Yao & Yi 2008-09

[Khalid802]

Yao Ming had a very descent performance (very efficent from the field as well ) against the Cavs as he scored 28 points (13-15 FG, 2-4 FT) and grabbed 8 rebounds to help the Rockets win 93-74.

 

[TrueBluePinoy2]

Hehehehe. Yao's Scary!!

 

[Khalid802]

Good game by Yao Ming against the Grizzlies as he scored 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-8 FT), grabbed 17 rebounds, 3 Block Shots, 2 Assists and 1 Steal to help the Rockets win 93-83.

 

[rikhardur2]

CHN – Yao and Yi popularity soars in China

BEIJING (Olympics) - China national team stars Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian rank first and third on this year’s Forbes China Celebrity List.

The March issue of Forbes China, the Chinese-language edition of Forbes magazine, recognized Houston Rockets center Yao as the number one for the sixth year running, while New Jersey Nets forward Yi climbed one rung on the ladder to third.

Both Asian basketball icons were constantly in the media glare in 2008 during the build-up to the Olympics and at the Beijing Games, with Yao serving as China’s flagbearer at the event’s Opening Ceremonies.

The two were constantly in the spotlight in 2008 and not just because of their performances on the court.

Both benefitted from endorsement deals with Yao gaining exposure from his contracts with McDonald’s and VISA and Yi receiving plenty of publicity thanks to his association with Nike.

Zhang Ziyi, a 30-year-old actress, is number two on the list which was compiled by Forbes China.

The list considered the popularity and income of prominent men and women in movies, sports, media and music in mainland China. It is modeled on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list.

Celebrities from Hong Kong and Taiwan, like Jackie Chan and Jay Chou, were not included.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29708/arti.html

 

[RetiredJordanStopper2]

Got the chance to see Yi play live at Izod Center last weekend vs. the Cavs with a guy named James LeBron something .

Yi started at the 4 spot, but didnt get much minutes. He missed a bunch of wide open shots and made a couple, but what strikes me most is his phobia to mix it up down low. I didnt think he grab a rebound (i didnt bother to check the game stats) or post-up somebody. maybe that's his game, preferring to shoot from the perimeter, but with a height and atheticism like that, i would prefer him slashing to the basket more often or at least cut to the basket if he doesnt have the ball and create some chances for himself. maybe VC has some kind of influence on Yi on how one should play basketball, and i'm not talking positive things here.

another thing is his inability to play defense. he is matched up against Varejao, and time and time again, that dude James LeBron found him wide open underneath the basket with some nifty passes (some even looked impossible). must be a joy playing with that James LeBron guy. Yi looked lost in rotation, and always ended up being backed-picked. his backside must be hurting til now.

Varejao totally outhustled and outclassed him in all aspects, probably that's why Lawrence Frank sat him most of the game. he didnt even finish the game on the floor, the coach preferred to sit him and went to some players like Hayes and Boone.

Too bad for Yi, i still think he is NBA material, but definitely not in the class of Yao. His replacement in Milwaukee, Charlie Villanueva is light years ahead of him. If the Nets think they can keep Yi strictly out of his supposed potential, they better be patient, because i dont think Yi will get better soon.

Too bad.

 

[mvblair2]

Got the chance to see Yi play live at Izod Center last weekend vs. the Cavs with a guy named James LeBron something .

...but with a height and atheticism like that, i would prefer him slashing to the basket more often or at least cut to the basket if he doesnt have the ball and create some chances for himself....

another thing is his inability to play defense...

RJS, I'm watching the Cavs play the Nets this minute on TV and I'm seeing the exact same thing. He's not hustling, he's not playing with his size, and worst of all, he's not productive. Bobby Simmons on the team is also the same. They look awful!! They're both just missing jump-shots when both of them should be slashing to the hoop, like you said. It's really frustrating.

Too bad for Yi, i still think he is NBA material, but definitely not in the class of Yao.

I wonder if his problems have something to do with his injury earlier this year. He had a couple of 20+ games before the New Year, but after his injury, he's just completely dropped off.

