I am watching thee Heat/Rockets game on ESPN, the impovement of Yao is very impressive. He is taking Shaq off the dribble, shooting mid-range jumpers and simply abusing Alonzo to the point where he can`t guard him. Too bad T-Mac is so fragile, that could be an awesome duo in the league.
Interesting, since my take is a little different. T-Mac is a shell of his former self (the NBA is of the lesser) and I hope he can finish the season strong. Yao is the the type that fades...big time. The key for me is Bonzi and how honest he can keep the rest of the league. He's the go-to guy in crunch time and may be the only one who keeps Huston in not following Yao. Still...I don't see them making the playoffs.
The season before last when Yao hurt his toe and T-Mac had a mental breakdown, the Rockets were in a Game 7 against the Mavs, and could have advanced to play the Suns, a team I felt they had all the mismatches against with Mike James defending Nash and Yao outsizing Amare. If they are healthy, the Rockets are a lock for the playoffs.
I watched the game too and was thinking the same things. Yao looks much more mobile and much more in control of his body. And he can play for more than ten minutes without reaching over and grabbing his shorts. If he stays healthy, and even if T-Mac remains a shell, but a healthy shell, the Rockets could be knocking on the door of the second round.
I was so glad the Heat got beat, and twice as glad the Rockets did it. Yao has matured a lot, and it really shows this year. He always looked to me like he couldnt control his body, like he couldnt get used to the size or something. Now he looks confident and in control. Hope it lasts.
If Yao & T-Mac can stay healthy, they will definitely make the playoffs and be a real contender. With the additions of Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier, they can be dangerous. The teams from Texas are real deals.
