http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3739885.html Mavs collapse on Yao Rockets unable to hit outside, lose 6th straight By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle DALLAS - Long after he and the Rockets returned for the start of the second half, Yao Ming sat alone on the Rockets' bench, head down, eyes closed. Yao always takes a few moments to himself before the start of each half, but this seemed different. He never moved. He never looked up. He remained motionless, as if searching for a vision of better days. Certainly there was no chance to see them with his eyes open. By the end of the Rockets' sixth consecutive defeat, even Yao's previously unshakable offense was swamped, and the Rockets were overwhelmed in an 88-72 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday before 20,283 at American Airlines Center, the Mavericks' 187th consecutive sellout. "We're professional athletes; we got to fight through it," Rockets forward Keith Bogans said. "We're just not making shots. That's what it boils down to. They're sending two and three guys to Yao. We have to make shots." The Mavericks, with a defense so greatly improved in attitude and performance, were determined to allow the Rockets only poor shots. "They did a good job throwing more than one defender at him," Bogans said. "They were putting two and three guys on him, forcing him to take shots other than ones he's comfortable taking. They did a good job of that. They have big guys to push him out, and when he got it, they didn't give him time to make a move. They were right on top of him." Yao made just six of his 15 shots, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds, ending his streak of 20-point scoring games at 14. But in many ways, the Mavericks' defense was not much different, at least in design, than when Yao scored 36 against Dallas last week, or from the defenses Yao has seen in the previous five games with Tracy McGrady and David Wesley not around to offer perimeter scoring threats. But Tuesday, the Rockets were unable to work the ball back to Yao. As always, other than their fast start, they could not make the outside shots the Dallas defense allowed. "We were too hesitant when making decisions, when passing the ball out," Yao said. "They were looking for me to re-duck in, or make a drive. Whatever decision they make, it's all right. Just make a quick decision. Dallas was just in Houston. That's why they could get the double-team back to the position they need. "Whatever decision we make, just need to make it quick. The man comes to the double team, when they run out, we have a chance to penetrate, or shoot, or re-post, whatever we do. I think that's experience. This team ... the chemistry is not (good). I think it's pretty funny to say that at almost the end of the season." As with Monday's game against the Clippers, the Rockets did have a few minutes making shots. Monday, they made 12 of their first 18. Tuesday, they made six of 11 in the fourth quarter. They could not maintain that shooting pace. The Rockets made just seven of 21 shots in the second quarter. "We were able to get Yao the ball any time," Rafer Alston said. When the Rockets' offense failed them, so did their defense. The Mavericks rolled up 31 points in the second quarter to build a 17-point halftime lead. "I played my bench too much in that quarter," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. It was not until late in the third quarter that Yao got anything going toward the basket. Yao had three consecutive baskets at close range. Stromile Swift came in to put in a layup and a hard, lefthanded slam. After falling behind by as much as 20 in the third quarter, the Rockets closed to within 12 with eight minutes left. But when the Rockets drew close enough for the Mavericks to see them over their shoulder, Dirk Nowitzki went to work. When the Rockets were taking their first steps toward a move, Nowitzki scored Dallas' first 12 fourth-quarter points. His jumper over Swift with 5:11 left gave the Mavericks an 84-68 lead, Nowitzki 28 points and an end to Yao's night. Two minutes later, Van Gundy cleared his bench, and Yao ended the night watching; this time unable to look away. jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Why does he think he knows what Yao thinks more than those fans who "hang on his every word, move, expression, eye lash movment, toe wiggle, passing of gas, etc...."?
Yao has got to be one of the smartest players in the league. He understands perfectly that the problems with the offense are more than just missing shots...it's chemistry and the inability to make quick decisions. If Yao is getting doubled and tripled team, it doesn't mean the other players have to stand out there jacking 3's they constantly miss. Theoretically, the offense should be at an advantage. Lanes open up for layups, etc. BUT...the perimeter players are too confused. They are shooting so badly, they don't know if they should when they get the ball. They are concerned about defense, so don't crash through the lane for quick, easy buckets. And what little they are doing, they are doing way too slowly. Even poor defenses are able to rotate quick enough so our offensive advantage dissapears. It reminds me of that scene in Seabiscuit where they are trying to teach the horse to get a good jump with a starting gun....the team needs to practive having the ball passed to them and a gun going off immediately thereafter by which point they should have passed it, shot it or made a move.
Actually I'm both happy and concened about this. Yao starts to look like a (mean) leader, that's good. But will that hurt the team's chemistry more while it's already bad?
Most of those guys won't play a big part next year, at least I hope so. Rest be assured, if Yao doesn't like someone, he will be gone.
