In the breakout game of his career, Yao raised his game above all the rest in helping defeat the Lakers 93-89 in a nationally televised game.
as of 11/18/02
Yao has breakout game against Lakers
This game for Yao, and for his fans around the world who have believed in him, was one for the ages. Having shown a ton of class by not lashing back at any of his critics, Yao shut all of them up through his actions on the court by helping the Rockets defeat the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers 93-89 Sunday night in LA. Yao had a breakthrough game, scoring 20 points on 9-9 shooting along with 6 rebounds. He also played almost the entire fourth quarter--the first time that has happened this season. We've said it all along, if Yao is given the minutes, he will help the Rockets win.
In this game, they needed Yao and his usual high percentage shots (see shot chart below) since his team was struggling (Steve Francis: 8-20 from the field; Cuttino Mobley: 4-13; Kenny Thomas: 3-7; Glen Rice: 1-6). Moreover, in the third quarter the Lakers were able to score easy buckets down low since Yao was on the bench the entire quarter. But by playing most of the fourth quarter, Yao was able to continue changing the complexion of the game both offensively and defensively. Check out our "Detailed Yao Analysis" below for exactly where he made his presence felt. With this performance, there should be no question: Yao should play at least 24 minutes a game (if not more), including those all-important minutes in crunch time.
We're in a new era now
There's no turning back for Rudy--he could only keep the 'gini in the bottle' for so long. Yao's performance will make headlines not only around the NBA, but around the world. So if Rudy doesn't play Yao like he did Sunday night from this point forward, everyone will wonder "why not?" Indeed, this game most likely changes everything (hopefully). And to think, if starting center Kelvin Cato had not been on an excused absence from the Rockets because of his grandmother's funeral the past three games, it might have taken weeks--if not months--for Yao to get this type of playing time and breakout performance.
Plethora of arsenal
What's even more evident about the Rockets is they have so many weapons. Although some of the 'core' Rockets had so-so games (Cuttino, Thomas, Griffin, Rice), Maurice Taylor and Yao played very well to give their team a boost. They showed against the Lakers they are a team that can still win when their stars have an off night. This Rocket team is really coming together, and opposing teams are going to have a difficult time beating them if Rudy uses all of his players wisely and keeps the other team guessing.
What's Barkley going to say or do this week?
If you've been following it lately, TNT analyst Charles Barkley said recently that he would kiss fellow-analyst Kenny Smith's butt on national television if Yao scored 19 points in a game. Well, since Yao scored 20 points, what's going to happen this week on TNT? We'll give you an update as soon as we find out, or see it!
Quotes
We have posted several quotes from Rockets and Lakers who played in the game below. We even have a complimentary quote from Shaq, who was not able to play since he's still nursing his toe injury. We also included a quote from Barkley said a few days before the game.
"He is aggressive. He wants to go to the ball. A lot of times we say, `Let it come to you,' because if they see him, they're going to cause contact. I thought he bothered some shots out there."
- Rudy T. commenting on Yao's defensive performance against the Lakers, 11/18/02
"You couldn't ask for anything more from him. He gave us a heck of a boost. I was surprised he caught some of the passes. Some of the passes were bad and he caught them and finished.
"I've seen him in practices. I knew he had soft hands. I was just glad he was aggressive and dunking the ball. In his culture, you don't dunk the ball. But we've been on him from Day 1, `if you don't dunk the ball, you won't score.' "
- Steve Francis after Yao's performance againt the Lakers, 11/17/02
"He has all the skills to be effective in the league. It's just a matter of his determination, his confidence and his belief in himself. He hurt us tonight. We were soft in the middle and he took advantage tonight."
- Kobe Bryant on Yao's performance againt the Lakers, 11/17/02
"I haven't seen him a whole lot yet, but he sure did (well) tonight. His presence in the middle was a little overwhelming."
"He added to his highlight reel tonight. He's been much-maligned as a No. 1 draft pick. You can't teach 7-6. This is an individual who can clearly play the game, he's no circus act. He's going to have more and more nights like this.
"He can speak clear English, too, which surprised me. I heard him talking to his teammates."
- Rick Fox on Yao's performance againt the Lakers, 11/17/02
"I knew he was there even before I got the ball. I saw them switch to Mo and knew I would get it. (Yao) is 7-5. He's the biggest guy out there. There's no way you could miss him. I knew once I got him the ball, he would finish."
