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Yao created defensive havoc in the paint during the Rockets win against the Blazers Tuesday night.

as of 11/13/02

Forget the talk about Yao being too tired, not strong enough, or needing more adjustment time to make meaningful contributions in the NBA. On Tuesday night against the Blazers, Yao scored 7 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in just 15 minutes of play, and helped the Rockets win 86-83. Although the stats don't sound like much, if you double the number of Yao's minutes to 30, then you've got very respectable numbers. On top of that, almost all of his plays were spectacular and proved once again when given the minutes, Yao is ready to play NOW. For specifics, check out our detailed analysis below at the 2:07 and :57 minute mark (1st quarter), 7:42 and 6:15 (2nd quarter), and 10:34 and 7:27 (4th quarter). If it hadn't been for Kelvin Cato's absence from the game, who had to attend an out-of-town funeral, Rudy probably wouldn't have played Yao as many minutes as he did. In watching Yao in the Blazer game and over the first six games, we believe Yao is one of the hardest working Rockets we have seen in recent memory at jockeying for rebounds (a la Hakeem). He also has great basketball fundamentals, is very quick-thinking, and has great moves that can get him easy baskets or free throws. Even though he hasn't played that much, he already is commanding double-teams from defenses--height will do that. We also believe Yao will still be a force this year in the NBA, because talent like this can only be suppressed for just so long. What's nice is that if you're a Rocket fan, this team is very exciting to watch when they play smart. Since they have almost everyone back from injury or suspension (Kenny Thomas, Maurice Taylor), have a nice surprise in Joaquin Hawkins, Eddie Griffin is showing star potential, Kelvin Cato is much improved, and Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are having the best years of their careers, we're having fun watching them even if Yao is logging only about 15 minutes a game.

Detailed Yao analysis

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1st quarter
3:30	Yao checks into the game.
2:07	Steve Francis goes up for a jump shot just beyond the free throw line with only four seconds on the shot clock, but at the last moment zips a pass to Yao, who is standing at the right baseline all alone. He takes a big step toward the basket while Dale Davis comes over to defend him. Yao does a BEAUTIFUL pump fake to get Davis in the air, who flies by Yao, then pivots and easily slams it home! This is one of the best fakes we have ever seen a man of this size do. It will definitely be on Sportscenter and surprise some of his critics.
:57	Yao jockeys for position under the rim for a high offensive rebound, stretches his arm out behind his head to snag the ball, and quickly zips the ball to a wide-open Glen Rice for a three. Score an assist for Yao, and give him kudos for showing patience. With as few shots as he gets, he could have been selfish and try to shoot a low-percentage shot in traffic. Moreover, give Yao credit for his hustle. He's always working hard for great positioning on rebounds.
2nd quarter
11:48	Yao cuts across the lane and gets the ball from Glen Rice and shoots a fadeaway jumper from the baseline, but is fouled by Arvydas Sabonis, and goes to the free throw line and makes two beautiful shots. Yao's got the sweetest form from the line.
11:04	Yao again gets great position under the Portland glass and starts to get a grip of the defensive rebound, but Maurice Taylor accidentally knocks it out of Yao's grasp since Taylor was also going for the loose ball. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE HOUSTON ANNOUNCERS on this play--they said Yao lost the ball and needs more strength, but if they were more detail-oriented they would see that Taylor knocked it away.
10:28	Bonzi Wells makes a nice spin move on Glen Rice and appears to have a clear layup, but Yao comes from behind to make Bonzi pump the ball before shooting, and replays show Yao blocks the shot (even though it doesn't appear he got credit for it) and grabs the airborne ball.
8:03	Moochie Norris passes the ball to Yao on the right baseline, and quickly draws a double-team. Yao steps out of the double-team and passes the ball to Cuttino out by the 3-point line and in front of the Rockets bench, but passes the ball high which makes Mobley accidentally step on the out-of-bounds line. The thing this play shows is how much opposing defenses respect Yao and his size by quickly double-teaming him.
7:42	Yao again establishes great position underneath the Portland glass by putting his big body against 7'2" monster Sabonis, and easily gets the rebound. Yao shows very impressive use of his lower body strength by leaning hard on Arvydas and putting him out of position.
6:32	Yao receives a pass just beyond the free throw line, takes two steps (not three) to break out of another double-team and passes the ball, but is called for traveling. There is no way this was a travel! The refs need to get accustomed to how much ground Yao can cover in two steps. It may look illegal, but it's not.
6:15	Yao again has great position under the defensive glass, and is fouled by Ruben Patterson who goes over his back. Kenny Thomas checks in for Yao after 9 very productive minutes. Portland leads 35-29
4th quarter
12:00	Yao checks into the game with the Blazers leading the Rockets 64-63. We have to give Rudy T. some credit for putting Yao into the game while it's still close. If Cato were in uniform, though, he probably would have gone with the 'safe' option, even though we feel Yao holds his own...and then some.
10:34	On a drive that shows how lethal Yao is, he receives a pass from Francis just inside the 3-point line above the Rockets logo on the court. Sabonis comes out to defend Yao, to whom he gives a wicked pump fake, and gets Sabonis in the air. Then Yao takes two giant steps toward the hole (which is legal and the refs get right this time), is met by Ruben Patterson, and goes airborne and easily lays it in, and is fouled! Yao proceeds to hit the free throw. This play alone proves Yao is ready for more minutes now.
7:27	Sabonis gets the ball in the middle of the paint and steps backward to make an awkard shot as he's leaning backward. Yao comes by to swat the ball back in Sabonis' face as Sabonis falls flat on his back to the floor! Sabonis looks really foolish on this play! Bonzi Wells recovers the loose ball and shoots up an air ball, Rasheed catches the airball and misses a point-blank layup, which Yao rebounds. Total intimidation is shown by Yao on this play by the missed shots of these three Blazers.
6:28	Kenny Thomas checks in for Yao with the Rockets trailing 75-72. It appears Rudy is thinking that Thomas can provide more offense since they need more points, even though we think Yao could not only provide offense as well, but also key rebounds in what looks like a game that's going down to the wire.
2:23	Dale Davis tips in a missed shot to give the Blazers an 81-80 lead. We've got to think this would have been an easy rebound Yao could have snared if he had been in the game.
1:05	With the Blazers down 83-81, Maurice Cheeks outcoaches Rudy by putting Sabonis in the game after a timeout. The Blazers throw it down to Sabonis in the paint, and he easily scores over an outmatched Eddie Griffin, who fouls him. We can't believe the Rockets didn't get Yao ready to insert into the game in case Sabonis was put into the game. Unbelievably, a few minutes later Sabonis is in the game (without Yao to keep him in check) on a play that could tie it against the Rockets with only a few seconds left on a point blank shot, but luckily Sabonis is blocked by the smaller Griffin. Do the Rockets really want to continue playing percentages like this that are not in their favor, especially when Yao proved he could defend Sabonis?

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