 

[sinobball2]

Yi first DNP-CD in his career ... not good. Last 8 games he played (and started) he shot 13/50 FG. Apparently he also shares many problems Wang Zhizhi faced due to his personality (feeling and acting isolated from the team). Playing like Wang didn't help either, especially since Wang's FG% was even much higher. Looks like the Nets ain't gonna make the playoffs so let's just get the season done with, and work his butt hard during the summer (maybe Summer league games). As for now we don't know if he's gonna play in the Asian Championship, but it's probably not a bad idea to play to gain some confidence back. (Yao really shouldn't play).

 

[Khalid802]

(Yao really shouldn't play).

Yao definitely shouldn't play. He really needs some rest in the summer and the officials in China shouldn't pressure him into playing for the NT.

 

[Khalid802]

Yao had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 Assists, and 6 Block Shots as Houston lost to the Lakers in Staples Center last night

 

[Buzissa2]

Yi DNP yesterday against the Bulls... He is losing protagonism in NJ's roster...

 

[mvblair2]

Yi DNP yesterday against the Bulls... He is losing protagonism in NJ's roster...

Another DNP? Really? Man, I'm starting to feel sorry for him. I really think he's got a lot of talent. He's tremendously skilled, but maybe he lacks some energy or defense. I hope he can get his "chin up" again.

 

[Buzissa2]

He has a good jump shot and jumps well... I like him...
He is a quite irregular and that is the main reason for this sucessive DNP's...

 

[Charbel Sakr2]

Another DNP? Really? Man, I'm starting to feel sorry for him. I really think he's got a lot of talent. He's tremendously skilled, but maybe he lacks some energy or defense. I hope he can get his "chin up" again.

he lacks a credible birth certificate hahaha jk

 

[Buzissa2]

Yi with another DNP against the 76ers yesterday...

 

[mvblair2]

Looks like Yao got the best of Howard last night:

Yao, Wafer Lead Rockets Past Magic - by Chris Duncan, AP Sports, April 8, 2009

Dwight Howard is in his fifth NBA season and Yao Ming says he’s getting more and more difficult to face. For now, Yao still has the edge.

Yao scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, outplaying Howard and leading the Houston Rockets to a 93-83 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

The 7-foot-6 Yao went 8-for-13 from the field and also blocked two shots. He played 38 minutes and got some help from 7-2 Dikembe Mutombo in handling Howard, the NBA’s leading rebounder and shot blocker.

“He keeps getting stronger and he has quickness,” said Yao, in his seventh season. “He has learned a lot of offensive skills. I’m just going to hang in there and hopefully next year, we can match up.”

...Howard had 13 points and 10 rebounds, but went 3-for-9 from the free-throw line...

“I don’t even know what to say about it,” Howard said of the matchup with Yao. “He shot the ball well and I got a little too frustrated with the way the game was being called and didn’t play my game.”
.
..the game belonged to Yao and the Rockets.

...Yao hit two hook shots and another from the baseline over Howard in the first six minutes, while Howard missed his first two shots and coughed up a turnover. The Magic started 4-for-12 from the field, but three of the baskets were 3-pointers and they trailed only 12-11.

Yao then blocked Howard’s shot and dunked at the other end, part of a quick 7-0 Houston spurt.

...With Howard resting on Orlando’s bench, Yao and the Rockets stretched the lead to 40-30 in the first seven minutes of the second quarter. Howard returned with 5:19 left in the half, but Artest sank a 3-pointer to give Houston a 13-point lead, its biggest of the game.

Houston outrebounded Orlando 23-20 and held Howard to eight points in the first half to lead 47-38.

The Rockets committed three turnovers in the first three minutes after halftime and the Magic cut the lead to 50-47. Houston went 8-for-22 from the field with four turnovers but still headed to the fourth quarter leading 67-59— the Magic failed to gain much ground in the third by going 7-for-19 from the field.

“Shots we normally make, we missed,” Howard said. “We just didn’t play with the energy and effort that we needed.”

The Rockets led 71-65 when Wafer drove past J.J. Redick for a reverse layup with 7:51 left in the game. Yao came out for a quick rest and Mutombo replaced him, immediately forcing another miss by Howard. Artest scored to extend the Houston lead to 76-65.

Yao returned with 3:50 left and promptly hit a long jumper for an 84-74 Houston lead. The Magic couldn’t muster much of a rally and lost to Houston for the 12th time in the last 14 meetings.

