With tongue in cheek, Jackson said he was glad O'Neal's first game of the season wasn't against Yao and the Rockets, adding with a smile: "He'd break him in two." ... O'Neal was complimentary when asked about Yao, saying: "Congratulations to Mr. Ming, first of all. He's done a lot for his country. He has all the tools -- shoot, dribble. He can play, he's no slouch."
That game could have really been embarrassing to Shaq..Not that he isn't great but Shaq is waaaaay out of shape..My guess is that he missed the game on purpose