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100% dedicated to Yao Ming's life in the NBAYao vs. Suns - 1/15/03
Yao shoots one over the Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire Wednesday night in the fourth quarter. The Rockets beat the Suns 102-96. |
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The Rockets are starting to show some consistency. Wednesday's night game against the Phoenix Suns in Houston was one where Rocket fans would have reason to expect a let-down from their team. After all, the Rockets had won 4 of their past 5 games and just seemed due for a disappointing game since they haven't dealt well with prosperity this season. However, they took care of business by not getting influenced by what the other team was doing offensively, just as they had shown against Boston on Monday when the Rockets didn't get caught up in matching the Celtics' 33 three-pointers.
The Rocket stars of Francis, Mobley and Yao didn't try to out-highlight-reel Stephon Marbury (32 points on 12-of-29 shooting, ouch!), Shawn Marion (25 points) or Stoudemire (24 points, 8-for-21, double-ouch!). Instead, they were aggressive, which created better shots for them or put them at the line where they shot 78% on 29-for-37 shooting. In addition, the Rockets continued to show defensive intensity that doesn't get the headlines that slam dunks do. For example, the Rockets:
If you read other stories about this game, you'll read how fellow rookie Stoudemire "got the better" of Yao Ming (11 points on 4-for-13 shooting) or "outplayed Yao." So what? What they might not point out is that Stoudemire took 8 more shots, which could mean an extra 8-10 points that could have been added to Yao's point total. Regardless, Stoudemire is an incredible talent and has amazing presence for a 20-year old just one year removed from high school. But to be honest, I'll take the 'W' over a dunkfest combined with an 'L.' Yao continued to show he is the consummate team player that will not take ill-advised shots. Almost all of the shot attempts he had were very makeable from very close range (see the shot chart below). The problem in this game was that Yao just didn't have the touch on the ball he normally has. We're not sure if it was a lack of concentration, but I predict he will have much better touch against Shaq and the Lakers Friday night when the world will be watching. Shooting 'touch' is a very touch-and-go thing (no pun intended), so when the shots aren't falling, you just have to work your way through it and contribute in other ways. That's what Yao did by doing the intangibles, like drawing the defense away from other players so they could do their thing. Yao is such a big presence, just his being on the floor is enough to open up opportunities for other players like Cuttino Mobley (season-high 30 points) and Francis (19 points). Posey has poise The one guy we continue to rave about is James Posey. He played big-time minutes because of Glen Rice's absence, and is delivering like we thought he would. J.P. had 14 points (5-for-8 shooting) along with some clutch rebounds (11 total) that resulted in big buckets the Rockets needed. We predict that even when Rice returns this year (if he does), Posey will remain the starter. At this pace it's a no-brainer. Reminds us of when Yao seized the opportunity earlier this year when Cato left the team for a week because of a family matter. Yao won and kept the starting job. The trade for Posey reminds us alot of the Clyde Drexler trade back in 1995. Drexler brought athleticism, scoring and defense to the big guard/small forward spot. We all know what happened that year, right? Clyde was the missing ingredient the Rockets needed to win a ring. [Hey, it's okay to dream, isn't it?] 'Hall of Shame' candidate? We couldn't end this write-up without mentioning how out-of-touch the Suns' TV play-by-play guy is. If you saw the Phoenix game on television or highlights, you probably cringed like I did every time he referred to Yao as "Yo Ming." What planet is he living on? |
Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Phoenix Suns 1/15/03
| 1st quarter - Yao starts the game. | ||
| 11:15 |  |
From his favorite spot on the left side outside the middle of the lane, Yao posts up Scott Williams. Yao dribbles three times to the edge of the lane, reverse spins toward the bucket to leave Williams behind him, and scoops up an underhand shot off the glass for the bucket! Beautiful lay-in! |
| 6:12 | Assist | Mobley passes the ball to Yao in the middle of the paint, but he's smothered by a couple of Suns underneath the basket. With no good shot available, Yao passes it out all the way to the three point line to Mobley, who drains the three! Nice presenece to see Cuttino out high, and great long pass to get it to him! |
| 4:07 |  |
Yao gets the ball on the right side of the court just outside the middle of the paint, and spins baseline to leave his man in the dust. Yao has a clear path to the lane for the dunk, and goes up for the slam, but Amare Stoudemire comes out of nowhere to block the shot at the rim. You can tell Yao feels he was fouled by the way he raises his arms to the ref after this 'block.' Replays show that Stoudemire got a big chunk of Yao's arm. Nice play by Yao's fellow Rookie of the Year candidate, but he did get lucky to not get called for the foul. This 'block' starts a fast break with Stephon Marbury leading the charge. Marbury drives the lane, but then dishes behind him to the trailing Stoudemire who goes in for the layup. |
| 3:00 |  |
Yao gets the ball in his favorite spot on the left side, dribbles to the edge of the paint, then spins toward the basket for another scoop shot layup attempt, but he just misses it! Yao's getting great looks in this game by spinning away from his defenders, but he hasn't been able to finish for multiple reasons (like Stoudemire's 'phantom' blocked shot). This game so far reminds us of the Atlanta game last week where Yao was missing shots just barely. |
| 1:43 |  |
From the left side in his favorite spot, Yao dribbles twice into the lane, reverse pivots and puts a shot up with a man between himsef and the bucket. As he releases the ball, Shawn Marion comes over from the weak side and blocks his shot! This doesn't appear to be Yao's night. |
| 1:30 | Yao checks out of the game for Cato. | |
| 2nd quarter - The Rockets trail 22-30. | ||
| 6:05 | Yao checks back in for Cato. The Rockets trail 28-36. | |
| 5:33 |  |
Francis drives the middle of the lane and draws the defense to him, then DISHES THE BALL TO YAO ON THE BASELINE WHO GOES IN FOR THE TWO-HANDED JAM!! Yao shows some flair by kicking his right leg up and hanging on to the rim just a little bit longer than usual on this dunk. You have to think he's frustrated he has missed so many shots at very close range, but also bummed that Stoudemire has been getting dunks in this game and he hasn't. Maybe kicking the leg out shows the Suns he's got some showmanship in him like Stoudemire has.
