Interesting observation from the coach that played with Kareem, arguably the greatest center in NBA history. In answer to Jordan's question, who in NBA history was equally dominant on both the left and right box. Wizards Are Stuck In the Middle Yao Has Big Hand In Houston's Win: Rockets 114, Wizards 109 By Ivan Carter Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, December 10, 2006; Page E01 There were a few moments during last night's game against the Houston Rockets when Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan could be forgiven for glancing over toward Gheorghe Muresan and wondering whether the 7-foot-7 former Bullet, who was in attendance, could grab a uniform and help out against 7-foot-6 Yao Ming. In a bizarre contest that featured game-ending injuries to Wizards centers Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas and Rockets star Tracy McGrady, a nine-minute delay after a bank of lights at Verizon Center went out in the second half and an improbable clutch three-pointer by Wizards reserve Calvin Booth, Houston emerged with a 114-109 victory because the Wizards could not stop Yao. Yao went through four Washington centers and finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. He also made the biggest shot of the night: a right-handed jump hook over Booth that gave the Rockets a three-point lead with 11 seconds remaining. The Wizards (9-11) had a chance to tie but Gilbert Arenas, who had already matched a season-high with seven three-pointers, was short on a three-point attempt from the corner and Houston's Shane Battier made two free throws to put the game away. The Wizards lost Haywood to a thigh bruise after he collided with Yao's knee in the second quarter. They lost Thomas when he rolled his left ankle while defending Yao with 11 minutes 5 seconds remaining in the game. With those two unavailable, the task of defending Yao first went to seldom-used James Lang and then to Booth, who had played in three games this season. Ming scored 23 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and made 11 of 12 free throws to offset a sizzling shooting performance by Arenas, who finished with 41 points on 13-of-30 shooting. The Wizards appeared to be out of it after Yao caught a feed from Luther Head and made a layup over Booth to give the Rockets a 110-106 lead with 45 seconds to go. On the ensuing possession, however, Booth found himself with the ball at the top of the key as the shot clock wound down. Booth, who had made 1 of 7 three-point attempts in his career, looked to pass, hesitated for a split second and then uncorked a left-handed shot that hit all net. As the crowd exploded in delight, Houston Coach Jeff Van Gundy gathered his team in the huddle and drew up a play for his star. Ming set up on the right block, caught a post feed from Battier, turned and released a smooth-looking hook shot that easily made it over the outstretched hand of the 6-foot-11 Booth. "He's so tough because you try to get up into him and crowd him but then you always have to be aware of him spinning on you and going baseline," Booth said. "He just turned and hit that turnaround." McGrady scored 28 points but left the game in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly. McGrady, who was limited to 47 games last season because of a back injury, was clutching his lower back as he limped to the Houston locker room. Jordan does not double-team Yao because he fears that Yao's ability to see over the defense and pick out an open teammate makes him more dangerous. The Wizards did have a second defender "dig" down on Yao, slapping at the ball and otherwise pestering him into rushing shots and passes before returning to their own man, but the technique had limited success. "I don't think anybody has an answer," Jordan said. "You have to do the best you can. If you have personnel to look him in the eye a little bit, just a little bit, that helps but the guy has an arsenal that I haven't seen before. He's as equally dominating on either box. Now you tell me who in the history of the NBA you can say that about?" For perspective, consider that Jordan won a championship while playing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers. "Yeah, but Kareem was dominating on the left box and darn good on the right," Jordan said. "This guy shoots turnaround jump shots, gets post-ups, he makes free throws, he does everything." Wizards Note: Haywood is listed as day-to-day while Thomas will have to undergo further evaluation but appears to be the worse of the two.
We got coaches and players respecting Yao, too bad the same can't be said about Yao from some of our posters around here. SAD!
Rockets fans respect Yao. We all know there are a lot of Yao-haters out there. And I believe some also come over here. Of course they would try to make it not too obvious and therefore they'd say the 'right' things from time to time to pretend like they are also Rockets fans. But you can easily read between the lines in the posts of these people to see their real faces.
I think Eddie Jordan's observation about Yao being able to score from either side of the paint was pretty cool. It was almost unfiltered, like you were seeing his unwashed analysis as a real coach, instead of the press conference facade that most coaches put up. He's right, not many centers can be equally lethal from either box. The way Yao has mastered swinging over from one side to the other, it's one of the best parts of his game. And now that we're perfecting the re-post, it really makes Yao hard to stop.
Anyone who doesn't at least acknowledge tthe possibility that Yao is the most dominant player in the league doesn't have a clue.
Yao is the most dominating low post player.when he gets down there, there is no stoping him. with he's array of post moves, there is noone better.
Yao is currently in the top ten in FT attempt. That means he did actually get respect and the calls, though of course by nature people are never satisfied and always want more.
I wouldn't say Yao is as dominating as Kareem. The sky hook was money, every night year around. But let's hope Yao gets there.
That's why I said by nature people are never satisfied and always want to get more. But to say Yao does not get call and respect from referee is downright untrue. He is currently in number 9 in FT attempt.
Eddie Jordan is a terrific NBA coach (albeit a little light on defensive emphasis) and I'd take his word before a great many others...coaching or media. Nice take on Yao. And it seems to be sincere and unexaggerated. On offense, Jordan runs a modified Princeton style similar to what Pete Carille installed for the Kings. Eddie Jordan doesn't have a Houston connection but if there were a vacancy any time in the near future, I'd hope the Rockets would consider him. Although the Rockets' current personnel wouldn't run the Princeton high-post / back cut very well...Jordan would probably only need a few personnel tweaks to make them efficient.
all i can say is.... YOU KNOW yao is a superstar now when i'm more confident in the team AFTER t-mac left the game... why? so he won't take those long 3's that usually don't go in, which take away from Yao's game... call me a sellout, whatever, but t-mac has been inconsistent.
The Wizards annoucers were extremely complimentary on Yao last night. In the 4th quarter, they doubled and even tripled him in multiple possesions and still could not stop him. Check out the wild open 3s the Rockets made and you can see that 2-3 defenders were nowhere to be found around the 3 point line. They all packed into the paint to defend Yao. The funniest thing the two announcers said was like "You can always go to Yao in late 4th quarter. Big guys can fouled and he shoots FTs like making layups."
Best quote of the night from Phil Buckhanz, the wizards commentator: "You gotta think that if Yao was on the Wizards, we'd be instant contenders."
