING THAT CROW!!! Talking about how good Yao is and if he can stay healthy, he could be scary. Eat that crow Chuck! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I saw that and Kenny and that other dude laughed at his change of heart, why:

1. Charles Barkley picked Portland to win this series and now he has Houston winning the series.

2. Charles has such HIGH praise of Yao in distinct contrast to saying he was a bust and the whole donkey-kissing incident way back when

or both 1 and 2?

#8 Tfor3, Apr 21, 2009
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NUMBER1HR said:

I won't start a thread on this even though it probably deserves it. Did anyone happen to catch Charles Barkley after the Spurs/ Mavs game? WOW, he was talking good about the Rockets and BOY WAS HE EATING THAT CROW!!! Talking about how good Yao is and if he can stay healthy, he could be scary. Eat that crow Chuck! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Got a youtube link of that?

#9 dback816, Apr 21, 2009
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dback816 said:

Got a youtube link of that?
Click to expand...

I second that.

#10 devin23, Apr 21, 2009
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[Blinebury]For Yao, one and done is no longer an option

didnt see it posted lock if it has been

For Yao, one and done is no longer an option

By Fran Blinebury, Special to Yahoo! Sports 4 hours, 57 minutes ago

While his teammates were out on the floor hoisting jump shots, flicking in finger rolls, taking their final warm-ups for the start of the playoffs, Yao Ming was sitting on the Houston Rockets’ bench with his head bowed, his eyes closed and his arms crossed on his lap.

It was the last time he was silent all night.

Yao exploded like a hand grenade in a china shop, and now the conventional wisdom says it’s the Portland Trail Blazers who must pick up the broken pieces.

That’s because Yao did virtually anything he wanted against the defense of Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden. He shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, 6-for-6 from the free-throw line for his 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots in a stunning and decisive 108-81 victory in the series opener.

He was confident. He was comfortable. He was ready to lead. He was not ready to celebrate.

“Get out of the first round,” Yao said. “Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

It is the mantra in his head and the thorn in his side. For all of the attention that’s been given through the years to Tracy McGrady’s failure to win an NBA playoff series, Yao’s ledger is not quite as thick, but just as empty.

Yao was the Rockets’ center when they were whipped by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, blew a 2-0 lead to the Dallas Mavericks coming home to Houston in 2005 and leads of 2-0 and 3-2 to the Utah Jazz in 2007. Then he watched helplessly with a broken bone in his left foot as the Jazz eliminated the Rockets in the opening round again last season.

All of which is why Yao has often used the same response this spring to every question this side of: How’s the weather?

“Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

Yao wears it like a hair shirt, an uncomfortable, irritating reminder that for all of his accomplishments in the NBA, he has not done the one thing that matters most – win in the postseason.

So there he sat on the Rockets’ bench as the clock counted down to the start of another playoff season, reflecting as a way of motivating himself.

“I just think what is important for me,” Yao said. “My wife, my family and these games. I think that’s how we win – mentally.”

It might as well be an anvil dangling from a thick chain around his neck for the way Yao feels the weight, which is just one more way that he is different from McGrady.

While T-Mac can jump and soar and perform amazing feats on a basketball court, Yao was simply born big. While McGrady – in his prime – could instinctively do things with a ball that others only dreamed about, Yao had to toil continuously to make that 7-6 frame into a seven-time All-Star center.

While T-Mac throws up his arms and nods toward his supporting casts when it’s pointed out that he is the only NBA scoring leader (two times) in league history to have never won a playoff series, Yao sees the Rockets’ shortcomings as his personal burden. While McGrady now spends his time during these playoffs in Chicago rehabbing his left knee that underwent microfracture surgery in February, Yao sat powerlessly and painfully on the bench for every game last season following surgery on his broken left foot.

Two years ago, before entering the playoffs against Utah, McGrady proclaimed, “It’s all on me.” Then after the Jazz won the series, he shrugged and said, “It was never on me.” On that night one year ago when the Rockets were eliminated in Utah, Yao sat on a training table inside the locker room with tears running down his face because he could not help.

It is a burden that Yao carries representing two vastly different constituencies and cultures that both expect the same high level of success. He literally stands head and shoulders above the other celebrity symbols of China’s rising power in the 21st century. He is constantly aware of the weight of 1.5 billion countrymen resting on his shoulders. Yao also knows the Rockets made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft with the expectation that he would carry on the franchise’s MVP tradition at center in the footsteps of Moses Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon, both of whom carried their teams to the NBA Finals.