Yao is now 2-of-8 from the field with 4 points. |
| 4:44 |  |
Marbury drives the lane from a 45 degree angle on the right side, BUT YAO COMES OVER FROM THE LEFT SIDE TO BLOCK HIS SHOT BY PINNING IT TO THE GLASS! Yao is now starting to make his presence felt in this game. |
| 3:08 | Free Throws |
Yao is jockeying for position for an offensive rebound, but Jake Voskuhl grabs his jersey and is called for the foul. Yao misses the first throw, but makes the second. |
| 1:36 | Free Throws |
Again, Yao is jockeying for position for an offensive rebound, and this time Voskuhl hooks him with his left arm to keep him from getting a rebound. And once again Yao misses the first free throw, but makes the second. Yao is 2-for-4 from the line and has 6 points. |
| Halftime - The Rockets lead 42-38. The Rockets outscored the Suns 20-8 in the second quarter. | ||
| 3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter. | ||
| 9:43 |  |
Amare Stoudemire gets the ball on the baseline and goes up for a thunderous jam over Griffin, BUT YAO COMES OVER FROM THE FREE THROW LINE AND SAYS "TAKE THAT" AND REJECTS HIM THOROUGHLY! It's payback time for that earlier foul he had on him in the first quarter that was somehow ruled a legal block! Great help defense shown by Yao! It's funny, but Amare has all 5 Rockets within 6 feet of him, and the rest of the Suns are standing aound on the perimeter. Reminds me of the old Hakeem days. Strange for all the Sun veterans to let this 20-year old rookie do all the work himself. It also doesn't appear he doesn't like to pass as much as Yao does. He likes to take it up strong, for better or worse. |
| 7:49 |  |
On almost the exact same scenario as above, Stoudemire is passed the ball at the baseline by Marbury, and Stoudemire goes up for a shot on the left side of the rim. But Yao comes over to make Stoudemire double pump, but Yao is still able to get a hand on the ball and block the ball for the second time in less than two minutes! |
| 6:31 |  |
Francis is dribbling it up the court on a semi-fast break, and Yao is way ahead of him. Francis then passes a 40-foot pass to Yao, who catches the purposefully high pass in the paint with his left hand and without dribbling elevates for a nice soft lay-in off the glass using his right hand! Steve rewards Yao for his hustle! We love to see the Rockets guards share like this! Let's see more of it! The Rockets lead 54-46. |
| 5:21 | Free Throws |
Francis drives to the paint from the right side of the court, goes up, then passes a 3 foot pass to Yao who is standing right in front of the bucket. Yao goes up for the shot, but is hacked by Voskuhl. Yao misses the first free throw, but makes the second one. Yao is 3-for-6 from the line. |
| 4:04 |  |
From his favorite spot on the left side, Yao faces up on Voskuhl, dribbles once to the left, then reverse pivots toward the baseline and shoots a fallaway jumper and SWISH! This is the first traditional fadeaway jump shot Yao has shot all game long, and it was perfect! Rockets lead 59-53. Yao is 4-for-11 from the floor. |
| 2:08 | Yao checks out of the game for Cato. He has 11 points and 5 rebounds. | |
| 4th quarter - Cato remains in the game for Yao. | ||
| 6:18 | Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The Rockets hold an 86-75 lead. | |
| :21.1 |  |
With the Rockets leading 99-93, Marbury drives the lane on Yao, but Yao easily stuffs him near the rim for his 4th block of the game! |
| :08.6 | Intimidation | With the Rockets only leading by four points, Stoudemire posts up Yao on the left block (coincidentally in Yao's favorite spot). This is one of the few times in the game where they are playing each other one-on-one. Stoudemire makes his move by dribbling once toward the lane, elevates, and gets caught up in the air BECAUSE YAO HAS LEFT HIM WITH NO OPTIONS! Stoudemire throws the ball out of bounds since he doesn't have a shot!
Yao finishes with 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting from the field, 3-for-6 from the line. |
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