Mehmet Okur (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3547/) has handled the defensive duties on Yao and despite giving up seven inches, he tangled up Yao most of the night and kept him away from the basket. The smothering defense was enough to impress even Sloan, who is constantly repeating the importance of defense and working hard.
Okur showed more emotion than usual and was asked if he had developed a "mean streak," which drew a laugh from some teammates who can't see the mild-mannered Turk as anything but benign.
"I don't think Memo has got any meanness in him. I think he tried to do the best he can," Sloan said. "He knows he's at a disadvantage to start with."

NBA - Houston Rockets/Utah Jazz Preview Saturday April 28, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2007042826)


:hoops:

I guess he was watching Wallace X 2 in their better years. Ben could always guard Yao driving the guy mad. Yao always struggled against Ben. I wonder if Memo called Ben for some directions?

:phone: