Yao makes first appearance at Rockets training camp Oct. 6, 2003 SportsLine.com wire reports GALVESTON, Texas -- Yao Ming made it for the last workout the Houston Rockets would have before exhibition games begin. That was OK with new coach Jeff Van Gundy. Even though Yao missed the first 10 workouts of training camp, the 7-foot-6 center was welcomed to the team Monday. "It's only his first day," Van Gundy said. "Obviously he's very good. You don't believe the size of him until you actually see him. "I've been around (former New York Knicks center Patrick) Ewing for a long time and he dwarfs him, so that's pretty big." Yao arrived in Houston on Sunday night and went immediately for physicals. He was then taken to the Texas A&M-Galveston, about 60 miles away, for the Rockets' final preseason workout before beginning exhibition play Tuesday night at Portland. Monday's workout was a long drill as Van Gundy tried to force-feed Yao the Rockets' new philosophy. Asked how he felt after leading China's national team in the Asian Games and then rushing to Houston to join his NBA teammates, Yao said, "I feel about 50 to 60 percent right now. "First of all, I'm already a bit tired," he said. "I've been practicing the whole summer and we've had a lot of competition. These weren't just normal competitions. There's a lot of pressure involved. We had to win the championship." The Chinese team's showing in the Asian Games earned them a spot in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Ewing, now a Rockets assistant coach, was impressed by Yao, despite just one workout with his new protege. "Some people are late bloomers, some are early bloomers," Ewing said. "Who's to say when Yao or anybody else will kick their game to the next level. All we can do is teach him the things he needs to get to the next level." Ewing said he couldn't offer much of a critique of Yao after just one practice. "He just basically needs to work on his overall game, positioning on the floor, posting up deeper defensively," Ewing said. "Sometimes today a guy would cut off the way he positioned his body. I can show him the right techniques to keep him out of foul trouble. He's a very good player. He's 7-foot-6 and he has great touch." Yao arrived two weeks earlier than a year ago, when he was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. He went on to average 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds and was runner-up to Amare Stoudemire for rookie of the year. Yao said it appeared Van Gundy would stress defense and that he looked forward to working with Ewing. "I think I have to learn slowly," Yao said. Ewing has "got a lot to teach me and it will take quite awhile." Van Gundy said Yao likely would not play in the exhibition opener. Does Yao object? "I don't mind," he said. "I just hope the people still buy tickets."
Thanks for the scoop on the article Kamel. Looks like Ewing is on top of his tutoring game. I love it!!
it's a good thing yao's sitting out, although it would've been exciting to see him out there. 50%-60% is not good.
That doesn't sound too good. Yao never really admitted he was tired last season and he is already admitting now. Hopefully, he can get some rest (I don't know how he can) and feel great when the season starts.
Frankly I was looking forward to more comments on his increased size/muscle, but the only guys they quoted didin't work with him last year, so no joy. I am also a litle apprehensive about his fatigue already...when will this killer cycle he's on end? If not, how soon till it takes it's toll?
I just love how it seems like this staff doesn't overlook the "little" things that will take this team to the next level--especially the little things to help Yao be a more dominant post player.
Maybe it's more jetlag than fatigue? Yao kept saying during the Asian games that practices weren't that hard, and that he wasn't fatigued. Now all of a sudden he gets here and he's fatigued down to 60%. It could also be that dealing with the non-basketball stuff like interviews, physicals etc. might be very exhausting themselves. Or maybe while he was in China gearing up for the games, the excitement of playing for an olympic birth numbed him to the fatigue and now it's catching up to him. Perhaps it's a combination of factors. Hopefully he'll get used to the new routine hre, and be ready to shortly after that.
Yao actually saying hes only 55% right now. He really is tired. Nice reading all these articles about JVG's coaching...man...our future looks great! Ewing may actually help Yao a bit! I like them actually talking about how Yao's skills are instead of just saying He's great! He was a #1 pick! Wonderful! Too bad he won't play in the opener... We better make the playoffs this season. And btw...Yao shoulda been ROY!
The guy is never going to have a real off season his entire career. I think he will burn out fast because of it, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Raven
I'm glad Yao's not playing the first game. I hope they limit his minutes for at least part of preseason because the guy needs some rest. Jet lag is certainly a factor in his fatigue, and I hope he feels more refreshed after a few days. I doubt the tickets comment was directed at Steve. Yao's ability to draw fans is just a fact. Didn't we sell out practically every away game last year? Granted interest this year won't be as high as before, but Yao will still draw people intrigued by his ethnicity, size, and hype.
I wouldn't worry too much about the 50-60% thing. This guy just got off an emtional game and almost immedaitely got on the plane then went through all kinds of check-ups. Anyone's gonna get tired. I think it's just temporary. He will be fresh when season starts.
EXCUSE: 1 a : to make apology for b : to try to remove blame from These isn't nothing to make apology for or remove blame from, where's the excuse thing come from. He's just speaking of his conditions. Don't get too cute, boy.
He was asked how he felt right now, and he just answered the question, he is at 50-60%... He wasn't giving an excuse. -G'day-
I don't care if everybody gets injured and we have to use JVG at the point and Patrick in the paint. We'd better make the playoffs! Go Rockets!!
How can Yao say that he's tired after an 8 games tournament in 9 days, flying to Beijing, then Shanghai, followed by a 17 hours flight, jet lag, physical checkup, and a preseason workout taking a day off? That's making excuses!
MacBeth, I was thinking that JVG comments about how big Yao was, was due to the fact that Jeff might have thought that Yao had always been this size; but really only recently bigger after workouts. So, yeah. He probably doesn't have anything to compare it to.
You forgot pressure from a country of a billion people to get nothing less than a championship. And he was basically the only one on the team, defensively and offensively.
