JVG's comments on Yao last season

Here are some of JVG's comments on Yao last season.

Rockets vs. Mavericks - 11/21/03 - Van Gundy is the color analyst on the TNT telecast:

Scenario 1: Yao gets the ball deep in the left post with Shawn Bradley all over him. Yao powerfully lowers his shoulder and steps toward the basket to get into the lane, elevates off his right foot 2 feet in front of the rim, and lays the ball in with his left hand! What a beautiful display of using the other hand!

Van Gundy: "That one brought me out of my seat! That's post-up basketball! (Yao) takes somebody right through the basket. He just drove Bradley right under the hoop...I can see why everyone wanted this guy! This is my first time to see this guy play live. This is some show he's putting on!"

Scenario 2: With the Mavericks knowing they can't stop Yao, he snags a high pass that no Maverick can even try to knock away. Getting the ball only two feet away the basket, he establishes himself in the paint by using his body to create some space between he and Bradley, goes up and hammers the ball with an authoritative snap of the wrists, and falls to the floor because of the power behind it! Bradley fouls him on the arm, to boot. The Rocket bench erupts out of their seats, proud of their man who has learned very quickly to dunk with authority! We hate to say it, but this play was as Shaq-esque as it gets.

Van Gundy: "He got that one! That dunk, you would call a facial!"

Other comments - late November, 2003

"You know what I love about Yao is that he combines both humility and passion for the game and those are two traits you don't see in combination very much in our league today."

"The thing I love about Yao is his demeanor. He has the intensity and competitive spirit of a great player. I know he has the size and the skills, and defensively, he's not nearly as proficient as he needs to be. But that demeanor is going to help him through his great moments and his not-so-great moments."

Rockets vs. Lakers - 2/18/03 - Van Gundy once again is the color analyst for the TNT broadcast:

Scenario 1: With the Rockets trailing 80-82, Mobley shoots a 3-pointer that misses, but Yao's long arms help him tap the ball away from Samaki Walker and Yao is fouled in the process of bringing the ball into his grasp. That means free throws, which he needs to make to tie the score...and he hits both of them! Yao is really showing how clutch of a player he really is. Yao is 5-for-5 from the line with 21 points (8-for-16 from the field).

Van Gundy: "His demeanor allows him to play well in clutch situations. He's unflappable and he's poised."

Scenario 2: Mark Madsen pulls the biggest flop job in a long time and gets an offensive foul called on Yao on the inbounds play. That fouls out Yao with his 6th foul.

Van Gundy: "I just don't like those calls where guys are leaning on him and then he just raises his arm and you can just snap your head back...look like you've been physically abused. It has no bearing on whether the ball got in (inbounded). I just don't like those type of calls."

General comments - March, 2003

"The coordination of the post up, the pass, the catch and your cutting game ... is much more complex than just getting the ball to Yao on the left block. People forget because ... Yao because of his size will appear to be open. The pass is the hardest thing. If you have a team applying good ball pressure or that is around (Yao) in front with good weakside help, the entry pass is tough.

"With the new rules in the NBA, it's much more difficult to play the post-up game. But when I see him every game, he's a little bit better. That goes to his upbringing, his culture and his demeanor. He has enough humility to say, `I don't know everything. I can get better.' That's why he's going to be an absolute star. His combination of humility, humor and competitiveness -- it's remarkable. I love the guy."

Source. Yao Ming Mania.com