Chron: Absence of Shaq disappointing to a true competitor like Yao

Feb. 19, 2003, 1:38AM

Absence of Shaq disappointing to a true competitor like Yao
By JOHN P. LOPEZ
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
LOS ANGELES -- If you tuned in to watch Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming on Tuesday night, the closest you got to bold statements were the suits of Calvin Murphy and Craig Sager.

Charles Barkley called Tuesday's Lakers-Rockets game "must-see TV." He obviously expected to see Yao-Shaq II, or maybe he was having flashbacks to Kenny Smith's donkey.

But the big showdown was left in the can, and all that promo money TNT spent since well before the All-Star break hyping Yao-Shaq II would have been better spent pumping up Weekend At Bernie's or Fast Times At Ridgemont High for the kazillionth time.

The closest thing to an impressive-looking duo in this one proved to be Tiger Woods and his girlfriend, Elin Nordegren, sitting courtside.

The most clout these eyes saw mixing and mingling at Staples Center belonged to Jack Nicholson and Hollywood attorney Robert Shapiro, presumably comparing portfolios as they walked to the Chairman's Room at halftime.

If you were disappointed that Yao-Shaq II did not materialize, you certainly were not alone, joining the company of all the beautiful people who showed up.

But here's the impressive thing. The most disappointed person of all might have been Yao.

The kid wanted another shot at the best big man in the game, although it probably would have made the Rockets' 106-99 double-overtime loss to the Lakers only more tense.

For all the impressive things Yao has done in a short time in his debut season, maybe the most impressive is showing the kind of nerve -- guts, stones, mettle, whatever you want to call it -- he has.

For the record, when asked before Tuesday's game about perhaps not having to face the Big Sore Toe, Yao said: "It probably would be a good thing for our team. ... Every game for us is important at this point."

But behind his words, Yao clearly showed disappointment and more than a bit of sorrow. He wanted to try it again. He wanted to show the world that even if he is not at O'Neal's level, he is close and possesses something few NBA big men possess -- the willingness to take on the best.

Instead, Yao put on an impressive if ultimately futile effort over the likes of comparative NBA nobodies Stanislav Medvedenko, Samaki Walker and the ever-stiff Mark Madsen.

In producing 24 points and 14 rebounds before he fouled out in the first overtime, Yao was the biggest reason the Rockets threatened to pull off a huge win, posting up strong, flashing his beautiful turnaround jumper and jump hook, rebounding, passing, defending and blocking shots.

When Yao threw down a monstrous follow dunk late in the third quarter, he let out a roar and stared down Madsen. It was impressive, a bold moment by a strong big man. Then again, he was staring at Madsen.

This wasn't what the TV audience wanted to see. Everyone wanted to see if Yao could have carried such weight, showed such strength, against O'Neal.

But Yao has grown in ways beyond what is tangible and obvious on the floor. He is carrying himself with more of a strut. He wants to take his game higher, realizing the only way he can is by facing the best.

In the only meeting between O'Neal and Yao in Houston, Yao showed flashes early -- blocking O'Neal's first three shots and scoring six quick points. It was the most telling sign to O'Neal, the Rockets and the league that the kid is on his way.

"The way that game started and the way it ended, it couldn't have been better," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "The kid did great at the beginning, and then during the course of the game, the king reigned. And then we got a team play, and (Yao) got a dunk. It was great."

After that meeting, Yao appeared to hit an emotional and physical wall, and the Rockets cratered as well. But in recent games, Yao has been re-energized.

With all of the playoff implications entering Tuesday's game, Yao had an opportunity to do what Kobe Bryant has done for the Lakers: carry his team and show why he is among the best. But O'Neal missed the game with his famous sore big toe and tendinitis in his knee to boot.

The great made-for-cable showdown failed to materialize. The win the Rockets needed slipped away in double overtime. Yao didn't get his chance to gauge how much he has improved. He didn't get to go face-to-face with the one player who could have given him the ultimate test.

But no one was more disappointed than Yao. That alone showed the Rockets -- and the league -- a lot about the kid.

"I think he's grown some since then, with experience," Tomjanovich said. "It's subtle in a lot of different areas, but he loves the game and wants to just keep getting better."

Maybe next time.