...Yao has six straight double-doubles. … Howard has 60 double-doubles this season...

 

[Charbel Sakr2]

Hehehehe. Yao's Scary!!

yao has the look " look into my eyes, is that a foul

 

[DarknessFalls2]

Yi Accepts Challenge, Pokes Fun at Frank - Yi Jianlian - Sina.com
http://www.netsdaily.com/blog/?p=706

End of the second season. Good luck to Yao Ming and Sun Yue!

The season is over. I need to thank a lot of people. I am not going to mention CCTV, MTV, and New Jersey TV just yet. I want to thank you guys first. Thank you so much for supporting me continuously regardless of my good or bad performance has been. As Chef Fon would say, “xie xie a!” (Thank you very much!) Haha….

Of course, I also saw and heard your criticism. That’s my motivation to move forward. You spur me on to great improvements. There are four more months until the next game. I have to do my best to rest and train myself. I need to improve everything and prepare for the third season.

Now that I’ve thanked you. Let’s talk about my thoughts about this team. Actually, before I came here last year, I was wondering whether or not I could fit in and make friends with my teammates. After I got here, I felt it was a very relaxed team. The whole team is fun. Everyone loves to joke around in the lockerroom, during training, or whenever we’re just hanging around the court. We always make fun of each other. [Brook] Lopez is an example. I am sure you all have already seen his ability to gossip….

This year, I have good relationship with everyone. We often go out to eat in groups. Of course, hands down, [Bobby] Simmons is the person who takes care of me the most. We both came here from Bucks last year. He’s my oldest teammate. He’s always willing to help me out. In conclusion, he’s the kind of person who always helps people for the sake of justice. How do I say that in the Northeastern Chinese language (Dong Bei Hua)? Oh yeah, Lao Zhang Yi (The Justice Man)! He’s like the warrior who’s traveled all over ancient China to help people. From the Bucks to here, he’s always been the same. When I have a bad performance, he encourages and advises me. Of course other senior members on the team are nice as well, such as [Vince] Carter and [Keyon] Dooling. They are both very nice and are willing to give us encouragements. I need to thank them as well. Oh, I almost forgot to mention coach [Lawrence] Frank. Oh well, short people are easier to ignore! LOL.

All right, to be honest, I still feel sorry that we didn’t get into the playoffs. I saved a team uniform to commemorate this season. I’ll work harder next season. I still have time. I still have the third, forth and fifth year! Right? Although the regular season just ended, both the Rockets and the Lakers can still play playoffs. I wish Yao Ming and Sun Yue good luck! The Rockets did very well this season. It seems like they are in good shape for the playoffs. As for Yao Ming, a good wish is enough. He doesn’t need encouragements, because he knows how to lead the team to victory! Oh Sun Da Sheng (Wukung The Monkey King), let’s continue to work hard together! Ok, you two wait for me. If time allows, I will be there at the game to show my support. Play well!

http://www.nba.com/nets/news/View_from_the_Couch.html

Other Observations
Yi Jianlian said everyone should expect "a different me" next season

 

[rikhardur2]

It's good Yi recongnises this season was not very good for him. And more important than that, he's ready to improve, that's the spirit. Perhaps next season he'll blossom as Bargnani did this season.

 

[Buzissa2]

Not only Bargnani, but also Bellinelli (some good games after his "relief"), Salmons (great surprise), Nenê or Von Wafer... I refered only some players.
You're right Rik, Yi has to follow the good examples...
Good season for the italians (even Gallinari played well in the few games he played), no doubt...

 

[mvblair2]

ESPN's "ticket tape" at the bottom of the TV screen this morning reads "Lead Story: Yao has perfect game, Rockets beat Blazers"

Two things gave Yao so much success: 1) Houston's whole team did a good job of getting the ball to Yao early in the shot-clock, and 2) Portland played defense behind Yao when they should try to play defense in front of Yao.

Yao has 24 points, Rockets beat Blazers 108-81 - by Anne M. Peterson, April 19, 2009, AP Sports

Coming out strong against the Trail Blazers was the first step of a very logical progression for Yao Ming.

“Because this was the first game, and also the first couple of minutes of the first game—the first couple of minutes can set the tone for the game, and the first game can set the tone for the series,” Yao said.

