[Chronicle] In fits and starts, Yao slowly rounding into form

<a href="http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3411046"><font size-"+1"><b>In fits and starts, Yao slowly rounding into form</a></font></b>
Injury hampering Rockets center's improvement during the preseason

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 24, 2005, 1:13AM


There were times when Yao Ming seemed better than ever.

There was a drive and a spin move on Jake Tsakilidis on Saturday night in Memphis. There was a catch-and-shoot jump hook over Brendan Haywood Sunday night at Toyota Center.

There were cuts to the basket and moves on the baseline in which he seemed more agile and better balanced than ever.

Then there were times when he seemed a step off, almost awkward.

There was a pass in Memphis that could not have been better — if he was aiming for the second row. There were consecutive defensive rebounds Sunday night that flew past him so close to his reach that if they were any closer, he would have had to duck to miss them.

But if the Rockets accomplished anything in two weekend games — a pair that went from rocky to horrible, abominable and unwatchable, as coach Jeff Van Gundy put it — Sunday's 75-71 win over the Washington Wizards at least served as a much-needed chance for the center to knock off some rough edges.

"I still need some improvements offensively and defensively," Yao said. "But I will say this: I'm 80, 85 percent ready. I feel I'm more physical on the post and inside. The four games I played I drew a lot of fouls and got to the free-throw line. That's my game.

"I'm a pretty good free-throw shooter (26-of-29 from the line in the preseason). I got the ball a lot on the post and used the moves I worked on in the summer. I just feel comfortable"

Yao put up some nice numbers — 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 24 minutes — but there clearly remain Yao-sized strides to be made.

But in many ways, he has seemed stronger, fitter and more sure of himself since an offseason spent working with assistant head coach Tom Thibodeau and former Rockets strength coach Anthony Falsone.

"He looks more aggressive this year," Rockets forward Tracy McGrady said. "He's looking good. He's staying strong and holding his position. That's our best offense, getting the ball to him and going inside-out or me and him playing pick-and-roll.

"He took a couple steps back when he went out. That's how it is. Guys get quicker and faster every day. If you're not on the basketball court, you lose a step. But he'll be fine"


<b>Injured toe</b>
Yao was at least that 80 percent ready for the Nov. 2 opener before he went out with a sore big toe, missing several practices and two games. He played a solid first half in Memphis on Saturday night, scoring 15 first-half points.

But he wore out quickly and struggled through the second half.

On Sunday night, he shot well and moved easily to get his shots. But he never seemed as in command as he appeared capable.

"You need to play consistently to be sharp," Van Gundy said. "We're fortunate that it (Yao's forced days off) happened when it happened. Now he has time to get back and get sharp"

He seemed to make strides in that direction Sunday night. In the second half, he was planted in the lane long enough to twice get caught for three-second violations. He once dribbled the ball off his foot, sending the Wizards on a fast break.


<b>Flashes of brilliance</b>
But minutes later, he easily split a double team of big men to finish with a smooth layup, then beat Haywood down the floor to finish a break with an uncontested dunk. Then he added one more quick move and one last soft jumper.

"Now it's really getting close to the regular season, so we have to be very serious about the games," Yao said. "I missed the third game and the fourth game, and even though I hurt my toe and could hardly walk, I got out of shape a little bit.

"So playing more minutes in the fifth game helped me get back to game shape immediately"

After a weekend of horrible games, the Rockets could hardly hope for more encouraging signs than seeing Yao grow stronger and sharper as the games dragged on.