Is this guy ready for our flames? Yao a yawn BY ROBBI PICKERAL Pioneer Press At 7 feet 5, with calves the size of someone's head, Houston rookie Yao Ming looked to be an awfully big threat for the tired Timberwolves on Saturday. But in the end, he was simply an awfully big distraction. Despite 12 points and 12 rebounds from the Chinese center, the Wolves broke their two-game losing steak — and snapped the Rockets' three-game winning streak — with a 98-86 victory in front of 16,329 at Target Center. Minnesota (15-13) has five days before it plays again. The Wolves, who led by 16 in the first half, were up 74-69 entering the fourth quarter, after Houston forward Glen Rice's half-court buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter was overturned. And Houston never made a dent. Minnesota got a bit of something from everyone: Forward Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 11 rebounds, forward Gary Trent chipped in 12 points and 13 rebounds, and point guard Troy Hudson scored 15 points. Guard Steve Francis led Houston with 24 points. After the clock ran out, Garnett reached across press row to yell into the microphone, "Happy Holidays!'' The Wolves were coming off consecutive losses in which they allowed 40-point games from an opponent's shooting guard. Containing Houston's perimeter players, including Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Glen Rice, probably should have been more difficult than controlling Philadelphia's Allen Iverson or Boston's Paul Pierce because of the sizable distraction of Yao. But it didn't seem that way early. Although both teams were playing their second game in two nights, Minnesota seemed fresher, even though the Wolves were playing their fourth game in five nights. The score was tied 6-6 when the Wolves made their first run, a 20-6 sprint that included four three-pointers from Hudson. Yao was 0 for 1 with two assists in the first quarter. The Wolves, who shot better than 56 percent, led by 14 points during the first quarter and by 16 with 4:55 left in the half. Yao got a chance to show his ability a few times before halftime, such as when he made an easy hook shot over the 6-8 Trent, or when he blocked Rasho Nesterovic on a fadeaway move. Houston cut its deficit to less than 10 before halftime by shooting 50 percent in the second quarter and outscoring the Wolves 8-3 in the final three minutes of the half. Trailing 61-51 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter, Houston used a 16-5 run to take its first lead of the second half, 67-66. Rice paced the Rockets with eight points. But it didn't last. The Wolves held Houston without a field goal for the final 3:13 of the quarter, outscoring the Rockets 8-2, to take a 74-69 lead into the final quarter. Garnett led all scorers with 13 points in the third.
I can be a writer. I know I can. All I have to do is type what happened and throw in an insult or two either at our guys or the visitors. Man, I can do this...
Wait until Yao play them again on Jan. 7. Yao will break puppies double/triple-teaming and make them pay.
it's encouraging to see that a 12 point 12 board game is now a yawn-inducing performance by yao. i think the media has come to expect greatness from yao.
I'm happy w/ 12-12 as a rook but he did seem a little slow against the pups. It looked like the back-2-back was wearing on him. Not much pep in his step. Can't win them all. As long as we don't real off a loosing streak, we're in good shape. MoT looked good again. If we get a little more production out of him as he gets his legs back, we'll be just fine.
Actually maybe this title can be seen as a backhanded compliment. Most teams now would be pretty happy to get 12 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal out of their center. If the guy is expecting a lot more out of Yao then it means he is making a pretty big impression so far. So lets just take it as a compliment of sorts.
That writer talks alot of trash considering his beloved Timberpuppies are looking up at us in the standings.
Chance, LMAO You are truley an artist. Good job as usual. You are a genius, and above all else, my idol. Keep up the good work.
