YaoMingMania.com

Back to Home

100% dedicated to Yao Ming's life in the NBA

Yao vs. Pistons - 3/4/03

Detroit Piston center Ben Wallace tries to wrestle the ball away from Yao in the second quarter of Tuesday night's game. The Pistons broke a 7-game losing streak by beating the Rockets 96-83. Houston has now lost 4 in a row. (AP Photo)

Once again, the Rockets got off to a very slow start in a first half of action, and it cost them dearly against the Detroit Pistons. The Rockets dropped their fourth in a row Tuesday night, this time losing in Motor City 96-83. The Rockets have struggled big-time in the first halves of their last 5 games (Boston, New York, Washington, San Antonio and now Detroit). What's sad for the Rockets is that the Pistons had lost 7 games in a row coming into this game. Wouldn't you know it, facing a feast against the now-woeful Rockets is just what the Pistons needed to get back to their winning ways.

The Rockets scored a season-low 31 points in the first half (28% shooting). Someone needs to send a team of U.N. inspectors into the Rockets clubhouse to see where they are hiding their offensive weapons during the first halves of these games! Their shooting improved in the second half (62.5%), but it still wasn't enough. The Rockets closed the deficit from 21 points to 9 with about a minute remaining in the game, but the Rockets never really threatened the double-digit lead. This game was definitely a snoozer for Rocket fans.

The Yao Report

Yao, one of the few bright spots in the Rockets offense, finished with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting and was 8-for-12 from the line. He also had 8 rebounds, several intimidations, and a couple of aggressive slam dunks that were awe-inspiring. Even with Yao having a great game, there's not much more he could have done to overcome the errors of his teammates. For example, Yao repeatedly threw crisp passes to open teammates, but they failed to either anticipate his pass or to convert the bucket.

Cat bounces back

Cuttino Mobley resurfaced Tuesday night after a dreadful shooting game against the Spurs on Sunday. Cat had 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. What's strange is that Stevie Franchise only scored 11 points (none by halftime) on 4-of-13 shooting. It's clear the Rockets need Cuttino and Francis to get 20 points a game, because when they do, they are 12-2.

Back to the ugliness

This Rocket team is showing an uncharacteristic lack of heart and character. They lost their fourth in a row during a time in previous years they have shown the ability to win "must-win" games. It's very strange to see all this talent "on paper" not win games. Unbelievably, the Rockets are now at .500 again (30-30), and are tied with GOLDEN STATE for the 9th spot in the Western Conference. Who would have imagined that just a couple of weeks ago?

Something's got to give here. Replacing a starter in the line-up is not going to solve the Rockets' problems. Like they say, that's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. In this type of situation, we must put everyone under scrutiny, including head coach Rudy T. We don't expect a change in Rocket leadership this season. However, at this rate the Rockets will not make the playoffs, and the Rudy T. question will become extremely valid in the off-season.

Lately, the Houston press seems to be remiss in not questioning how well the Rockets are being coached, so we want to address the situation by bringing attention to a poll we placed on the discussion forum a few weeks ago. Feel free to vote and comment on the question: Should Rudy T. be replaced as the Rockets head coach if Houston doesn't make the playoffs this season? This poll was posted at a time when the Rockets were winning games every once in awhile, so it will be interesting to see what the results will be now that the Rockets are folding. If you haven't done it already, make sure to go to the thread and cast your vote (registration is required to vote, which is free).

Wednesday night, the Rockets play the Raptors in Toronto. I hope I'm wrong, but something tells me it's not going to be pretty, although the Rockets have the best record in the league for the second game of back-to-backs (10-5).

John

Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. Detroit Pistons 3/04/03
brought to you by Jeff and John

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.

10:51 Yao gets the ball under the basket and goes up for a layup or dunk, but he is hacked hard on the arm by Cliff Robinson...AND NO FOUL IS CALLED! What's going on here? You've got to be kidding me?

7:45 James Posey sets a high screen for Steve Francis near the top left 3-point line. Francis blows by Piston forward Michael Curry, but the Piston's All-Star center Ben Wallace is there to force Francis to go for the reverse layup. Francis misses the reverse, but Yao is there for the easy put-back. Yao is 1-for-3 from the field, as he scores his first points of the game.

