I have not really seen this picked up in any of the Seattle game or Yao threads. I went back and re-watched the 1Q and at 8:40 Yao really pushed Thomas with his body about 2-3 feet toward the basket and then he turned and quickly put his shoulder into Thomas's face and nose, giving him a bloody nose. Thomas was stunned by the collision. I've been waiting for Yao to even accidentally do this once or twice a season but this really looked planned and deliberate to me, especially since this was a quick but smooth 2 part movement, 1st the body shove and then the shoulder smash into the face. I think Yao was getting frustrated with the hacking and the non-calls. Hopefully he had some coaching from Sikma on how to do it the right way to avoid calls, and Yao has now sent a message to Thomas that intruding on Yao's territory will result in pain. The next time down the floor Bill and Matt commented on how much space Thomas gave to Yao as he shot. Thomas did not want a 2nd dose. I hope this was real and that it will begin earning Yao the respect he deserves from opponents and refs. Keep it up big man! If anything can cut down on his turnovers from strips by big men and guards, it is this type of behavior, protecting his turf.
I noticed in the last game where yao posted and instead of shooting it.He took one dribble when the defender put his hands up and flused it on him....that looked shaq like to me also.
the real test will be when we play utah. i want to see yao dominate those bastards like i know he can.
Kurt Thomas just annoys Yao a lot....Kurt knows all these dirty tricks from the 90s in defending big man, i.e, falling down during every rebound you don't get, falling down everytime Yao running into you while Yao is looking the other way... yao should do more of these to Kurt Thomas....send him to retirement maybe
I swear I can't stand cheap play. Even Bonzi is guilty of it from time to time. I don't care who is doing it, I don't like it. Bullard doesn't seem to either, he's gets pretty passionate about it, hahaha.
noticed that right away during the game. i believe that was a planned move, as yao has done this several times in about a month now. not sure yet, but certainly hope it's something in progress. we shall see... and this is what i call "intangibles".
I saw some unusual agressivnes from Yao and I personaly like it. When he's agressive and attacks the basket, that's a thing you just can't really stop.
