[Mercury News] Montgomery takes note of Yao's sizable skills

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Posted on Thu, Dec. 15, 2005

Montgomery takes note of Yao's sizable skills

Warriors Coach Mike Montgomery had the reaction of many people upon first seeing Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets' 7-foot-5, 296-pound center.
``The thing that just stands out about him is just how big he is,'' Montgomery said Wednesday before the Warriors' game against Houston. ``I think that was the first impression I had of Shaq, too. You've seen guys that are 7-footers. You've seen guys that are 300 pounds. Then all of a sudden you look at him on the floor, and he's about twice as big as you had imagined.
``I can remember not even being able to see Adonal (Foyle) standing behind him. `Where's Adonal? How come he's not guarding the guy?' `Coach, he's right behind him.' `Oh.' He's that big. He's just a really big guy.''
Montgomery noted that Yao isn't just big anymore. He said not only has Yao improved, but also the Rockets have improved in how they use him.
The Rockets have been cognizant, especially lately, of the fact that they're a better team when Yao is involved in the offense. Yao has become more patient with the ball and plays with more confidence.
``He knows his game better,'' Montgomery said. ``Rather than expect him to be Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) or somebody else, they know what he does and what he doesn't do, and they utilize him to his abilities. He understands the game. He's learned how to stay out of foul trouble a little bit more by not being too aggressive. I just think he knows more about who he is.''
• Houston Coach Jeff Van Gundy suggested before the game that Montgomery has not gotten the credit he deserves in the Warriors' resurgence.
``I haven't read enough about the job he has done,'' Van Gundy said, ``because it doesn't fit into the myth that college coaches can't coach successfully in the NBA.''
• None of the three Rockets with Warriors connections played Wednesday. Point guard Rafer Alston, a 2002 Warriors training-camp invitee, was out because of a hairline fracture in his right fibula. Guard Jon Barry, son of Warriors great Rick Barry, sat out with a right-calf strain. Guard Bob Sura, who spent 2000-2003 with the Warriors, is out indefinitely after knee and back surgery.
• Warriors guards Baron Davis and Jason Richardson will be featured on TNT's ``Inside The NBA'' tonight after the Houston-Seattle game. Part of the segment will include the two taking the team's rookies shopping for suits in San Francisco.
• Each stall in the Warriors' locker room had a thank-you card or Christmas card created and sent by local youth. The Warriors regularly donate tickets to youth organizations in the Bay Area. ``Kids have an amazing ability to see the world from a simple perspective,'' Foyle said, smiling, as he stared at a drawing posted in his locker. ``Look at that. Just a tree and a snowman.''