6:26 Steve Francis passes to Yao who gets the ball in the low left edge of the lane. Yao backs Wallace down deep, turns to his right and JAMS it over Wallace for a face job!! We've seen Yao back down smaller-type centers these last few games, but it's especially nice to seem him go aggressive against the All-Star center Wallace. The Detroit crowd roars in awe!

Houston television analyst Calvin Murphy comments, "That was a 10 on the Richter Scale!"

2:13 Ben Wallace gets the ball right next to the basket from a dish by a fellow Piston player. What looks like is going to be an open dunk by Wallace ends up getting altered by Yao as he enters the picture at the last second to make Wallace change the trajectory of his dunk! In fact, it looks like Yao should be given credit for a block, but the official scorer didn't credit Yao the rejection.

2:04 Cato comes into the game for Yao. Yao leaves with 4 points on 2-for-5 shooting.

2nd quarter - The Rockets trail the Pistons by the score of 16-20. They are lucky it wasn't worse after shooting only 26% from the field.

7:18 Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 21-32.

3:20 Assist From behind the 3-point line on the left side, James Posey passes to Yao who catches it a few steps from the left edge. Piston shooting guard Jon Barry turns his head to the ball for a second, and Posey is off and cutting to the basket. Yao makes a perfect bounce pass and Posey goes in for the dunk! Those points ended a Rocket six minute scoring drought. The Rockets still trail 23-40.

2:26 Free
Throws As Yao tries to get position in the middle of the paint, he bumps Ben Wallace, who tumbles to the floor, hoping to draw a call against Yao. Seeing Wallace out of position, Posey passes a laser-like pass to Yao. Wallace recovers but not in time. Wallace is forced to foul Yao as he goes for the easy 2-footer. Wallace is steamed at the officials for not getting a charging foul called on Yao. Maybe he should take some acting lessons from L.A. Laker Mark Madsen! Yao hits both free throws and now has 6 points.

2:00 Free
Throws Yao does a good job in getting position on Wallace in the middle of the paint. Yao receives the pass from Eddie Griffin, and as he goes for a right handed hook shot, Piston Clifford Robinson fouls him from behind. Yao hits the first free throw, but misses the second.

0:52 Intimidation Ben Wallace sets a high pick-and-roll for Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups. Billups drives into the paint and as Yao helps out, Billups finds Wallace cutting down from the left wing. Wallace goes in for the monster dunk, but Yao is there to make him alter his attempt. The ball hits the back of the rim, and flares out. That's Yao for you, playing the game as it should be played.

0:37

+
Free
Throw Yao gets great position in the middle of the paint again (much like the previous possession against Wallace), and Eddie Griffin finds him there. Yao turns to his right, dribbles once with both hands, forcefully goes to the rack against Piston center Mehmet Okur, and with his right arm tomahawk-jams it down on Okur...AND HE'S FOULED! We're not sure when Yao learned this move (and almost the exact same one against Wallace in the first quarter), but it shows how physically dominant and Shaq-esque that Yao can become in this league. Yao hits the bonus free throw and the Rockets are now down 31-47. Yao is 3-for-7 from the field and has 10 points.

Halftime - The Rockets trail 31-49, and have shot only 28% from the field in the half. Yao has 10 points on 3 for 7 shooting. Suprisingly, Steve Francis has no points.

3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.

7:13 Free
Throws Yao gets the ball in the left edge post position. He makes a quick baseline spin move, leaving Wallace in the dust. He goes up for the layup but is mugged by two Pistons. Yao makes the first free throw, but misses the second. The Rockets trail 42-59.

6:39 Assist In the right edge post, Yao starts to back Ben Wallace down. As the Piston defense focuses on Yao, Eddie Griffin sneaks in, right in front of the basket. Yao dumps it off to Eddie over Wallace for the slam dunk! It must be nice to be 7'5.

5:31 Steal From the right baseline, Michael Curry inbounds an alley-oop pass to Ben Wallace, but Yao is there to smartly deflect the pass to James Posey. This leads to a fastbreak, as Posey throws a touchdown pass to Steve Francis who goes in for the slam! Nice steal, Yao!!!

2:50 Free
Throws Maurice Taylor misses a 6-foot fadeaway, but Yao is there to muscle out Ben Wallace for the offensive rebound. Yao pump fakes, and takes it back up but is fouled by Piston shooting guard Richard Hamilton. Yao misses the first free throw, but hits the second. Yao now has 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting, and 6-for-9 from the line.

