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Yao vs. Bucks - 12/31/02

Yao makes a quick spin move on the Bucks' Earvin Johnson before throwing one down. The Rockets blew out the Bucks 103-80 Tuesday night in Houston.
Rockets cash in on the Bucks

The Rockets started their New Year's Eve party a couple hours early Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Spurred on by a Compaq Center crowd with party noisemakers in-hand and in their mouths, the Rockets played inspired and aggressive basketball, broke open a big lead in the second quarter, and never looked back as they entered the New Year. This game was over by the third quarter as Houston held a 28-point lead at one time and brought in their substitute players in the fourth to cruise to a 103-80 victory.

Everybody was hitting everything for the Rockets. The entire team shot 50% from the floor: Yao was 6-for-9 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the line (16 points), Cuttino Mobley was 7-for-13 (17 points), and Francis 9-for-15 (26 points). In the first half, the team was 5-of-10 from three-point land; we all know that's not sustainable over the long haul, but it sure is fun to watch when it does happen. Don't expect that kind of success as the season progresses, though. After their fourth game in a row at Compaq Center, it looks like the Rockets are getting comfortable with their home digs again.

To be fair, the Bucks were without sensational guard Ray Allen because of injury, so the Rockets should be cautious about how good they think they are after this game. But hopefully the victory they pulled out over the Hornets a couple of nights ago was the victory that changed their season around to be more consistent, and this game is a continuation of that trend. So far, so good. The Rockets looked like a team possessed Tuesday night.

Yao-za!

Yao had several highlight reel plays, including a quick spin move (photo is above) that led to a slam dunk, a 20-foot jump shot (longest shot of the year) and yet another no-look pass. See our Detailed Yao Analysis below for more coverage. In this particular game, the Rockets really didn't need Yao's firepower because of how great they were shooting, but that justifiably didn't stop the Milwaukee announcers continuing the trend we hear from other announcers around the league: "I can't believe they (the Rocket coaches) play away from him as much as they have," announcer John McGlocklin wondered.

Other new guys

We were happy with the play of new addition James Posey, who really showed his versatility, speed and scoring (3-for-6 from the field) with sensational baskets and fast break dunks. As we predicted in our last report, we believe he will continue to take playing time from Glen Rice. Yao's good friend Bostjan Nachbar also got to play during garbage time, with a beautiful reverse lay-up in the fourth quarter that showed his athleticism.

In conclusion

We'd like to conclude the year by thanking Yao for making the last few weeks of 2002 one of the most historical and memorable stories of the year, and perhaps the decade. We know this is just the beginning.

Happy New Yao!

