Since Clutch hasn't gotten around to posting articles from the opposing team's papers I thought I would share these from this morning Minneapolis Startribune. Houston 95, Timberwolves 76: Franchise low 26 scored in loss http://www.startribune.com/stories/511/4325504.html and Wolves notes: Garnett says Yao doesn't intimidate him http://www.startribune.com/stories/511/4325481.html Wolves notes: Garnett says Yao doesn't intimidate him Steve Aschburner, Star Tribune Published January 18, 2004 WNOT0118 HOUSTON -- In four weeks, Kevin Garnett and Yao Ming figure to be teammates, most likely starting for the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. But Saturday, they were waging battle, matched up for several stints when the Timberwolves "went small" in the second half. Yao, the 7-6 center from Shanghai, had his best performance so far against the Wolves, with 22 points and 15 rebounds in 37 minutes of Houston's 95-76 victory. He had 13 and 10 by halftime, by which point the Rockets nearly had the game tucked away. Defensively, Yao had only two blocked shots (and had one of his own blocked by Wolves point guard Sam Cassell). But his presence allows other Houston defenders to gamble, relying on him to plant seeds of doubt in shooters' minds. "You're aware that he's there," Garnett said. "But you don't go in there thinking, 'I'm going to change my shot.' If anything, you are going to try to put it down his throat. Try to dunk on him or something like that. If I drive to the basket, if he's there, he's there. I'm not the least intimidated." Still, the first time Garnett went to the basket, he tried to bend a layup around the Houston center. Overshadowed in his second season by LeBron James mania, Yao has reached 20 points and 10 rebounds in three consecutive games. "He's been playing better. He's been more active," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. Said Yao of Garnett: "It's impossible to completely limit a player like that. The best you can hope to do is to go out there and stop him somewhat; for instance, if he is definitely going to score 10 points, you can hold him to eight." Old school gets older Cassell has a new hero: Mark Jackson. Jackson made it 17 NBA seasons when he signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets on Thursday. The veteran point guard ranks second in league history with 10,215 assists but that's not what caught Cassell's eye. It was Jackson's age. "Yeah, I'm going to play when I'm 38, too," said the 34-year-old Cassell. To do that, Cassell will need another contract; his current deal ends after the 2005-06 season. Arena envy? The Wolves made their first visit to the new Toyota Center. That means Target Center, which opened in 1990, now is the second-oldest arena in the Western Conference, behind only Sacramento's Arco Arena (1988). 10 days or bust Anthony Goldwire signed his second 10-day contract at the team's breakfast meeting Saturday. That means he's available through the game at Denver on Jan. 26, after which the Wolves must either sign him for the rest of the season or let him go.
This is how I want Yao to have an attitude like KG. Stuff down your opponents throat until you see something spill out.
I see no reason why KG would say he would be intimidated. Why would anyone of his star magnitude concede anything to a 2nd year player who is from a foreign land? However, the Twolves scored a franchise low for the 1st half. Considering the TWolves have had some very, very bad teams back before the KG and Stephon era, this defensive clamp on the best Twolve team in their history says something. It might not say a lot, but it says something.
Garnett has the RIGHT attitude! He's what most people want of Yao. No FEAR! I don't blame Garnett. As long as Garnett respects Yao...that's all that matters. Because sooner or later he HAVE TO!!! P.S. Garnett is one of the coolest players in the NBA. He's respected because he plays the game the right way, and he's not a dirty player. Oh, and Garnett ( ) is "Funny, real funny!"
I guess this writer found out that clutchfans BBS started a campaign to vote Yao into the game because the last polls had Shaq ahead of Yao by 25 K votes.
well, when you got pass your defender, suddenly facing a 7"6" wall, then you had to change your shots, throw up a couple airballs. I guess you are not intimidated. --daoshi
I don't understand why KG said that if he's not worry about people saying he changed his shots around the hoop because of Yao's intimidating presence. He might not be intimated but he definitely changed his shot going to the hoop. Maybe KG's still embarrassed about being fake out by a Yao move and fall to the floor while he was playing the chinese team on world bball championship.
KG knows this is his time against yao, because soon very soon Yao is going to dominate him and his team again. Get used to it KG!
Someone probably asked him if Yao intimidated him, since the majority of his shot attempts came from outside the paint. Don't blame him, it was clogged by Yao, Cato and Mo T the entire game. Neither Garnett nor any other top NBA baller would be so foolish to state he is intimidated by any other player to the media. You only need to see the following quote from Garnett to see he definitely acknowleges Yao's presence: "Yao played very tough. They definitely have improved defensively, and that starts with Yao inside." http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/quotes040117.html
guys, KG is the biggest trash talker in the league, after Gary retired a couple of years ago... KG is outspoken Yao is modest this is just a difference in culture... KG wouldn't admit he was intimidated even if Yao slammed it in his face five times in a row although Yao gives modest quotes, dont question his heart, this guy has championship pride in him and he also is not intimidated by anyone...i think glen rice said something like this last year when Yao was a rookie...
Probably true since he still has to play the Rox twice this year. I think coming after the pasting the T-Wolves got including him scoring 10 below his season average Garnett's quote sounded somewhat empty and I think Aschburner caught on to that since he noted Garnett changed his shot the first time he ran into Yao on Saturday.
Why would KG be intimidated? He is tall enough and too fast for Yao to guard, at least now. On the other hand, Yao is probably a bit too heavy for KG to handle.
Don't confuse "being afraid" with "being smart by passing when a 7'6" guy is standing there waitng to block your shot."
Yao scored almost every single time he posted on Garnett. Other than Shaq Yao can score on anyone (1 on 1) down low.
