MSN: Shaq-Yao is Clash of the Titans

I know the game doesn't tip-off for, oh, another 44 hours or so, but it's never too early to get excited for the best matchup in basketball! Yao vs. Shaq, here we go again!


http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4633851/


In boxing, the heavyweight division attracts the most attention, which is a bit unfair, since the lower weight classes offer prizefighters who are quicker and more skilled.

In fact, most of the time, heavyweights are, by definition, heavy. They often fall into the lummox category. If a heavyweight can climb into the ring without strangling himself on the ropes, he is considered nimble and deft. The public enjoys seeing large individuals locked in combat in a confined space for the same reason folks drive SUVs, order super-sized meals and buy giant TVs. To paraphrase a famous political axiom: It's the spectacle, stupid.

With this in mind, we segue seamlessly to the sport of pro basketball, where two behemoths take center stage Thursday night at Staples Center in a heavyweight bout that is the finale of what is developing into the Ali-Frazier of the hardwood. In this corner, the Lakers, featuring 7-foot-1, 350-pound Shaquille O'Neal, a.k.a. The Big Incumbent. And in that corner, the visiting Houston Rockets, featuring the Chinese Checker, 7-5, 300-pound Yao Ming. All that's missing is Don King to talk a lot and then take everybody’s money.

Houston leads the season series, 2-1, but that's not why the game is pivotal. There are implications for this upcoming set of playoffs, and indeed, for postseasons yet to come. O'Neal and Yao represent the last of a dying breed: the dominant center. The NBA has become a small man's game. Even the world's finest big men like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Jermaine O'Neal and Rasheed Wallace all have games in which finesse outweighs power.

O'Neal and Yao are the only two centers patrolling the earth who deserve the superstar tag. They do a dominant center's work, which is to rebound, defend, block shots and, when buckets are called for, they can barge in and help themselves. That is not to say there is no touch involved in their respective repertoires; when he isn't dunking, Shaq makes a nice living off a stunted jump hook, while Yao is an adept outside marksman. But they're centers in the traditional sense. They are this generation's George Mikan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Artis Gilmore, Hakeen Olajuwon, Pat Ewing.

And Thursday night's game is significant because so far this season, Yao has a slight edge, and you know Shaq is lying in bed at night with a scowl over this, much the same way Wilt felt when Russell got his goat. Shaq's not used to this. He usually sleeps like a baby.

In their first meeting this year, on Christmas Day in Los Angeles, the Rockets won, 99-87, although Shaq won the statistical battle. He had 22 points, 10 boards and three blocks to Yao’s 18, eight and two. The mere idea that Yao was able to face up against Shaq and hold his own was almost a victory in itself.

On Feb. 11, Houston prevailed at home, 102-87, and Yao raised eyebrows by outplaying Shaq. Yao had 29 points, 11 rebounds and one block; Shaq had 24 points, nine boards and four blocks. Shaq did everything to try and stop Yao save for calling immigration authorities, to no avail. The war was on.

Then on March 3 in Houston, Yao got the better of O'Neal on the stat sheet but the Lakers won, 96-93. Yao had 33 points, eight boards and one block to Shaq's 28-7-5. Also noteworthy is that Yao nailed all seven of his free throws, while O'Neal choked out a 2-for-13 performance.

Overall this season, they're close. Shaq is averaging 22 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.43 blocks; Yao's numbers are 18, 9 and 1.93. But the idea that they are equals, that Shaq can no longer refer to himself as the Baddest Man on the Planet without getting an argument, is a delight to all of those who enjoy their battles big.

There is a chance that the Lakers could meet the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Kobe Bryant most assuredly would be a major factor in the outcome, and probably would take over the proceedings in stirring Jordanesque fashion. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley certainly would represent a potent and clutch backcourt for the Rockets that would figure in the outcome.

But the center matchup would be titanic. And it would be Shaq's most formidable individual foe since Phil Jackson came to the Lakers and taught them how to win championships. In 2000, Shaq had to get past Vlade Divac and Sacramento in the first round, and later Arvydas Sabonis and Portland in the conference finals. Those series were intensely competitive, but his own personal battle was nothing he couldn't handle.

In 2001, the Lakers swept San Antonio in the conference finals, and his matchup against David Robinson was no contest. Ditto in 2002, against The Admiral in the semis and Divac in the West finals.

This is different. Yao is a more perplexing challenge. He has a height advantage, so he's harder to deal with. He has range on his jumper, so Shaq has to travel out of the paint to defend him. He can power his way inside, too, and has a nifty low post game that is improving. As for the knock on him, that he was too timid and needed to get nastier – expressed by none other than his head coach, Jeff Van Gundy – he seems to have caught on. With Yao, it is less of a case of being passive and more about learning to get into the habit of being aggressive.

As for Shaq, lately he has been willing to accept the No. 2 post behind Bryant in the offense, and has been concentrating on rebounding and defense. The result is a retooled Shaq and a more effective Shaq. His game isn’t all that different, just streamlined.

What hasn't changed about O'Neal is his supreme annoyance whenever anyone suggests he isn't the best at what he does. He may have to get used to that, because Yao is the real deal, and he's here to stay. This is a heavyweight rematch with no end in sight.