What they said: April 2004
Sunday, April 25th, 2004
by John
“I don’t think it should (wear him out). When one of your two best players has such a production decline in the last month of his only two seasons in the NBA, included in that is the playoffs this year, … there has got to be concern and you have to find out the answers, because if … one of your best players doesn’t play his best when his best is needed, then you’re going to be continually frustrated. Certainly we’ve got to come up with, along with Yao, a solution so he’s playing his best and we have a chance to play our best in April and hopefully May and June.”
– Coach Jeff Van Gundy saying he’s not too concerned about Yao’s summer Olympic training schedule, but then backtracking a bit, 4/25/04
“One of the things he is going to have to realize is that Shaq already comes in with the mentality of hitting you first. So when you hit back, it’s obviously going to be a foul, even if you think it’s protecting yourself. So Yao might have to get the mentality that he’s going to have to hit Shaq first, maybe be tougher on him on the offensive end so maybe he can draw some of those offensive fouls like he did in Game 2.
“I know he’s frustrated. You foul out of a playoff game, it’s overtime — you’re frustrated. But at the same time, we can’t let him get away from what he does. He still has to be Yao. He’s not Shaq. He still has to focus on doing the things he does.”
– Rockets power forward Maurice Taylor after the Rockets lost Game 4 where Yao fouled out of the game, 4/25/04
“He doesn’t have bravado, which a lot of players have — but he does have true confidence, which is very distinctive. I think a lot of players in our league don’t have as much confidence as they appear to have. It’s more that bravado.”
“He’s very humble, which is a blessing and, at times, a curse.”
“I think humility’s a great thing. I think one of the great demeanors he can learn from is Tim Duncan, who’s obviously a humble, team-oriented superstar, but also a fierce, fierce competitor who understands his impact on the game…
“He [Yao] is in his second full year and it remains to be seen where he’s going to take his career. Is he going to be a very good player, which is what he is? Is he going to be a great player, one of the all-time greats? I don’t know. We’ll find out over time…
“I’m not sure that he always appreciates just where he can take us…. He doesn’t mind being a backup singer and maybe at times, too much.”
– Miscellaneous thoughts from Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy, 4/23/04
“I don’t think it should (wear him out). When one of your two best players has such a production decline in the last month of his only two seasons in the NBA, included in that is the playoffs this year, … there has got to be concern and you have to find out the answers, because if … one of your best players doesn’t play his best when his best is needed, then you’re going to be continually frustrated. Certainly we’ve got to come up with, along with Yao, a solution so he’s playing his best and we have a chance to play our best in April and hopefully May and June.”
- – Coach Jeff Van Gundy saying he’s not too concerned about Yao’s summer Olympic training schedule, but then backtracking a bit, 4/25/04
“One of the things he is going to have to realize is that Shaq already comes in with the mentality of hitting you first. So when you hit back, it’s obviously going to be a foul, even if you think it’s protecting yourself. So Yao might have to get the mentality that he’s going to have to hit Shaq first, maybe be tougher on him on the offensive end so maybe he can draw some of those offensive fouls like he did in Game 2.
“I know he’s frustrated. You foul out of a playoff game, it’s overtime — you’re frustrated. But at the same time, we can’t let him get away from what he does. He still has to be Yao. He’s not Shaq. He still has to focus on doing the things he does.”
- – Rockets power forward Maurice Taylor after the Rockets lost Game 4 where Yao fouled out of the game, 4/25/04
“He doesn’t have bravado, which a lot of players have — but he does have true confidence, which is very distinctive. I think a lot of players in our league don’t have as much confidence as they appear to have. It’s more that bravado.”
“He’s very humble, which is a blessing and, at times, a curse.”
“I think humility’s a great thing. I think one of the great demeanors he can learn from is Tim Duncan, who’s obviously a humble, team-oriented superstar, but also a fierce, fierce competitor who understands his impact on the game…
“He [Yao] is in his second full year and it remains to be seen where he’s going to take his career. Is he going to be a very good player, which is what he is? Is he going to be a great player, one of the all-time greats? I don’t know. We’ll find out over time…
“I’m not sure that he always appreciates just where he can take us…. He doesn’t mind being a backup singer and maybe at times, too much.”
- – Miscellaneous thoughts from Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy, 4/23/04