http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2940957 Didn't see it posted...if its already posted, lock this thread Yao getting down on home court Rockets center knows he needs to take it on road By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle NBA: Houston 81, San Antonio 80 FINAL COMING UP Saturday: vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m. TV/Radio: Ch. 51, KILT (610 AM) Yao Ming understands he has to do it in every NBA arena. The Rockets need his shooting touch. They need his rebounds. And at home, they have been getting both. In the past three games, Yao has strung together his best outings of the season, highlighted by his 27-point, 10-rebound game in the Rockets' thrilling 81-80 victory over San Antonio on Thursday night. Yao has averaged 22.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in the past three home games -- all of which the Rockets won. In the past three road games, Yao averaged 17 points and nine rebounds. But Yao's improvement at home of late isn't restricted by numbers. His energy and defense have been just as noticeable. "His home and road stats, the differences are startling," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "But you know what? Yao was more energetic guarding pick-and-rolls tonight. (Spurs guard Tony) Parker is coming at you with a head of steam. (Yao's) trying, he's trying." It was Yao's consistent effort throughout the game that helped the Rockets remain close enough to allow Tracy McGrady to complete a miraculous comeback by scoring 13 points in the final 35 seconds. Yao scored six of his points in the final quarter. His final basket was a dunk from a missed layup by McGrady with 52.9 seconds to go and cut the deficit to 74-66. The dunk was the Rockets' first basket since Yao made a tipin off a McGrady miss with 2:38 left, making it 73-64. He finished 9-of-15 from the field and had two blocked shots. He also collected his seventh double double of the season. The past three performances have made two recent Yao outings seem much more distant. At Utah on Nov. 26, Yao had only nine points and four rebounds. The next night against Denver, Yao had eight points and six rebounds. "I think it's getting better because I just shoot the ball when I feel comfortable and try to get every rebound," Yao said. "And that's it. That's what I have to do." It's Yao's recent outings coupled with solid performances from McGrady that the Rockets have been waiting for all season. The two players have scored more than 20 points in the same game only five times this season. With so many players injured and the Rockets forced to play reserves not known for scoring, they need the offensive presence of Yao and McGrady. "When you get both of those two together, it makes it tough," forward Ryan Bowen said. Yao understands more responsibility rests on his shoulders with so many players being hurt, including starting forward Jim Jackson, who has missed two games with back spasms. Yao said it's the newcomers in the rotation who have helped the team improve. "We have a lot of bench players like Andre (Barrett) that play really hard," Yao said. "It changes our opponent's defense. He can drive and shoot well. And Scott Padgett, he stole the ball at the last minute for us to make the quick score. All of those players made our team change three games ago." Whatever the reason for Yao's big games, the Rockets want to make sure it continues. Next week, they know they will have to leave Toyota Center again for a road game, and Yao will need to take his game with him. "If you want to be a great team in the NBA, you have to play great at both sites, on the road and at home," Yao said. "That's what I need to learn." For now, the Rockets are simply thrilled to have Yao at home. Nine of the team's next 12 games are at Toyota Center, and the players have every intention of looking to the middle. "Our offense runs through him and Tracy," Juwan Howard said. "We need both of them to play well in order for us to have a shot at winning basketball games."
Did you guys see that play Mo slammed it down hard with a pass from Yao at the high post. It was a beauty. Yao needs to mix it up at both ends of the post.
