http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1629091 Oct. 22, 2002, 11:02PM Rockets will unveil Yao's talents First NBA taste comes tonight vs. Spurs By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Yao Ming and the Rockets have waited long enough. They can bear to wait no longer. Having exercised patience since June, the Rockets have exhausted their supply and will not wait another day to see Yao in one of their games. His NBA debut comes in San Antonio tonight. "I think every minute on the floor to get his nervous system -- I don't care how he does -- used to being in a Rocket uniform makes sense to me," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "But what the hell do I know?" Yao's life has been a whirlwind since he arrived in Houston on Sunday. He was whisked via limousine to watch that night's game at Compaq Center, then to his first round of medical tests. By Monday morning, he begged to practice, so he was permitted to dive into his first workout with the Rockets. By Tuesday afternoon, immediately after his second practice and a community reading event, the Rockets needed Yao to complete his physical examinations, so he was rushed from Compaq Center to the doctor's office. Tomjanovich said he wanted Yao to get a taste of NBA basketball as soon as possible. So against David Robinson, Tim Duncan and former Rockets strongman Kevin Willis no less, Yao will take the court for the first time as a Rocket. "I'd like to play the guy tomorrow," Tomjanovich said Tuesday. "Anything could happen." Asked if that meant that with good health Yao would play, Tomjanovich said: "Yes. Definitely." At the time, the potential holdup was the results of Yao's physical. But the Rockets later announced he had been cleared to play and would be in uniform. Yao also left little doubt about where he stood on the subject. "I hope to play," he said. "I really hope I can play." But there is another factor bringing Yao to the court more quickly than expected. The Rockets are not just impatient; they are impressed. They have not been able to put Yao through the crash courses Tomjanovich said he would have liked because of a sponsor's event Monday and the community event Tuesday, and because of Yao's visits to the doctors. But teammates have been as impressed with Yao's ability to pick up much of the offensive and defensive schemes as they were Monday with his size and skills. "I think he's making great strides as far as learning the sets, recognizing what the defense gives him," Steve Francis said. "He's too big to take him under my wing, but I want to show him some things I already know. Even though we play two different positions, I know there are things I can help him with." Centers Kelvin Cato and Jason Collier often directed Yao to positions during Tuesday's practices and Yao has been quick to praise the incumbent starter. "If I want to be good in the NBA," he said, "I have to be strong like Kelvin Cato." Tonight, he might get a taste of strong like Willis. He surely will get a close-up look at Robinson and Duncan, the league's reigning Most Valuable Player. "He's going to see a lot stronger than me," Cato said. "But he's better than me already. He can score. T.D. is a superstar by all means. He was a No. 1 draft pick and well worth a No. 1 draft pick. But he's (Yao) going to be OK. He's going to be a shock for a lot of players, considering you just don't see 7-6. "You can see it on paper and understand what it is, and you can see cutouts, but 7-6 with his arms, he's long. You aren't getting too many shots off. And he has post moves. He's not out here just being tall and trying to maintain. He really has post moves." But the Rockets might have to get used to having a target worthy of their aim. "He can get the position he needs with his lower-body strength," Cato said. "He does have great lower-body strength. The way Steve and Cat (Cuttino Mobley) pass to the post -- they haven't done it in a few years -- but if they can throw it into the post, he can do something. Yao's going to make it more balanced for us." The Rockets guards have seen other changes with Yao learning his way around the middle. It took only a few practices for Yao to show what he could do. "He can see over the whole defense," Francis said. "He's been making pinpoint passes to the guards on the weak side of the basketball court. He's a good defensive presence on the inside. A couple times I had to throw my shot higher just to get it over him. I know a lot of other teams will recognize that, too. With his presence a lot of teams will think twice going to the middle." But after waiting for Yao to arrive, Tomjanovich could not rest easy. The regular season begins in just a week. But a career will take another huge step toward its launch tonight. Finally, impatience feels good. "I had a hard time sleeping last night," Tomjanovich said, "just thinking about things we can do."
"He's going to see a lot stronger than me," Cato said. "But he's better than me already. He can score. T.D. is a superstar by all means. He was a No. 1 draft pick and well worth a No. 1 draft pick. But he's (Yao) going to be OK. He's going to be a shock for a lot of players, considering you just don't see 7-6." Wow, I can't believe he said that. Props to Cato for being a real man about the situation. This is great for the team.
My god, did Cato join a 12 step program or something over the offseason? Who are you and what have you done with the surly lazy Kelvin we all knew and hated?
Props to CATO! and BIG PROPS TO MING!!! I'm not going to sleep tonight. Conceivably, there could be a rotation (when needed) of: Cato C Ming PF Griffin SF Wink Mobley Kobe couldn't even put it down over those tall trees! What a shot blocking front court!!!
Cato and Ming can change the world. This new spirited Cato is the sort of player Dream wanted as a backup. Strong enough to wear out the opposing player, get some blocks, etc. When Ming returns to a game after Cato has gotten 3 free alley oop dunks playing against the dregs of the league, I think we'll be winning quite a few games. We're going to the playoffs friends. Ming will have ROY. Coach will be COY. We'll take one extra award... I can't see it yet... but it lo *owww my head*. I'll try again later.
Yeah, but if you want to be good in the NBA, make sure not to be quick like Cato, agile like Cato, determined like Cato, hard-working like Cato or smart like Cato.
Cato C Ming PF Griffin SF Wink Mobley Don't know about that lineup, but I agree that Eddie can actually play the 3-5. Man, what a kid. This is a gifted group of players and they ALL have somehting to prove. Every individual and the team as a whole.
If this is a dream,please don't wake me up. Other than the injuries,how much better can this off/preseason get? Shoot,even the injuries aren't serious long term ones. And now Cato seemingly recognizing and accepting a bench role and how valuable he could be to the team in that role. Sure he'd be an expensive sub but if this attitude is mirrored by strong performances off the bench,I'll gladly take it. Could this eventually lead to the end of Cato bashing for us? Or at least a cease fire?
No, this isn't a new Cato. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Kelvin Cato is a beta male. That's why he sucked as a starter, and that's why he'll be fine as a backup.
CLFranchise, thanks! note the power of the moniker: I'm not just a geeky white guy who could stand to lose a few, I'm a mysterious person with the moniker of a great African novelist. Mysterious. Sexy.
Good attitude by Cato - admits Ming is better than him, praises his post game, praises his lower body strength... seems things are going very well.
I highly doubt that, there's always some reason to diss Cato. The only problem with Kelvin is his contract and that was the organisation's fault, not his. Afterall, b****ing about his "laziness" is not going to help the situation.