- Rocket Juaquin Hawkins, who dished the ball to Yao for a big bucket against the Lakers in the final minute, 11/17/02
"We knew it. There never was a doubt in our minds that he can play. The reason we won was the buckets he had down the stretch. He was a presence tonight."
We knew that once he got comfortable, the games were going to get better and the minutes that he will get are going to be better. You saw the finished product tonight."
- Rocket Maurice Taylor, after the Rockets beat the Lakers after a big-time Yao performance, 11/17/02
"Would I break him in two? Congratulations to Mr. Ming, first of all. He's done a lot for his country. Whenever you have a guy that's comes in like that, you must take it to him before he takes it to you.
"He has all the tools. He can shoot. He can dribble. He's no slouch."
- Shaq, showing some unusual respect for Yao after being asked if he would 'break Yao in two,' 11/17/02
"Yao Ming makes Shawn Bradley look like Bill Russell. He might be a good player some day, but he is not ready."
"He has been playing the game all these years. You know what he said when he got over here, 'Whoa! These brothers are different over here. They are big and strong and they run and jump. Whoa! Even white guys can play over here.' He's never seen a brother in China. The black guys and white guys - they aren't like those China guys, they're a little bit different over here."
- What Charles Barkley said before saying he would kiss Kenny Smith's butt if Yao scored 19 points, 11/14/02
Detailed Yao Analysis
1st quarter
1:29
Yao checks into the game for Kenny Thomas after Thomas picks up his second foul.
2nd quarter
11:04
Maurice Taylor gets the ball the in the post, and Yao slides down from the free throw line toward the basket. Medvedenko comes over to double-team Taylor, and Taylor finds Yao underneath the basket all alone for the two-handed jam! Rockets lead 24-21.
10:20
Moochie takes a long jumper from the corner, and Yao crashes the boards from out high. The ball bounces high off the rim and Yao, about 3 feet from the basket, uses all of his height to grab the rebound vigorously while legally swinging his elbows. He then brings it down, takes one step toward the basket in traffic, and kisses a nice layup off the glass with his right hand. Beautiful play! Credit his hustle crashing the boards (something we rarely saw from Kelvin Cato last year). Rockets lead 26-21.
9:13
Yao gets the ball on the left baseline just outside of the paint, and is guarded by Medvedenko. Yao spins right toward the baseline and dribbles twice around his man. Yao then jump stops underneath the basket, and gracefully stretches on the the other side of the goal to put in a nice reverse layup off the glass. A thing of beauty! Rockets lead 29-23.
8:27
Yao gets the ball almost in the exact same position as the previous possession--on the left baseline, and this time is guarded by Samaki Walker. Turning left again, he's fouled. That's what we like to see--keep feeding it to the big man! An official's timeout is called.
8:18
After the timeout, Yao gets the ball in the exact same spot. We've got to think Rudy told his guards to exploit the matchup he has against his smaller defenders. Instead of driving baseline, Yao takes one step back and shoots a jumper--nothing but cotton! Yao has scored six straight points for the Rockets! The L.A. crowd roars awestruck! Rockets lead 31-25.
7:43
For the fourth possession in a row, Yao gets the ball in the same spot. This time he pivots and drop steps toward the basket, but is called for traveling--which is the correct call.
6:04
Out high near the 3 point line, Yao's defender Samaki Walker has the ball and hands it to Kobe. Kobe starts dribbling, and wanting to make sure Bryant (who is on fire having scored 12 points in a row) doesn't get something easy, Yao slides away from Walker to cut off Kobe. Kobe is smart enough to see Walker cutting to the basket unguarded, and on a perfect pick-and-roll bounces a pass to Walker who goes uncontested for the jam. Yao was a bit too eager to help out and guard Kobe on this one, but who wouldn't given Kobe is torching the Rockets?
5:45
Moochie dribbles quickly toward the left corner and sees Yao in the middle of the paint breaking free from Walker. Moochie zips a PERFECT pass to Yao, who catches the bullet and dunks it one-handed in the front of the rim. Rockets lead 35-31. Yao has scored 8 of the Rockets last 10 points, and has 10 points total in 7 minutes.
3:58
Yao gets the ball in the right post, brings it down and bounces once with both hands, and takes a step backwards. But the ref calls him for traveling. Yao seems to protest the call motioning that he dribbled, and Rudy comes off the bench upset at the ref for making the call.