The 7-foot-6 Yao scored nine of Houston’s first 11 points and finished with 24 in the Rockets’ 108-81 victory over the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. It was the opener of their first-round playoff series.

The Rockets led by as many as 31 points in the second half and there was simply no way the young Blazers could catch up.

Yao scored all of his points in the first half, and added nine rebounds. He hit all nine of his attempts from the field and all six of his free throws.

Portland centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden had no answer for the seven-time All-Star from China.

“We tried to play behind him,” Przybilla said. “So we’ll make adjustments for the next game. He hit every shot he took so we got to do something.”

Yao did not attempt a shot in the second half and sat for all of the fourth quarter.

“That’s the beauty of Yao—he’s incredibly efficient,” teammate Shane Battier said. “Not many guys in the league are capable of having this kind of night, where he makes every shot he puts up.”

Aaron Brooks added 27 points for the Rockets, who haven’t advanced out of the first round of the playoffs since 1997.

Brandon Roy had 21 points for the Blazers in their first playoff appearance since the 2002-03 season. Portland embraced the young team this season, and some 10,000 fans showed up at a downtown rally earlier in the week in support of the team.

On Saturday night, many fans were already headed out the door by the end of the third quarter.

“It’s a bad night,” coach Nate McMillan said. “We lost.”

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Blazers, as well as a six-game winning streak at home. Portland was 34-7 at the Rose Garden during the regular season.

The Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets 104-76 in the final game of the regular season to earn the fourth seed in the postseason.

The Rockets fell 95-84 in the season’s final game, dropping them to the fifth seed.

Oden, who sat out of practice Friday because of a sinus infection and was considered a game-time decision, played off the bench and had 15 points and five rebounds.

Oden spent several minutes in coach Nate McMillan’s office prior to the game. Afterward, McMillan said, “Looks good. No issues.”

Yao went on to score 14 points by the midway point of the first quarter, giving the Rockets an 18-12 lead. He finished the quarter 7-for-7 from the floor for 16 points.

“He just got going,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “He was on a roll. He was making turnaround jumpers, jump hooks, face-up jumpers. He did everything.”

Houston collectively shot 75 percent in the first quarter, missing only five of 20 shots.

The Rockets extended their lead to 40-26 on Von Wafer’s jumper in the second quarter, before going up 58-41 on Ron Artest’s layup.

There was a scary moment on the other end when Roy got caught in a tangle of players scrambling for the ball on the floor. Roy sat on the court for several moments, and when his teammates came to his aid, he appeared to mouth “my back.” But he returned shortly thereafter.

The Rockets led 62-44 at the half. Artest and Brooks each had 13 points in addition to Yao’s 24.

Luis Scola’s layup put Houston up 80-55 late in the third quarter. Brooks opened the fourth with a 3-pointer that made it 88-58.

Scola finished with 19 points, and Artest had 17.

The Rockets have been without seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady since February, when he underwent season-ending microfracture surgery on his left knee.

“I think it’s disappointing that we didn’t come out to play from the start,” Przybilla said. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have come out with the same intensity.”

And this from a blog:

Brooks, Yao Help Rockets - April 19, 2009, The Dream Shake, by Bring Back Novak

...# Yao did the dirty on Portland. I'm not sure what Nate McMillan was planning in order to stop the Ming Dynasty, but leaving Joel Przybilla by his lonesome to defend The Great Wall for the majority of the first quarter was not going to suffice. Kudos to all of our guys to recognize Yao's advantage and get him the ball as early and as often as possible. He was in a groove from the beginning, hitting two outside shots to open up the scoring. And then he got the post-moves going, hitting a jump hook over Przybilla after the former Rockets draftee hit the deck in Okurian fashion. The second quarter was no different as far as production goes. While Yao's points were not as straight up post-movish as they were in the first quarter, he was still able to find the ball under the basket for some easy dunks. We also did a fantastic job of making entry passes to Yao, as he only had one turnover. Normally, if Yao turns it over, it is as a result of a difficult catch that he has to make, followed by a quick move and a steal. But in this game, he had no trouble at all sealing off defenders and giving himself space to work. Fantastic game from Shanghai's Finest. And he did it all on ....(in your best Ed Rooney voice)...niiiiine shots.