At 28, now finishing his seventh season in the NBA, Yao understands that time and careers have a way of slipping by quickly and he hears the seconds and the seasons ticking loudly inside his head.

“You only get so many years and so many chances,” he said. “I am tired of waiting for the next year.”

So even in another season when the Rockets suffered another crippling injury, there was more resolve than regret in the response of Yao. Who would have believed that Ron Artest could prove to be a better Robin to Yao’s Batman than McGrady? Who would have thought the Rockets could roll on to a 22-8 conclusion to the regular season after T-Mac shut it down? Who could have envisioned such a dominating start to the playoffs?

Perhaps the huge man sitting on the bench with his head bowed, his eyes closed and his mind on one thing:

“Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round. Get out of the first round.”

It’s Yao Ming’s mantra and his millstone.
Click to expand...

LINK

#11 The_Yoyo, Apr 21, 2009
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nice one fran.. we miss u in the houston chronicle blogs!

#12 gabion, Apr 21, 2009
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Thanks. Nice one by Fran. I really hope Yao at the very least leads this team to 2nd round.

#13 Setuablaz3, Apr 21, 2009

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wtfudge

Yao exploded like a hand grenade in a china shop, and now the conventional wisdom says it’s the Portland Trail Blazers who must pick up the broken pieces.

#14 SuperStar, Apr 21, 2009
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Yao's commitment and sense of responsibility is what makes him different from many other basketball players, including Tmac. And thats why many of his teammates and coaches love the guy.

#15 Cha Sui Bao, Apr 21, 2009
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每次防守挡拆，姚明千万不要上位太靠前。
有两个弊端，一个是对方中锋冲进去，直接上篮，姚明跟不住。
一个是，罗伊直接面对远离篮筐的姚明，突破空间很大。

反正我的感觉是，退一步两步就可以回到篮筐附近，这样能压住罗伊的突破
当然太远了，他就要抛投。抛投还是突破，罗伊肯定是根据姚明所处的位置去感觉。
肯定也不要随便放他抛投，他起来的时候手往上放就好了。一瞬间的位置感最重要，他挡拆后开始犹豫最好了。~

，这个火箭应该没事就练练，让AB挡拆打姚明，反正这厮的小抛投还有杀伤力。

#16 jackey_ji, Apr 21, 2009
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On that night one year ago when the Rockets were eliminated in Utah, Yao sat on a training table inside the locker room with tears running down his face because he could not help.
Click to expand...

I never heard about this, but if it's true (and I wouldn't be surprised if it was), I am really thankful that Yao is on this team. He truly cares about winning and contributing and doing his best. It's a blessing to have someone like that.

#17 tofu--, Apr 21, 2009
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jackey_ji said:

每次防守挡拆，姚明千万不要上位太靠前。
有两个弊端，一个是对方中锋冲进去，直接上篮，姚明跟不住。
一个是，罗伊直接面对远离篮筐的姚明，突破空间很大。

反正我的感觉是，退一步两步就可以回到篮筐附近，这样能压住罗伊的突破
当然太远了，他就要抛投。抛投还是突破，罗伊肯定是根据姚明所处的位置去感觉。
肯定也不要随便放他抛投，他起来的时候手往上放就好了。一瞬间的位置感最重要，他挡拆后开始犹豫最好了。~

，这个火箭应该没事就练练，让AB挡拆打姚明，反正这厮的小抛投还有杀伤力。
Click to expand...

Is this a Rorschach test?

If so, I see is some kind of weird tank with a long gun sticking out of the front.

What does that mean, doc?

#18 BrooksBall, Apr 21, 2009

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posted already

#19 the_hustler, Apr 21, 2009
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jackey_ji said:

每次防守挡拆，姚明千万不要上位太靠前。
有两个弊端，一个是对方中锋冲进去，直接上篮，姚明跟不住。
一个是，罗伊直接面对远离篮筐的姚明，突破空间很大。

反正我的感觉是，退一步两步就可以回到篮筐附近，这样能压住罗伊的突破
当然太远了，他就要抛投。抛投还是突破，罗伊肯定是根据姚明所处的位置去感觉。
肯定也不要随便放他抛投，他起来的时候手往上放就好了。一瞬间的位置感最重要，他挡拆后开始犹豫最好了。~

，这个火箭应该没事就练练，让AB挡拆打姚明，反正这厮的小抛投还有杀伤力。
Click to expand...

What he said.

#20 aussie rocket, Apr 21, 2009

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