Yao, and how! China's big man looms larger By CHARLES F. GARDNER cgardner@journalsentinel.com Posted: March 28, 2004 A year ago, Yao Ming was a 7-foot-6 rookie sensation who attracted global attention and delighted the National Basketball Association's marketing gurus. On Sunday, an older and wiser Yao - all of 23 years old - brought his game to the Bradley Center, and his improvement was obvious for everyone to see. All that China's most famous basketball player did was play 41 minutes and contribute 27 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots in the Houston Rockets' 111-107 overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. Yao's huge line in the box score is becoming a common occurrence in his sophomore season, and much of it because Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy has insisted the team play through its big man. Many of his teammates resisted making Yao the focal point of the team last season, but that has changed. Even when the Houston center picked up his fifth foul with 7 minutes 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter Sunday, he was able to return and make a major impact late in regulation and in overtime. "He's finishing," said Rockets guard Steve Francis, who has altered his game to blend better with Yao. "He got some tough offensive foul calls that really, really hurt him and limited his time. I think he's learning slowly that, hey, you've got to be able to play 40 minutes. "Even though he's tired, we still milk him, getting the ball inside." Yao shot 7 for 13 and was perfect from the foul line, sinking 13 of 13 attempts. And he proved just as valuable on defense, altering numerous shots and making a key block in overtime on a driving layup attempt by Bucks guard Michael Redd. Yao put himself on the bench in the fourth quarter after committing two straight offensive fouls, including an elbow directed at Bucks center Daniel Santiago that drew a whistle for the Houston center's fifth foul. "Obviously, he's got to adjust better to how the game is being officiated," Van Gundy said. "To have three offensive fouls like that . . . he can play more intelligently. Yet, I was proud of how we hung in and kept in within striking distance until he was able to come back." Yao returned to the lineup with 4:54 left and the Rockets trailing, 85-78, and he contributed six key points to help Houston tie the score at 92-92 and force overtime. "In the fourth quarter, I knew there wasn't a lot of time left, so it wasn't something I considered at all," Yao said of playing with five fouls. The Bucks often threw double-team and triple-team pressure at Yao, and 6-10 forward Joe Smith and the 7-1 Santiago drew the primary defensive duties against him. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get him out of there (on fouls)," Smith said. "You try to keep him out of the paint. He's one of those guys if he gets the ball in the paint, it's almost automatic. You want to make him take that turnaround shot." Santiago played 26 minutes while going elbow to elbow with Yao in the post and trying to keep him away from the basket. "I thought I did a good job on him," Santiago said. "He's still a tough customer, but I think I limited some of his opportunities. "He likes to put those elbows a little bit high." Santiago finished with five fouls, and Smith and Brian Skinner each drew four while working against Yao. "He's got a great touch for a big man, and he's gotten a lot tougher as well," Santiago said. "Those guys are teaching him, (Rockets assistant) Patrick Ewing is teaching him, and it's going to come with time, too." YAO: WTF was that call about ?!
i think yao has hit his last 24 free throws. i really think that's an awesome dimension to his game. something that neither Duncan nor Shaq has.
Shaq's FT, lol, he holds the records for most consequatively missed FTs. I think it's 11 or something like that. BTW, I did not write the recap.
Elbow high? Common Santiago he is 7-6 and you are 7-1. Have you considered that his elbow seems high because you 5 inches shorter? You say high - Yao says normal level. Oh well I hope Yao continue to torment opponents with his elbow. He needs to start giving it to these midgets who think they are the next Najara. Yao should start letting folks know that there are consequences when you guard him. If he goes at it this way consistently the calls will eventually come his way.
Exactly. I was thinking about the same thing. Yao's elbow levels with other 7footer's head. Yao needs to throw that more, so that the ref knows about it, and make exceptions. Look Shaq how he gets away offensive foul.
From the ESPN recap: Bucks coach Terry Porter got a technical in overtime while arguing that Yao, who committed five personal fouls, should have been called for fouling Desmond Mason. "He got more than six fouls tonight," Porter said. "After the fifth, there were four or five that were very obvious."
I'm so annoyed that they keep mentioning this play. Mason charge at Yao and dived to the floor. I saw that play about 5 times. There was nothing remotely resembling a foul.
The "foul" that porter got a T for was not something that the refs would have called on Yao even if he had 0 fouls. Two guys went for the ball, some contact took place, and the guy lies on the ground holding his face in a lame attempt to get the call. Thanks for the point, Porter. Without that technical, the game might still be going on to this minute. Also, instead of just playing their normal offense, the Bucks just continuously tried to get Yao to foul out. It really took them out of their game. Funny to see Redd challenging the 7'6" monster, and flailing helplessly as he gets rejected.
I remember near the end of the game when one of Bucks (Redds ??) tried a lay-up in the paint, instead the guy ran into a wall of Rockets' defence (there were 3~4 Rockets swarming him, including Yao), he ended up falling onto the ground like a swatted dead fly. The slow motion was really funny.
for all the abuse that yao gets with no calls i have absolutely no pity from another teams coach b****ing about him not fouling out. if they wanted to call it absolutely by the book most teams would run out of centers by the half.
Yeah, I was watching Portheads game, unbelievbale fvcking calls agains Rockets. Calvin Murphy & Bill Worrel(?) kept marveling how many FTs Portheads got. Good thing those Portheads only make half of their FTs.
I like the comment he is "keeping those elbows a little high." This proves that Ming is reading my posts on the BBS, I recommended that last week. Yes sir, create space!!! I also like the way you (Ming) are using your rump to sweep out the lane. Progress, my friend, progress.
Yao has really continued to beef up. Look at the muscle definition in his arms now compared to last year, or even earlier in the season. A very good sign and I think a major factor in his overall development. If he continues with this trend he will be even more of a beast.
imaging one day when he had a body like shaq, and dosnot lost his touch and skill. if that could be true, then nba must change the rule to make the game fair.
Wasn't Terry Porter a master of the flop as a player? Perhaps he's just passing his wisdom on now that he's a coach.
