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

Yao vs. Nuggets (10/22) & Hornets (10/13)


Yao Ming is in disbelief after being called for a blocking foul on the Denver Nuggets' Andre Miller. Yao had the last laugh, though, by leading all scorers with a game-high 29 points. See the latest summary below for more information. (Photo courtesy of the NBA).
October 22nd - Yao Ming exploded Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets in the Rockets' second-to-last preseason game. He scored 29 points (on 11 of 14 shooting) and had 9 rebounds in 28 minutes to pace the Rockets to a 102-79 victory.

Here is Yao's scoring breakdown by quarter:

Qtr. Points FGs Made FG Attempts FTs Made FT Attempts
1st 11 4 5 3 4
2nd 2 1 2 0 0
3rd 14 5 5 4 5
4th 2 1 2 0 0
Total 29 11 14 7 9


Although Denver was a lottery team last year, they have actually been playing fairly well this preseason. They have defeated some pretty tough teams thus far, and have the highest scoring average of any NBA team this preseason.

Since the Rockets scored over 100 points, everyone in the Toyota Center was entitled to a free Big Mac in a McDonald's promotion. We can't wait for Friday night's game against San Antonio in the last preseason of the game (to be televised in the US on ESPN). By the way he played Wednesday night, look for Yao to chow down on some "Duncan" Donuts!

cYAO,
John
HOUSTON, 10/13/03 - Houston's game against the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night was supposed to be the game where the Rockets turned around their poor 0-3 preseason start. It was the Rockets' first game ever in their new home arena (Toyota Center), and offered hope they would start building some momentum since they only have four more games before the regular season begins. Unfortunately, the Rockets are far from ready after getting blown out by New Orleans Hornets 89-71.

With a raspy voice that sounded like it had already been through a full season of yelling, Jeff Van Gundy's post-game news conference was painful not only to his larynx, but also his gut. He was first asked if he had been seeing the progress in his team that he expected. His simple answer: an emphatic "No." When asked later about some of the good things he has been seeing, he replied, "Haven't." You have to respect JVG's candor.

Van Gundy expanded: "There is not one area that's good enough. We don't play hard enough to win. We got our butts kicked once again and we deserved it. I see no alteration in our habits…We're not adapting to the changes that we need to."

He also gave an indication that not everything is registering with his players. "There are a few pockets of resistance." When asked later to elaborate, he said there was resistance to change in their practice habits and game habits. It's hard to tell if Van Gundy's penchant for perfection is the overriding factor here, or if an attitude problem already exists at this early juncture. One thing's for sure--the Rudy Tomjanovich era where player accountability was rarely brought into public is now officially over.

On the positive side, JVG singled out Kelvin Cato for his work ethic. "…Cato's effort this whole time has been good. In practice, in games. Basically, in the 10 days we've gotten together, he's been great. He needs to get in much, much better shape, but his effort level has been terrific." This kind of statement about Kelvin Cato would have shocked Rocket fans only a couple of seasons ago.

Watching this game, the promise that Bostjan Nachbar brought as the 15th player picked in last year's draft appears to be seriously in doubt. Boki continued to struggle from the field by shooting 1-for-6 in 31 minutes of play. "One of the biggest areas he needs to improve is his shooting," Van Gundy stated. On the bright side, Boki received enthusiastic applause from Van Gundy in the second quarter when he drew a charging call on a Hornet player.

Van Gundy complimented Steve Francis for his skills, but acknowledged it will be difficult for the Rockets to win if he tries to hit a "home run" every time down the court. "We're not playing team offense right now. We're blowing play after play, assignment after assignment."

Francis recognizes he needs to share the wealth. "I think we all have to sacrifice certain things and I think it definitely starts with me moving the ball. We've only been together (as a team) for 10 or 11 days and we're learning a new offensive scheme and a new defensive scheme. I'm mad that we lost."

One other bright point from the game for JVG was when Moochie Norris, Steve Francis and Mike Wilks were in the game together. "It's the only time we showed some basketball character and played with passion." Statistically speaking, free-agent signee Mike Wilks didn't do much in 24 minutes of action. He went 0-for-3 from the field, and 0-for-4 from the free throw line. Those kind of numbers aren't going to cut it if he wants to win the backup point guard spot from Moochie. Norris had one of his better games statistically, scoring 7 points (3-for-8 from the field), collecting 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes.