John

Detailed Yao Analysis


1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
9:55 Steve Francis passes the ball to Yao in his favorite spot on the left side of the paint, bounces the ball twice and goes up for a fadeaway jump shot and HITS NOTHING BUT NET! The Compaq Center crowd roars its appreciation on this very festive New Year's Eve evening. The fans were given noisemakers before the game, so the extra 'buzz' makes it even more exciting of an atmosphere in which the Rockets are playing. Can those be handed out for all the games?
7:26 Here's a slightly different play we hadn't seen from Yao before: he gets the ball in his favorite spot on the left side guarded by Earvin Johnson, then spins lightning quick toward the baseline (see photo at top of page), dribbles it once, and then instead of laying it off the glass, THUNDERS IT DOWN WITH ONE HAND FOR THE JAM!! There ain't no way anyone is going to block that shot! And this whole sequence was quicker than we've seen Yao make this move. Yao seems very aggressive tonight. I wonder what the story is on that! We don't know yet, but whatever it is, we like it! Yao is 2-for-3 from the field with 4 points. Rockets lead 7-6.
1:26 Tim Thomas tries to posterize Yao on a drive and dunk, but that was foolish: Yao swats away Thomas' power dunk attempt at the rim. The Bucks gain possession of the deflection, pass the ball around a couple of times, and Thomas ends up saving a little bit of face by hitting a jumper. But Yao records his one-and-only block for the game, his 9th game in a row with a block, and 23rd out of 24 games with a rejection. Not bad for a guy who Mark Cuban said this past summer was "overrated" and had "alligator arms."
2nd quarter - The game is tied 18-18. Cato checks into the game for Yao, who played the entire first quarter, which we believe is the first time we have seen that happen this year.
    Yao didn't play the entire quarter, but the Rockets didn't need him. The Rockets outscored Milwaukee 32-18 to take a 50-36 lead at the half.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
10:00
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Free Throw		 On a nice set play, Glen Rice comes out quick to the top of the key to receive a pass while Yao sets his screen at the free throw line. Yao then breaks toward the basket after setting the screen, Rice spots him and passes the ball to him flashing toward the basket, and Yao jams it through with his right hand with authority, and he was fouled! Yao makes the 'And 1' for his 7th point. The Rockets lead 56-42.
7:36 In another different play we have seen from Yao, he gets the ball at the top of they key and pulls up for a LONG 20-FOOT jump shot. HE HITS IT!! We knew Yao had the skill to hit those shots before coming to the Rockets, but had not seen him hit one that long until tonight. What's next? a 3-pointer? We hope so! Yao is 4-for-6 from the field with 9 points. The Rockets lead 60-46.
1:39 From his favorite spot on the left side, Yao is guarded by Jason Caffey. Yao looks around the court to pass, but then decides to go to work himself. Yao dribbles toward the lane once, leans against Caffey to create some space, then immediately falls away AND HITS A SWEET SWISHER, AND HE'S FOULED! Yao makes the penalty, and the Rockets lead 78-54. Yao has 12 points.
1:04 Steve Francis misses a three-pointer, but Yao grabs the rebound in front of the rim and easily lays it in for the follow-up bucket. Yao has hit 4 shots in a row and is 6-for-8 from the field with 14 points.
4th quarter - The Rockets have blown open the game after outscoring the Bucks 33-22 in the third quarter. The Rockets lead 83-58. Yao continues playing in the 4th quarter.
10:56 Assist Yao gets the ball in his favorite spot from Cuttino Mobley at the three-point line. Cuttino runs past Yao along the baseline, and Yao does again what he did in the previous game--A PERFECT NO-LOOK PASS BEHIND HIS HEAD TO A CUTTING CUTTINO, WHO GOES IN FOR THE TWO-HANDED JAM! HE MAKES THIS DIFFICULT PASS LOOK SO SIMPLE! It doesn't hurt that he towers over Jason Caffey to make this pass almost untouchable.
9:52 Free Throws From his favorite spot, Yao gets the ball deflected away by his man, but he recovers by grabbing the ball and DRIBBLING BEHIND HIS BACK toward the bucket, gets good low-post position, and goes up for a point-blank shot...but is fouled. Great dexterity showed by the Big Man! Yao makes both free throws for his 15th and 16th points.
8:30   Yao checks out of the game for Terrence Morris with 16 points (6-for-9 FGs, 4-for-4 FTs), 8 rebounds and 1 block.

The Rockets continue to cruise to a 103-80 victory.

as of 1/3/03
It's test time again for the Rockets on Saturday night in Houston when they play Golden State, a team they should beat. Out of their 13 losses, the Rockets have lost 4 of those games to teams with lesser talent, like Memphis, the LA Clippers (twice), and the Knicks. More depressing is the fact the Rockets have not played well after having ample time to practice and rest--6 of their losses have come after 3 or more days of rest. This fact does not bode well for the Rockets since they haven't played since Tuesday (4 days).

Now is the time for the Rockets to show they are either maturing, or that they still don't take care of business very well. Granted, Golden State has been playing better, but they are still 12-18, and just lost to San Antonio on Friday night and have to play again on Saturday against the 17-13 Rockets.

Expect a great game from Yao, who had 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting the last time they played the Warriors in Oakland. It should also be an exciting game for Warrior and Bay Area fans who will get another opportunity to watch Yao on television. They turned out in droves last time Yao played against the Warriors, so expect big ratings again this time around.