Well, it seems like Yao has been taking a lot of the heat from the fans lately. I think this is a good time to share some of his games that made us to believe that he will become a super-star one day. So, which game of Yao in his short NBA career that you think shows a lot of his potential to become a star? Here's mine... 1st yr- Break out game againt the Shaqless lakers and cause Sir Charles to kiss Kenny's ass. Sure you could down play Yao's game b/c Shaq was out, but this was the game that proved a lot of critics wrong and it shows flashes of brilliant on what he could do on the court offensively and passing...its how quickly he adjusted to the NBA's style is what surprising me in this game. He ended up with a perfect FG% and gathered 19pts. 1st yr- Game vs. Indiana at home. This was I think his most important game as far as his development goes. This game shows pretty much all of Yao's weapons offensively and defensively while goin head on against Brad Miller and dominated him. He did it all here, sky hooks, outside chip shots, fade-aways,nice passing, inside post moves, rebounding and he even started the Shanghi-shake(a move similiar to the Dream's up and under move). I believe he had like 27pts in this one. 2nd yr- 2nd game vs Shaq's Lakers right before christmas. The first game of his where he showed us he can be a dominate force in the league by outplaying Shaq for the first time. At the end of the game, he shown us he doesn't fear Shaq by bulldozing him head on and scored causing Shaq to foul out and the fans went crazy. Boy, how I miss his game back then. He's just a diffrent type of player now where he only plays in the low post and almost no passing to see of. I agree with everyone who said he should play both an outside and inside game and this would help open the floor for everyone and could cause the opponents defense to collapse. The probelm is, he can't shoot from the outside anymore. I wonder if this is b/c he is bulking up too much? Mabye a slimmer Yao like the one in the 2nd yr is best for him? Whatever it is, I hope his outside touch will come back b/c I do believe its one of his best strenght if use properly.
There was that Mavs game where he went off on Bradley and company. That was one of his "breakout" games.
I recall him having a huge game against Duncan/Robinson his rookie season where had 20+ points and 14 or so rebounds. I agree that Yao's passing has completely disappeared. It seems no one slashed to the basket as Cat, JJ and Steve did. I wish Yao and T-Mac would play a two man game and have T-Mac slash to the basket when Yao is being doubled in the post. T-Mac usually scores of picks, beating his man off the dribble or those sweet jump shots. He could get alot of easier opportunities by slashing to the goal.
I think he actually had over 40 pts in that game. That was right after his first 20 point game against the Lakers where Chuck lost the bet and as to kiss Kenny's ass.
Yao has more dominant games this season. When fans are apathy to his 20 pts games and even get disappointed over a 25 pts 5 rbs outing, you know Yao has slowly become a dominant player.
I miss the one play where yao would get the ball in the post and the entry passer would circle around yao's right and yao would just dump the ball over his head and the cutter would have an easy layup. I saw him connect with mobley and francis a on this play before.
I agree that it was the game against Indiana. Prior to that game, he was playing only 15-20 mpg. That was the first game that he played a significantly longer time, and marked a development in his stamina.
The one he played against Orlando last year that got Tracy thinking about playing with him this year.
The most memorable game got to be Shaq-Yao I. The hype on Yao is how he measures up against Shaq, not Samaki Walker, Shawn Bradley, Brad Miller, or David Robinson. That game was so totally electrifying. Yao's first 3 blocks on Shaq's first 3 shot attempts? Are you kidding me? There is nothing more mesmorizing than that. Also Shaq-Yao IV where Yao fouled Shaq out! When was the last time you remember an opposing center fouled Shaq out? Bill Walton's comment on Yao Ming's play against Shaquael O'Neal, Houston, Texas, Feb 17, 2004: "Are we seeing a turning point in history? How do you describe this play? Perfection. Hakeem Olajuwon... This is a historic event. We are seeing a 22-year old Yao Ming, in his 2nd year, calling the ball against Shaqueal O'Neal. Who would have ever thought? ... These fans are going to walk out here tonight saying 'Yeah. That's special. We were there. I remember when and I am coming back for more.' "
With 41 points (15/21), 16 boards, 7 assists,2 blocks, he played 50 min and was clutch in triple OT vs. Sura's Hawks. 7 assists from Yao? Incredible.
That is sooo true. If you look at Yao now, at him averaging close to 19 and 9 in 30 minutes a game, and fans still not pleased with his output, that is either a testament to how much is expected of him, or showing how ungrateful these fans are.
You know there was this one game in which he drove against Shaq and Bill Walton called "nothing but perfection". Yeah, I think that it.
That 31pts game agaisnt Shaq last year at Toyota. Name another player that could drop 31 points while mostly guarded by Shaq at low post. Ducan might have had his numbers against the lakers, but he and Shaq did match each other for most of their games. Yao plays much better against a real center, even Shaq. League has to make a little more favorable for the big man. To me it's more entaining to see giants battle each other, not the hobits jump around shooting treys whenever they can get their hands on. I say make low post move scoring 3 point, and get rid of the 3 point line.
Yeah, the game where he fouled Shaq out and he also hit that driving left handed layup on "Big Aristotle" and then ran up the court screaming and pumping his arms while the TC went bezerk. That was the emotional Yao that I want to see back. I sure wish Van Gundy would put that video together before games to remind Yao of the energy and emotion that he needs to play with.
with out a doubt february 17, at la against shaq and the lakers. anyone who doesnt think this game is at the top of the mountain by FAR, doesnt love their mother.
The 29 point and 33 point performance against Shaq at home home last season was the best game Yao played as a Rockets, period. His 33 point game against the Kings at home, 40 point game against the Raptors, 27 point, 10 board game against the Spurs this season, 27 point + 16 board performance against the Spurs, 29 point 10 board 6 block game against the Pacers (Shanghai shake baby) his first season, 37 point game against the Magic last season (which pretty much convinced TMac to join the Rockets) are also great games by the big fellow.
Yeah, well this reminds me of something. Lot of people have said here that Yao regressed compare with his rookie season. But if you look at the 10 match-ups against Shaq, he did far far better in his 2nd year than the first year. Last year, he only had like 1 or two streaks of games where he scored 20 or more points, but this year he has lot of 20+ pts games in a row. Defensively, he was lost out there his assignments in the rookie year, 2nd year he didnt trap enough, and this year he has been a lot better in those two areas and gradually learns to defend like a man. I say he is progressing, his strides hasnt stopped yet.
For some reaons I like the 20 boards and 4 blocks game against the Pistons most. He grabbed 20 boards playing against Ben Wallace, 6 of those were offensive rebounds. Has anyone else been able to grab 6 offensive boards from Big Ben in a single game? And IIRC, he scored a bunch of points on Big Ben in that game too. We are talking about, Ben Wallace, the defensive player of the year, folks.