Shooting only 2-for-9 from 3-point territory, the Rockets are already missing sharpshooter Eric Piatkowski, who is out for a month with a severe ankle sprain. It also doesn't help that Cuttino Mobley sat out because of a hip strain, and Maurice Taylor and Adrian Griffin are out because of injury. That's another difference between Van Gundy and Rudy--we're not really hearing any excuses about injuries this preseason from the new regime. Gotta love the willingness to accept accountability from the voice-challenged Van Gundy.

How'd Yao do?

Yao could have easily scored more than the 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots he ended up having since he played only 23 minutes. He started out great making 5 of his first 7 shots, but missed the last three. He made all 5 of his free throws, and had some beautiful offensive moves described in our Detailed Yao Analysis below.

One interesting note…on rare occasion last season did Yao and Cato play on the court at the same time; Van Gundy experimented with this idea against the Hornets. When asked about playing with his backup center on the front line for a significant amount of time in this game, Yao replied, "It's a new feeling. It helps me defensively and on the boards. It's a new look for the team."

As a side note to the game..I wish I could post a picture of the new, cool shoes Yao was wearing (assumingly manufactured by Reebok). Instead of describing them, I imagine you can find them in a Footlocker near you (either now or coming soon).

Yao quotes after the game:

"It feels great, but I'm hoping to get new results."

  -  When asked if he felt rejuvenated about the new uniforms, new arena, and new coach (Van Gundy)
"The main purpose of the preseason is to get used to the new strategy of the new coach. Also, (to get) the players warmed up and to get their bodies ready. Right now, I think that we're about 60%. It's not the most ideal situation for us or for our opponents. I think we all have to get used to each other."

"It's frustrating. There are a lot of problems we need to fix."

  -  Lamenting the problems of the Rockets preseason
"We think we can remember the plays in practice. But when the crowd is yelling, we start thinking alot and get nervous."

  -  One theory why their performance during games is a far cry from what they experience in practice


About the arena:

Surprisingly, Houston only drew 10,068 fans to the first game at Toyota Center (it looked more like 8,000), which had to be disappointing to Rocket brass with all the publicity the arena has been getting in the Houston area. The arena is obviously superior to Compaq Center, but if the Rockets don't win, it will quickly lose its luster.

The Hornets loved it (and not just because they won). Coach Tim Floyd marveled, "The locker rooms are terrific. This is a serious upgrade and one of the best in the league. A great atmosphere for basketball. It doesn't get any better than this." That's saying something since Floyd used to coach the Chicago Bulls in United Center, a not-too-shabby facility. Baron Davis also had a rave review: "It's beautiful. I love it! It's one of the best in the league. I'd like to be a fan here with all the amenities that are offered."

Here are a few observations I had from walking around the arena:

  • The seats are wide and more comfortable than the old seats at Compaq.
  • As advertised, there is more fan seating around the court, which probably won't please many members of the media when they show up and realize their old courtside seats are gone. Instead, they will be sitting in the press area between the lower concourse and the luxury suites. But this is probably the case for most of the new arenas now.
  • The projection screens hanging above the court are extremely vivid. They almost look as clear as new plasma TVs hanging on the wall in Circuit City.
  • The concourses are much brighter than Compaq since most of the walls are white and the flooring is a lighter color, which reminds one of a new university campus building or something. But luxury is evident in the concession areas and suite levels.
  • You need to show your ticket to get into the concession area in the lower bowl. No longer can Rocket fans from the upper concourse come down and get a half-court glimpse of action like you could from the walking area behind the last rows in the lower sections at Compaq.
  • When you were in the concourse area at Compaq, you could hear very clearly what was going on inside the arena, and could rush to your seat when you heard the crowd roar. At Toyota Center, it's unusually quiet and insulated as you walk around the building to get from one side to the other. The acoustics are held pretty much in check in the seating area, and are much better than Compaq's.
  • Lots of dessert counters and carts are located around the building. [Perfect for Houston, which was recently named "America's Fattest City" by a recent study.]
Detailed Yao Analysis
vs. New Orleans Hornets  10/12/03