1:23 James Posey gets Yao the ball in the left edge post. Yao moves into the middle of the paint and drains a sweet sweeping hook shot over Ben Wallace! I don't think anyone in the NBA can stop that shot!!! Yao is now 4-for-8 from the field, but the Rockets are still behind 55-68.

0:44 Free
Throws Like the previous play, Yao gets the ball again in the left edge post. He moves into the paint and goes up for the same hook shot. This time, realizing that there's nothing he can do, Ben Wallace hacks hard on Yao's right wrist. Yao holds his right wrist and grimmaces in pain. Cheap shot Wallace!! Before you know it, Yao swallows the pain, puts on a stone face, goes to the charity stripe and hits both free throws. Way to go Yao!! Let's just hope he doesn't feel it later on after the game!

4th quarter - The Rockets trail 61-74. Cato starts the fourth quarter.

8:15 Yao checks back in. The Rockets are now down 63-81.
7:00 Yao gets the ball a couple of feet from the left edge. As Mehmet Okur anchors down to stabilize his position, Yao turns around and swishes a nice 16-footer. Nothing but net on that shot! That's 18 points now for Yao, but the Rockets STILL trail 68-72.

0:11

+
Free
Throws Francis gets into trouble as Ben Wallace blocks his shot near the free throw line. Luckily, Steve gets the ball back, and goes in for the left handed layup, but at the last second, he curls a pass to Yao. Yao puts in the easy two-footer and gets fouled. Yao misses the bonus free throw.

The Rockets go on to lose by the score of 83-96, extending their losing streak to 4 games. Yao ends the game with 20 points (6-of-10 shooting, 8-for-12 from the line), 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Back to Home

