I think both Shaq & Yao take a great proud of their own game, but have great respect to each other's game, and the person as well, you can see this from the way they guarded each other without ball, no graping, holding, or any dirty tricks, just straight up defense. That's why both of them got the comfortable position rather easily last night. Someone should post the comment from Phil Jackson after the game, where he talked about the impact Yao has on Shaq. --daoshi
Regardless of what he says, Shaq respects Yao because Yao has not backed down. He has taken the beating, and started to dish it back. Shaq has abused everyone in the league for so long that he is simply not used to anyone coming close to annoying him on defense. To that extent, Yao is in his head. Shaq has never had to "adjust" to anything. He has just been superior for so long. Right now, the difference between Shaq and Yao is consistency. Shaq abuses everyone in the league. Yao has good games and bad games. But in terms of potential output and performance, Yao is closing the gap, and fast. The head to head matchups are the best evidence of that. Finally, all that crap about . . . oh the Rockets double team me but we don't double Yao. Well, there's a damn good reason that the Lakers don't double Yao. His passing skills are his best skills. Is Phil Jackson really an idiot? Of course not. He would rather have Shaq single cover Yao, than use a double team and expose the porous Laker defense to cutters and Yao's passing. It's plain and simple.
It's hard to believe that Shaq has respect for Yao and Yao's game at this point but there may be some truth to that. I was very surprised that Yao was able to get somewhat deep position on several occassions back to back and was able to make something happen. I was wondering Why Shaq doesnt push Yao out of the block but he wasn't doing that. What may be a problem for the lakers is this: Is Shaq going to swallow his pride and allow Phil Jackson to double and triple team Yao? That's the reason question and if they do, then we will see just how effective Yao can be in a Lakers vs Rox game.
Well, I think the main reason why Phil doesnt double Yao is because Shaq won't allow it. IF he did he couldn't use the "so many defenders" excuse.
Phil Jackson doesn't respect Yao that's why there is no double team. I remember reading a quote by Jackson saying Shaq will snap Yao in two or something to that effect.
