http://www.nypost.com/sports/62756.htm YAO ABOUT THAT? MING IS MAKING BELIEVERS By PETER VECSEY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 24, 2002 -- MEMPHIS - Yao Ming is almost making me forget about Priest Lauderdale. In less than a week, the hottest import from China since duck sauce has gone from a universally mocked stumblebum (after crossing guard Stephon Marbury faked him into an mortifying freefall) to the anti-scrimp toast of the town. There hasn't been this much excitement in Houston since Ricky's remodeled. How is it possible to complete such a cosmic conversion? "Big men are like that," said Doug Collins whose Wizards got whacked, 93-86, in Yao's first start Friday, an 18-point, eight-rebound, four-block, massive-shot-altering experience that had Washington's coaching staff rolling their eyes in admiration. "All of a sudden they get comfortable and once they believe, they believe, look out below." It also helps, I suspect, that Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley (put on IR Friday), the Rockets' two leading scorers, began including their main man in the offense. Yao's coming out party took place against the Shaq-less Lakers whom he demolished for 20 points without fudging a field goal or free throw. He followed that up by erupting for volcanic proportions (30 points, 16 boards) vs. the 12-0 Mavericks and said afterward how energized he was to have the opportunity to play against a player (Shawn Bradley) who'd been more maligned by the press than he's been . . . something like that. "Yao has great lower body strength," Collins said at breakfast late yesterday morning prior to his TV analyst showdown with Hubie Brown whose bummed out and bickering Grizzlies are 0-13. "He has a great touch, great hands and a great feel for the game." That's probably what surprises the experts the most. Instinctively, Yao knows what to do, when to do it and, most importantly, how to do it. Wizards assistant Brian James couldn't believe what he was seeing when he watched tape of Rocket games in preparation for their meeting. "As soon as a play was called Yao immediately went to the spot where he was supposed to be. I asked Rudy [Tomjanovich] about it before the game and he said Yao is just so incredibly schooled. Plus, he's got 70 percent of the English language down pat." "The only reason he probably still uses a translator is to keep the media at a respectable distance," Collins interjected. "I'm telling you, the guy is an awesome inside force. What he does is compromise the defense. Glen Rice (16 points), Juaquin Hawkins (14) and Kenny Thomas (12) fed off Yao from outside because we had to pay so much attention to him. "Yao intimidated us defensively and wore us out offensively (league leader in FG Pct. at a gaudy 70.5)," continued Collins. "Our young big men, Brendan Haywood (0-1 FG in 21 minutes) and Kwame Brown (1-5 in 27) combined for four points." What impresses no-nonsense assistant Johnny Bach the most is the strength, accuracy and urgency in Ming's outlet passes. "He doesn't throw with his arms, he throws with his hands. I also love the way he gets up right away after getting knocked down, unlike a lot of guys in this league as you well know." Bach paused and reloaded. "We're sending Kwame and Brendan to China this summer to work on their games." *
good to hear the new york media finally giving yao some credit. before the draft, they were calling yao an overgrown chinese delivery boy or the chinese version of Frederic Weis. and all sorts of bashing on a person they hadn't even seen play. they said frederic weis(former knick 1st round pick, 7 foot frenchman) was a overgrown french pastry maker and yao was a overgrown dumpling maker. what a dramatic turn of events. should be interesting to see what the headlines will be in nyc when the rockets play the knicks. and yao should score a new career high against them. that'll shut the whole nation up about yao and make even more people feel stupid.
Bach paused and reloaded. "We're sending Kwame and Brendan to China this summer to work on their games." * [/B][/QUOTE] If they do it, maybe improve FG% for Kwame and Brendan. Its just the unique valuable thing, as Hawkins.
