game report: Both teams started the game with a high tempo. Until the China's timeout, the score was very close: 16-13. Bulgaria forced inside despite Yao ming, and they found baskets with penetrations. Both teams could not take any defensive rebounds when 05:45 remaining. China could not benefited from Yao Ming as they did all through the tournement. They tried to pass the ball inside after Yao Ming substituted with Batere, Bulgaria did not allow them with half court pressure to China and converted them into fast break points. The first period ended with 32-21 Bulgaria lead. At the start of the second period China missed 3 in their 4 offence attempts, and the gap inscreased to 19 when 06:13 remaining: 46-27. The score was 59-44 at the end of the first half. China started with an aggressive defense and they passed the balls to Yao Ming in offense. They forced Papazov to take timeout when they melted down the difference to 11 points (05:02): 66-55. Third period ended with 78-69 Bulgaria lead. Fourth quarter was breathtaking. Yao Ming established his kingdom in inside zone with his rebounds, blocks, and points. The score was 85-82 when 05:02 to go, and China took the lead in 02:50: 90-91. With Stoykov's 3 point, the game tied at 95-95 when 1 minute remaining to the final buzzer. Although China could not score, they got the ball with two controversial referee decisions when 35 seconds to go. Bulgaria stealed the ball passed to Yao Ming, and found a chance to win the match in last 11 seconds. But they lost it, and nobody could not control the ball. Finally Mintchev pulled out the ball, and went for the victory in 2 seconds: 97-95
I am very impressed with these stat lines I see from Ming. He must be taking good shots, and playing within himself, despite a lack of quality teammates. I hope this is the type of reserved, quality play that meshes with the egos of Francis and Mobley. I also like the team Rudy T and CD are building in regards to personalities. Griffin, Nachbar, and Ming are all potential studs who don't mind playing in support roles. Francis should be grateful.
press conference: Wang Fei (China, Coach) : First half and second half were like different games. At the beginning of the game we were soft. I am very dissapointed about our performance in the first half. We started the third quarter well but we could not carry it on¡ We lost and I am unhappy. We will work and work. Guo Shiqiang (China, Player) : In the first half we made lots of wrong outside shoots. We could not stop the Bulgarian forwards. We played well in the last period, but we could not won. Papazov (Bulgaria, Coach) : I am very happy that we have beaten the Asian champion today. We had diffuculties in zone, at the beginning we had to start with two centers because of China's height advantage. We played well with outside shootings. Especially Stoykov showed his abilities to all world in this tournament. China was very impressive in the second half, but we wanted to win really. So we did. I am very happy to be in here. Thanks Turkey. Mladenov (Bulgaria, Player) : I had very hard work today because Ming is very strong. We made outside shootings by assists.
Almost every team played Ming by shooting from outside. Ming needs to learn how to defend 3-point shots.
A question about the translation. I found two Chinese websites translated the "game report" above and put it on their front pages. But there is a difference in the translations. One translation is: Yao Ming did bad through all the tourement and China could not benefited from him today either. Another is:Yao Ming did good at the past games in the tourement, but China could not benefited from him today (at the beginning) I think the second one is right.
Yao Ming played 19 minutes in this game. full stats of this game: http://www.tbf.org.tr/tur/0102/wc/MAC_18.HTM
The full stats of Yao Ming in all five games: avg Play time: 19.8 minutes avg point: 12.4 avg rebound: 7 avg assist: 1.2 avg block: 1.6 FG: 73% FT: 67% Chinese team ends up at 6th.
He had 2 fouls. If you open the link provided by windandsea, fouls are under the column SH. There's an explanation of what the columns represent in some language that resembles English at the bottom of the page.
May be they just dont want to wear Ming down and keep him fresh for the World Championship which is really the big dance.
This is very true, and I hope everyone realizes what this means to the Rockets next season.... Last year, one of our most glaring weaknesses was a lack of inside defense. If ANYONE got past our guards, there was almost a 100% chance of them getting to the basket. On top of that, we had almost NO decent post defense outside of Cato, and even his defense was lacking. With the addition of Ming inside, teams are just NOT going to be able to penetrate on us. Add Eddie Griffin to that mix (he is going to be a monster this year), and all those 2 and 3 point games that we lost last year, we now WIN. Now, on the other side of the ball... We also had NO low post scoring threat last year. We relied 100% on guard penetration and pick-and-roll for everything. I guarantee you the first thing Rudy will start perfecting with Yao is the art of passing out of the low-post. From what I understand, the guy already has that skill and is known for being a good passer already. So, on the offensive side Ming will add a third dimension to the attack that will have guys like Nachbar, Mobley, and the others draining open jumpers all day long. This is going to be an exciting year. I'm looking forward to it!
Then do you know what is the difference between "Yakin Mesafe" and "Orta Mesafe"? I guess it's "2-pt fg outside the paint" and 2-pt fg inside the paint", but I'm not too sure... Anyone know Turkish? Please clarify for me...
