Don't see this anywhere else posted: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/1781885 It's not as if Yao Ming underestimated Shaquille O'Neal when the centers first met a month ago. Indeed, it would seem impossible to overlook anybody who stands 7-2 and has enough mass -- muscle or otherwise -- to tip the scales well over the 330-pound mark. Yao was mentally prepared for the matchup, the Rockets said, but there was no way for him to understand the physical aftermath. How much his muscles would ache after getting bumped around by O'Neal's gigantic frame. How sore he would be after pushing and shoving for position. Shaq is a mountain, Yao said prior to the game. After the game, he knew why. "Playing against Shaq is like wrestling three or four guys at the same time," said Rockets forward Maurice Taylor. "You're going to be tired. You're going to be sore. Yao (was both) after the game. But he knows what to expect now." Yao, 7-5 and 296 pounds, gets his second look at O'Neal on Tuesday, when the Rockets visit the Lakers for a Staples Center showdown. The Big Rematch is being billed in TV advertisements as Yao-Shaq II, some strange cross between basketball and heavyweights duking it out. The first round Jan. 17 attracted a worldwide audience and hefty domestic numbers -- the Rockets-Lakers matchup was the most watched NBA game of the season and the second-highest rated NBA game in cable television history. Yao doesn't see what the fuss is about when he and O'Neal match up, but he understands his mammoth assignment. He needs to get physical. "Shaq is still a mountain," Yao said this week. "Shaq has to be pressured on every possession." The Rockets have visions of Yao bullying O'Neal dancing through their heads. During an incredible two-minute opening sequence at Compaq Center, Yao blocked three of O'Neal's first four shots and sank his own layups and baby hook shots. O'Neal twice ended up on his back. But that didn't stop his strength from becoming Yao's nemesis as O'Neal controlled the next three quarters and overtime. Yao finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, six blocked shots and the game-clinching slam dunk -- still better than any rookie center has done against O'Neal -- but he was worn down. O'Neal posted 10 points during the overtime, including two dunks over Yao, and finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds. One month and an All-Star stint later, the Rockets believe, Yao is better equipped to keep up with O'Neal. The key, the Rockets say, is conserving energy. "I think Yao now understands the things he can do and the things he can't do," Taylor said. "He knows how to get himself in position to make things happen. Just like he doesn't have the physical strength to bang with Shaq, I don't think Shaq wants to really come out and really move with him on the floor. They're two different types of players. "Obviously, we would love for him to come out and block Shaq's first three shot attempts, but he's not going to let down either way. We just have to take full advantage of Yao's strengths, because you know the Lakers are going to take advantage of Shaq's strength. "We know Shaq is going to be pushing him, so we've got to make it easy for him on the offensive end, get him in good position to score easy, put him in position so he can just catch the ball and shoot, so he just won't be banging up against a brick wall all night." The task is easier said than done. Yao had trouble exploiting a mismatch against Miami's 6-9 center Brian Grant on Friday. Though Yao had a height advantage, he scored only 10 points against the physical Grant, more than three points below his season average. "It's hard for Yao to get down and be real physical with people because he's so much bigger," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Now when they bang on him, yeah, he's got to brace some. But I saw a big improvement from the first game to the second game with Miami. He held up -- he even got popped in the mouth and came back. Even American players get all flustered, but he hangs in there pretty good with them." Even though O'Neal's nagging ailments -- his surgically repaired right big toe and left knee -- kept him out of Sunday's game against the Knicks, the Rockets are not expecting a less-physical Lakers center. Not with Yao-Shaq bragging rights on the line, and not with the eighth seed in the playoffs being contested. "He won't be hurting on Tuesday," said Rockets guard Steve Francis of O'Neal. "He knows the magnitude of this game, especially since we won the second game we played against each other. We don't want to get a guy like that mad, but we know he'll be ready."
maybe not. shaq may figure yao's weaknesses after watching yao vs shaq II. so, it's critical for yao to step up his game tomorrow night to really prove he is da man that pushes shaq to early retirement.
i'm not worrying about yao's offense; it's his defense that worries me. offense is easy for him because he already has all the tools. with opportunies to shot and patience, he can score 20+ points on anybody even shaq. when francis penetrates to the basket and shaq has to help out, yao can follow francis and move to an open spot for a short shot.
Watch OT and see what Shaq did. That's a reality check for y'all. Hopefully Yao can keep Shaq from getting that position, and hopefully Yao will make the shots he usually makes unlike in that game.
it's going to come down to who's shooting better that night. Shaq and Yao will see their share of double teams.. so the open man has to hit the shot.. Francis vs. Kobe is the real match up here..
Thank you. Who cares what Shaq does? Kobe is the whole damn show. Kobe vs. Steve...this could turn out to be the best guard matchup of the past few years.
You're half right Chicken Boy; Kobe's a show, but not the show. Go check the Lakers' record with and without Shaq.
