By MICHAEL MURPHY Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle SAN ANTONIO -- The Spurs' Stephen Jackson knew he had a lane to the basket, but he wasn't quite sure how long that slice of open space would last. As Jackson put the ball on the floor, David Robinson screened off Yao Ming, the newest Rocket, one whose 7-5 frame could be an imposing obstacle for anyone rash enough to consider venturing inside. As Jackson took his final dribble and rose toward the rim, though, Yao slipped past Robinson and went up to challenge the shot. It was then that Jackson decided to forget about the layup and really challenge the big man from China, throwing down a thunderous dunk. Yao may not know all that many English words just yet, but "posterized" was just added to his vocabulary. "That was a welcome-to-the-NBA shot," said Jackson, a former Port Arthur Lincoln great. "I was glad that I was the one to welcome him. Hopefully I can get another one." The play brought the crowd of 16,831 at the SBC Center to life and was the biggest play in the Spurs' 80-79 victory. The dunk, which came with only 4:18 left in the game, gave the Spurs a 72-71 lead, the first time they led since the opening quarter. "I didn't expect him to be there," said Jackson of Yao. "I was thinking, `I hope I don't get this blocked.' But I was a little bit quicker than him to the cup, so I was able to put it down before he got there." The play said plenty about Jackson's freewheeling bravado, but not much at all about Yao's future in the league. Yao logged 13 minutes, finishing with six points (on 1-of-5 shooting), four rebounds and one blocked shot. The stats weren't great -- or even good, perhaps -- but given his lack of practice time, nobody expected Yao to dominate the game. "I remember when I came in and first played with my guys. It was a little bit of a whirlwind," said the Spurs' David Robinson, who went up against Yao for most of those 13 minutes. "I didn't know all the plays, and I didn't necessarily know all the things we were trying to get done. "I can definitely understand what he was going through. He got thrown right into the fire, and it was against one of the tallest teams in the league, if not the tallest. It was a good challenge for him tonight, and I thought Rudy (Tomjanovich, the Rockets coach) did a good job of working him in. "He's going to be good. He's long and skilled. He can make shots. And he's so long. He's going to have an impact in this league." Tim Duncan, the league's reigning Most Valuable Player, was equally impressed with Yao. "He's a good player," said Duncan, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds in 33 minutes. "He handles the ball well. I didn't see much of him because of the foul trouble. I think David (five points, nine rebounds in 35 minutes) attacked him well. It looks like he (Yao) has a really nice touch. "It takes awhile (to get acclimated to the NBA). It really takes awhile. It's all a learning experience for him right how. He's a rookie, so it's going to take some time." The Spurs did their best to make sure Yao understood what life in the NBA was going to be like, slamming him to the floor 13 seconds after he checked into the game in the second period. Yao wound up being knocked to the floor three times, one short of the number of fouls he accumulated. And after only two practice days and 78 hours in America, it was evident Yao was feeling his way around the court. On one possession, teammate Eddie Griffin grabbed him by the jersey and yanked him into position on a double screen. "He's got great size and skills," Robinson said. "Obviously, he didn't know the plays, and he wasn't part of the offense, but he'll be good. He'll be good, no question about it. Once they teach him the offense and he gets comfortable with what they're trying to do, he'll be effective." Just being 7-5 will make Yao effective on most nights. "There's no question about that," said Robinson, laughing. "There haven't been too many guys in this league who made me feel short. There's been one or two. Wow, he's big." But on one play, Yao wasn't quite big enough. "The big fella can play," said Jackson, who finished with 17 points. "I just wanted to show that I can play, too.
I really liked the comments by Duncan and Robinson. That Jackson guy needs to let it go. It's not like Yao went all out to block him. I hope Yao will shut him up next time. I guess i would be proud of myself too if I dunked and a 7'6 guy was near the basket. Then again i would be proud just to be able to dunk.
Jackson's quotes make it sound like that was the highlight of his career, if it is then that doesn't make much of a statement about his ability. From the rest of the article, it seems like the spurs who matter (duncan and robinson) were impressed with him, especially with this being his first game in the nba, as they are some of the few people in the world who can truly relate to his position, that being the position of very high draft pick big man who is expected to make a large impact.
I'm kinda surprised that Murphy named his column Spurs aren't wowed by Yao's debut. I was expecting to see some trash talking by the Spurs in it.
Man, he's living it up!! He's making this dunk as if he was Jordan dunking all over Ewing!!! Yao Ming should of just stuffed his A$$ to the ground and made his welcome to the NBA!
I like how he says in there that he hoped he could get it to the cup before ming even got there. Doesn't exactly sound like posterizing to me.
im not impressed by his debut neither. but im still a rockets fan. i aint even gonna lie steven jackson, and ginobli murdered us at the last minute.
Did anyone see Sportscenter this morning? I really hate those smug Sportscenter guys. It seemed like all they did was make these sarcastic remarks about Ming. "Yeah, he's gonna make the All Standing Around Team." Then they giggle like little school girls. Jerks.
This is what I was thinking, too. If you look at the title of this article, the last thing you would be expecting as a reader is compliments from Spur players. But that is journalism for you - make the title an incenidiary one, so you are guaranteed to get more people to read (I guess).
Jackson has bounced around after lot of high expectations (he was considered a school phenom I recall). It probably was his NBA career. No biggie IMO. The article headline really didn't reflect the article... probably blame the Chron editors for choosing it. Other than the thought that Sabonis was a better passer (based on what, ten minutes?) it was pretty positive towards Yao. Hope the ESPN clowns are reminded of the all-standing around comment...
Not one of these so-called analysts bothered to project out the results of Yao Ming's first game. For this 6 points in 13 minutes, that's 20 points in 48. Projected out over the entire game his 4 rebounds becomes almost 11. I thing Yao Ming had a pretty decent start against one of the league's tallest, most talented teams.
Hey, it's O.K. This Yao Ming's first game, and he probably is not really comfortable with the plays!! What do expect from a 22yr. old rookie in his first NBA game! Even David Robinson & Tim Duncun were understanding of his situation!! I'm glad that they gave him some respect! Anyway, i'm sure those idiotic anti-ROXS media from the East Coast were gloating! Too bad, they can keep on rootin' 4 their crappy East Coast teams!! I think once he gets settled in, he will start 2 contribute big time!!! The ROXS will do just fine!
No biggie...those will be the same guys who'll be kissing Yao's a$$ in 2-3 years!!! btw/ which ESPN sportcasters were saying all this smack?
I think David Robinson made a good point here. If you think about it, the Spurs is probably the best team in the league when it comes to guarding a big man. Shrimpie
And, Rudy only played him because he wanted to get that "first game" overwith and let Yao get over any nervousness and get an initiation by fire. His debut is over. He will build off this and improve. He doesn't even know the plays and his team mates. He was 70 hours out of Shanghai. It will be far better day by day, game by game.
Just to clarify -- very rarely do the reporters write their own headlines. Usually they file their story and headline writers make the headlines. So we shouldn't blame Murphy for the deceptive headline in this piece.