3:31
Cuttino drives toward the basket and shoots a running jumper. When he releases the ball, Yao is at the free throw line--so we're thinking there's no way if Cuttino misses that Yao will be able to get the rebound. Cuttino's shot misses, and Yao crashes the boards. The rebound is tipped by Samaki Walker, and Yao pulls it strongly out of the air and goes up strong for a layup. We've been saying it this entire season--one of Yao's most unsung strengths is his willingness to work hard for position on every rebound.
2:10
Yao checks out of the game during a timeout. Yao is 6-6 for the quarter, has 12 points and 4 rebounds in a little less than twelve minutes of action.
4th quarter
12:00
Yao checks back in after not playing at all in the third quarter, probably because he had 3 fouls. Rockets are down by five, 64-59.
9:52
In one of the most exciting plays we think we've seen thus far, the Rockets are fast breaking 3-on-2. Francis enters the lane and without even looking behind him, bounces the ball with no one seemingly around him. Suddenly Yao enters the picture out of nowhere almost full-speed to pick up the bouncing ball about 3 feet inside the free throw line, takes one step and elevates toward the basket. Laker Tracy Murray sticks his hand in to rip Yao's left hand and arm off the ball, and while in mid-air Yao keeps control of the ball with his right hand by cupping it -- and puts in an acrobatic shot for the lay-in. And he's fouled! UNBELIEVABLE!
Yao pumps his fist with the most excitement we've seen thus far on the court, the Rocket bench comes off their feet, and Rick Fox slams the ball against the base of the goal in frustration. So you're telling me Yao can fast break, too? And has the dexterity to handle the ball with one hand while his other arm is beting ripped off his body? You gotta be kidding me? And give props to Francis for seeing Yao out of the back of his head. Yao makes the free throw to put put his team up 70-66. The Rockets are on an 11-2 run after having struggled badly in the third quarter. This was a big bucket for the Rockets.
8:56
Yao sets a screen out high for Francis at the 3 point line, but while Fisher tries to get around Yao to defend Francis, Yao moves and runs into Fisher and is called for a moving screen. Yao is so big, he didn't really need to move since there was no way Fisher was going to get around him to defend Steve anyway. It's okay. When you've gone 7-7 for the game, you can afford to make a few mistakes.
3:51
After a long spell of not having touched the ball, Yao gets the ball to the right of the basket in the post. At this point the Rockets have been trying to fend off a red-hot Kobe, who has kept the Lakers in the game and who only trail 83-79. With only 6 seconds on the shot clock, Yao goes to work. He faces up toward the basket and it looks like he's going to shoot his ever reliable jump shot. But instead, he decides to dribble and spin right toward the baseline. In Dream-like fashion, Yao goes up with a right-handed jump hook and showing beautiful touch, scores the basket! Not only is Yao a perfect 8-8 from the field, but he hits a clutch shot to give the Rockets a 6 point lead.
2:22
With the Lakers down 87-83, Brian Shaw shoots a three point attempt. He misses, but Yao is able to tip the ball just enough to make Samaki Walker's tip-in attempt underneath the basket unsuccessful. The ball is rebounded by Maurice Taylor. Credit Yao's height in keeping the Rockets four point lead intact.
1:00
With the Rockets only holding a 1 point lead, the Rockets desperately need to score. Maurice Taylor gets the ball in the post and is double-teamed. Wisely, he bounce passes the ball to Joaquin Hawkins, who starts to drive a wide-open lane. As expected, all the Lakers converge to cut Hawkins off as he drives toward the bucket. Then showing the wise man that he is, after getting all the Lakers in the air, Hawkins dishes to Yao who is standing underneath the basket. Yao then crams it home authoritatively with one hand--and he's fouled! Huge bucket for the Rockets, and Yao hits the free throw for a three point play! Rockets lead 90-86.
:26.5
Yao is taken out of the game with the Rockets holding a one point lead, and the Rockets inbound the ball with 7 seconds on the shot clock. Francis receives the ball out high at the three point line, but dribbles the ball around without being able to get a shot off. You can tell on Francis' face how bad he feels about this one. But we're also wondering why Yao was taken out of the game? It certainly couldn't have been for free throw shooting purposes--Yao is one of the most accurate free throw shooters on the team.
Fortunately, the Rockets hold on to win in nailbiting fashion due in part to Kobe missing a makeable, but twisting, layup at point-blank range. To recap again, Yao scored 20 points on 9-9 shooting, shot 2-2 from the free throw line, and had 6 rebounds.