1st quarter - Yao starts the game.
12:00   Yao wins the tip! The Rockets have the first possession in Toyota Center, but fail to score. On the ensuing Hornet possession, David Wesley hits a three-pointer to be the first player to score in the new arena. Oh well, the Rockets have another chance to score the first regular season points in Toyota on October 30th.
11:08 Steve Francis dribbles around a Yao Ming pick near the three-point line, enters the lane, then whips a pass out to Yao, who is standing all by himself along the baseline. Yao squares up, and SWISH. Yao is the first Rocket to score in Toyota Center. Rockets trail 2-3.
8:26   Cato enters the game and plays alongside Yao, which was a rarity last season but something former coach Rudy T. toyed with a few times near the end of the season.
5:51 From the 3-point line, Jim Jackson penetrates through the defense and dishes to Yao, who slams it home easily with his right-hand! Three Rocket players on the bench rise and clap with approval. Rockets trail 10-13.
5:06   Eddie Griffin checks in for Yao, who has 4 points on 2-of-3 shooting. The Rockets trail 12-15.
2nd quarter - Rockets trail 18-28. Yao has 4 points and does not start the quarter.
11:29   The Rockets trail 18-30, and Jeff Van Gundy calls time out, livid at his team's defensive performance (or lack thereof).
7:51   Yao checks back into the game to a very loud roar from a surprisingly small crowd (10,000 fans). The Rockets trail 22-36 and need Yao's offense desperately.
7:11 On a rare fast break, Moochie pushes the ball up with Yao leading the charge. Moochie penetrates the lane and bounces a sweet pass to Yao underneath the bucket, who throws it down two-handed for the deuce! Norris rewards the Big Man for running the floor! Yao has 6 points on 3-of-5 shooting.
6:27
Free
Throw		 Yao gets the ball in his favorite spot on the left side just outside the paint. With his back to the basket, Yao spins baseline leaving Sean Rooks in his wake, goes up and is hacked by Rooks on the right arm, but still manages to keep control of his body to lay it in off the glass! AND ONE! Yao pumps his fist in elation! He makes the free throw, and has 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Yao has scored 5 points in a row, and the Rockets now only trail 27-36.
5:37 Free
Throws		 Yao is fouled on the offensive end of the floor by Sean Rooks. Yao drains both free throws and now has 11 points, and is 3-for-3 from the line.
5:21   The Hornets' Robert Traylor drives down low underneath the basket and puts up a shot at the front of the rim, but Yao is able to tip the shot attempt for his first block of the night. The ball comes down to Traylor, who is able to lay it in.
4:35 With the shot clock winding down, Steve Francis lofts a shot high into the air from the middle of the lane. The ball clangs off the back of the rim, but Yao is underneath the basket and outreaches everyone to grab the rebound and lay it in! Yao has singlehandedly kept the Rockets in the game by scoring 9 points in the quarter, and 13 points overall on 5-of-7 shooting. The Rockets trail 33-39.
39.2   Yao checks out of the game for Cato. After having closed the deficit to 6 points, the Rockets now trail 37-54 because of hot outside shooting by the Hornets.
Halftime - The Hornets outscored the Rockets 15-6 in the last 4 1/2 minutes of the 2nd quarter to take a 54-39 lead. Yao has 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Francis has 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting. As a team, the Rockets are shooting 47% from the field.
3rd quarter - Yao starts the third quarter.
8:13 The Hornets' Jamal Magloire posts up Yao on the right edge of the lane and tries to swoop through the lane and put up a running hook shot, but Yao easily swats it and tips it to himself! That was a prayer of a shot!
3:19 Free
Throws		 Kelvin Cato checks into the game for Yao, who will not return. After starting out hot with 5-of-7 shooting, Yao finished 5-for-10 for a total of 15 points. He was a perfect 5-for-5 from the line, had 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. The Rockets trail 53-69.
4th quarter - The Rockets trail 59-73 at the beginning of the quarter, and are shooting only 39%. Their FG% is plummeting quickly, and bottoms out at 35% by the end of the game as the Rockets lose it 71-89.


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