Yao scores six points, pulls down four rebounds in Rockets debut
Well, no one expected Yao Ming to dominate right off the bat, and last night's preseason game at San Antonio was certainly proof positive of that theory. I will say this, though; Yao sure is tall.
In his 13 minutes, Yao had six points and four rebounds. He made one of five shots. He crashed to the court three times. He became the background in a poster-quality dunk. He inspired David Robinson to turn away one short shot rather than challenge 7 1/2 feet worth of shot blocker in his path. He dropped in a smooth seven-foot fade-away over Robinson's reach.
He also earned the respect of the league's most imposing defensive tandem.
But more than anything, after four frantic days, two practices and one road trip, all under a suffocating, obsessive media watch, he finally became a basketball player again. The adrenaline rush felt good.
"Before I got on the court, I was a little nervous," he said. "Once I got out there, I was just really excited. The excitement dissipated the nervousness."
There are not many tougher tests, and Robinson was not about to make this one easier.
Of the defensive 1-2 punch delivered by Robinson and Duncan, he offered his first carefully-worded (though translated) pun, "They left a very deep impression on me."
But the Rockets liked what they saw. There was an atmosphere that even brought playoff memories to Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. There was a buzz when Yao moved toward the scorer's table, a roar when he first stepped on the court.
"Regardless of where he played, he hadn't played in the NBA before," Rockets forward Maurice Taylor said. "I think he did fine. He was nervous, doing a lot of things fast, like all rookies. He'll get better.
"This is the first (NBA) game he ever played. He had two practices. I was like that when I first came into the league and I had training camp.
"Once he starts dunking on people he'll relax."
Yao's first-half initiation ended when he picked up his third foul in five minutes. He had pushed Robinson battling for position and got a piece of Stephen Jackson on a drive.
Even with Yao, the Rockets are still a bad team wearing pajamas for uniforms. At least the curiosity factor will be higher than usual this season. Yao may not set the league on fire immediately, but he's only been in town for four days. Give him some time, and he's going to impress people.