1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
10:51		Yao gets the ball under the basket and goes up for a layup or dunk, but he is hacked hard on the arm by Cliff Robinson...AND NO FOUL IS CALLED! What's going on here? You've got to be kidding me?
7:45		James Posey sets a high screen for Steve Francis near the top left 3-point line. Francis blows by Piston forward Michael Curry, but the Piston's All-Star center Ben Wallace is there to force Francis to go for the reverse layup. Francis misses the reverse, but Yao is there for the easy put-back. Yao is 1-for-3 from the field, as he scores his first points of the game.
6:26		Steve Francis passes to Yao who gets the ball in the low left edge of the lane. Yao backs Wallace down deep, turns to his right and JAMS it over Wallace for a face job!! We've seen Yao back down smaller-type centers these last few games, but it's especially nice to seem him go aggressive against the All-Star center Wallace. The Detroit crowd roars in awe! Houston television analyst Calvin Murphy comments, "That was a 10 on the Richter Scale!"
2:13		Ben Wallace gets the ball right next to the basket from a dish by a fellow Piston player. What looks like is going to be an open dunk by Wallace ends up getting altered by Yao as he enters the picture at the last second to make Wallace change the trajectory of his dunk! In fact, it looks like Yao should be given credit for a block, but the official scorer didn't credit Yao the rejection.
2:04		Cato comes into the game for Yao. Yao leaves with 4 points on 2-for-5 shooting.
2nd quarter - The Rockets trail the Pistons by the score of 16-20. They are lucky it wasn't worse after shooting only 26% from the field.
7:18		Yao checks back into the game for Cato. The Rockets trail 21-32.
3:20	Assist	From behind the 3-point line on the left side, James Posey passes to Yao who catches it a few steps from the left edge. Piston shooting guard Jon Barry turns his head to the ball for a second, and Posey is off and cutting to the basket. Yao makes a perfect bounce pass and Posey goes in for the dunk! Those points ended a Rocket six minute scoring drought. The Rockets still trail 23-40.
2:26	Free Throws	As Yao tries to get position in the middle of the paint, he bumps Ben Wallace, who tumbles to the floor, hoping to draw a call against Yao. Seeing Wallace out of position, Posey passes a laser-like pass to Yao. Wallace recovers but not in time. Wallace is forced to foul Yao as he goes for the easy 2-footer. Wallace is steamed at the officials for not getting a charging foul called on Yao. Maybe he should take some acting lessons from L.A. Laker Mark Madsen! Yao hits both free throws and now has 6 points.
2:00	Free Throws	Yao does a good job in getting position on Wallace in the middle of the paint. Yao receives the pass from Eddie Griffin, and as he goes for a right handed hook shot, Piston Clifford Robinson fouls him from behind. Yao hits the first free throw, but misses the second.
0:52	Intimidation	Ben Wallace sets a high pick-and-roll for Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups. Billups drives into the paint and as Yao helps out, Billups finds Wallace cutting down from the left wing. Wallace goes in for the monster dunk, but Yao is there to make him alter his attempt. The ball hits the back of the rim, and flares out. That's Yao for you, playing the game as it should be played.
0:37	+ Free Throw	Yao gets great position in the middle of the paint again (much like the previous possession against Wallace), and Eddie Griffin finds him there. Yao turns to his right, dribbles once with both hands, forcefully goes to the rack against Piston center Mehmet Okur, and with his right arm tomahawk-jams it down on Okur...AND HE'S FOULED! We're not sure when Yao learned this move (and almost the exact same one against Wallace in the first quarter), but it shows how physically dominant and Shaq-esque that Yao can become in this league. Yao hits the bonus free throw and the Rockets are now down 31-47. Yao is 3-for-7 from the field and has 10 points.
Halftime - The Rockets trail 31-49, and have shot only 28% from the field in the half. Yao has 10 points on 3 for 7 shooting. Suprisingly, Steve Francis has no points.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the quarter.
7:13	Free Throws	Yao gets the ball in the left edge post position. He makes a quick baseline spin move, leaving Wallace in the dust. He goes up for the layup but is mugged by two Pistons. Yao makes the first free throw, but misses the second. The Rockets trail 42-59.
6:39	Assist	In the right edge post, Yao starts to back Ben Wallace down. As the Piston defense focuses on Yao, Eddie Griffin sneaks in, right in front of the basket. Yao dumps it off to Eddie over Wallace for the slam dunk! It must be nice to be 7'5.
5:31	Steal	From the right baseline, Michael Curry inbounds an alley-oop pass to Ben Wallace, but Yao is there to smartly deflect the pass to James Posey. This leads to a fastbreak, as Posey throws a touchdown pass to Steve Francis who goes in for the slam! Nice steal, Yao!!!
2:50	Free Throws	Maurice Taylor misses a 6-foot fadeaway, but Yao is there to muscle out Ben Wallace for the offensive rebound. Yao pump fakes, and takes it back up but is fouled by Piston shooting guard Richard Hamilton. Yao misses the first free throw, but hits the second. Yao now has 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting, and 6-for-9 from the line.
1:23		James Posey gets Yao the ball in the left edge post. Yao moves into the middle of the paint and drains a sweet sweeping hook shot over Ben Wallace! I don't think anyone in the NBA can stop that shot!!! Yao is now 4-for-8 from the field, but the Rockets are still behind 55-68.
0:44	Free Throws	Like the previous play, Yao gets the ball again in the left edge post. He moves into the paint and goes up for the same hook shot. This time, realizing that there's nothing he can do, Ben Wallace hacks hard on Yao's right wrist. Yao holds his right wrist and grimmaces in pain. Cheap shot Wallace!! Before you know it, Yao swallows the pain, puts on a stone face, goes to the charity stripe and hits both free throws. Way to go Yao!! Let's just hope he doesn't feel it later on after the game!
4th quarter - The Rockets trail 61-74. Cato starts the fourth quarter.
8:15		Yao checks back in. The Rockets are now down 63-81.
7:00		Yao gets the ball a couple of feet from the left edge. As Mehmet Okur anchors down to stabilize his position, Yao turns around and swishes a nice 16-footer. Nothing but net on that shot! That's 18 points now for Yao, but the Rockets STILL trail 68-72.
0:11	+ Free Throws	Francis gets into trouble as Ben Wallace blocks his shot near the free throw line. Luckily, Steve gets the ball back, and goes in for the left handed layup, but at the last second, he curls a pass to Yao. Yao puts in the easy two-footer and gets fouled. Yao misses the bonus free throw. The Rockets go on to lose by the score of 83-96, extending their losing streak to 4 games. Yao ends the game with 20 points (6-of-10 shooting, 8-for-12 from the line), 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.