One of the things I'm most impressed with Yao Ming is how quickly he's adjusted to the NBA. With that in mind, I took a look at his statistics, comparing the first and second times he's faced a team. San Antonio: Game 1: 13 min, 4 reb, 0 ast, 3 to, 1 bs, 6 pts Game 2: 37 min, 18 reb, 3 ast, 2 to, 3 bs, 27 pts Philadelphia: Game 1: 24 min, 5 reb, 2 ast, 3 to, 2 bs, 13 pts Game 2: 27 min, 12 reb, 0 ast, 1 to, 1 bs, 18 pts Seattle: Game 1: 15 min, 3 reb, 1 ast, 1 to, 0 bs, 0 pts Game 2: 29 min, 4 reb, 5 ast, 2 to, 3 bs, 6 pts * * This is the only complete game I got to see, and his stats are misleading. He turned the game around in the 3rd quarter with pinpoint passing and defensive intimidation. Golden State: Game 1: 7 min, 2 reb, 0 ast, 1 to, 0 bs, 3 pts Game 2: 16 min, 3 reb, 0 ast, 0 to, 2 bs, 14 pts Portland Game 1: 15 min, 4 reb, 2 ast, 2 to, 1 bs, 7 pts Game 2: 18 min, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 to, 1 bs, 10 pts The second time Yao has seen a team (except for Portland), he's improved considerably. A lot of this is due to more minutes. It can be argued that his minutes have increased because he's earned the time, through avoiding fouls or simply learning the offense. Why do I bring this up? Tomorrow, Yao Ming will see Sacramento for the second time
Mack, Yao Ming mentioned exactly what you just pointed out in this thread. In his latest interview he talked a bit of trash and I think he's gonna take it to Divac this next game.
It's like the first game he's just learning and adjusting, getting comfortable. From then on, he has gained the confidence and plays better against the same opponents. I wanna be like Yao! forget MJ.
i can't believe i heard 12 year olds at the park yesterday saying the same thing. a couple of the kids were arguing about who was going to be yao ming. you know you're good when little (and big) boys wanna be like you.
Update: Sacramento: Game 1: 23 min, 5 reb, 1 ast, 3 to, 2 bs, 8 pts Game 2: 35 min, 15 reb, 3 ast, 3 to, 4 bs, 17 pts
Update: LA Clippers: Game 1: 28 min, 7 reb, 0 ast, 3 to, 2 bs, 4 pts Game 2: 36 min, 9 reb, 2 ast, 4 to, 3 bs, 16 pts Indiana: Game 1: 11 min, 2 reb, 0 ast, 2 to, 0 bs, 0 pts Game 2: 38 min, 10 reb, 1 ast, 3 to, 6 bs, 29 pts
