Orlando Sentinel: Rockets' chances to join elite in West will flow through Yao

Rockets' chances to join elite in West will flow through Yao

As others can attest, having a franchise center is invaluable in today's NBA.

By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted January 25, 2004

This might be one of those seasons when being really bad brings really good returns in the NBA. Nothing changes the fortunes of a franchise like a franchise center. Like Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan did for their teams before him -- all centers taken with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft -- Yao Ming is on the verge of transforming the Houston Rockets into a Western Conference power. The Rockets (25-17) will play the Magic (12-32) at 6 tonight at TD Waterhouse Centre, expecting to win their third consecutive game and sixth in the past seven. At 7 feet 6 and 310 pounds -- and with good skills to match -- Yao is being used as the centerpiece/foundation to a new era in Houston, something that only a dominating center can provide.

The next one available -- likely in the 2004 draft -- should be 7-foot-4, 270-pound Russian Pavel Podkolzine, an almost-certain No. 1 overall pick, which is something the Magic could land if they continue to struggle with the worst record in the league. Although players such as guard LeBron James and forwards Kenyon Martin and Elton Brand -- all recent No. 1 picks -- bring plenty of promise and pizazz, only the great centers can bring certainty to an otherwise uncertain franchise. The only championships won since the end of the Chicago Bulls era in 1998 have been with O'Neal or Duncan providing the stability at center that no one else in the NBA can match -- until Yao arrived.

"A center like Yao Ming anchors you both defensively and offensively," Magic Coach Johnny Davis said. "He makes all his teammates better. He makes it easier for everyone. "It makes your life as a coach a whole lot easier. All you've got to do is reference back to when Shaq was here [Orlando]."

O'Neal, taken No. 1 by the Magic in 1992, helped Orlando rocket into the NBA Finals in his third season, carrying a fragile, young team along for the ride. When he left a year later for Los Angeles, where he has won three championships with the Lakers, he started a downward spiral that still hasn't stopped.

"Man, I think about that all the time, what it would be like playing with a center like that," Magic all-star Tracy McGrady said. "Everybody's game would just go to another level. That's why Kobe [Bryant] is so effective. He can gamble defensively with a guy like Shaq behind him. And Shaq attracts so much attention offensively, everyone else is free."

Although Yao is in only his second NBA season, the Rockets already are riding him. He clogs the middle defensively. He opens the floor for his teammates on offense. His presence alone comes with big positives. Houston guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley find themselves amazingly open at times. Journeyman Jimmy Jackson, almost out of the league this past summer, has rediscovered his worth playing with Yao.

Veteran Maurice Taylor sees great opportunities on offense. "He makes us a totally different team when he's effective," Jackson said. "He opens up the driving lane, the passing lane, the cross-court passes, everything. And he's just learning the game. He's just playing the game, playing on instinct.

"Putting the plays together will come when he realizes who he is and what he can do in this league."

Yao is averaging 16 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.86 blocks. He's the biggest reason the Rockets have become pit bulls defensively. They have forced opponents into a .389 shooting percentage, allowing 83.2 points. Both are league lows. It's easy to gamble when Yao is waiting to cover any mistakes.

"People have to alter their shots against him [Yao]," said Magic guard Tyronn Lue, who played with O'Neal on two championship teams in Los Angeles. "Defense is totally different with a big shot-blocker behind you."

Offensively, the Rockets like to start every possession with a pass into Yao, much like the Lakers used to do with O'Neal. Depending upon how defenses play against him, they react. In his past five games, Yao has averaged 20.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and two blocks while shooting 64.1 percent. His improved play has coincided with the Rockets' best play of the season.

"Even when he's not hitting, we want him to keep shooting," Francis said. "He'll learn that as we continue to feed him the ball, if they play him one-on-one, he has to dominate."

Francis has benefited as much as anyone from Yao. He already was a rising star before Yao arrived, but the Chinese center has allowed him to become a more complete player. O'Neal's presence in Orlando allowed Penny Hardaway to become an all-star. He has done the same for Bryant in Los Angeles. Francis, who is averaging 17 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, is expected to play in his third consecutive all-star game. Last season, he was one of two players in the NBA to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. Mobley has shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range. Like Francis, he has improved his all-around game playing with Yao. Compared to the double- and triple-team defenses that McGrady sees, Mobley runs the court without seeing more than one defender.

"They have a pretty good thing going, but it starts at center," Davis said. "He's a dominating presence who just makes everyone even better. It's quite a combination."

 

One of the bests NBA draft ever...1984:

1984 DRAFT
*Choice awarded to Cleveland to replace draft choices traded by
previous ownership

First Round
1 Hous Akeem Olajuwon Houston
2 Port Sam Bowie Kentucky
3 Chi Michael Jordan North Carolina
4 Dall Sam Perkins North Carolina
5 Phil Charles Barkley Auburn
6 Wash Mel Turpin Kentucky
7 SA Alvin Robertson Arkansas
8 LAC Lancaster Gordon Louisville
9 KC Otis Thorpe Providence
10 Phil Leon Wood Cal State-Fullerton
11 Atl Kevin Willis Michigan State
12*Clev Tim McCormick Michigan
13 Phoe Jay Humphries Colorado
14 LAC Michael Cage San Diego State
15 Dall Terence Stansbury Temple
16 Utah John Stockton Gonzaga
17 NJ Jeff Turner Vanderbilt
18 Ind Vern Fleming Georgia
19 Port Bernard Thompson Fresno State
20 Det Tony Campbell Ohio State
21 Mil Kenny Fields UCLA
22 Phil Tom Sewell Lamar
23 LAL Earl Jones District of Columbia
24 Bos Michael Young Houston