NBA takes notice of Yao's dominating play
(Houston Chronicle)
Updated: 2004-03-10 10:04

Yao Ming didn't know what to say. No one had told him he was named the NBA's Player of the Week until practice ended on Monday, and the news caught Yao by surprise.

Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis (L) jumps into the arms of center Yao Ming after Ming made two and drew a foul for a three point play in the waning seconds of their NBA game in Houston, March 7, 2004. The Rockets won 101-98. [AP]

In the three games, Yao led the Rockets to two victories by averaging 29.7 points per game and eight rebounds. He also shot 62.5 percent from the field.

When the numbers were put all together, even Yao was taken aback.

"I'm a little surprised that I had the week I did," Yao said. "What should I say? I'd like to thank everybody who selected me. It's the first time I've been selected Player of the Week, and I'm very happy."

Yao, who was a leading candidate for the honor three other times this season, became the first Rocket to be named Player of the Week this season. And even though Yao never ventured near the notion the honor was overdue, his teammates did.

"It's about time," said teammate Steve Francis, the only Rocket to earn the honor last season. "It's good. It shows you how much he's matured and how much better he is getting every single game."

The Rockets want to see Yao continue that dominant effort tonight when they play the Clippers at Toyota Center. All season, they have rallied around his improvement and his ability to take over a game. They constantly talk about how much better they are as a team when Yao plays as well as he is capable.

Their point was reiterated last week, when the Rockets went up against three of the best teams in the Western Conference and won twice. Each game was decided by a mere three points, with the Rockets' only loss coming against the Lakers. In the two victories, the offense seemed to flow with Yao leading the charge.

They scored more than 100 points against Minnesota and Dallas while also hitting a higher percentage of their shots. They hit 50 percent of their field-goal attempts at Minnesota, and 48.8 percent against Dallas.

"I think we're using Yao much better," Mark Jackson said. "It doesn't have to do with him getting 20 or 30 points. But the more touches he gets, the more space we're going to get offensively, because teams have to double him and it creates havoc for them on our offensive end.

"He's doing a great job. And we know that when we put the ball into his hands on the block, it's going to open up so much space for the rest of us. He's just a great offensive force, a superstar."

That's not how Yao thinks of himself. But he is finally starting to gain more confidence in his game, which is giving him the ability to test his limits.

Yao bettered Shaquille O'Neal once again by scoring 33 points and grabbing eight rebounds Wednesday. And he didn't have a letdown after the Lakers left town. He scored 27 points against the Timberwolves and 29 against Dallas. He averaged more points during the week than any other Western Conference player, and trailed only Stephon Marbury (31.7 points per game) in the league overall.

"Maybe (the difference) is just my self-confidence," Yao said. "At least, I feel like my self-confidence is getting better."

His run of 30 consecutive made free throws -- capped by a three-point play with 15.4 seconds left against Dallas -- has helped, too.

The team is feeding off of Yao's attitude and his willingness to lead the offense. The Rockets successfully worked the ball inside-out during the last two games, especially in the fourth quarter when the games were on the line. When the double teams sank in on Yao, he often found his open teammate. And more often than not, whoever got the ball found a way to score.

Against Minnesota, Francis stepped up and scored 25 points. Against Dallas, it was Jim Jackson who helped down the stretch and finished with 24 points.

And despite the strong individual numbers, they said it all started with Yao.

"I think with Yao being more aggressive, really attacking the basket and asking for the ball, I think it opens up a lot more," Jim Jackson said.

"The more Yao is aggressive, the better it is for us."